Gwinnett Prep Basketball - 2013 by Gwinnett Daily Post Special Section

ANNUAL COUNTY PREP HOOPS PREVIEW

Gwinnett Daily Post• Sunday, November 10, 2013 • gwinnettprepsports.com

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Team-by-team previews, schedules and more inside

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 In-season, postseason tourney changes.............................Pg. 16 Celebrating Gwinnett’s 2013 champions..............................Pg. 17 Meadowcreek..........................................................................Pg. 18 Mill Creek.................................................................................Pg. 19 Mountain View.........................................................................Pg. 20 Norcross..................................................................................Pg. 21 North Gwinnett........................................................................Pg. 22 Preseason All-County teams.................................................Pg. 23 Parkview..................................................................................Pg. 24 Peachtree Ridge.....................................................................Pg. 25 Providence..............................................................................Pg. 26 2012-13 Stats leaders.............................................................Pg. 27

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Norcross celebrates its 60-48 victory over Hillgrove after the Class AAAAAA state championship boys basketball game last season. (File Photo)

Shiloh.......................................................................................Pg. 28 South Gwinnett.......................................................................Pg. 29 Wesleyan.................................................................................Pg. 30

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 3

archer

TIGERS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Tim Watkins 2012-13 RECORD: 22-8 RETURNING REGULARS: John Gillis, 6-0, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Daequan Parker, 5-11, Sr. Chaz Boards, 5-10, Sr. Elijah Miles, 6-2, Sr. Kwei Lartey, 6-3, Jr. Jeremiah Buford, 6-4, Jr. Bill Carr, 6-3, Jr. Aleem Ford, 6-5, Jr. Isaiah Daugherty, 5-11, Jr. Darrion Taylor, 5-7, Soph. Dylan Singleton, 5-11, Soph. OUTLOOK: The graduation of a large, talented senior class leaves Archer with a completely revamped lineup this season. The young program’s only point guard, Randall Smith, is now at Jacksonville State (Ala.), as are fellow college signees Bryan Hamlet and Kelvin Nwanze (both at Georgia College and State University) and Audrey Overby (Gordon College). Hamlet and Smith averaged 16.2 and 15.7 points, respectively. Of the returning players, only senior John Gillis was a major contributor on a state playoff team. But head coach Tim Watkins feels good about the players who have stepped up

a 40-16 record the past two seasons after going 14-17 in 2010-11. Despite the losing record in 201011, it played well late that season and reached the second round of the state playoffs.

Archer’s Madison Newby to fill those voids. WORTH NOTING: The Tigers returned to the state tourney last season after missing out in 2011-12, when they were upset in the region tourney opener. The state draw wasn’t kind last season, though, as

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they lost to eventual state champion Norcross in the second round after a firstround win over Cherokee. … The boys team will stay in town for its post-Christmas tournament at Walnut Grove. FAST FACT: Archer has

assists as a sophomore. Alesha Mann, Cii Cii Marseille (5.1 rebounds per game) and Kayla Rogers (10.3 points per game). An influx of young talent, courtesy of a loaded freshman class, will give Ryan Lesniak his deepest team GIRLS ever. Most of Lesniak’s talCOACH: Ryan Lesniak ent is still on the younger 2012-13 RECORD: 20-10 side, with Mann and Holli RETURNING REGULARS: Sturgill being the top seAlesha Mann, 5-7, Sr. nior contributors. Cii Cii Marseille, 6-0, Jr. WORTH NOTING: Archer Madison Newby, 5-7, Jr. got a huge offseason Kayla Rogers, 5-7, Sr. boost with the transfer OTHERS TO WATCH: of Amber Skidgel from Linsey Marchese, 6-3, Fr. Hebron Christian. Skidgel, Autumn Newby, 6-2, Fr. despite constant defensive Tia Shorter, 5-7, Fr. pressure from opponents Amber Skidgel, 6-0, Jr. last season, averaged 21.7 Holli Sturgill, 5-6, Sr. points for the Lions as a OUTLOOK: The Tigers sophomore. … Newby’s are coming off their bestsister, Autumn Newby, is ever season and second ranked as one of the top straight playoff appearfreshman players nationance. They finished as Re- ally as she enters high gion 8-AAAAAA runner-up school. She is the only to Parkview and reached Gwinnett player and one of the Class AAAAAA four Georgians on the ESSweet 16 before running PNW HoopGurlz national into powerful and evenrankings for the Class of tual state runner-up North 2017. Gwinnett. A strong core FAST FACT: Archer of regulars return from graduated the program’s that team, including point career leading rebounder, guard Madison Newby, Marissa Jordan, off last who ranked fourth in Gwin- season’s team. Just 5-6, nett County in scoring she still grabbed 576 ca(18.5) and averaged 4.6 reer boards.

