Georgia High School Basketball 22-23 Almanac
Georgia has long been considered one of the richest basketball states in the country…. Since 2017, Georgia has produced 25 guys who have donned a NBA jersey from the likes Jaylen Brown, Collin Sexton, Issac Okoro, Wendell Carter Jr to former #1 draft pick Anthony Edwards. Atlanta has consistently kept talent all over the state from Atlanta, to Savannah, to Macon, to Albany the state has been blessed. This year doesn’t seem to be different after losing stars Kaanan Caryle, Jaden Williams, and Bryson Tiller to Overtime Elite the GHSA basketball will continue to show how good basketball in the state will be. Led two of the top players in the country Stephon Castle (Newton) and Isaiah Collier (Wheeler) along with Arrinten Page (Wheeler), Brandon Reichsteiner (Etowah), Jakai Newton (Newton), Ace Bailey (McEachern), and Caleb Wilson (Holy Innocents). This should be an exciting year in the Peach State. This preview was created as a labor of love to all fans of Georgia High School basketball, where we might not always get it right, but we will try to be as objective and fair as possible…
5 Storylines to Watch
1. Who Going Back To Back?
Norcross lost two important pieces to the championship puzzle with London Johnson opting for the G-League and Jerry Deng headed to prep school. But don’t feel sorry for Norcross as they are returning Mier Panoam, Samarion Bond, but they will welcome Bilal Abdur -Rahman, and UGA commit Lamariyon Jordan. Look for Jesse McMillian to make another run in a loaded 7A. The safe bet to repeat will be Darren Douglas and the Grovetown Warriors, led by Winthrop commit Frankquon Sherman, Georgia State commit Vashon Ferguson, Derrion Reid, and Markel Freeman. Omar Forts looks to keep Tri-Cities in the championship tilt, losing Simeon Cottle will hurt, but they bring back Kory Mincy, and adding Lady of Mercy’s guard Malique Johnson, and ultra-athletic wing Dayton Richardson, makes the Bulldogs a team to watch in 5A. Led by senior standout Tycen McDaniels look for Spencer to be back in the thick of state championship hunt. Cross Creek returns 6’7 Antoine Lorick, and Dontrel Smith but welcomes in De’Kel Hobbs, Isan Anthony, and Quavon Henry. Look for the Razorbacks to make a another run in the wide open 3A class. Westside-Augusta returns their top leading scorers in Khalon Hudson and Jalexs Ewing and will look to keep it going in 2A this year, being an odds-on favor to repeat. Greenforrest always finds a with and with Gai Chol, and DK Manyiel this should continue to make them a back-to-back state champion. Drew Charter lost guard Jakobe Strozier, Cam Johnson, and Bryant Triplett off a team that won the championship in 1A Public, the Eagles will look to rebuild around Kenyatta Bennett.
2. Who’s Your Mr. Basketball?
After a phenomenal high school career which saw it end with being named Mr. Basketball in Georgia Bruce Thornton has taken his talents to Ohio State to become a Buckeye. Thornton’s graduation makes us ponder who is next in line to be honored with the award. In the last 5 years, every winner has either been on an NBA roster or G-League roster. Five players to keep any eye on as the race for Mr. Basketball heats up, Stephon Castle (Newton), Isaiah Collier (Wheeler), Ace Bailey (McEachern), Arrinten Page (Wheeler), Peyton Marshall (Kell).
3. Class Changes?
Every three years the classes in Georgia causing region shifts and teams going from one class to another, check out a few moves that may affect the landscape of GHSA basketball this year. Wheeler (7A), Westlake (7A) Osborne (7A), Buford (7A), Tift County (6A), Riverwood (6A), South Cobb (6A), St. Pius (6A) Langston Hughes (6A) Etowah (6A), North Forsyth (6A), Alpharetta (6A), Statesboro (5A), Dutchtown (5A), Tucker (5A), Mays (5A), Kell (5A), Griffin (4A), Lagrange (4A), Starr’s Mill (4A), Trinity Christian (4A), Lovett (4A), Pace Academy (4A)Stockbridge (4A), Holy Innocents (4A), Southwest Dekalb (4A), Cherokee Bluff (4A), East Forsyth (4A), Seckinger (4A) Carver Columbus (3A), Columbus (3A), Dougherty (3A), Thomasville (3A), Wesleyan (3A) Drew Charter (2A)
4. The shot clock is here!
After a year of using the shot clock on trial basis and on select region games, GHSA will use the 35 second shot clock for the 2022-2023 season going forth. Georgia has become the ninth state in the country to implement the shot clock for high school basketball.
