Gwinnett County Prep Basketball 2014

Gwinnett Daily Post •Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014 • gwinnettprepsports.com @gdpsports #GwinnettHoops

GWINNETT COUNTY PREP HOOPS PREVIEW

Team breakdowns and schedules of Gwinnett’s high school basketball teams

inside

Archer........................................................................................Pg. 4 Berkmar.....................................................................................Pg. 5 Brookwood................................................................................Pg. 6 Buford........................................................................................Pg. 7 Central Gwinnett.......................................................................Pg. 8 Collins Hill.................................................................................Pg. 9 Dacula......................................................................................Pg. 10 Duluth...................................................................................... Pg. 11 Greater Atlanta Christian.......................................................Pg. 12 Grayson...................................................................................Pg. 13 Hebron.....................................................................................Pg. 14 Lanier.......................................................................................Pg. 15 Meadowcreek..........................................................................Pg. 16 Mill Creek.................................................................................Pg. 17 Mountain View.........................................................................Pg. 18 Norcross..................................................................................Pg. 19 North Gwinnett........................................................................Pg. 20 Parkview..................................................................................Pg. 21 Peachtree Ridge.....................................................................Pg. 22 Providence..............................................................................Pg. 23 Shiloh.......................................................................................Pg. 24

2 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

GAC’s head coach Eddie Martin is interviewed by Mark Harmon after winning last season’s Class AA state championship. (File photo)

South Gwinnett.......................................................................Pg. 25 Wesleyan.................................................................................Pg. 26

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 3

archer

TIGERS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Tim Watkins 2013-14 RECORD: 10-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Kwei Lartey, 6-4, Sr. Aleem Ford, 6-7, Sr. Darrion Taylor, 5-9, Jr. Isaiah Daugherty, 5-11, Sr. Bryon Andrews, 6-4, Jr. Rhiann Mann, 6-5, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Cedric Walker, 6-3, Sr. Marcelus Bryan, 6-3, Sr. Amori Atkinson, 6-3, Jr. Shariff Barthelus, 6-3, Sr. Antoine Joe, 5-11, Jr. OUTLOOK: The Tigers are coming off a rebuilding season, necessitated when all five starters graduated off a 2012-13 team that went 22-8. They fell back to 10-16 last season with a young lineup, but still remained competitive. Those young players also gained valuable experience for what is expected to be a much more successful 2014-15 season. Leading scorer Kwei Lartey (15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds) is among the returning contributors, as is another double-figure scorer Darrion Taylor (10.9 points, 3.7 assists). Aleem Ford (6.8 points, 3.3 rebounds), Isaiah Daugherty, Bryon Andrews and Rhiann

the Tigers’ athletic director, is the only boys basketball coach in school history. …

Before last season, Archer went 40-16 over its previous two seasons.

FAST FACT: After staying close to home last season around Christmas, the boys will head to Pensacola, Fla., for its holiday tournament this year.

Mann also were in the rotation last season.

WORTH NOTING: Head coach Tim Watkins also ex-

4 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

GIRLS COACH: Ryan Lesniak 2013-14 RECORD: 29-4 RETURNING REGULARS: Madison Newby, 5-7, Sr. Amber Skidgel, 6-1, Sr. Autumn Newby, 6-2, Soph.

Linsey Marchese, 6-3, Soph.

Cii Cii Marseille, 6-0, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Asia McCoy, 5-10, Fr. Tatiana Wayne, 5-5, Sr. Tia Shorter, 5-8, Soph.

OUTLOOK: Archer took its program to a higher level with a breakout 2013-14 season that ended with a state championship game loss to loaded McEachern.

Archer’s Tatiana Wayne The Tigers won difficult Region 8-AAAAAA last pects solid play from Cedric season, no easy feat with Walter, Marcelus Bryan, Parkview in the region, Amori Atkinson and Shariff and aim to repeat that this Barthelus. … Watkins, also season. With seven of the

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top nine players in the rotation back, hopes are very high. Georgia State commit Madison Newby (11 points, 5.3 assists, 3.9 steals) is still the team leader. Fellow senior Amber Skidgel (12 points, 4 rebounds, 41 percent from 3-point range) is a Georgia commitment.

Seniors Tatiana Wayne and Cii Cii Marseille also return, along with highly touted sophomores Autumn Newby (12.7 points, 8.8 rebounds) and Linsey Marchese (8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds).

WORTH NOTING: Madison Newby’s scoring went down last season — she averaged 18.5 points as a sophomore — because the talent surrounding her increased. She was able to spread the ball around more with her passing while sharing the scoring load. …

Autumn Newby is ranked as the No. 7 player nationally and No. 2 forward in the Class of 2017 by ESPN. FAST FACT: A tough schedule will include non-region matchups with Mountain View, Carrollton and Jefferson Davis (Ala.), as well as a trip to the Naples (Fla.) Holiday Shootout after Christmas.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 18 Mountain View Nov. 22 River Ridge Nov. 24 Crisp County Nov. 29 On the Radar Classic (Boys) Dec. 2 Shiloh Dec. 5 Central Gwinnett Dec. 9 at Brookwood Dec. 12 Grayson Dec. 13 at South Gwinnett Dec. 19 War Eagle Classic Dec. 29, 31 Naples Holiday Shootout (Girls) Dec. 29, 31 Pensacola, Fla. Tournament (Boys) Jan. 3 at Carrollton Jan. 6 at Parkview Jan. 9 at Berkmar Jan. 13 Dacula Jan. 16 at Shiloh Jan. 17 Jefferson Davis in Krossover Classic at Archer (Girls) Jan. 20 Brookwood Jan. 23 at Grayson Jan. 24 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 27 South Gwinnett Jan. 30 Parkview Jan. 31 Berkmar Feb. 6 at Dacula

berkmar

PATRIOTS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Greg Phillips 2013-2014 RECORD: 24-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Al Durham, 6-2, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Lane Foster, 5-11, Jr. Josh Culver, 6-9, Sr. Josh Faulkner, 5-11, Sr. Viktor Jelici, 6-6, Sr. OUTLOOK: Berkmar made the state tournament in each of Greg Phillips’ first five seasons as coach, reaching the Elite Eight the past three years. The Patriots suffered significant graduation losses, but still should contend for a third recent region title after winning last season.

Leading the returnees is sophomore Al Durham, who started all season as a freshman and had some big games. Junior Lane Foster will also be counted on to play a major role as Berkmar replaces four senior starters. Josh Culver, a 6-foot-9 senior, has grown two inches and takes over in the middle for 6-foot-10 Tim Rowe, a four-year starter. Culver should get help inside from 6-foot-6 senior Viktor Jelici, who missed last season after knee surgery.

WORTH NOTING: Two of Berkmar’s departed seniors will play in college this season. Jonathan Sanks signed with Georgia Southern and Kiair Crouch with Lander University.

Both averaged in double figures last year. … Rowe, who led the Patriots in scoring and rebounding while blocking nearly four shots per game,

elected to attend prep school for a year and is at Mt. Zion in Baltimore. … Berkmar lost to Norcross in the Elite Eight for the second straight year, falling 49-45 at home last season. … In addition to the loss of five seniors, guard Joseph Gordon transferred to Duluth.

FAST FACT: Berkmar will open the season Nov. 21 against defending national champion Montverde, which is hosting a two-day Florida-Georgia Challenge near Orlando. The Patriots will be the host for the Nike/ BMASP Holiday Tournament again this year. Last season, Berkmar won

Berkmar’s Al Durhamv the event. It will be played Dec. 27, 29-30 this year.

GIRLS COACH: Brian Turner 2013-2014 RECORD: 7-17 RETURNING REGULARS: Jirah Simpkins, 5-6, Jr. Jasmine Fleetwood, 5-6, Jr. Jessica Fleetwood, 5-6, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Hylan Clayton, 5-7, Jr. Clara Lawton, 5-8, Jr. Tia Lowery, 5-6, Jr. Jasia Paraoan, 5-4, Soph.

Destiny Shumate, 5-10, Jr.

OUTLOOK: Brian Turner takes over as coach from Tina Smosny-McGriff and hopes to build the Patriots back into contenders for the state tournament. Berkmar has a promising junior class, led by point guard Jirah Simpkins, and will play an up-tempo game. Turner knows it won’t be easy competing right away in Region 8-AAAAAA and is well aware of Gwinnett County as a girls basketball hotbed. “Any type of coach wants to be where the best competition is and that’s Gwinnett,” he said. Turner spent the past seven seasons as boys coach at East Jackson. He was at Elbert County for six seasons before East Jackson opened, coaching girls for four years and boys for two. He said he was interested in returning to coaching girls again in part because he has three young daughters.

WORTH NOTING: Turner is Berkmar’s sixth coach in nine years. … He was on a state championship team at Madison County in 1988, then played four seasons at Piedmont College. …

After not going to the state tournament since 1976, the Patriots went five straight years before failing to qualify the past three years. … Berkmar reached the Sweet 16 in 2008.

FAST FACT: Berkmar will compete in three tournaments this season, starting with the Barrow Tip-Off at WinderBarrow on Nov. 22 and 24. The other tournaments are the Holiday Hoopsgiving at Holy Innocents’ on Nov. 2829 and the Ram Christmas Classic at Grayson on Dec. 27, 29-30.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 21-22 Fla-Ga. Challenge at Montverde (boys) Nov. 22, 24 Barrow TipOff at Winder (girls) Nov. 28-29 Hoopsgiving at Holy Innocents’ (girls) Nov. 29 Pebblebrook at St. Francis (boys) Dec. 2 at Central Dec. 5 at South Dec. 6 Brookwood Dec. 9 at Grayson Dec. 12 Parkview Dec. 13 Peachtree Ridge at GAC (boys), GAC at E. Hall (girls) Dec. 20 Hillgrove at Pope (boys), Allatoona at Cedar Shoals (girls) Dec. 27, 29-30 Nike/ BMASP Tournament (boys), Ram Classic at Grayson (girls) Jan. 9 Archer Jan. 10 at Dacula Jan. 13 at Shiloh Jan. 16 Central Jan. 20 Grayson Jan. 23 at Parview Jan. 24 South Jan. 27 at Brookwood Jan. 31 at Archer Feb. 3 Dacula Feb. 6 Shiloh

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 5

brookwood

BRONCOS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Daniel Bowles 2013-14 RECORD: 12-14 RETURNING REGULARS: Matthew Saavedra, 6-4, Sr. Kerwin Lee, 5-8, Sr. Rius Turner, 5-10, Sr. Trae Higginbotham, 5-11, Soph.

Donald Parham, 5-9, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Da’Vonne Mills, 6-1, Jr. Amari Kelly, 6-6, Fr. Micah Kinsey, 6-0, Jr. Jordan Benjamin, 6-2, Jr. Sean Agnant, 6-1, Jr. OUTLOOK: Brookwood head coach Daniel Bowles has eight returning players with varsity experience, giving high hopes to a program that slipped to 12 wins last season after winning 16 in 2012-13. The season started promising with a 9-3 start, but a season-ending knee injury to Jordan Benjamin and setbacks to others (Rius Turner with a broken ankle, Clayton State signee Kendall Joseph to mononucleosis) delivered tough blows and sent the team staggering to the finish.

Benjamin, who plays on top of the Broncos’ all-important press, averaged 8.3 points and 4.2 rebounds before his injury. He returns this season, as does Micah Kinsey, who will handle the point guard

ginbotham, and the ninthgrade team lost in the region championship game. … The program’s past two head boys basketball coaches are Brookwood grads, Bowles and Craig Witmer.

FAST FACT: The Deep South Classic returns to Brookwood after a one-year hiatus, and the hosts open up with Johns Creek. The Broncos’ other tournament is early in the season at Archer.

duties full time. He averaged 7.3 points, 4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

Matthew Saavedra gives Brookwood its main height.

As usual, the Broncos plan to be up-tempo and rotate a

6 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

GIRLS COACH: Mark Isenhour 2013-14 RECORD: 2-24 RETURNING REGULARS: Caitlin Cushenberry, 5-6, Sr. Maryka Zee, 5-8, Sr. N’dea Jones, 6-2, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Kirsten Clevelan, 5-10, Jr. Kamryn Tillman, 5-8, Jr. Avery Ray, 5-7, Jr. Nkemjo Okonkwo, 6-0, Soph.

Sydney Tucker, 5-7, Sr. Amy Stinnett, 5-7, Sr. Erika Allen, 5-8, Soph.

Tori McGhee, 5-8, Soph.

Sydney Paylor, 5-5, Soph.

Brookwood’s Kerwin Lee OUTLOOK: It was a difficult large group. “We’d like to play 2013-14 season for the 10 or 12 (players a night), Broncos, who turn to Mark that’s the hope,” Bowles said. Isenhour as their new head WORTH NOTING: The coach. Isenhour, a 2000 Broncos’ junior varsity team Brookwood grad who played won last season’s region for legendary coach Eddie title, behind MVP Trae HigMartin, takes over a team

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with promising young talent.

Four sophomores — N’dea Jones, Erika Allen, Tori McGhee and Sydney Paylor — got playing experience last season. Seniors Caitlin Cushenberry, Maryka Zee, Sydney Tucker and Amy Stinnett also will be relied upon on the court and with leadership.

WORTH NOTING: Isenhour was previously the head women’s basketball coach at LaGrange College, taking over as a 24-year-old in 2007. He had a 98-57 record at LaGrange from the 2007-08 to the 201213 seasons. … Isenhour’s brother is former Shiloh and Georgia Tech standout Michael Isenhour, who died after a fight with leukemia in 2002. … Scott Terry stepped down as Brookwood’s head girls coach earlier this year, ending a 13-year tenure that was second-longest among Gwinnett girls coaches.