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 at Mountain View Nov. 23 Kell in Archer Classic Nov. 25 Starr’s Mill in Archer Classic Nov. 30 Cedar Shoals at Athens Christian (boys) Dec. 3 at South Gwinnett Dec. 6 at Grayson Dec. 7 Dacula Dec. 10 Brookwood Dec. 13 Central Gwinnett Dec. 16 at Berkmar Dec. 21 Duluth at Loganville in Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase Dec. 27-28, 30-31 at Landair Ladies Classic in Greeneville, Tenn. (girls) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Walnut Grove Tournament (boys) Jan. 7 Parkview Jan. 10 at Dacula Jan. 14 at Shiloh Jan. 17 South Gwinnett Jan. 18 Butler in William Avery Invitational (boys) Jan. 18 Shades Valley, Ala. in Girls Night Out at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 21 Grayson Jan. 24 at Brookwood Jan. 25 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 28 Berkmar Jan. 31 at Parkview Feb. 7 Shiloh

BOYS COACH: Greg Phillips 2012-13 RECORD: 18-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Tim Rowe, 6-11, Sr. Jonathan Sanks, 6-4, Sr. James Sanders, 6-0, Sr. Joseph Gordon, 5-10, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Klair Crouch, 6-0, Sr. Josh Culver, 6-7, Jr. Lane Foster, 5-10, Soph. Cam Terry, 5-10, Sr. Al Durham, 6-2, Fr. Bobby Jackson, 6-4, Jr. OUTLOOK: The Patriots have made the state tournament in each of Greg Phillips’ four seasons as head coach, with trips to the Class AAAAAA Elite Eight the last two seasons. They lost in the 2012-13 quarterfinals to eventual state champion Norcross, but still played some of their best basketball during the tail end of the schedule. Another postseason trip could be in the works this season, with an experienced group of players back, including five seniors. The veterans include four-year varsity letter winner Tim Rowe, a 6-11 force in the middle who averaged 11.9 points and 5.9 rebounds last season. Jonathan Sanks, a Georgia Southern commitment, is also an important player along with fellow seniors James Sanders, Klair

berkmar

PATRIOTS Region 8-AAAAAA

take long for the Patriots to get tested as they open up the season in the City of Rivers Shootout in Jacksonville, Fla. They follow it up with a matchup against a state playoff team from last season in Meadowcreek, then a showcase matchup with typically strong Tift County before region play starts. FAST FACT: Berkmar lost two double-figure scorers to graduation, led by its top point-producer, C.J. Foster (12.4 ppg). Malcolm Hannah (10.2 ppg) also is gone from last season’s team.