5. The Overtime Effect!
Overtime Elite (OTE) has a direct effect on Georgia basketball since its existence, players such as talented Bryson Tiller, Kanaan Carlyle, Jayden Williams, Jahki Howard, Kok Yat and TJ Clark have taken thei rtalents to the new thriving league. With Overtime eligibility rules change and staying close to home will more kids take the plunge Stay tuned...
Best Of The Best (Top 25 Regardless Of Class)
1. Wheeler
2. Newton
3. Grovetown
4. Grayson
5. McEachern
6. Norcross
7. Kell
8. Pebblebrook
9. Pace Academy
10. Sandy Creek
11. Greenforest Christian
12. Sandy Creek
13. Alexander
14. Tri-Cities
15. Eagles Landing
16. Buford
17. Lanier
18. Mount Vernon
19. Jonesboro
20. Berkmar
21. Osborne
22. Spencer
23. Langston Hughes
24. Kings Ridge
25. St. Pius
Other Teams To Watch:
Blessed Trinity, Chapel Hill, Cherokee, Cross Creek, Marist, Holy Innocents, Parkview, Trinity Christian, Tucker, Westside-Augusta
Class Rankings
7A
1. Wheeler 6. Pebblebrook
2. Newton 7. Buford
3. Grayson 8. Berkmar
4. Norcross 9. Cherokee
5. McEachern 10. Osborne
Other Teams To Watch:
Parkview, Carrollton, Denmark, East Coweta, Collins Hill
6A
1. Grovetown 6. Langston Hughes
2. Alexander 7. Blessed Trinity
3. Etowah 8. Shiloh
4. Lanier 9. Riverwood
5. St. Pius 10. Jonesboro
Other Teams To Watch:
Gainesville, Marist, River Ridge, South Paulding, Woodward Academy
5A
1. Kell 6. Chapel Hill
2. Eagles Landing 7. Chattahoochee
3. Tri Cities 8. Calhoun
4. Tucker 9. Dutchtown
5. Mays 10. Hiram
Other Teams To Watch:
Centennial, Statesboro, Jones County, Lithia Springs, Jackson-Atlanta
4A
1. Pace Academy 6. Trinity Christian
2. McDonough 7. Southwest Dekalb
3. Holy Innocents 8. Walnut Grove
4. Lovett 9. Westside - Macon
5. Fayette County 10. Cherokee Bluff
Other Teams To Watch:
Baldwin, Howard, Madison County, Miller Grove, North Oconee
3A
1. Sandy Creek 6. Johnson (Savannah)
2. Cross Creek 7. Hart County
3. Cedar Grove 8. Gilmer
4. Beach 9. White County
5. Columbus 10. Adairsville
Other Teams To Watch:
Hephzibah, Thomasville, Lakeview – Ft Oglethorpe, Stephens County, Hebron Christian
2A
1. Spencer 6. Thomson
2. Washington (Atl) 7. Drew Charter
3. Westside - Augusta 8. Model
4. Columbia 9. Putnam County
5. North Cobb Christian 10. Butler
Other Teams To Watch:
ELCA, Kipp Collegiate, Mt. Paran, Providence Christian, Vidalia
1A – Division 1
1. Mt. Vernon 6. Chattooga
2. King’s Ridge 7. Social Circle
3. Mt. Bethel 8. St. Francis
4. Paidea 9. Mt Pisagh
5. Darlington 10. Woodville – Thompkins
Other Teams To Watch:
Dublin, Galloway, Pelham, Tallulah Falls, Whitfield Academy
1A – Division 2
1. Greenforest Christian 6. WD Mohammed
2. Christian Heritage 7. Chattahoochee County
3. Portal 8. Hancock Central
4. Charlton County 9. Dooly County
5. Wilkinson County 10. Macon County
Other Teams To Watch:
Manchester, Telfair County, SACA, Fulton Leadership, Greene County
2022-2023 GHSA Boys Preseason All – State Team
Seniors (Class of 2023)
First Team Second Team Third Team
Stephon Castle (Newton) Gai Chol (Greenforest) Jermichael Davis (McEachern)
Isaiah Collier (Wheeler ) Mari Jordan (Norcross) Spencer Elliott (Marist)
Jelani Hamilton (Wheeler) Jaiun Simon (Pebblebrook) Marcus Whitlock (Newton)
Arrinten Page (Wheeler) Brandon Rechsteiner (Etowah) Mier Panoam (Norcross)
Jakai Newton (Newton) David Thomas (Eagle’s Landing) DK Manyiel – Greenforest
Other Players To Watch:
Marquavious Brown (Morgan County), Frankquon Sherman (Grovetown), Brigham Rogers (Blessed Trinity), Noah Melson (Alexander), Dylan Faulkner (Calhoun)
Juniors (Class of 2024)
First Team Second Team Third Team
Airous Bailey (McEachern) Christian Anderson (Lovett) Karris Bilal (Riverwood)