Before last season, Terry led the Broncos to eight straight state playoff berths.

FAST FACT: The Broncos open with Lambert in the Deep South Classic, Brookwood’s tournament that is back after a one-year hiatus.

They also play in an earlyseason event at Archer on Nov. 22 and 24.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 15 at Marietta Nov. 18 at Peachtree Ridge Nov. 22 Crisp County at Archer Thanksgiving Classic Nov. 24 Loganville at Archer Thanksgiving Classic (Girls) Nov. 24 Salem at Archer Thanksgiving Classic (Boys) Dec. 2 Grayson Dec. 5 at Parkview Dec. 6 at Berkmar Dec. 9 Archer Dec. 12 Dacula Dec. 13 Shiloh Dec. 19 Duluth Dec. 27 Lambert in Deep South Classic (Girls) Dec. 27 Johns Creek in Deep South Classic (Boys) Dec. 29-30 Deep South Classic Jan. 3 at Buford Jan. 6 at Shiloh Jan. 9 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 10 South Gwinnett Jan. 16 at Grayson Jan. 20 at Archer Jan. 23 at Dacula Jan. 24 Parkview Jan. 27 Berkmar Jan. 31 Central Gwinnett Feb. 3 at South Gwinnett

buford

WOLVES Re g i o n 8 -AAAA

BOYS COACH: Allen Whitehart 2013-14 RECORD: 27-6 RETURNING REGULARS: Taylor Mills, 6-1, Sr. Keyton Gibson, 6-4, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Aaron Auer, 6-3, Sr. Devin Neal, 5-11, Sr. Sahil Patel, 6-7, Soph.

Tre Hansborough, 6-4, Sr. Will Springer, 6-6, Jr. Kyrin Galloway, 6-8, Jr. Lamont Smith, 6-1, Fr. OUTLOOK: Buford will have a revamped lineup this season as it takes on a new region and new classification. A solid core returns from last season’s Class AAA runner-up team. Keyton Gibson, Taylor Mills, Aaron Auer and Devin Neal are seniors who have seen a lot of playoff basketball, while 6-7 sophomore Sahil Patel provides height. Tre Hansborough, Will Springer and Kyrin Galloway all are 6-4 or taller as well. Lamont Smith is a promising freshman.

Those players will offset the loss to D’Marcus Simonds, a highly touted junior who transferred to Gainesville.

Simonds averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and 5.7 assists last season.

WORTH NOTING: An otherwise successful 2013-14

245-pound power forward.

FAST FACT: A challenging schedule includes Walton, Alpharetta and Hillcrest in the season-opening Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett. Also ahead is a trip to the Bojangles Holiday Classic in Spartanburg, S.C., home-and-home state finals rematches with Morgan County, a game with Laney in the Blue Collar Showcase and a home date with Milton.

back this season. N.C. State-bound Camille Anderson, last season’s Region 7-AAA player of the year, leads the way. She led the deep, balanced Wolves with a 13.8 scoring average last season. Teammate Corey Staples, a tough defender, averaged 8.9 points. Those two head up the experienced players, while some young players will have to fill key roles, particularly on the interior, where 6-5 Bree Horrocks was a graduation GIRLS loss. Horrocks signed with COACH: Gene Durden Purdue.

2013-14 RECORD: 30-3 WORTH NOTING: In last RETURNING REGULARS: year’s AAA title game, BuCamille Anderson, 5-9, Sr. ford led 15-1 early and 15-3 Corey Staples, 5-9, Sr. after a quarter, only to sucChandler Hall, 5-11, Jr. cumb to a St. Pius comeOTHERS TO WATCH: back. … The Wolves have Katy Bisges, 5-7, Sr. their usual showdown with Lane Crawford, 5-6, Sr. Wesleyan at home this seaNyse Bruce, 5-6, Sr. son on Dec. 12. … They will Marissa Bruce, 5-8, Soph. play in two tournaments, the Zikaya Wright, 5-11, Soph. first at Johns Creek to open Pamela Johnson, 5-4, Soph. the season. In late December, they join the boys at the Buford’s Camille Anderson Tory Ozment, 6-0, Fr. Jessica Nelson, 6-3, Fr. Bojangles Holiday Classic in the 2011 state title game un- Tatum Shipes, 6-3, Fr. season ended painfully in Spartanburg, S.C. der head coach Allen White- OUTLOOK: Buford, which Macon, where the Wolves FAST FACT: Durden has hart, but lost in that trip to lost 69-45 to Morgan finished as the Class AAA led the Wolves to the state Greater Atlanta Christian.

County. They were doomed runner-up last season to St. playoffs in each of his nine … Graduation took another from the start, turning the Pius, steps up to AAAA and seasons as head coach. ball over 10 times in the first big part of Buford’s state a new region this season.

His record at Buford is a runner-up team, UConn quarter and falling behind The hopes are still high as whopping 233-52, an 81.8 17-3. … Buford also reached signee Rakim Lubin, a 6-8, usual, with a strong cast winning percentage.

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2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22, 24-25 Johns Creek Thanksgiving Tournament (Girls) Nov. 22 Walton at Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett (Boys) Nov. 24 Alpharetta at Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett (Boys) Nov. 25 Hillcrest at Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett (Boys) Dec. 2 at Creekview Dec. 6 at Morgan County Dec. 9 St. Francis Dec. 12 Wesleyan (Girls) Dec. 19 Gainesville Dec. 20 Duluth Dec. 26-27, 29-30 Bojangles Holiday Classic at Spartanburg, S.C. Jan. 2 North Gwinnett Jan. 3 Brookwood Jan. 9 at North Oconee Jan. 13 Johnson Jan. 16 at North Hall Jan. 17 at Gainesville Jan. 19 Laney in Blue Collar Showcase (Boys) Jan. 20 Chestatee Jan. 23 Stephens County Jan. 24 Morgan County Jan. 27 at Monroe Area Jan. 30 Madison County Jan. 31 Milton (Boys) Feb. 3 at Morrow (Girls) Feb. 6 at White County

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 7

central gwinnett

BLACK KNIGHTS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Branden Mayweather 2013-14 RECORD: 14-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Anthony Haskins, 6-8, Sr. Karon Jackson, 5-11, Sr. Tee-Zon Bullard, 5-11, Sr. Kameron Jiminez-Fox, 6-3, Sr. John Stafford, 6-3, Sr. Aaron Clifton, 6-6, Sr. Sam Westmoreland, 6-2, Sr. Azaviar Kufour, 6-1, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Kevin Stamps, 6-6, Jr. Jeremiah Buford, 6-4, Sr. Jaylin Hillery, 6-2, Soph.

OUTLOOK: It’s often difficult to replace the production lost when a player like All-County wing Shaun Jones, who was one of Gwinnett’s top scorers at 19.7 points per game and was among Central’s team leaders in four other statistical categories, graduates.

However, the Black Knights will rely on experience and size to compensate this season, and they have plenty of both.

Karon Jackson (9.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 1.9 spg) was the team’s secondleading scorer last season and led Central in assists and steals, and will be back to set the tone at the point.

Meanwhile, 6-8 Anthony Haskins (6.3 rpg, 2.7 bpg) should again be a force in the low post, and get should plenty of help from 6-6 returning senior Aaron Clifton and 6-6 junior Kevin Stamps, who showed

Bojangles Bash in Columbia, S.C. FAST FACT: One area Central would probably like to change this season is doing a better job putting away close games sooner. The Black Knights played 13 games decided by six points or fewer last season, including six overtime games, posting a 7-6 record in them.

Central Gwinnett’s Karon Jackson promise in limited varsity action as a sophomore last season.

The addition of Archer transfer Jeremiah Buford will only add to a capable squad the coach Branden Mayweather says can go as many as 12 deep.

WORTH NOTING: The Black Knights will face an ambitious non-region schedule this season that includes a home-and-home series with Region 7-AAAAAA foe Peachtree Ridge and a trip to the

GIRLS COACH: Tracey Tipton 2013-14 RECORD: 18-9 RETURNING REGULARS: Alexandra Frazier, 5-8, Sr. Briana McGee, 5-6, Sr. Keana Lee, 5-8, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Raegine Newkirk, 5-9, Sr. OUTLOOK: The most obvious feature about this year’s Black Knights team is the return of All-County wing Alexandra Frazier.

The East Carolina commit is not only Gwinnett County’s leading returning scorer (19.4 ppg), but also a Central team leader in just about every other statistical category.

However, there is much more to the Black Knights than just Frazier.

Two other starters return from last year’s Class AAAAAA state tournament team, including point guard Briana McGee, who is also a multi-threat after averaging 11.2 points, 1.7 assists and 3.3 steals per game a year ago, as well as fellow senior Keana Lee, who was a force on the glass last season by

pulling down seven rebounds per game despite being a little undersized at 5-8.

The biggest issue for the Black Knights this season, aside from the development of several newcomers and larger roles for others like Raegine Newkirk, may be avoiding injuries that plagued them, particularly Frazier, last season.

WORTH NOTING: After a threeseason hiatus, Tipton is back in the head coaching ranks this year.

However, while she might not have been quite as visible as when she was leading Collins Hill to back-toback state titles in 2006 and 2007 and coaching WNBA star Maya Moore, she has remained on the Gwinnett County basketball scene.

In fact, she has spent the past three seasons as an assistant at Central under former coach Jason Adams, who moved on to Dacula last offseason, which should make for a seamless transition with the current Black Knights players and keep the team’s continuity and chemistry intact as the season begins.

FAST FACT: In addition to being one of the county’s leading returning girls scorers, Frazier is also one of a very few players, perhaps the only one, in the top 10 among Gwinnett’s returning statistical leaders in points, rebounds (5.4 rpg), assists (2.8 apg), steals (3.5 spg) and blocked shots (0.7 bpg).

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22 vs. Loganville at Archer Thanksgiving Tournament (Girls) Nov. 22 vs. Salem at Archer Thanksgiving Tournament (Boys) Nov. 24 vs. River Ridge at Archer Thanksgiving Tournament Nov. 29 at Gwinnett/ DeKalb Challenge (Boys) Dec. 2 Berkmar Dec. 5 at Archer Dec. 6 Mill Creek Dec. 9 Shiloh Dec. 13 at Dacula Dec. 19 Peachtree Ridge Dec. 27, 29-30 Bojangle’s Classic at Spartanburg, S.C. Jan. 3 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 6 at South Gwinnett Jan. 9 Brookwood Jan. 10 at Grayson Jan. 13 at Parkview Jan. 16 at Berkmar Jan. 20 at Shiloh Jan. 24 Archer Jan. 27 Dacula Jan. 30 South Jan. 31 at Brookwood Feb. 3 Grayson Feb. 6 Parkview

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collins hill

EAGLES Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

GIRLS COACH: Cedric King 2013-2014 RECORD: 11-15 RETURNING REGULARS: Marissa Bayer, 6-2, Sr. Kyra Dixon, 6-0, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Victoria Oglesby, 5-6, Fr. Jada Rice, 6-3, Fr. OUTLOOK: With a new coach in Cedric King, the Eagles are hoping to display a new attitude this season.

That begins with aggressive tempo on both ends of the court that King hopes will keep the team in attack mode from baseline to baseline.

That may seem a little ambitious considering the lack of returning experience in the backcourt, especially with ball handlers.

However, King is hopeful newcomers like freshman Victoria Oglesby can grow up quickly and bring some poise to the floor.

If that happens, the Eagles could take advantage of what appears to be their clear strength this season — their size. Returning are 6-foot-2 senior Marissa Bayer, who is verbally committed to play college ball at Wofford, as well as 6-0 junior Kyra Dixon, who already has several Division I scholarship offers after leading the team in scoring (10.9 ppg) and finishing second on the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg) a year ago.

Add in the addition of 6-3 freshman

ment the following season.

FAST FACT: As much success as Collins Hill has had, particularly in winning five state titles in seven seasons during the coaching tenures of Angie Hembree and Tracey Tipton and the All-American career of Maya Moore, it’s been a while since the Eagles have reached the postseason.

The state title they won in the 200607 season marks the last time they made the state tournament, a drought they hope to end this season.

BOYS COACH: Ty Baumgardner 2013-14 RECORD: 13-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Devin Watson, 6-2, Sr. Daniel Roach, 6-5, Sr. Jalen Mitchell, 6-5, Sr. Collins Hill’s Devin Watson OTHERS TO WATCH: Kai Lambert, 6-2, Jr. Jada Rice, and the Eagles figure to Max Clark, 5-11, Soph. be strong on the low block and the J.D. Ozoh, 5-11, Soph. boards this season.

Des Howard, 5-10, Soph.

WORTH NOTING: King not only OUTLOOK: Despite losing one of has a strong history of success, Gwinnett’s scoring leaders to gradtaking a team to the state tournauation in Alabama freshman Devin ment in six of his eight seasons as Mitchell, the Eagles are looking to a head coach, but also of turning take a step forward this season. around a struggling team quickly.

There is reason to believe those After taking over a team that won ambitions are quite realistic. only five games the previous seaFor starters, first-year coach Baumson at Pope in 2006, he guided the gardner is hoping to bring the winGreyhounds to 19 wins and a berth ning atmosphere he cultivated at in the Class AAAAA state tournaOlympic High School in Charlotte,

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where he won 222 games and a North Carolina state championship in 10 seasons.

He will have a solid nucleus returning to work with, led by a pair of returning double-figure scorers in Mitchell’s younger brother Jalen (10.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and fellow senior Devin Watson (10.5 ppg, 2.1 apt).