Berkmar’s Tim Rowe Crouch and Cam Terry. Junior Joseph Gordon also is a key returning regular and Josh

Culver, who previously played at Shiloh, adds some height. WORTH NOTING: It won’t

GIRLS COACH: Tina SmosnyMcGriff 2012-13 RECORD: 12-12 RETURNING REGULARS: Jirah Simpkins, 5-4, Soph. Brittany Taylor, 5-5, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Clara Lawton, 5-9, Soph. Chastity Terry, 6-1, Sr. OUTLOOK: Berkmar shifts a number of players from a successful junior varsity team up to the next level this season, hoping those new faces can fill in capably for a strong group of seniors who graduated off the 2012-13 squad. Guard Jirah Simpkins, just a sophomore, is one of the team’s promising young players. Her quick-

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ness and athletic ability drew praise last season when she played solid minutes as a freshman. Brittany Taylor, the team’s only returning senior, also expects to be in a bigger role this year. Head coach Tina Smosny-McGriff also praised sophomore Clara Lawton, calling her the team’s most improved player, as well as senior Chastity Terry, whose height at 6-1 will be a major help. WORTH NOTING: The graduation loss of Daijah Cooke hurts the Patriots’ offense. She was the team’s lone double-figure scorer last season at 14.1 points per game, which was fourthbest in Region 8-AAAAAA. The long-range shooting of Amy Adame also must be replaced, as well as the inside presence of Ja’Taja Washington, who averaged 5.4 rebounds. …SmosnyMcGriff, a longtime Gwinnett assistant coach before taking the Berkmar job before last season, is a Brookwood graduate. FAST FACT: Though they’ve missed the state tournament the past two seasons, the Patriots reached the state playoffs the previous five years. Before that run, their last state tourney appearance was in 1976.

2013-14 SCHEDULE Nov. 16 at City of Rivers Shootout in Jacksonville, Fla. (boys) Nov. 17 at City of Rivers Shootout in Jacksonville, Fla. (boys) Nov. 22 Meadowcreek Nov. 23, 25-26, 30 at Tabo’s Tipoff Tournament at Jefferson (girls) Nov. 30 Tift County in On the Radar Hoops Showcase at St. Francis (boys) Dec. 3 Parkview Dec. 6 at Dacula Dec. 7 Collins Hill in Nike Explosion at Wheeler (boys) Dec. 10 Shiloh Dec. 13 at South Gwinnett Dec. 16 Archer Dec. 21 McEachern in SEBA Hoopfest at Pope (boys) Dec. 26-28, 30 Nike/ BMASP Tournament at Berkmar (boys) Dec. 27-30 at Walnut Grove Christmas Classic (girls) Jan. 7 Grayson Jan. 11 Brookwood Jan. 14 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 17 at Parkview Jan. 21 Dacula Jan. 24 at Shiloh Jan. 25 South Gwinnett Jan. 28 at Archer Jan. 31 at Grayson Feb. 4 at Brookwood Feb. 7 Central Gwinnett

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brookwood

BRONCOS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Daniel Bowles 2012-13 RECORD: 16-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Deion Dedeaux, 5-7, Sr. Kendall Joseph, 6-2, Sr. R.J. Smith, 6-0, Sr. Nate Gill, 5-11, Sr. Nate Rosetti, 6-4, Sr. Jordan Locke, 6-5, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Caleb Bodden, 6-5, Sr. Jordan Benjamin, 6-0, Soph. Micah Kinsey, 5-9, Soph. Sean Agnant, 6-0, Soph. OUTLOOK: Head coach Daniel Bowles finished his complete conversion of the Brookwood program to a fastpaced style of play, which paid dividends with a stellar 201213 season. The coach prefers to roll a number of players in and out of the lineup, wearing teams down over the course of four quarters. A deep team will help him accomplish that feat this season with nine returning players with varsity experience, including three of its top four scorers. Deion Dedeaux (12.1) is the top returning scorer and Kendall Joseph averaged 11.2 points, but the points were spread out evenly on a balanced team. R.J. Smith, Nate Gill, Nate Rosetti and Jordan Locke, all four-year members of the program, also played heavy minutes last season.

the state tournament because of a 43-42 loss to Berkmar in the Region 8-AAAAAA Tournament. … Bowles, a Brookwood grad, led his alma mater to its last state playoff appearance in 2010-11. FAST FACT: Brookwood won its Deep South Classic last season for just the fifth time in its 22-year history thanks to MVP Dedeaux and all-tourney pick Joseph. The Deep South Classic won’t be played this year for the first time since it started in 1991, but the Broncos will stay home for the holidays anyway with a cross-county trip to Duluth’s Jingle Jam.