Kyle Greene (Pace Academy) CJ Brown (Kell) Luke Flynn (Walton)
Gicarri Harris (Grayson) Roc Lee (Berkmar) Josh Hill (Wheeler)
Peyton Marshall (Kell) Braeden Lue (Alexander) Jabez Jenkins (Newton)
Micah Smith (Sandy Creek) Derrion Reid (Grovetown) Jayce Nathaniel (Lanier)
Other Players To Watch:
Levonta Ivey (Thomson), William Jobe (Kings Ridge), Dennis Scott III (Mt. Vernon), Cole Kirouac (North Forsyth), Will Moore (West Forsyth)
Sophomore (Class of 2025)
First Team Second Team Third Team
Josh Dixon (Milton) Chane Bynum (Washington) Eric Chatfield (Pace
Akai Fleming (Osborne) Ethan Carter (Arlington Chris.) Deke Cooper (Woodward)
Tylis Jordan (Shiloh) Amir Taylor (Grayson) Daniel Ogunyemi (Valor)
JD Palm (McEachern) Micah Tucker (Mt. Pisgah) Alex Pissis (Trinity Chris.)
Caleb Wilson (Holy Innocents) Jacob Wilkins (Parkview) Eddie Cook (Berkmar)
Other Players To Watch:
Daniel Daramola (Greenforest), Rhys Cotton (McEachern), Aiden Weaver (Etowah), Jared White (Sandy Creek), Kyle Carpenter (Buford)
GHSA Games To Watch
November 12th
Norcross vs Sandy Creek
November 19th
Mt. Vernon vs Lanier
Parkview vs Greenforest
November 21st
Buford vs Parkview
November 22nd
Grovetown vs Buford
Parkview vs Tucker
November 23rd
Grayson vs Tri-Cities
November 25th
Newton vs Grovetown
Holy Innocents vs Washington
November 26th
Wheeler vs Grovetown
Newton vs McEachern
November 29th
Pebblebrook vs Milton
Sandy Creek vs Spencer
December 2nd
Parkview vs Milton
December 3rd
Pebblebrook vs Tri Cities
Blessed Trinity vs St. Pius
December 6th
Eagles Landing vs St. Pius
December 7th
Tri Cities vs Grovetown
December 10th
Newton vs Norcross
Grayson vs Berkmar
Kell vs Mt. Vernon
Blessed Trinity vs Calhoun
December 17th
Greenforest vs Kell
Buford vs Berkmar
Tucker vs McDonough
December 30th
Alexander vs Etowah
December 31st
Newton vs AZ Compass Prep
January 7th
Grayson vs Kell
January 20th
Pace Academy vs McDonough
January 21st
Norcross vs Pebblebrook
Pace Academy vs Milton
February 4th
Sandy Creek vs Etowah
February 6th
Wheeler vs Newton
Region Predictions
7A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Lowndes 1.Wheeler
2.Valdosta 2.Osborne
3.Colquitt County 3.Cherokee
4.Richmond Hill 4.North Cobb
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Pebblebrook 1.Milton
2.East Coweta 2.Denmark
3.Westlake 3.Lambert
4. Carrollton 4.West Forsyth
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.McEachern 1.Norcross
2.Harrison 2.Berkmar
3. Marietta 3.North Gwinnett
4. Hillgrove 4.Peachtree Ridge
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Newton 1.Buford
2.Grayson 2.Collins Hill
3.Parkview 3.Mountain View
4.South Gwinnett 4.Central Gwinnett
6A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Tift County 1.Alexander
2.Veterans 2.Langston Hughes
3.Thomas County Central 3.South Paulding
4.Lee County 4.Paulding County
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Grovetown 1.Etowah
2.Evans 2.River Ridge
3.Brunswick 3.Creekview
4.Effingham County 4.Sequoyah
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Jonesboro 1.Blessed Trinity
2.Woodward Academy 2.John Creek
3. Morrow 3.Alpharetta
4. Rockdale County 4. Pope
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.St.Pius 1.Lanier
2.Riverwood 2.Shiloh
3.Marist 3.Gainesville
4.South Cobb 4.Habersham Central
5A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Statesboro 1.Tri-Cities
2.Greenbrier 2.Chapel Hill
3.Jenkins 3.Mays
4. Bradwell Institute 4.Lithia Springs
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Eagle’s Landing 1.Kell
2.Dutchtown 2.Chattoochee
3.Jones County 3.Centennial
4.Union Grove 4.GAC