The addition of transfer wing Kai Lambert, who averaged 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game at Duluth last season, and a trio of talented sophomores only adds to the Eagles’ depth.

WORTH NOTING: One of the trademarks of Baumgardner’s tenure at Olympic was his penchant for placing players at the next level after their high school careers.

In all, 21 of his former players went on to play basketball on scholarship in college.

Baumgardner, himself, also coached at the college level, serving as an assistant at Emporia (Kan.) State and Elon (N.C.) University before becoming a high school coach.

FAST FACT: The Eagles will visit Columbia, S.C., for separate tournaments, beginning with the season-opening Lower Richland Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 2425.

They will then return to the South Carolina capital for the Bojangles Bash from Dec. 11-12.

2014-15 SCHEDULE

Nov. 22-24 or 25-29 at Jefferson Tip-Off Tournament (Girls) Nov. 24-25 at Lower Richland Thanksgiving Classic, Columbia, S.C. (Boys) Nov. 28 at Turkey Jam 2014 at Murfreesboro, Tenn.

(Girls) Dec. 2 North Springs Dec. 5 Mill Creek Dec. 6 at Jefferson Dec. 9 at Norcross Dec. 11-12 at Bojangles Bash, Columbia, S.C. (Boys) Dec. 15 at North Gwinnett Dec. 19 at North Springs Dec. 20 Mtn. View Dec. 27-30 at Pickens Co. Tournament, Jasper (Boys and Girls) Jan. 6 Duluth Jan. 9 Meadowcreek Jan. 13 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 16 at Mill Creek Jan. 17 Centennial (Boys) Jan. 19 at MLK Showcase, Montgomery, Ala. (Girls) Jan. 20 Norcross Jan. 23 at Mtn. View Jan. 24 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 27 North Jan. 30 at Duluth Feb. 3 at Meadowcreek Feb. 6 Peachtree Ridge

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 9

dacula

FALCONS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Russ Triaga 2013-14 RECORD: 19-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Logan MacIntyre, 6-5, Sr. Keshawn Gibbs, 6-2, Sr. Kevon Tucker, 6-4, Jr. Derek St. Hilaire, 5-10, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Demari Edwards, 6-3, Jr. Gary Bishop, 6-0, Soph.

Shayne Buckingham, 6-4, Fr. Aruscha Hunter, 6-3, Fr. OUTLOOK: A disappointing finish to last season motivates the Falcons, who went 19-11 but lost some tough ones down the stretch. “We have a certain sense that we didn’t finish what we started,” Dacula head coach Russ Triaga said. “There were several games where we left wins out there by not finishing games.” Despite having just two seniors — Logan MacIntyre and Keshawn Gibbs — the Falcons have the experience to turn some of those close matchups in their favor. Kevon Tucker, a junior, leads the way. He averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, earning first-team all-county last season. He also sports more than a dozen top offers.

“Tucker’s as good a player as I’ll ever coach,” Triaga said.

WORTH NOTING: Gibbs is a

2014-15 SCHEDULE

Nov. 18 at Meadowcreek Nov. 22, 24, 29 Tabo’s Tipoff Classic at Jefferson Dec. 5 at Shiloh Dec. 9 South Gwinnett Dec. 12 at Brookwood Dec. 13 Central Gwinnett Dec. 19 Meadowcreek Dec. 27, 29-30 Carolina Classic at Charleston, S.C. (Girls) Dec. 27, 29-30 Sunshine Classic at Daytona, Fla. (Boys) Jan. 3 at Mill Creek Jan. 6 at Grayson Jan. 9 at Parkview Jan. 10 Berkmar Jan. 13 at Archer Jan. 20 at South Gwinnett Jan. 23 Brookwood Jan. 24 Shiloh Jan. 27 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 30 Grayson Jan. 31 Parkview Feb. 3 at Berkmar Feb. 6 Archer

Dacula’s Star Toomey major catalyst at point guard, particularly with his ability to

10 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

get to the basket. An offseason of work has only made

him better. “I’ve never seen a kid work so hard,” Triaga said of Gibbs. … Tucker is closing in on the 1,000-point mark after just two high school seasons. … Dacula, which has made state the last three

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seasons, has reached 19 wins the past two seasons, so hitting the 20-win mark would be a nice milestone.

FAST FACT: Dacula hopes to get early season tests in the Tabo’s Tipoff Classic in Jefferson. Its other tournament is a road trip to the Sunshine Classic in Florida.

GIRLS COACH: Jason Adams 2013-14 RECORD: 16-9 RETURNING REGULARS: Faustine Aifuwa, 6-5, Jr. Jonnae Johnson, 5-9, Jr. Star Toomey, 6-2, Sr. Sabrina Seiber, 5-9, Jr. Angel Strickland, 5-7, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Kayla West, 5-7, Soph.

Alyssa Criscolo, 5-6, Fr. Kandy Brown, 6-1, Soph.

Alaina Bock, 6-1, Soph.

OUTLOOK: Jason Adams returns to his alma mater as the Falcons’ new head girls coach, replacing Lori Fisher (now the head coach at Hebron). He inherits a team he knows well, having played Dacula regularly in his previous job as Central Gwinnett’s girls coach. He inherits a team that fared well in 2013-14, but fell one game short of the state tournament The player getting the most

attention is 6-5 junior post Faustine Aifuwa, whose big offer list includes her top four of Kentucky, Florida State, LSU and Georgia. Paired with 6-2 senior Star Toomey, also a college prospect, it makes for a strong interior.

WORTH NOTING: Dacula turned the corner last season, improving to 16 wins after going 8-18 in 2012-13. … Adams said the transition to his old high school has gone smoothly. “It’s good being home,” he said. “The girls have really embraced me. It’s been a good thing. I think the girls are really hungry. They want to be pushed. They want discipline, so I’ve tried to hold them accountable. It’s been a little adjustment getting used to the tempo. The tempo of practices is a lot different, but they’ve been good adjusting to it.” … Adams led Central Gwinnett to four state playoff appearances in his eight seasons as head girls coach.

FAST FACT: Like the boys team, the girls also head to Jefferson for the early-season Tabo’s Tipoff Classic. But they head to a different postChristmas tournament, the Carolina Classic in Charleston, S.C.

duluth

WILDCATS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Eddie Hood 2013-14 RECORD: 17-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Anthony Showell, 6-2, Jr. Obinna Ofodile, 6-7, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: A.J. Cheeseman, 6-5, Jr. K.J. Jefferies, 6-2, Sr. Javis Diaz, 6-3, Jr. Jalen Hodges, 6-3, Soph.

Joe Gordon, 5-10, Sr. Robert Hill, 6-8, Jr. OUTLOOK: After a special season that included their first state tournament berth in 15 years, the Wildcats look for an encore performance this season.

And despite the loss of last year’s big two of Eric Hamilton and Zaynah Robinson to graduation, plus Kai Lambert to a transfer to Collins Hill, there do appear to be more than enough components for a comparable run this year.

To start with, the return of one of the county’s top shot blockers in Obinna Ofodile (3.6 bpg, 6.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and team assists leader Anthony Showell (3.2 apt, 10.5 ppg) should make for a solid nucleus, along with fellow junior A.J. Cheeseman.

And the addition of Berkmar transfer Joe Gordon and 6-8 junior Robert Hill, who sat out last year after moving in from out of state midway through the season, plus larger varsity roles for others like Javis Diaz and Jalen Hodges, should give the Wildcats plenty of balance

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Athens Christian.

FAST FACT: Last year’s 17-13 record marked the first time the Wildcats have posted back-to-back winning seasons since the 199798 and 1998-99 seasons. A third straight winning seasons will mark the first time Duluth has accomplished that feat since the early 1990s. … The Wildcats are also attempting to post back-to-back state tournament appearances for the first time since 1985-86, when they went to the semifinals and first round respectively under legendary coach, and current GAC assistant, Joe Marelle.

GIRLS COACH: Charlie Parker 2013-14 RECORD: 18-12 RETURNING REGULARS: Duluth’s Obinna Ofodile Bree Dixon, 5-11, Soph.

Endia Banks, 5-9, Soph. and depth.

Lea Petit, 6-0, Sr. WORTH NOTING: Corresponding OTHERS TO WATCH: with the success and confidence Meredith Lawrence, 5-5, Sr. from last season and the talent Deja Mitchell, 6-0, Soph. level of this year’s team, the Duluth Alexis Allen, 5-5, Sr. schedule will be quite ambitious.

Ly’Ricka Holloman, 5-5, Jr. In addition to the normal rigorous OUTLOOK: The Wildcats were Region 7-AAAAAA slate, the Wildextremely young last season, yet cats’ non-region schedule includes still managed to not only post their games against defending Class A (Private) state champion St. Francis, fourth straight state tournament appearance, but also advance to the defending AAA state runner-up round of 16.

Buford and AAAAAA state tournaNow with Parker assuming the ment participant Tri-Cities, plus an coaching reins from Chad Pittman, appearance at Brookwood’s Deep who left to coach the boys team South Classic, which boasts a field that includes A (Private) semifinalist at Chestatee High School in Hall

SPORTS

County, this season could be even bigger still despite the departure of last year’s starting frontcourt in 6-foot-3 TCU signee Katie Powell and Alyah McGriff, who combined to average more than 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots.

Last season’s trio of fabulous freshmen, Dixon, Mitchell and Banks, are now seasoned veterans despite still being only sophomores, while Petit also got valuable experience in the low post and figures to be even stronger in this her senior season.

The Wildcats’ depth should also get a boost with the addition of Norcross transfer Holloman.

WORTH NOTING: After serving as an assistant for boys teams at Berkmar and Etowah and men’s teams at Southern Polytechnic State and Kennesaw State, this season will not only mark the first season as a head coach for the 32-yearold Parker, but also his first season coaching a girls team.

FAST FACT: The Wildcats made the postseason the past three seasons under Pittman. If they make it this season, it will match the longest such streak in school history. Duluth’s girls made the state tournament four straight seasons in Classes B and C under coach Louis Grizzle from 1966-67 to 1969-70, including two state runner-up finishes. … The Wildcats are also trying to make the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven seasons, missing only in 2009-10 during that time.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 15 Girls vs. Hiram, Boys vs.

Griffin in Verizon Hoops for the Cure Classic at St. Francis Nov. 22, 24, 25 at North Forsyth Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 28 Tri-Cities at Atlanta Hardwood Classic (Boys) Nov. 29 St. Francis at On The Radar Invitational at St. Francis (Boys) Dec. 3 Mill Creek Dec. 5 Mtn. View Dec. 6 Centennial Dec. 9 at Peachtree Ridge Dec. 12 at North Gwinnett Dec. 19 at Brookwood Dec. 20 at Buford Dec. 27, 29, 30 at Wolverine Winter Classic at West Forsyth (Girls) Dec. 27, 29, 30 at Deep South Classic at Brookwood (Boys) Jan. 3 Miller Grove at Sweet South Classic at Morgan Co. (Girls) Jan. 6 at Collins Hill Jan. 9 at Norcross Jan. 13 Meadowcreek Jan. 16 at Mtn. View Jan. 20 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 23 North Jan. 27 at Mill Creek Jan. 30 Collins Hill Feb. 3 Norcross Feb. 6 at Meadowcreek

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 11

gac

SPARTANS Re g i o n 6 -AA

BOYS COACH: Eddie Martin 2013-2014 RECORD: 32-0 RETURNING REGULARS: Cam Boyd, 6-1, Sr. Eric Jamison, 6-5, Sr. Garrett Covington, 6-4, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH Jacob Hoffman, 6-3, Jr. Charles Botchway, 5-11, Jr. Anthony Carter, 6-1, Jr. Brian Coffey, 6-0, Soph.

Charlie O’Briant, 6-6, Soph.

OUTLOOK: The Spartans, coming off back-to-back state titles, take a 50-game winning streak into the season. Isaiah Wilkins is now at the University of Virginia, though, and this team will have to forge its own identity as it makes an attempt at a three-peat. It certainly won’t be easy, but GAC has a Class AA dynasty going after winning four titles in Eddie Martin’s six seasons as coach.

Talent remains and the Spartans will be at least heavy Region 6-AA favorites again. Senior Cam Boyd and junior Garrett Covington each averaged around 10 points per game last season, with Boyd supplying a deadly outside shot. Boyd, the son of former girls coach Cal Boyd, has committed to Lee University, while fellow senior Eric Jamison is headed to Gardner-Webb. The Spartans added two promising sophomores when point guard Brian Coffey and 6-foot-6 Charlie O’Briant transferred from Wesleyan. Anthony Carter, a junior, is a transfer in from

nett on Nov. 24-25 against Peachtree Ridge and Allatoona, respectively.

FAST FACT: Wilkins was the Georgia Player of the Year last season, duplicating the feat of former Spartan Malcolm Brogdon, now his teammate at Virginia. Wilkins averaged 18.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.6 assists and 2.1 steals as a senior.

GIRLS COACH: Lady Hardmon Grooms 2013-2014 RECORD: 22-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Brenna Miller, 5-10, Jr. Lexi Mann, 6-0, Soph.

Clarke Permenter, 5-9, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Gabby Adams, 5-10, Sr. Caria Reynolds, 5-11, Fr. Robyn Benton, 5-8, Fr. Caeden Price, 5-7, Fr. Grace Jafojo, 5-6, Jr. GAC’s Cam Boyd OUTLOOK: Led by four-year regulars Brianna Cummings and Peachtree Ridge.