Brookwood’s Deion Dedeaux WORTH NOTING: The Broncos made a big turnaround last season, going from 6-20 to 16-10, their first winning

record since 2008-09. Their finish wasn’t what they hoped for, though. They lost their last five games and missed out on

GIRLS COACH: Scott Terry 2012-13 RECORD: 16-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Taryn Dennie, 5-8, Jr. Taiylor Rinehart, 5-6, Sr. Michaela Guffie, 5-11, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Caitlin Cushenberry, 5-6, Jr. Amy Stinnett, 5-6, Jr. OUTLOOK: Head coach Scott Terry will have a lineup full of fresh faces this season, with only five returning players who have varsity experience. The new rotation could see as many as four freshmen getting minutes in an effort to replace a strong group of seniors who graduated, led by Courtney

Gardner and Rebecca Walker, who did nearly everything for the Broncos last season. Gardner (14.6 ppg, 7.8 rpg) ran the point and Walker (12.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.5 apg) was a four-year starter. Just two seniors are back who played significant minutes, Taiylor Rinehart and Michaela Guffie. Junior Taryn Dennie also was a contributor last season. WORTH NOTING: Brookwood has made eight straight appearances in the state tournament. It lost in last season’s first round to 5-AAAAAA champion Etowah. … Though it may return in future seasons, the long-running Deep South Classic won’t be held this season for the first time since 1991. Brookwood is hosting a showcase, though, the Girls Night Out on Jan. 18 to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It features 18 teams (seven from out-of-state), both Bronco gyms and six Gwinnett teams. FAST FACT: Terry, who got his coaching start at Riverdale and Morrow, is entering his 13th season as the Broncos’ head coach. Only Wesleyan’s Jan Azar, headed into her 17th season as the Wolves’ coach, has a longer tenure at their current school among Gwinnett girls head coaches.

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 at Duluth Nov. 23 Starr’s Mill at Archer Nov. 25 Loganville at Archer Nov. 30 at Athens Christian Invitational Dec. 3 at Central Gwinnett Dec. 6 Parkview Dec. 10 at Archer Dec. 13 at Shiloh Dec. 14 at Holy Innocents’ Dec. 16 Dacula Dec. 20 Wesleyan Dec. 27 at Duluth Jingle Jam Dec. 28 at Duluth Jingle Jam Jan. 4 at McEachern (boys) Jan. 7 at South Gwinnett Jan. 10 Grayson Jan. 11 at Berkmar Jan. 17 Central Gwinnett Jan. 18 Forest Park in Girls Night Out Jan. 21 at Parkview Jan. 24 Archer Jan. 25 Shiloh Jan. 28 at Dacula Jan. 31 South Gwinnett Feb. 1 at Grayson Feb. 4 Berkmar

buford

WOLVES R e g i o n 7- A A A

BOYS COACH: Allen Whitehart 2012-13 RECORD: 25-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Matt McMorris, 6-2, Sr. Justin Edwards, 6-2, Sr. D’Marcus Simonds, 6-4, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Montgomery VanGorder, 6-2, Sr. Keyton Gibson, 6-3, Jr. Rakim Lubin, 6-8, Sr. OUTLOOK: Buford reached the Class AAA Final Four last season and was eliminated in a tough setting, a far-from-neutral-site matchup with Savannah in front of its hometown fans. Still, the Wolves hung tough and barely lost 54-50. They have three main contributors back from that team: seniors Matt McMorris and Justin Edwards and D’Marcus Simonds, a highly regarded sophomore wing. One huge newcomer has been added to the mix, however, in senior transfer Rakim Lubin. The 6-foot-8, 245-pounder, who moved in from Gadsden City (Ala.), is a Connecticut commitment with the ability to score inside and out. He was a Class AAAAAA allstate second-team selection last season, averaging 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. WORTH NOTING: A few

Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett with matchups against Miller Grove and Peachtree Ridge. FAST FACT: The Wolves won nine or fewer games from the 2007-08 to the 2009-10 seasons, but Whitehart has led them back to prosperity with 22 or more wins each of the past three seasons. That includes three deep playoff runs, with a state runner-up finish in 2010-11 to go with last season’s Final Four showing.

big-name players graduated off the Final Four team, including Kyle Doyle. Doyle, a Georgia Southern signee, was third in Gwinnett in scoring (20 ppg) and first

Buford’s Bree Horrocks in rebounding (11.8) last season. Also gone is Tennessee signee A.J. Davis, who averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds. … Buford will be tested early in the Jared

GIRLS COACH: Gene Durden 2012-13 RECORD: 24-5 RETURNING REGULARS: Bree Horrocks, 6-5, Sr. Camille Anderson, 5-8, Jr. Corey Staples, 5-8, Jr. Tara Dambach, 5-6, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Ashley Kroeger, 5-9, Sr. Taylor Ozment, 5-8, Sr. Caitlyn Dawkins, 5-7, Sr. OUTLOOK: Despite losing a pair of tall players to graduation — 6-4 Kristina Nelson is now at Notre Dame and 6-4 Mackenzie Darrah is at Elon — the Wolves still have an inside presence thanks to senior Bree Horrocks. The 6-5 post, an early commitment to Purdue, will be a big part of a team that will rely on heavy full-court

pressure and transition offense as usual. Buford also returns junior Camille Anderson, a North Carolina State commitment, Corey Staples and Tara Dambach from its 2012-13 playing rotation. Those three, along with seniors Ashley Kroeger, Taylor Ozment and Caitlyn Dawkins, have been around for a lot of success during their time with the high school program. WORTH NOTING: Buford’s run of four straight state title game appearances, including three state championships during that span, ended last season with a loss in the Class AAA quarterfinals to St. Pius, the eventual state champion. … Prior to the St. Pius loss, the team was on a run of 18 wins in 19 games. The only loss during that stretch was 44-40 to eventual AA state champion Wesleyan. Only two opponents during that 19-game spell scored more than 40 points against the Buford. FAST FACT: The Wolves have made the state playoffs each of Gene Durden’s eight seasons as head coach. Durden, who coached previously at Dade County, has a 203-49 record at Buford.

2013-14 SCHEDULE Nov. 23 Miller Grove in Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 25 Peachtree Ridge in Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 26 at Morgan County Nov. 30 Eagles Landing Dec. 3 SW Atlanta Christian Dec. 7 Tift County Dec. 10 East Hall Dec. 14 Columbia (girls) Dec. 20 Banks County Dec. 26-28 at Gainesville Invitational Holiday Tournament (girls) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Rotary Roundball Classic in Charleston, S.C. (boys) Jan. 3 Fannin County Jan. 4 at White County Jan. 7 Dawson County Jan. 10 at West Hall Jan. 11 Creekview (girls) Jan. 14 North Hall Jan. 17 at East Hall Jan. 18 Tucker in Girls Night Out at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 20 Johnson at Berkmar MLK Showcase (boys) Jan. 21 at Banks County Jan. 24 at Fannin County Jan. 25 at Wesleyan (girls) Jan. 28 White County Jan. 31 at Dawson County Feb. 1 Morgan County Feb. 4 West Hall Feb. 7 at North Hall