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Northside, Columbus 1.Calhoun
2.McIntosh 2.Hiram
3. Harris County 3.Cass
4. Northgate 4.Carterville
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Tucker 1.Clarke Central
2.Decatur 2.Winder-Barrow
3.Lithonia 3.Heritage-Conyers
4.Chamblee 4.Eastside
4A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Bainbridge 1.Pace Academy
2.Cairo 2.McDonough
3.Westover 3.Lovett
4.Shaw 4.Woodland-Stockbridge
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Westside-Macon 1.Holy Innocents
2.Howard 2.Miller Grove
3.Spalding 3.Southwest Dekalb
4.Baldwin 4.Druid Hills
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Southeast Bulloch 1.Southeast Whitfield
2.Benedictine 2.Northwest Whitfield
3.Wayne County 3.Central, Carroll
4.New Hempstead 4.Sonoraville
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Fayette County 1.Walnut Grove
2.Trinity Christian 2.North Oconee
3.Lagrange 3.Madison County
4.Whitewater 4.Cherokee Bluff
3A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Columbus 1.Sandy Creek
2.Thomasville 2.Cedar Grove
3.Crisp County 3.Douglass
4.Monroe 4.Carver, Atlanta
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Mary Persons 1.Lakeview-Ft Oglethorpe
2.Jackson 2.Adairsville
3.Peach County 3.Bremen
4.Pike County 4.Ringgold
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Beach 1.Gilmer County
2.Johnson, Savannah 2.White County
3.Calvary Day School 3.Wesleyan
4.Savannah Country Day 4.Pickens County
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Cross Creek 1.Hart County
2.Morgan County 2.Monroe Area
3.Hephizibah 3.Stephens County
4.Harlem 4.Oconee County
2A
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Sumter County 1.Columbia
2.Cook 2.ELCA
3.Berrien 3.Landmark Christian
4.Worth County 4.Redan
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Spencer 1.Washington
2.Southwest 2.North Cobb Christian
3.Northeast 3.Drew Charter School
4.Rutland 4.Mt. Paran
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Vidalia 1.Model
2.Windsor Forest 2.Murray County
3.Tattnall County 3. Rockmart
4.Toombs County 4.Haralson County
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Westside, Augusta 1.Providence Christian
2.Thomson 2.Athens Academy
3.Putnam County 3.Union County
4.Butler 4.Banks County
1A-Division 1
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Pelham 1.Social Circle
2.Irwin County 2.Jasper County
3.Brooks County 3.Prince Ave Christian
4.Bacon County 4.Oglethorpe County
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Dublin 1.Mount Vernon
2.East Laurens 2.King’s Ridge
3.Jefferson County 3.Mt. Bethel Christian
4.Swainboro 4.Paidea
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Woodville-Tompkins 1.Darlington
2.Metter 2.Chatooga
3.Bryan County 3.Pepperell
4.Claxton 4.Armuchee
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Lamar County 1.Athens Christian
2.Heard County 2.Tallulah Falls
3.Crwford County 3.Commerce
4.Temple 4.Rabun County
1A-Division 2
REGION 1 REGION 5
1.Seminole County 1.Hancock Central
2.Calhoun County 2.Wilkinson County
3.Quitman County 3.Georgia Military College
4.Mitchell County 4.Johnson County
REGION 2 REGION 6
1.Lanier County 1.Chattahoochee County
2.Charlton County 2.Macon County
3.Clinch County 3.Manchester
4.Turner County 4.Greenville
REGION 3 REGION 7
1.Portal 1.Greenforest Christian
2.Jenkins County 2.Christian Heritage
3.Montgomery County 3.WD Mohammed
4.McIntosh County Academy 4.Fulton Leadership Academy
REGION 4 REGION 8
1.Dooly County 1.Towns County
2.Telfair County 2.Washington-Wilkes
3.Wheeler County 3.Warren County
4.Wilcox County 4.Aquinas