Syndi Means, the Spartans gave WORTH NOTING: GAC defeated eventual state champion Kendrick a Calhoun 58-55 in the Class AA title scare in the Elite Eight last season game at Macon last March. Calhoun before losing 65-62 in Columbus. is in Class AAA now. … Martin is Now Cummings is at George 174-18 in his six seasons with the Washington and Means at Mercer Spartans. … Prior to coming to as GAC rebuilds under new coach GAC, the veteran coach won three Lady Hardmon Grooms, the former consecutive state titles in the largest University of Georgia standout and class with Norcross. … GAC plays WNBA player. Three starters return in the 141 Preview at Norcross on from coach Cal Boyd’s final team, Thursday and Saturday to open but Cummings and Means will the season, then has games in the be sorely missed. Cummings, the Jared Cook Classic at North GwinGwinnett Daily Post Player of the

12 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

gwinnettprepsports.com

Year, averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Means contributed nearly 13 points and more than five assists. There is only one senior on the team this season and the most experienced players are juniors Brenna Miller and Clarke Permenter, and sophomore Lexi Mann. Three promising freshmen will be counted on for contributions. “We’re very young, but we’ll be competitive,” Grooms said. “I’m excited about what we’re building.”

WORTH NOTING: Boyd’s team qualified for the state playoffs in each of his five seasons, reaching the Final Four twice and the championship game during his second year.

He had a record of 114-35 with the Spartans before stepping down after last season. … Grooms coached at Arlington Christian in Fairburn the past seven years, turning the school into a GISA power. She won four consecutive GISA titles from 20092012 and reached the Final Four the past two seasons. … In addition to her high school coaching, she also was an assistant with the New York Liberty of the WNBA. FAST FACT: Grooms, then Hardmon, was a two-time All-SEC choice at Georgia in the early 1990s. She finished her career among the school’s top 10 in career scoring, assists and steals, and was named an SEC Legend in 2010. Grooms played eight seasons in the WNBA with Utah and Sacramento, and 13 years internationally.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 13 Johns Creek at Norcross (boys) Nov. 15 Washington at Norcross (boys) Nov. 22, 24-25 at N. Forsyth tourney (girls) Nov. 24 Peachtree Ridge at North (boys) Nov. 25 Allatoona at North (boys) Dec. 4 Holy Innocents’ Dec. 9 Pace Dec. 12 Hapeville Dec. 13 McIntosh (boys), Berkmar at E. Hall (girls) Dec. 19 at Hughes Dec. 29, 30-31 at Walnut Grove tourney Jan. 6 at Wesleyan Jan. 9 at KIPP Jan. 13 at BEST (boys) Jan. 16 at Holy Innocents’ Jan. 19 Greenforest at Peachtree Ridge (boys) Jan. 20 at Pace Jan. 23 at Hapeville Jan. 24 Huntsville Lee at Norcross (boys) Jan. 27 Wesleyan Jan. 30 KIPP Feb. 3 Lovett Feb. 6 BEST (boys)

grayson

RAMS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Geoffrey Pierce 2013-14 RECORD: 22-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Austin Dukes, 5-10, Jr. Trevian Sconiers, 6-4, Jr. Alphonso Willis, 6-1, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Hafeez Anifowoshe, 6-4, Jr. Germell Jenkins, 6-1, Sr. Julian Oshiyemi, 6-3, Sr. Kyle Putts, 6-4, Soph.

Desmond Davis, 5-9, Sr. OUTLOOK: The bad news is that the Rams will have to replace all five starters off a team that earned the first state tournament berth in school history last year, including double-figure scorers Marquise Lanier, Austin Morris and Jordan Dilwood, plus rebounding machine Marquise Bumpas.

The good news is that several of the returning players also got plenty of experience, and winning experience at that.

Point guard Austin Dukes (8.1 ppg, 3.0 apt, 1.5 spy) and fellow juniors Trevian Sconiers (4.5 rpg, 0.9 bpg) and Alphonso Willis will be particularly be counted on to provide leadership as a younger group of Rams get acclimated to the varsity game.

WORTH NOTING: One change fans will definitely

jumping from five wins to 13 in his first season as coach in 2012-13 and nine more wins to 22 last season.

notice is that with sharpshooters like Morris and Lanier gone, Grayson will rely less on the 3-point shot this season.

That means that others like Sconiers and Hafeez Anifowoshe will have to step up their game in the low post and on the boards, while the Rams will also try to com-

GIRLS COACH: Tony Watkins 2013-14 RECORD: 10-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Imani Conner, 5-4, Jr. Shakara Burton, 5-7, Sr. Nykel Floyd, 5-6, Sr. Emari Crenshaw, 5-9, Jr. Jessica Ewing, 5-11, Jr. Courtney Deckard, 5-8, Sr. Michelle Akolade, 5-7, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Inaya Moore, 5-6, Sr. Kendra Hutchinson, 5-4, Fr. Jessica Simpson, 6-0, Jr. OUTLOOK: The Rams got a taste of success last season by improving to 10 wins, and look to take a further step forward with Tony Watkins taking over as head coach.

One of the trademarks of Watkins’ teams throughout Grayson’s Trevian Sconiers his more than 30 years in pensate by tightening up their coaching has been his willdefense, which was already ingness to utilize his team’s solid, with the Rams giving up depth to the maximum. an average of just 49.4 points And with as many as seven per game last season. different players who apFAST FACT: In addition to peared in the starting lineup earning their first postseaat one time or another last son berth in program history season returning, as well last season, the Rams have as senior wing Inaya Moore shown steady improvement back after sitting out last under Pierce’s direction, season with a knee injury,

that should be the case again this season.

Among the experienced group returning include the team’s second-leading scorer from last year (Shakara Burton at 8.1 ppg), the leading rebounder and shot blocker (Jessica Ewing, 6.8 rpg, 1.3 bpg) and two of the top defensive players in Burton (3.9 spg) and Imani Connor (2.5 spg).

With as much depth, and as little size — Ewing and junior Jessica Simpson are the only players 5-foot-11 or taller — as the Rams have, expect them to be aggressive from one end of the court to the other, another Watkins trademark.

WORTH NOTING: Despite dropping 10 of their last 12 games last season, the Rams’ 10 wins marked the first time they had reached double digits in wins in five seasons. The next goal is to try for winning season, which last occurred in the 2004-05 campaign.

FAST FACT: Watkins, who returns to Gwinnett after spending last season as head girls coach at Lambert High School just across the county line in Forsyth County, is not only one of Gwinnett’s winningest coaches, but also one of the state’s winningest

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22 at Meadowcreek Nov. 24 Eastside Nov. 28 Towers in Lou Williams Thanksgiving Class at South Gwinnett Nov. 29 Boys vs. CarverAtlanta, Girls vs. LakesideDeKalb in Lou Williams Thanksgiving Classic at South Dec. 2 at Brookwood Dec. 6 Meadowcreek Dec. 9 Berkmar Dec. 12 at Archer Dec. 13 Parkview Dec. 20 at Eastside Dec. 27 Banneker in Ram Classic at Grayson Dec. 29-30 Ram Classic at Grayson Jan. 6 Dacula Jan. 9 Shiloh Jan. 10 at Central Jan. 13 at South Jan. 16 Brookwood Jan. 17 at Shiloh Jan. 20 at Berkmar Jan. 23 Archer Jan. 27 at Parkview Jan. 30 at Dacula Feb. 3 Central Feb. 6 South

coaches. The 57-year-old has a combined 602-270 record in 32 years as a head coach with girls teams at North Gwinnett, Parkview and Lambert and boys teams at Shiloh, Lanier and Woodward Academy.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 13

hebron

LIONS Re g i o n 8 -A

BOYS COACH: Will Cantrell 2013-14 RECORD: 16-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Cory Johnson, 6-1, Sr. Jackson Welch, 5-10, Sr. Stephen Rogers, 6-1, Sr. Connor Holliday, 6-1, Jr. John Dussling, 6-2, Jr. Shane Smith, 6-1, Jr. Thomas Swift, 6-1, Jr. Luke Crawford, 6-5, Jr. OUTLOOK: Will Cantrell enters his fifth season as head coach coming off a record-setting 2013-14 season that saw the Lions set a school record with 16 wins and reach the Sweet 16 of the state tournament.

“Our main core of guys are back, so we’re excited,” Cantrell said. The returnees include one of the county’s top returning scorers in guard Cory Johnson, who averaged 15.8 points and 5 assists last season. He’s joined by two other senior guards, Jackson Welch and Stephen Rogers.

Junior Luke Crawford, easily the team’s biggest player at 6-5, averaged 10.4 points in a breakout sophomore season. Fellow juniors Thomas Swift, Connor Holliday, John Dussling and Shane Smith also will be important contributors.

on our sixth grade, seventh grade and eighth grade teams, on our JV and now on our varsity. That’s how all our kids are. They know what it takes to be a part of our program.” … Cantrell, a Providence Christian grad, led Hebron to its first-ever state tournament appearance in 2011-12.

FAST FACT: Hebron, like many small schools, share athletes with other sports.

The boys basketball team features three members of the school’s football team — Crawford, Dussling and Holliday.

Hebron’s Cory Johnson WORTH NOTING: Cantrell takes pride in Hebron’s stellar program, especially in how it was built. “All of our guys

14 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

have come through our program,” he said. “They’ve been with us through the middle school ranks. They’ve been

GIRLS COACH: Lori Fisher 2013-14 RECORD: 13-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Brooke Davis, 5-10, Sr. Lexi Kent, 5-11, Sr. Hannah Lentz, 5-6, Sr. Jozie Lewis, 5-11, Sr. Ramey Morrow, 5-7, Sr. Tatum Williams, 5-7, Sr. Madison Cagel, 5-7, Jr. Yarimel Ramirez, 5-6, Jr. OUTLOOK: New head coach Lori Fisher inherits a veteran team with senior leadership, which fuels hopes for a successful season. “I’m real excited,” Fisher said. “We’ve got six seniors who have

gwinnettprepsports.com

played together. They have the maturity and leadership that’s already in place. I’m excited to work with them.” A big boost will come from Brooke Davis, who missed last season after knee surgery. Davis has the ability to score inside and out, providing an outside assist to one of the team’s top shooters, Hannah Lentz.

Lexi Kent and Jozie Lewis, both seniors, are important players on the interior.

WORTH NOTING: Hebron’s upperclass players are on their third head coach in Fisher. Merideth Drake stepped in as the head coach last season after the late resignation of previous head coach Bryan Bartley, who took a job at Montrose Christian in Rockville, Md. Fisher was Dacula’s head girls coach last season, but liked the move to Hebron because her three children — an eighth-grader, a sixth-grader and a fourth-grader — were enrolled at the Dacula private school.

FAST FACT: The Lions have a prominent past in girls basketball, reaching the state playoffs from 2005-08 under previous head coach Betsy Hensley. They also made one Final Four appearance.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 18 at King’s Ridge Nov. 22 Wesleyan (Boys) Nov. 25 Monroe Area Dec. 2 at Wesleyan (Boys) Dec. 6 Providence Dec. 9 Tallulah Falls (Girls) Dec. 12 King’s Ridge Dec. 13 at Athens Academy Dec. 19 Pinecrest Dec. 20 Winder-Barrow Dec. 23 at Monroe Area Dec. 27, 29-30 at East Jackson Holiday Bash Jan. 3 at Mt. Pisgah Jan. 10 Athens Christian Jan. 13 at Commerce Jan. 16 at Towns County Jan. 20 Lakeview Jan. 23 at Tallulah Falls (Girls) Jan. 24 at George Walton Jan. 27 Commerce Jan. 31 at Prince Avenue Feb. 3 Towns County Feb. 6 at Lakeview

lanier

LONGHORNS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAA

BOYS COACH: Jeremy Huckaby 2013-14 RECORD: 12-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Juwuan Jones, 6-2, Soph.

Derrick Brown, 6-5, Jr. Zay Melvin, 6-1, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: A.J. Holmes, 6-1, Jr. Tyler Taylor, 6-3, Soph.

Adrian Martin, 6-2, Fr. Chris Parks, 6-5, Fr. OUTLOOK: Youth will be the buzzword for the Longhorns after losing a large senior class, including their top three leaders in nearly every statistical category in Simon Shafack, Paul Webb and Peyton Smith, who are now all playing in college.

The good news is that if coach Jeremy Huckaby and his staff can be patient, help is on the way.

Derrick Brown made significant contributions in the low post last year, averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, he is definitely a presence in the lane on both ends of the court.

But the Longhorns will have to wait until the Lanier football team’s playoff run is done before he can contribute this year.

The same will be true for Jones and several other in-

2014-15 SCHEDULE

Nov. 22-25 at North Oconee Tournament Dec. 2 Loganville Dec. 5 at Salem Dec. 9 Clarke Central Dec. 12 at Heritage Dec. 15 Chattahoochee Dec. 19 Cedar Shoals Dec. 20 Providence Christian (Girls) vs. Jefferson at Chestatee (Boys) Dec. 27-30 at East Jackson Tournament Jan. 2 at North Hall Jan. 3 Providence Christian (Girls) Jan. 6 Gainesville Jan. 13 Apalachee Jan. 16 Winder-Barrow Jan. 20 Flowery Branch Jan. 23 at Gaineville Jan. 30 at Apalachee Jan. 31 at Mt. Pisgah Feb. 3 at Winder-Barrow Feb. 6 at Flowery Branch

Lanier’s Taylor-Rose Gibson-Green dividuals who will be playing both varsity sports.