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central gwinnett

COMETS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Branden Mayweather 2012-13 RECORD: 12-14 RETURNING REGULARS: Shaun Jones, 6-3, Sr. Neal Hodges, 6-5, Sr. Khalil Ozuna, 6-6, Sr. Anthony Hoskins, 6-8, Jr. Karon Jackson, 5-11, Jr. Sam Westmoreland, 6-3, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Chris Shelling, 5-10, Jr. John Stafford, 6-3, Jr. Shadiah Toppin, 6-3, Soph. Kevin Stamps, 6-5, Soph. OUTLOOK: Central has a new head coach in Branden Mayweather, a 2004 Dacula grad who replaces longtime coach David Allen. Allen coached the Black Knights for nine seasons, highlighted by a 2009-10 team that went 29-3 and reached the Class AAAAA semifinals. Mayweather inherits a go-to scorer in senior guard Shaun Jones, a top college prospect who averaged team bests 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds last season. He will be the main cog of an up-tempo offense that looks to score in transition off its defense, which Mayweather feels will be a team strength because of his players’ athleticism and physicality. Neal Hodges and Khalil Ozuna, both seniors, give Central some frontline height. The junior class also is

leading the Tigers’ junior varsity team to the Region 8-AAAAAA title last season. He played college basketball at both Presbyterian and Piedmont. … One key spot that needs replacing is point guard with the graduation of Brian Egejuru, a senior leader last season when he averaged 5.8 assists, secondbest in Gwinnett County. FAST FACT: The Black Knights’ 62-59 loss to Archer in the 8-AAAAAA Tournament opener ended a streak of six straight state tournament appearances, a run of success that was surprising with the number of talented transfers the program lost in recent years.

Central Gwinnett’s Shaun Jones talented with three players — Anthony Hoskins, Karon Jackson and Sam Westmoreland — who contributed heavily as

sophomores. WORTH NOTING: Mayweather was an assistant coach the previous four years at Archer,

GIRLS COACH: Jason Adams 2012-13 RECORD: 18-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Alexandra Frazier, 5-8, Jr. Briana McGee, 5-6, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Tyra Woods, 6-0, Sr. Ashley Wilson, 5-6, Sr. OUTLOOK: Graduation took a large portion of Central’s playmakers (seven seniors, three playing college basketball, graduated) off a state tournament team, but two key elements return in juniors Alexandra Frazier and Briana McGee. Frazier, one of the state’s top junior recruits,

averaged 15.3 points and 3.9 assists. She took her game to another level in the postseason, averaging 29 points in the Region 8-AAAAAA and Class AAAAAA tournaments. McGee, an important defensive stopper, will take on a bigger scoring load this season. They will be joined in the starting lineup by a pair of seniors, Tyra Woods and Ashley Wilson. Woods is a big addition with her height after missing the previous two seasons with injuries. WORTH NOTING: Adams has led the Black Knights to three state playoff appearances, but finally earned his first state tournament win last season. Central defeated Woodstock 64-49 in the first round behind 27 points from Frazier. … Adams won his 100th game as a head coach, all with the Central girls, back in February. … Central finished as runnerup in the Lanier Christmas Tournament last season. That tournament won’t be played this season, so the team plans a trip to the Gainesville Invitational after Christmas. FAST FACT: During Adams’ tenure at Central — he’s entering his eighth season — every graduating senior player has gone to a college. His 2012-13 team featured nine of 11 players with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 at East Paulding Nov. 23 Loganville Nov. 25 Kell Nov. 30 Lambert in On the Radar Hoops Showcase at St. Francis (boys) Dec. 3 Brookwood Dec. 7 South Gwinnett Dec. 10 Dacula Dec. 13 at Archer Dec. 16 at Parkview Dec. 20 at Shiloh Dec. 26 Alpharetta in Gainesville Invitational Holiday Classic Dec. 27 at Gainesville Invitational Holiday Classic Dec. 28 at Gainesville Invitational Holiday Classic Jan. 7 Shiloh Jan. 10 at South Gwinnett Jan. 11 Grayson Jan. 14 Berkmar Jan. 17 at Brookwood Jan. 18 at William Avery Showcase in Augusta (boys) Jan. 18 at Girls Night Out at Starr’s Mill (girls) Jan. 24 at Dacula Jan. 25 Archer Jan. 28 Parkview Feb. 1 East Paulding Feb. 4 at Grayson Feb. 7 at Berkmar