That means a group of talented youngsters, including a pair of promising freshman in Adrian Martin and Chris

Parks, are going to be asked to grow up fairly quickly, especially with the Longhorns stepping up to Class AAAAA this year.

WORTH NOTING: Both

Martin and Parks were both named to On The Radar Hoops Report’s watch list after their performances at the Georgia Challenge showcase event in early October.

FAST FACT: The Longhorns will stay relatively close to

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home with their non-region schedule this season, with tournament appearances at North Oconee and East Jackson, plus a showcase game against Jefferson played at Chestatee High School in Hall County, a road game at North Hall and a home game against Chattahoochee among the slate.

GIRLS COACH: David Palmer 2013-14 RECORD: 10-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Trezha Berryman, 5-5, Sr. Ashlan Leazar, 5-5, Jr. Taylor-Rose Gibson-Green, 5-10, Sr. Angela Reaz, 5-3, Soph.

Briun Brown, 5-3, Jr. I’mon Washington, 6-0, Sr. Kierra Chandler, 5-8, Sr. OUTLOOK: The Longhorns will have to replace last year’s leading scorer with the graduation of Amber Cesair, but they will welcome back four starters and several other contributors to what should be a wellseasoned squad.

Leading the group of returners are the I’mon Washington and Kierra Chandler, who proved themselves quite strong on the boards last season by combining to pull down about 12 rebounds per

game, along with defensive stalwart Trezha Berryman (3.3 spg).

Taylor-Rose Gibson-Green also brings plenty of senior leadership to the table to a group that coach David Palmer says he admires for its toughness.

WORTH NOTING: Like the Longhorn boys, the girls are stepping up in competition to Class AAAAA for the first time this season.

They are also stepping into a particularly tough Region 8-AAAAA, which includes Salem, a perennial powerhouse and a Class AAAAA state quarterfinalist from a year ago.

FAST FACT: After getting off to a rocky start in their inaugural season of 2010-11, the Longhorns have been remarkably consistent the next three campaigns, winning 10, 9 and 10 games respectively.

But with the experience returning to this year’s team, they are hopeful of posting a new school record for wins if all the pieces fall into place. … If they are to set that milestone, they will have to do so against a quirky schedule that includes a five-game homestand from Jan. 3-20, followed by a five-game road trip to close out the regular season from Jan. 23-Feb. 6.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 15

meadowcreek

MUSTANGS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Billy Davis 2013-14 RECORD: 15-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Adrian Hicks, 6-0, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Christopher Harding, 5-11, Sr. Terrell Davis, 6-3, Sr. DeAndre Smith, 6-4, Sr. Tyler Nelson, 6-3, Jr. Travontay Taylor, 6-3, Jr. Shadiah Toppin, 6-3, Jr. Miles Sells, 6-1, Jr. Michael Ball, 5-10, Jr. Gary Laidlaw, 6-0, Soph.

Jawn Bishop, 6-4, Soph.

OUTLOOK: Billy Davis has fielded a competitive team year in and year out despite some obstacles, like losing his share of transfers to other schools. Meadowcreek did well again last season, though it fell just short of a state playoff trip, and graduation and transfers have given this team a different look. The lone returning player with experience is senior guard Adrian Hicks, a veteran who will be relied on heavily. Travontay Taylor is another top returnee, coming back along with Christopher Harding, Terrell Davis, DeAndre Smith and Tyler Nelson. Shadiah Toppin also is a promising player. “We’re going to be young, but we’re going to be competitive,” Davis said.

transferred to Norcross.

FAST FACT: The Mustangs’ only tournament this season is a post-Christmas trip to LaGrange. They also play in a one-day showcase Jan. 19 at Evans, the William Avery Invitational.

Meadowcreek’s Adrian Hicks “We’re athletic. We’re going to have some growing pains in the beginning. But by the time the playoffs come around, we’re going to be OK.” WORTH NOTING: Meadowcreek made six straight state tournament trips from 2005-2010, the last five under Davis. Its best finish was a quarterfinal appearance in

2006. … Davis has one of the longest tenures going among Gwinnett head coaches — he took over the program prior to the 2005-06 season.

He’s also led the Mustangs to the state tournament six times overall. … Promising 6-8 sophomore Rayshaun Hammonds, a key player last season as a freshman, has

GIRLS COACH: Michael House 2013-14 RECORD: 1-25 RETURNING REGULARS: Julissa Aguirre-Lara, 5-6, Sr. Kourtni Hill, 5-6, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Protij’ae Wells, 5-7, Soph.

Kezyah Holliman, 5-6, Fr. Khadijah Williams, 6-0, Fr. OUTLOOK: New head coach Michael House, also the school’s athletic director, took over for Adrianne Flowers with hopes of reviving a program that has struggled mightily for the past decade.

“We want to be as competitive as we can,” House said.

“We want to be a strong defensive team and develop an offensive game.” With no returning point guard, senior guards Kourtni Hill and Julissa Aguirre-Lara will serve as the team’s primary ballhandlers. Hill, a solid shooter, is expected to carry the offensive load, while Aguirre-Lara is the team’s best on-ball defender. A strong freshman

class will provide an immediate boost to the varsity and add some height with 6-foot post Khadijah Williams.

WORTH NOTING: Though its recent history hasn’t produced much winning, Meadowcreek made the state tournament three straight times from 2001-03, highlighted by a 2002 state runner-up finish (to Collins Hill) in 2002.

Those teams were coached

by Michael Ireland. The Mustangs also made state tournament trips in the mid1990s under Debbie Dees and Jeff Folkard. … House, a New York native, has a 131-65 record as a girls basketball coach in Georgia with stops at Morgan County, Jonesboro, Alpharetta and Druid Hills. …

House was hired late, so he’s had to catch up after missing the summer typically spent working with his players. One positive is he brought his two assistant coaches from the previous six seasons along with him. … The overall program will be downsized as Meadowcreek won’t field a ninth-grade team this season, bumping its youngest players up to the varsity and JV teams.

FAST FACT: Like the boys, Meadowcreek won’t be too busy with its tournament

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 18 Dacula Nov. 22 Grayson Nov. 25 at Clarke Central Dec. 2 at Newton Dec. 5 Peachtree Ridge Dec. 6 at Grayson Dec. 9 at Mill Creek Dec. 12 Norcross Dec. 15 Mountain View Dec. 19 at Dacula Dec. 27, 29-30 at LaGrange Christmas Tournament (Boys) Dec. 27, 29-30 Monroe Christmas Tournament (Girls) Jan. 6 North Gwinnett Jan. 9 at Collins Hill Jan. 13 at Duluth Jan. 16 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 17 Avery Invitational at Evans Jan. 20 Mill Creek Jan. 23 at Norcross Jan. 27 at Mountain View Jan. 30 at North Jan. 31 Clarke Central Feb. 3 Collins Hill Feb. 6 Duluth schedule this season. It only has one tournament on the schedule with a trip to Monroe Area after Christmas.

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BOYS COACH: Chad Rogers 2013-14 RECORD: 7-18 RETURNING REGULARS: Scotty Chadwick, 6-3, Sr. Davion Clark, 6-4, Sr. Ryan Dobbs, 5-11, Sr. Sha Powell, 5-11, Sr. Miles Riley, 6-0, Jr. Keetone Glover, 5-9, Jr. Christian Mancillas, 6-2, Soph.

OUTLOOK: The 2013-14 season was disappointing

by Mill Creek standards, not only missing the state playoffs but also limping to a 7-18 record. It was the second straight season of missing the playoffs, but it was a big drop-off from the previous season, when it went 16-10 and just missed the postseason. The goal is to turn things around to the form of 2010-11 and 201112, when the Hawks made back-to-back state playoff trips. “We’ve been working hard in the summer and getting in the right mindset with leadership, hard work and they’ve bought into it,” Mill Creek head coach Chad Rogers said. “I really like this group. We’ve got to be blue collar. We’ve got to be more aggressive. We’ve got to get back to getting turnovers in transition and getting some

mill creek

HAWKS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

last season. Mill Creek lost just one regular starter off its 2013-14 team.

FAST FACT: Mill Creek will play three tournaments this season, opening up with the Tabo’s Tipoff Classic at Jefferson. Then it will play events before and after Christmas at Carrollton and at West Forsyth.

Mill Creek’s Madison Phillips easy baskets, so we’re going surgery. to turn it up a little bit more WORTH NOTING: Seniors this season.” Rogers plans to Scotty Chadwick and Dapress more and be more ag- vion Clark will be two of the gressive on both ends of the Hawks’ key players, as well floor, both key factors in his as two of its tallest. Clark team’s past successes. played in just nine games Scotty Chadwick and Davion last season before knee Clark are key turning playsurgery, so his return is a ers, though the Hawks lost big boost. … In addition to only lost one player who was those two, Ryan Dobbs, Sha a continous starter. Clark Powell, Miles Riley, Keetone played nine games last sea- Glover and Christian Mancilson until undergoing knee las also were starters at time

GIRLS COACH: Ashley Phillips 2013-14 RECORD: 20-9 RETURNING REGULARS: Meredith Schulte, 6-0, Sr. Madison Phillips, 5-9, Sr. Tatum Ragsdale, 6-1, Jr. Anna Parks, 5-5, Sr. Lauren Smith, 6-0, Sr. Aizha Ross, 5-6, Sr. OUTLOOK: Traditionally one of Gwinnett’s stronger programs, Mill Creek looks primed for another big season thanks to a veteran team. The bulk of the rotation is a solid senior class led by Meredith Schulte and Madison Phillips, the daughter of head coach Ashley Phillips.

Anna Parks, Lauren Smith and Aizha Ross also are seniors with experience. “We’re excited,” Ashley Phillips said. “We’ve got a big senior class that have been playing together for a long time. It’s going to be a fun year and

gwinnettprepsports.com

maybe emotional at times, with seven seniors, most who have played together since elementary school.”

The team is expecting a breakout season, particularly in scoring, from junior Tatum Ragsdale.

WORTH NOTING: Both Madison Phillips (8.7 ppg last season) and Schulte (14 ppg, 5.1 rpg) have committed to college programs — Phillips to North Georgia and Schulte to Tulane. … The Hawks made at least the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs for seven straight seasons until missing the state playoffs in 2012-13. That included Final Four appearances in 2008 and 2011. …

Phillips has a 207-89 record as the only girls coach in program history. Seven of his past nine teams have won at least 20 games. … Among the graduation losses off the 2013-14 team is point guard Shannon McCrosson.

FAST FACT: Like the boys, Mill Creek’s girls will play in three tournaments. They join the boys at the two postChristmas tournaments, but open up with three games at South Forsyth. During that event, the Hawks will face Douglass, Woodstock and event host South Forsyth.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22, 24, 29 Tabo’s Tipoff Classic at Jefferson (Boys) Nov. 24 Douglass at South Forsyth (Girls) Nov. 25 Woodstock at South Forsyth (Girls) Nov. 29 at South Forsyth (Girls) Dec. 3 at Duluth Dec. 5 at Collins Hill Dec. 6 at Central Gwinnett Dec. 9 Meadowcreek Dec. 12 Peachtree Ridge Dec. 19 Chapel Hill at Carrollton Christmas Tournament Dec. 20, 22 at Carrollton Christmas Tournament Dec. 27, 29-30 West Forsyth Christmas Tournament Jan. 3 Dacula Jan. 6 Norcross Jan. 9 Mountain View Jan. 13 North Gwinnett Jan. 16 Collins Hill Jan. 20 at Meadowcreek Jan. 23 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 27 Duluth Jan. 30 at Norcross Feb. 3 at Mountain View Feb. 6 at North Gwinnett

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 17

mountain view

BEARS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: B.J. Roy 2013-2014 RECORD: 3-23 RETURNING REGULARS: Will Hartter, 6-1, Sr. Paul James, 6-3, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Trevor Ogle, 6-1, Sr. Nick Hayes, 6-0, Jr. Wes King, 6-0, Jr. Kevin Kayona, 6-3, Fr. Spencer Rodgers, 6-2, Fr. Jalen Hayes, 5-9, Fr. Miles Long, 5-9, Fr. Alex Wesig, 6-0, Fr. OUTLOOK: The Bears have struggled mightily to be competitive in one of the state’s toughest regions and the school’s sixth season will be more of the same.

New coach B.J. Roy, though, is optimistic about the future as he brings five freshmen to the varsity this season. Two regulars return, with Will Hartter and Paul James offering senior leadership.

The team’s growth will likely be dependent on the freshmen and there isn’t much size on the roster.

“I think we’ve got a real good opportunity to turn things around, but it’s not an overnight thing,” Roy said. After coaching Dacula for four seasons, Roy was an assistant at Central for a season before moving over to Mountain View in that role last year.

WORTH NOTING: Bob Perryman coached Mountain View for its first

the Christmas break.

GIRLS COACH: Jackie Lindquist 2013-2014 RECORD: 21-8 RETURNING REGULARS: Aneysa Williams, 5-5, Sr. D’Andre Pringle, 5-7, Sr. Iceis Walker, 5-5, Sr. Arianna Williams, 5-8, Sr. Jordan Stallworth, 6-2, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Keni Haynes, 5-5, Sr. Lilian Kennedy, 5-11, Fr. Jaron Stallworth, 6-0, Fr. Madison Maggerett, 5-8, Jr. OUTLOOK: Mountain View made the state tournament for the first time in 2013 and won a game last season, defeating Woodstock 46-43 before losing to Parkview 35-32 in the Elite Eight. This time the Bears want to take another step and are a contender for their first region title after finishing as Mountain View’s Aneysa Williams regular-season runner-up last season. All five starters return and two seasons, then Kyle Keefer led several key additions give Mountain View the depth that it had them for the past three years bebeen lacking. Four of the returnfore stepping down. … The Bears haven’t won more than five games ing starters are seniors and three averaged in double figures. Point in a season the past four years, guard Aneysa Williams averaged going 1-24 in 2011-12. … Moun12.5 points last season, while tain View is one of the smallest wings D’Andre Pringle and Iceis schools in Class AAAAAA. FAST FACT: The Bears are in two Walker scored 12.4 and 11 per tournaments this season. They will game, respectively. Junior Jordan Stallworth, who is 6-foot-2, added play at Jefferson before Thanksgiving and at East Jackson during 8.5 points per game, and senior

18 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

gwinnettprepsports.com

forward Arianna Williams led the team with an 8.5 rebounding average. Moving up from county middle school champion Twin Rivers to provide extra size inside are freshmen Lilian Kennedy and Jaron Stallworth, Jordan’s sister.

The Bears are also counting on contributions from newcomer Keni Haynes, a senior guard. “We’ve worked hard to get to the top, but we’re not there yet,” coach Jackie Lindquist said.

WORTH NOTING: Lindquist, entering her sixth season, is the only coach Mountain View has ever had. She was an assistant when Central won a state championship in 2001. … The Bears had their first winning season when they went 18-10 two years ago, then topped that by winning 21 games last season. … One hurdle left for Mountain View is a first victory over perennial region power Norcross.

FAST FACT: Mountain View opens the season on Nov. 18 at Archer — Class AAAAAA state runner-up last season. That is part of a top pre-region schedule that includes the three-day Parkview Tip-Off Classic before Thanksgiving and a trip to Tennessee to play in the two-day Murfeesboro Shootout after the holiday. Late in the season, the Bears play defending Class AAA champion St. Pius in a Jan. 24 showcase at Wesleyan.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 18 at Archer Nov. 21 Loganville (boys) Nov. 22, 24-25 TABO’s Tip-Off at Jefferson (boys) Nov. 22 Stephenson at Parkview (girls) Nov. 24 Woodland at Parkview (girls) Nov. 25 Shiloh at Parkview (girls) Nov. 28-29 at Murfeesboro (Tenn.) Shootout (girls) Dec. 5 at Duluth Dec. 9 North Dec. 15 at Meadowcreek Dec. 20 at Collins Hill Dec. 22 at Loganville (boys) Dec. 27, 29-30 at W. Forsyth tourney (girls) at E. Jackson tourney (boys) Jan. 6 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 9 at Mill Creek Jan. 10 at Flowery Branch (boys) Jan. 13 at Norcross Jan. 16 Duluth Jan. 17 Columbus at Archer (girls) Jan. 20 at North Jan. 23 Collins Hill Jan. 24 St. Pius at Wesleyan (girls) Jan. 27 Meadowcreek Jan. 30 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 31 at Flowery Branch Feb. 3 Mill Creek Feb. 6 Norcross

norcross

BLUE DEVILS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Jesse McMillian 2013-14 RECORD: 25-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Ricky Madison, 6-6, Sr. Tim Cameron, 6-3, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Devin Huffman, 6-1, Sr. Amir Butcher, 6-2, Jr. Chris Curlett, 6-0, Jr. Rayshaun Hammonds, 6-8, Soph.

OUTLOOK: The Blue Devils fell to Tift County in the state semifinals last season, ending the school’s hopes of back-to-back championships in both football and basketball. Nine seniors from last season signed to play either basketball or football in college, leaving this year’s team with an abundance of experience to replace. But the Blue Devils still have plenty of talent and have two returning players with plenty of playing time to build around in seniors Ricky Madison and Tim Cameron. The 6-foot-5 Madison, who has committed to High Point, led Norcross in scoring last season at nearly 13 points per game and was a second-team All-County pick.

Cameron is an explosive wing and Devin Huffman, a third senior, is a solid guard. The Blue Devils picked up a promising inside presence in Rayshuan Hammonds, a 6-foot-8 sophomore who transferred from Meadowcreek. He led his old team in rebounding as a freshman.

WORTH NOTING: Norcross has made the state tournament 14

play in the Next Level Hoops Festival in Nashville on Dec. 29-31.

FAST FACT: In addition to the annual Hilton Invitational showcase on Jan. 24, the Blue Devils will host the 141 Preview on Thursday and next Saturday to start the season.

Norcross will play Dutchtown on the first day and Johns Creek on the second, both at approximately 7:30 p.m. Greater Atlanta Christian, the defending Class AA state champion, will play Johns Creek on Thursday and Washington next Saturday, both at 6 p.m. GAC is coached by Eddie Martin, who led the Blue Devils to three state titles.

GIRLS COACH: Angie Hembree 2013-14 RECORD: 23-8 RETURNING REGULARS: Allison Johnson, 6-0, Sr. Vash Perry, 5-7, Jr. Taylor Mason, 5-9, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Norcross’ Tim Cameron Bena McCoy, 5-6, Sr. Nya Dawson, 5-4, Jr. consecutive seasons, with five state Tylia Gillespie, 5-11, Soph.

Madison Wells, 5-10, Sr. championships. … The Blue Devils OUTLOOK: have two state titles in six years The Blue Devils had five seniors under McMillan, who has a 146-41 from last season go on to play record. … Norcross, which prides either basketball or volleyball in colitself on defense, couldn’t stop lege, but talent remains. It just isn’t Georgia Tech recruit Tadric Jackson in state semifinals. The guard scored experienced talent, with none of the returnees having been a full-time 35 points in Tift County’s 78-70 starter a season ago. Taylor Mason, victory. … Madison had 23 points who started at times as a freshfor Norcross, with 20 coming in the man, is listed as one of the top 25 second half. … The Blue Devils will

sophomores in the nation by ESPN. Allison Johnson and Bena McCoy will offer leadership as seniors. McCoy, who will take over for four-year starter Bri Williams at point guard, was hampered by a shoulder injury last season. She has committed to Prairie View. Johnson will pick up the rebounding slack for Sierra Butler, who signed with Georgia Southern, and will get help on the boards from sophomore Tylia Gillespie and senior Madison Wells, who was sidelined with concussions last season.

WORTH NOTING: Norcross went 14-2 in 7-AAAAAA during the regular season and won the region championship. But after three state titles in four years with Diamond DeShields leading the way, the Blue Devils were ousted in the Sweet 16 of the state tournament. … Coach Angie Hembree is 170-44 at Norcross. Her overall coaching record is 446-151 and she has five state titles, the first two at Collins Hill. She was an assistant at the University of Miami between her stints at Collins Hill and Norcross.

FAST FACT: The Blue Devils, who are in two out-of-state tournaments, will again begin the season by hosting the three-day Hilton Tip-Off Classic. There are four games on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, then five games on Nov. 22. A spotlight game is Norcross against Tucker on Nov. 20. The Blue Devils’ trips are to Murfeesboro, Tenn., on Nov. 28-29 and to Charlotte, N.C., after Christmas.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 13 Dutchtown (boys) Nov. 15 Johns Creek (boys) Nov. 19 Fayette Co. (girls) Nov. 20 Tucker (girls) Nov. 22 Salem (girls) Nov. 22, 24, 29 TABO’s Tip-Off at Jefferson (boys) Nov. 28-29 Turkey Jam at Murfeesboro, Tenn. (girls) Dec. 4 North Dec. 6 at Mays Dec. 9 Collins Hill Dec. 12 at Meadowcreek Dec. 13 Wheeler (girls), Laney at GAC (boys) Dec. 15 at Peacthree Ridge Dec. 20 Walton at Pope (boys) Dec. 27, 29-30 at Charlotte Shootout (girls) Dec. 29-31 Next Level Hoops at Nashville (boys) Jan. 6 at Mill Creek Jan. 9 Duluth Jan. 13 Mountain View Jan. 16 at North Jan. 17 Lowndes at Archer (girls) Jan. 20 at Collins Hill Jan. 23 Meadowcreek Jan. 24 Hilton Invitational Jan. 27 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 30 Mill Creek Feb. 3 at Duluth Feb. 6 at Mountain View

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 19

north gwinnett

BULLDOGS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Zach Smith 2013-2014 RECORD: 27-4 RETURNING REGULARS: Kam Calhoun, 6-4, Sr. Malik Carter, 6-7, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jack Stucke, 6-1, Sr. Jaye Stackhouse, 6-0, Sr. Dejan Tojcic, 6-6, Sr. Colby Leifson, 6-1, Jr. Adam James, 5-11, Soph.

OUTLOOK: North, which reached the Elite Eight in the state tournament last season before losing 61-58 to Wheeler, took a blow when guard T.J. Howard decided to transfer to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year.

Howard was a first-team All-County choice, averaging 16.9 points and 3.5 assists as a junior as the Bulldogs won the region championship. He also had nearly three steals a game and shot 80 percent from the foul line. Without Howard, four-year starter Kam Calhoun will assume even more of a leadership role. The 6-foot-4 Calhoun and 6-foot-7 Malik Carter are the only returning starters. Both averaged double figures last season, with Carter at 12.4 points and Calhoun at 10.2. Carter also grabbed 7.8 rebounds per game and Calhoun averaged 5.6. Fellow senior Jack Stucke

Tenn., after Christmas.

FAST FACT: The Jared Cook Classic will again be held before Thanksgiving and remains a boys-only showcase event over Nov. 22, 24-25. GAC, which has won four of the past five Class AA state championships, will play twice. The Spartans, unbeaten last season, face Peachtree Ridge on the second night and Allatoona in the final session. The annual event benefits Susan B. Komen for the Cure cancer research.

North Gwinnett’s Kam Calhoun is a zone-buster as a 3-point specialist.

WORTH NOTING: North made the state tournament three times in Smith’s first four years as coach, reaching the Elite Eight twice. … The Bulldogs were upset in the quar-

20 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

terfinals of the 2013 region tournament by Meadowcreek on a 35-foot buzzer beater. … North has won 18, 21, 19 and 27 games under Smith, a former North assistant. … The Bulldogs will play in the prestigious Arby’s Classic in Bristol,

GIRLS COACH: Bryan Sellers 2013-2014 RECORD: 14-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Alyssa Munlyn, 6-2, Sr. Jessica Belcher, 5-6, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Grace Rigsbee, 6-2, Soph.

Emily Toomer, 5-8, Jr. Kathleen Wilson, 5-10, Jr. OUTLOOK: Injuries ruined North’s hopes a year ago as they missed the state tournament after reaching the Final Four the previous two seasons. Point guard Baylee Rexing tore her ACL in the first game, while post players Stephanie Amichia and Alyssa Munlyn each missed half the season. “Hopefully we can avoid the injury jinx this

gwinnettprepsports.com

season,” coach Bryan Sellers said. The 6-foot-2 Munlyn, who had an ankle injury a year ago, returns along with sophomore Jessica Belcher, a returning regular at guard.

Belcher will have to take up some of the scoring slack for her sister Joshlyn, who led the team by averaging 15 points as a senior. Jessica led the team in steals and was second in assists last season.

Munlyn, also a standout volleyball player, was second on the team in rebounding last season with 6.8 per game.

WORTH NOTING: Sellers was 77-13 in his first three seasons as North lost in the semifinals of the 2012 state tournament and to fellow Region 7-AAAAAA member Norcross in the 2013 title game. … Lexie Brown and Peyton Whitted, the stars of those two teams, are playing at Maryland and Penn State, respectively. … North lost to Mill Creek 57-40 in the quarterfinals of the region tournament to end last season early.

FAST FACT: North will stay close to home for its tournament action this season.

The Bulldogs will play in the Parkview Tip-Off Classic before Thanksgiving and the Ram Classic at Grayson after Christmas.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22 Nashville Siegel (boys), Heritage at Parkview (girls) Nov. 24 Lee Co. (boys), Harrison at Parkview (girls) Nov. 25 Whitefield (boys), Lambert at Parkview (girls) Dec. 4 at Norcross Dec. 6 Huntsville Lee at Wheeler (boys) Dec. 9 at Mtn. View Dec. 12 Duluth Dec. 13 Pope at GAC (boys), Dec. 15 Collins Hill Dec. 26-30 at Arby’s Classic (boys) Dec. 27-30 Ram Classic at Grayson (girls) Jan. 2 at Buford Jan. 6 at Meadowcreek Jan. 9 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 13 at Mill Creek Jan. 16 Norcross Jan. 20 Mtn. View Jan. 23 at Duluth Jan. 24 Christ (N.C.) at Norcross (boys) Jan. 27 at Collins Hill Jan. 30 Meadowcreek Feb. 3 Peachtree Ridge Feb. 6 Mill Creek

parkview

PANTHERS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Nick Gast 2013-2014 RECORD: 10-17 RETURNING REGULARS: Malik Abraham, 6-3, Sr. Kedar Chambers, 6-5, Sr. Angel Thrower, 5-9, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Garrett Smith, 6-2, Sr. Gabe Williams, 5-11, Sr. Brian Edge, 5-11, Sr. Nasir Walker, 6-2, Jr. Tyler Fleetwood, 6-3, Jr. Stephen Moye, 6-5, Jr. OUTLOOK: Nick Gast is trying to rebuild Parkview’s program and the Panthers went from three victories to 10 in his first season a year ago. Senior guard Malik Abraham, who averaged 14 points last season after 11 points as a sophomore, returns for his third year as a starter. The cast around him shows promise, although the production of 6-foot-9 Parker Role, who graduated, will be missed.