collins hill

EAGLES R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

BOYS COACH: Eric Nathan 2012-13 RECORD: 17-12 RETURNING REGULARS: Devin Mitchell, 6-3, Sr. Pierre Richardson, 6-0, Sr. Devin Watson, 6-1, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jeremy James, 6-5, Sr. Jalen Mitchell, 6-4, Jr. Daniel Roach, 6-4, Jr. OUTLOOK: Collins Hill made a big leap in Eric Nathan’s second season as head coach. Nathan, previously an Eagles assistant, lost his first eight games as head coach but finished strong for a 9-17 mark two seasons ago. The Eagles then reached the state playoffs last season with big contributions from their go-to player, guard Devin Mitchell. Mitchell, an Alabama commitment, is back for his senior season after averaging 20.2 points, best among Gwinnett’s Class AAAAAA players, in 2012-13. WORTH NOTING: While Mitchell is back, some of the main offense around him must be replaced. Scoringwise, he lost his sidekick in Darius Joell, who was second on the team with a 13.2 average and took some of the offensive burden off Mitchell. … Johncarlos

transferred to Kingdom Prep in Columbus. FAST FACT: Nathan set up a challenging schedule for his third season in charge, beginning with the Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett. The Eagles play defending Class AA champion Greater Atlanta Christian and then take on loaded North Cobb Christian. They also will face a pair of solid Region 8-AAAAAA teams early in South Gwinnett and Berkmar.

Reyes, expected to be a force again in the middle for Collins Hill, won’t be with

way. It opened the Region 7-AAAAAA tourney with a win over Meadowcreek, but then was eliminated in a tough matchup with eventual state champion Norcross. Collins Hill will build this season around a trio of juniors who were main contributors last season — Brittany Stowers, Madison McAfee and Marissa Bayer. Stowers, who averaged 7.8 rebounds last season, and Bayer are both strong post players. WORTH NOTING: Paula Skinner, a former Collins GIRLS Hill assistant, is entering COACH: Paula Skinner her second season as head 2012-13 RECORD: 8-19 coach. Her coaching career RETURNING REGULARS: includes experience at the Brittany Stowers, 5-10, Jr. college level at both AuburnMadison McAfee, 5-7, Jr. Montgomery and Kennesaw Marissa Bayer, 6-0, Jr. State. … Julianne Bayer and OTHERS TO WATCH: point guard Bre’ana SingleDesiree Floyd, 5-6, Sr. ton are two key players who Kyra Dixon, 5-9, Soph. graduated off last season’s Jazmin Smith, 5-3, Soph. team. Sydney Brown, 5-5, Soph. FAST FACT: The once-powOUTLOOK: The Eagles got erful Collins Hill program off to a strong start last sea- has missed the state playson, going 3-1 with impresoffs for six straight seasons. sive wins over Central Gwin- The Eagles have won five nett, a state playoff team, state championships — and Dacula. But the season 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and Collins Hill’s Devin Mitchell became a struggle when the 2007 — but haven’t made starting point guard suffered state since the 2007 state a season-ending injury, title season, when current the team this season. The so Collins Hill battled for WNBA star Maya Moore 6-9 shot-blocker wasn’t eliwas a senior there. gible for the Eagles, and he its five wins the rest of the

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 South Gwinnett Nov. 25 GAC in Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 26 North Cobb Christian in Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 23, 25-26, 30 at Tabo’s Tipoff Tournament at Jefferson (girls) Dec. 3 at Meadowcreek Dec. 6 at Habersham Dec. 7 Berkmar in Nike Explosion at Wheeler (boys) Dec. 10 at Duluth Dec. 14 Shiloh Dec. 20 at Mountain View Dec. 21 Grayson at Loganville Dec. 26 Sequoyah at Pickens (girls) Dec. 27 at Pickens (girls) Dec. 28 Lambert at Pickens (girls) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Upward Classic at Roebuck Dorman, S.C. (boys) Jan. 7 North Gwinnett Jan. 10 Norcross Jan. 11 Meadowcreek Jan. 14 Habersham Central Jan. 17 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 21 Duluth Jan. 25 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 28 at Mill Creek Jan. 31 Mountain View Feb. 1 Mill Creek Feb. 4 at North Gwinnett Feb. 7 at Norcross