Role averaged 12.9 points and 9.9 rebounds as a senior. Abraham will be joined by two other seniors who are returning regulars – 6-foot-5 Kedar Chambers and Angel Thrower.

WORTH NOTING: The Panthers have gone through six consecutive losing seasons, reaching double figures in victories just twice. …

Parkview’s last winning season was in 2007-08, when it went 20-8. … Gast, who played at Valdosta

Springs, North Cobb and Forest Park. The semifinals are on Nov. 24 and the championship game on Nov. 25.

GIRLS COACH: Kirk Call 2013-2014 RECORD: 27-4 RETURNING REGULARS: Vicki Harris, 6-3, Sr. Makenna Pouengue, 5-9, Sr. Raven Johnson, 5-11, Jr. Dominique Leonidas, 5-6, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Bernice McGriff, 5-9, Sr. Kristin Telford, 5-6, Sr. Kristi Derouen, 6-0, Jr. Khari Jernigan, 6-2, Jr. Autumn Sizemore, 5-8, Jr. OUTLOOK: Parkview’s season came to an earlier end than the Panthers had hoped when they Parkview’s Vicki Harris lost 53-50 at South Forsyth in the Elite Eight a year ago as the War State and was an assistant coach Eagles couldn’t miss from the foul with the Blazers, was the Panthers’ line. All except one player returns third coach in as many seasons and the Panthers should again last year. … Steve Richardson challenge state runner-up Archer came out of a retirement to fill in for region honors and be one of for a season between Keenan the top teams in the state. Coach Temple and Gast.

Kirk Call’s team is led by 6-foot-3 FAST FACT: Boys action returns Vicki Harris, who has committed to the Parkview Tip-Off Classic to play for Rutgers. She is a major after a year’s absence with an presence defensively and on the eight-team tournament bracket. boards while supplying scoring unParkview will play Lassiter to derneath. Other key returnees are conclude the first round on Nov. senior Makenna Pouengue, who 22. Other teams are Cedar Shoals, has committed to Texas Southern, South Cobb, Harrison, North and juniors Raven Johnson and

Dominique Leonidas. Johnson was second in scoring a season ago with a 10.4 average and Leonidas led with three assists per game.

Genesis Perrymond, now at South Alabama, led the balanced scoring at 11 per game last year, but missed much of the regular season with a shoulder injury.

WORTH NOTING: Parkview, which won the state championship in 2003 under coach Mike McCoy, has made the state tournament six consecutive seasons. … The Panthers went into the state tournament unbeaten in 2012 and 2013 with Tony Watkins as coach, but were upset in the opening round the first time and lost to eventual state champ Norcross in the Sweet 16 the second. … Call was an assistant under McCoy when Parkview won the state title and returned to replace Watkins after coaching at Locust Grove.

FAST FACT: The Parkview Tip-Off Classic will be a three-day basketball marathon this year. While the boys play a traditional eight-team tournament, the girls’ part of the event will be a showcase for many of the top teams in the state. The highlight will be Parkview playing defending Class AAAAAA state champion McEachern in the finale on Nov. 25. Other top teams include Wesleyan, Mountain View, North Cobb, Hillgrove, Forest Park, Douglas County and Stephenson.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 15 Walnut Grove at SW DeKalb (boys) Nov. 22 N. Cobb (girls), Lassiter (boys) Nov. 24 Douglas Co. (girls), TBA (boys) Nov. 25 McEachern (girls), TBA (boys) Nov. 29 at Loganville (boys) Dec. 2 South Dec. 5 Brookwood Dec. 9 Whitewater (boys) Dec. 12 at Berkmar Dec. 13 at Grayson Dec. 18-22 at Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona (girls) Dec. 26-30 at WB Invitational in Washington, D.C. (girls) Dec. 27-30 at Walnut Grove Classic (boys) Jan. 6 Archer Jan. 9 Dacula Jan. 10 at Shiloh Jan. 13 Central Jan. 16 at South Jan. 23 Berkmar Jan. 24 at Brookwood Jan. 27 Grayson Jan. 30 at Archer Jan. 31 at Dacula Feb. 3 Shiloh Feb. 6 at Central

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peachtree ridge

LIONS Re g i o n 7-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Keith Arrington 2013-2014 RECORD: 12-17 RETURNING REGULARS: Aaron Augustin, 6-0, Jr. Milz Tatum, 5-11, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jay Estime, 6-4, Soph.

Isaiah Starks, 6-4, Sr. Connor Heyward, 6-0, Soph.

Brandon Hopson, 6-0, Jr. OUTLOOK: Peachtree Ridge took a hit when promising 6-foot-7 junior Romello White transferred to IMG Academy in Florida. Coach Keith Arrington, though, has had players come and go before and always made the best of each situation. “We hope it will be like a couple of years ago after C.J. Blackwell left and we surprised people,” Arrington said. Leading the way will be junior Aaron Augustin, one of the top point guards in the state. A starter since his freshman season, he averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 assists last season. Peachtree Ridge, though, was left without a lot of height with the loss of White and the graduation of 6-foot-8 Amir Warnock, who averaged a team-best 8.6 rebounds. “We’ll be small, but we’ve got talent,” Arrington said. The Lions suffered a rare losing season a year ago against an ultra-tough

2014-15 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 Brookwood Nov. 22, 24, 29 TABO’s Tip-Off at Jefferson (girls) Nov. 24 GAC at North (boys) Nov. 25 Lee Co. at North (boys) Dec. 2 East Hall (girls) Dec. 5 at Meadowcreek Dec. 6 Shiloh Dec. 9 Duluth Dec. 12 at Mill Creek Dec. 13 Berkmar at GAC (boys) Dec. 15 Norcross Dec. 19 at Central Dec. 27, 28, 30 Dorman Classic in Spartanburg (boys), Deep South at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 3 Central Jan. 6 at Meadowcreek Jan. 9 North Jan. 13 Collins Hill Jan. 16 Meadowcreek Jan. 19 Pebblebrook Jan. 20 at Duluth Jan. 23 Mill Creek Jan. 27 at Norcross Jan. 30 Mtn. View Feb. 3 at North Feb. 6 at Collins Hill

Peachtree Ridge’s Aaron Augustin schedule, but still made the Region 7-AAAAAA in the state state tournament for the ninth tournament last year and lost consecutive year. to Wheeler 85-54 in the first WORTH NOTING: The Lions round. … The last six of the were the fourth seed from trips to state have come under

22 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

Arrington. The best finish was in 2013, when the Lions lost in the Elite Eight to Wheeler. …

Arrington has more than 600 career victories. He came to Peachtree Ridge from Johnson in Savannah.

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FAST FACT: Peachtree Ridge will be the site of Blue Collar Basketball’s MLK Classic on Jan. 19, playing Pebblebrook at approximately 7 p.m. in one of the featured games. The Lions will also play in the BCB Classic showcase at Greater Atlanta Christian on Dec. 13, facing Berkmar at approximately 3 p.m.

GIRLS COACH: James Clanahan 2013-2014 RECORD: 11-14 RETURNING REGULARS: Justina Young, 5-5, Sr. Marisa Bowman, 5-9, Jr. Danielle Richardson, 5-9, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Kamilla Jones, 5-7, Soph.

Blake Davis, 5-6, Jr. Mecca Clarke, 6-0, Sr. D’Angela Brooks, 5-10, Jr. Quinnay Summers, 5-5, Soph.

Ivie Cameron, 5-5, Soph.

Maya Fitzgerald, 5-7, Jr. Lola Sewo, 5-8, Jr. OUTLOOK: Peachtree Ridge returns three starters, but must replace leading scorer Lorrie Cruse. She led the team is scoring (16.4) and rebounding (6.5) last season and was a second-team All-County choice. Returning is junior Marisa Bowman, who was second in scoring at 12 points per game and

also averaged two steals.

Also back are seniors Justina Young and Danielle Richardson. Young averaged six points and a team-best three assists last season. The Lions don’t have a lot of height, so they will again have to be fast and scrappy. “It’s never easy in our region, so we know what it takes,” coach James Clanahan said. “I don’t think there is a tougher region in the nation.”

WORTH NOTING: This is Clanahan’s sixth season as coach after taking over for Shana White. He was 14-13 his first season and 14-12 in 2011-2012. … A highlight for the Lions last season was finishing second in Hixon’s Wildcat Invitational Christmas Tournament in Tennessee. …

This year, Peacthree Ridge will stay home to play in the revived Deep South Classic at Brookwood after Christmas. … During the Thanksgiving break, the Lions will take part in the TABO’s TipOff at Jefferson.

FAST FACT: With the toughness of Region 7-AAAAAA, Peachtree Ridge has made the state tournament just twice, going in 2007 and 2008. The Lions advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008 after their only tournament victory.

providence

STORM Re g i o n 8 -A

COACH: Norman Brown 2013-14 RECORD: 13-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Steven Kleinschmidt, 6-5, Sr. Nicholas Allen, 6-6, Sr. Jeremy Hardnett, 5-10, Jr. Duncan Gotfredson, 5-11, Sr. Bobby Rodgers, 6-4, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jackson Winskie, 6-5, Sr. Micah Lawler, 6-4, Sr. Drew Kindig, 5-9, Sr. Elijah Carlson, 5-10, Jr. Alex Timm, 6-4, Jr. Garrett Whitlock, 6-5, Sr. Kyle Lewis, 6-3, Jr. OUTLOOK: There is plenty of talent and experience returning from last year’s Class A (Private) state tournament team — nine players in all, including seven seniors.

Among that experience is the Storm’s leading scorer and rebounder from last year in Steven Kleinschmidt (11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and their most durable player in Duncan Gotfredson (10.3 ppg 1.6 spg, led team in minutes played).

If the Storm are to take the next step this season and not only challenge for the region title and a return to the postseason, and then make a run once there, it

Providence Christian’s Jeremy Hardnett will be team effort.

They have the components to be able to play about any game, with enough good size to handle a half-court game and plenty

Lawler— to bust zones.

But the biggest improvement may come from the Storm’s ability in their help defense, which Brown hopes will spark an added dimension of a transition game this season.

WORTH NOTING: The Storm’s versatility will be aided by several multi-sport athletes at Providence.

Among the more notable such multi-sport standouts include Jeremy Hardnett, who has starred for the school’s first varsity football team this fall, Alex Timm, the starting goalie for the Storm’s soccer team, and baseball standouts Kleinschmidt, Jackson Winskie (who has signed to play college ball at Young Harris) and Garrett Whitlock (an Alabama-Birmingham signee).

FAST FACT: While the Storm’s size is not necessarily overwhelming, they do have a lot of consistent size, with no fewer than eight players on the team’s roster standing between 6-foot-3 and 6-6.

of perimeter sharpshooters — from Gotfredson and reserves Bobby Rodgers GIRLS and Elijah Carlson to even COACH: Brad Roby several frontcourt players like Kleinschmidt and Micah 2013-14 RECORD: 5-19

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RETURNING REGULARS: Laura Per-Lee, 5-8, Sr. Megan Lee, 5-6, Jr. OUTLOOK: While depth is a strength for the Providence boys team, it will be an area of concern for the Storm girls in 2014-15.

Losses to graduation, other move outs, plus commitments by players to other sports may limit to Storm to roughly 10 players this season, so conditioning and wise use of fouls will be a must this season.

The Storm will be able to count on the depth of a pair of returning players, however.

Laura Per-Lee will be able to provide a solid defensive presence on the boards and a scoring threat in the low block despite being a bit undersized at 5-8.

Meanwhile, the Storm will count on Megan Lee to provide ball-handling stability and a scoring spark from the perimeter.

FAST FACT: Providence will be looking to bounce back after last year’s disappointing 5-19 record. It was just the second time in the past nine seasons the Storm failed to reach double digits in wins.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 7 W.D. Mohammed Nov. 11 at King’s Ridge Nov. 14 at Whitefield Academy (Girls) Nov. 15 Landmark Christian (Boys) Nov. 18 Mt. Vernon Nov. 21 at Pinecrest Academy Nov. 22 at Galloway Nov. 25 Wesleyan (Boys) Dec. 2 Whitefield Academy (Girls) Dec. 5 Twiggs County Dec. 6 at Hebron Christian Dec. 12 at Lakeview Academy Dec. 13 at Tallulah Falls Dec. 19 King’s Ridge Dec. 20 Lanier (Girls) Dec. 27, 29, 30 at George Walton Academy Christmas Tournament (Boys) Jan. 3 at Lanier (Girls) Jan. 6 George Walton Acad.

Jan. 10 Commerce Jan. 13 at Prince Ave. Christian Jan. 16 at Athens Academy Jan. 20 Athens Christian Jan. 23 at George Walton Academy Jan. 24 Towns Co. Jan. 27 Prince Ave. Christian Jan. 30 Mt. Pisgah Feb. 3 Athens Academy Feb. 6 at Athens Christian

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 • 23

shiloh

GENERALS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Kim Rivers 2013-14 RECORD: 19-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Josh Okogie, 6-4, Jr. Kareem Brewton, 6-2, Sr. Malik Chandler, 5-10, Jr. Dejon Waters, 6-1, Jr. Cedric Guillaume, 6-5, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Shamarie McLeod, 6-5, Fr. OUTLOOK: The Generals were just a missed free throw here and there and a matter of seconds away from moving into the Class AAAAAA state quarterfinals, and perhaps beyond, a year ago.

And while a few pieces of that talented team are gone, two very important starters on that team do return in the form of first-team All-County wing Josh Okogie, who is the county’s leading returning scorer after averaging 19 points per game, and senior guard Kareem Brewton, who was not far behind at 16 points per game. That pair also combined to pull down 11 rebounds per game.

Perhaps the most important question Shiloh faces this season is who will replace graduated point guard and floor leader Elliott Strickland, though the Generals should have a pretty good answer in Malik Chandler, who stepped up his game as his role

five appearances in the last six years under Rivers.

increased during his sophomore season a year ago.

One constant that should remain the same for the Generals is their attack-style, full-court trapping defense, which was very effective most of the season.

And Cedric Guillaume being given a larger role this season, plus the addition of youngster Shamarie McLeod, the Generals should have some added size that may make that defense even tighter this year.

WORTH NOTING: Okogie and Brewton are becoming more and more popular among college recruiters.

Though just a junior, Okogie already has scholarship offers from Mercer, East Carolina,

GIRLS COACH: Regina Tate 2013-14 RECORD: 8-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Uche Ibebunjo, 6-0, Sr. Racquel Cranston, 5-11, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Imani Minor, 5-3, Soph.

Bria Cade, 5-10, Soph.

Christina Little, 5-5, Fr. OUTLOOK: The Generals took a large step forward last season, improving six wins from the previous campaign.

Shiloh’s Josh Okogie Yet, in some ways, there is Alabama-Birmingham and a feeling among the players George Mason, though larger that the team still underprograms like Georgia, Geor- achieved. gia Tech and Florida are also Enter first-year coach beginning to show interest.

Regina Tate, who inherits Brewton, meanwhile, has at- a roster that has a solid tracted interest from Georgia blend of returning talent and State, Georgia Southern, a promising young crop of LSU and Georgia. underclassmen.

FAST FACT: Last year’s Leading the former category state tournament appearare five seniors, including ance was the third in as last year’s returning scorer many seasons for the Genin Racquel Cranston (12.4 erals, matching the school’s ppg, 6 rpg, 2 spg) and longest such streak from leading rebounder and shot 2004-05 to 2006-07, with blocker in Uche Ibebunjo the first appearance coming (6.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg). under current Grayson girls Meanwhile, sophomores coach Tony Watkins and the Imani Minor and Bria Cade final two under Don Einolf. bring plenty of talent and A postseason berth this year some winning experience would not only set a new after helping lead the Shiloh record, but also give Shiloh freshman team that went

9-1 and won the Region 8-AAAAAA championship last season.

And with the Generals having not made the postseason since 2009, they will figure to play with a little bit of a chip on their collective shoulder this year.

WORTH NOTING: Tate, a former high school and college standout at Shaw and Georgia Tech respectively, is used to success, and hopes to bring that winning attitude to Shiloh.

In her seven seasons while coaching at Pace Academy, her teams never missed the state tournament.

FAST FACT: The Generals’ schedule will be quite challenging, including no fewer than 11 games against teams that played in their respective classifications state tournament a year ago, including eight against teams that advanced to the Sweet 16 or further.

In fact, the first four games of the season will be against postseason participants, starting with games against Northside-Warner Robins, Hillgrove and Mountain View in Parkview’s pre-Thanksgiving showcase Nov. 22-25 and the Region 8-AAAAAA opener at defending Class AAAAAA state runner-up Archer.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 22 vs. NorthsideWarner Robins at Parkview Showcase (Girls) Nov. 24 vs. Hillgrove at Parkview Tipoff (Girls) Nov. 25 vs. Mountain View at Parkview Showcase (Girls) Nov. 28-29 Atlanta Hardwood Classic at North Atlanta (Boys) Dec. 2 at Archer Dec. 5 Dacula Dec. 6 at Peachtree Ridge (Boys) Dec. 9 at Central Dec. 12 at South Dec. 13 at Brookwood Dec. 26, 27, 29 GCSU Tournament at Milledgeville (Boys) Dec. 29-30 at Grayson Rams Classic (Girls) Jan. 6 Brookwood Jan. 9 at Grayson Jan. 10 Parkview Jan. 13 Berkmar Jan. 16 Archer Jan. 17 Grayson Jan. 20 Central Jan. 23 South Jan. 24 at Dacula Jan. 29-31 at Monteverde Academy Invitational in Orlando, Fla. (Boys) Feb. 3 at Parkview Feb. 6 at Berkmar Feb. 9-14 Region tourney

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south gwinnett

COMETS Re g i o n 8 -AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Jamal Basit 2013-14 RECORD: 9-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Roberto Gallinatt, 6-3, Sr. Josh McKeever, 6-1, Sr. Xavier Johnson, 6-4, Jr. Dallas Jackson, 6-2, Sr. Aaron Udell, 6-1, Sr. Chris Bennett, 6-0, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: D’onte Torrence, 6-1, Soph.

OUTLOOK: The Comets certainly won’t be lacking in experience, with five seniors among their top six returning players.

Chief among that group is last season’s leading scorer and rebounder in Roberto Gallinatt, who finished the season ranked eighth in Gwinnett in scoring at 17 points per game.

He leads a group of seasoned senior guards that also includes Josh McKeever, Aaron Udell and Chris Bennett.

Add in promising sophomore D’onte Torrence and it’s not difficult to see where the Comets’ strength will lie this season.

The biggest question mark may be whether South will be able to find enough strength and size in the paint to be able to deal with some of the more powerful front-

courts in Region 8-AAAAAA. WORTH NOTING: Just a matter of a few points could’ve made a major difference in the South’s season a year ago.

The Comets dropped three region games by a combined eight points. Wins in those games could’ve pushed them to as high as a No. 4 seed in the region tournament, which might have changed their draw in the tournament dramatically.

On the other hand, South also won three region games by five points or less, so being able to close out close games late will likely be an area of focus this season.

GIRLS COACH: Kidada Holtzclaw 2013-14 RECORD: 16-12 RETURNING REGULARS: Arielle Harvey, 6-0, Sr. Taylor Harris, 5-10, Sr. Asheika Alexander, 5-10, Jr. Alexis Lewis, 6-1, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Essence Jordan, 5-7, Jr. Xian Lopez, 5-11, Fr. Emani Walker, 5-6, Fr. OUTLOOK: After making it back to the state tournament in 2013-14 following a oneyear hiatus, the Comets look to take a step even further this season.

And foes like defending state runner-up Archer and perennial powerhouse Parkview make Region 8-AAAAAA a tough battle each night.

While having four returning starters, including seniors Arielle Harvey and Taylor Harris, is definitely important.

However, the most important asset South may have this year that it didn’t have is added depth, with a talented young group that includes sophomore Alexis Lewis and freshmen Xian Lopez and Emani Walker.

The Comets also will get a boost from some additional size to battle on the boards, with no fewer than five players standing 5-foot-10 or taller.

WORTH NOTING: The schedule is an ambitious one for both the Comets boys and girls teams, but particularly for the girls.

In addition to the usual challenging Region 8-AAAAAA slate, South also opens the season with three games in the Hilton Tip-Off Classic, taking on perennial state powerhouses Wesleyan and Milton, as well as 2013-14 Class A (Private) state tournament participant Greenforest Christian.

GO COMETS!

2014-15 SCHEDULE

South Gwinnett’s Aaron Udell

Nov. 19 vs. Wesleyan in Hilton Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (Girls) Nov. 20 vs. Milton in Hilton Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (Girls) Nov. 22 vs. Greenforest Christian in Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (Girls) Nov. 28 Lou Williams Thanksgiving Classic at South: Girls vs. LakesideDeKalb; Boys vs. CarverAtlanta Nov. 29 Lou Williams Thanksgiving Classic: Girls vs. Clarkston; Boys vs.

Towers Dec. 2 at Parkview Dec. 5 Berkmar Dec. 9 at Dacula Dec. 12 Shiloh Dec. 13 Archer Dec. 19 at Alcovy Dec. 20 at Pope (Boys) Dec. 29-31 Indian Classic at Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. Jan. 6 Central Gwinnett Jan. 9 at Fellowship Christian (Boys) Jan. 10 at Brookwood Jan. 13 Grayson Jan. 16 Parkview Jan. 17 at South Forsyth (Boys) Jan. 20 Dacula Jan. 23 at Shiloh Jan. 24 at Berkmar Jan. 27 at Archer Jan. 30 at Central Feb. 3 Brookwood Feb. 6 at Grayson

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wesleyan

WOLVES Re g i o n 6 -AA

BOYS COACH: Ryan Hodges 2013-2014 RECORD: 5-20 RETURNING REGULARS: Reggie Bynum, 5-9, Sr. Jaylen Clarke, 6-0, Sr. Christian Scott, 6-2, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Brennan McDaniel, 6-5, Soph.

Jason Morrison, 6-4, Jr. Harrison Cook, 5-11, Soph.

Banks Ramsey, 6-4, Fr. Cedric Lynch, 6-2, Jr. OUTLOOK: Coach Ryan Hodges is trying to rebuild the Wesleyan boys program and the job wasn’t made easier when Brian Coffey and Charlie O’Briant – starters as freshmen — transferred to Greater Atlanta Christian. Coffey led the team in scoring while averaging 12 points and the 6-foot-6 O’Briant topped the rebounders at six per game. The Wolves do have three experienced seniors returning in Reggie Bynum, Jaylen Clarke and Christian Scott. Wesleyan, though, will again be outmanned in a region that features GAC, which has won four state titles in six years. The Wolves have struggled since moving back up to Class AA as one of the smallest schools, winning just a total of 16 games in two seasons.

WORTH NOTING: Wesleyan had made the state tournament 13 consecutive seasons before missing last year. … Hodges, in his third year, was an assistant at Marist for five years before coming

41 in six seasons before resigning and becoming coach at Pepperell.

Wesleyan’s Mikayla Coombs to Wesleyan. He had previously coached at Salem. … The Wolves will play a number of Class A teams in their non-region schedule, including Gwinnett opponents Providence Christian and Hebron Christian. … Wesleyan isn’t in either a Christmas or a Thanksgiving tournament.

FAST FACT: The Wolves won state titles in 2008 and 2010 under former coach Skip Matherly. The first came in Class AA – led by future college standouts Trey Thompkins and Tanner Smith — and the second in Class A. Matherly was 139-

GIRLS COACH: Jan Azar 2013-2014 RECORD: 27-4 RETURNING REGULARS: Nikki McDonald, 6-0, Sr. Lauren Frerking, 6-0, Sr. Mikayla Coombs, 5-11, Soph.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Cairo Booker, 5-4, Jr. Taylor Casey, 5-5, Jr. Riley Casey, 5-5, Jr. Natalie Armstrong, 6-2, Soph.

Noni Thompkins, 6-3, Soph.

Amaya Register, 5-2, Fr. Sutton West, 5-11, Fr. OUTLOOK: Wesleyan’s record-tying streak of state titles came to an end after six seasons when the Wolves suffered a 69-58 loss to unbeaten Kendrick in the championship game last March in Macon. Coach Jan Azar’s team appears capable of starting a new streak, but the move of defending Class A private school champ Holy Innocents’ to Class AA and into Region 6 makes for a harder road. Wesleyan had just two seniors a year ago, and is deep and talented as usual. Nikki McDonald and volleyball standout Lauren Frerking provide senior leadership and the Wolves have one of the toprated sophomores in the nation in Mikayla Coombs, who has already been offered by the University of Connecticut. Coombs was second on the team in scoring as a

ENTER

TO WIN!

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26 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014

freshman at 11.8 points per game.

McDonald, who has committed to Elon, led in scoring (14.2 per game) and rebounding (7.3). The Wolves also return speedy junior guard Cairo Booker, who averaged 6.7 points and nearly three assists per game a year ago, and should get a boost inside from 6-foot-2 sophomore Natalie Armstrong, former star Anne Marie Armstrong’s sister. Noni Thompkins, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, will miss the first half of the season after knee surgery. Wesleyan lost just two seniors for last year’s team, but sophomore guard Devyn Lowe transferred to Woodstock.

WORTH NOTING: The Wolves had won a record 34 consecutive state tournament games before the loss to Kendrick in the 2014 title game. … Hart County also won six straight state titles, doing so from 1989-1994. … Wesleyan has 10 state championships in the past 14 years, with three runnersup finishes and one quarterfinal loss. … The 10 championships ties Taylor County for the most by a girls program in state history. …

Frerking, whose sister Katie plays basketball at Auburn, has committed to Georgia Tech for volleyball.

FAST FACT: Azar, who started Wesleyan’s girls basketball program in 1997, has a career record of 436-80 leading the Wolves. The only losing season was Wesleyan’s first and the Wolves have won less than 26 games just two other times.

2014-15 SCHEDULE Nov. 19 South at Norcross (girls) Nov. 21 at Riverside (boys) Nov. 22 Hillgrove at Parkview (girls), at Hebron (boys) Nov. 24 Mays at Parkview (girls) Nov. 25 Forest Park at Parkview (girls), Providence (boys) Dec. 2 Hebron (boys) Dec. 5 at Hapeville Dec. 9 KIPP Dec. 12 at Buford (girls) Dec. 13 at Gainesville (girls) at BEST (boys) Dec. 19 at Woodward (girls), at Chestatee (boys) Dec. 20 Sparkman (Ala.) at Woodward (girls) Dec. 22 Athens Academy (boys) Dec. 29-31 WNC Classic in Asheville (girls) Jan. 3 Loganville Jan. 6 GAC Jan. 8 Lovett Jan. 10 Holy Innocents’ Jan. 13 at Pace Jan. 16 Hapeville Jan. 20 at KIPP Jan. 24 Kell (girls), at Fellowship (boys) Jan. 27 at GAC Jan. 30 at Lovett Feb. 3 at Holy Innocents’ Feb. 6 Pace

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