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 9

dacula

FALCONS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Russ Triaga 2012-13 RECORD: 19-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Kevon Tucker, 6-3, Soph. Logan MacIntyre, 6-4, Jr. Zentavious Cobb, 6-3, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Cam Moye, 6-2, Sr. Keshawn Gibbs, 6-2, Jr. OUTLOOK: Two of Dacula’s big three scorers off last season’s state tournament team — Jaylen Williams (15.6 ppg) and Brandon Goodson (14.8 ppg) — have graduated. That leaves sophomore Kevon Tucker as the top returning offensive option, but he proved in his first high school season that he’s capable of producing points in bunches. The athletic guard averaged 13.8 points in his debut high school season. He is joined by a pair of other returning regulars, 6-4 Logan MacIntyre and 6-3 Zentavious Cobb. A pair of transfers also will give the team a major boost. Cam Moye moved in from South Gwinnett and Keshawn Gibbs, who averaged 7.7 points as a St. Francis sophomore, also is new to the team. WORTH NOTING: Gibbs began his high school career at private St. Francis, but returned to where he played his middle school basketball. He was a star at Dacula Middle, where he scored 38 points in the

county championship game as an eighth-grader. … After a

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10 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

past two seasons. The first trip came in B.J. Roy’s final season as head coach and then it made it last season under Triaga, who was an assistant to Roy before being promoted. Triaga was a head coach previously for nine seasons at both North Oconee and Chestatee. FAST FACT: The Falcons’ state tournament was over quickly last season thanks to a tough first-round pairing with powerful Wheeler. They were outscored 24-8 in the first quarter by Wheeler, but played tough the rest of the way in a 71-56 loss. GIRLS COACH: Lori Fisher 2012-13 RECORD: 8-18 RETURNING REGULARS: J’Nai Owens, 5-7, Sr. Brittany Johnson, 6-0, Sr. Faustine Aifuwa, 6-4, Soph. Star Toomey, 6-1, Jr. Jonnae Johnson, 5-7, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Angel Strickland, 5-8, Jr. Samantha Atkinson, 5-4, Sr. Amari Stewart, 5-9, Sr. OUTLOOK: A year of learning and maturing should help the Falcons, who were hindered by turnovers and mental mistakes last season. They don’t lack for height or talent with five regulars returning from last season. Dacula’s Star Toomey Dacula’s young team began playing its best late last season three-year absence, Dacula has with a victory over Region made the state tournament the 8-AAAAAA runner-up Archer

near the regular season’s finish and a close first-round region tourney matchup with the Tigers. Inside play will be a strength again with 6-4 Faustine Aifuwa, 6-1 Star Toomey and 6-0 Brittany Johnson back in the lineup. Toomey ranked second in the county with 9.1 rebounds per game, while Aifuwa, still just a sophomore, averaged 8.9 boards last season. Jonnae Johnson and J’Nai Owens also contributed heavy minutes in 2012-13. WORTH NOTING: Fisher’s eight-win season was Dacula’s most victories in a season since winning eight in 2009-10. The program hasn’t posted a winning season since the 2006-07 team went 16-11 and it hasn’t tallied a season with doubledigit victories since going 11-15 in 2007-08. … Shot-blocking presences inside and excellent rebounding helped the Falcons become a stingy defensive team last season, but the offense must improve for them to reach the playoffs. They only topped the 50-point six times last season and only reached it once in their final 10 games. They were 6-0 when scoring 50 or more points last season. FAST FACT: With six region victories in 2012-13, Dacula also showed its improvement. It won just four region games each of the previous two seasons.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 15 Lanier Nov. 22 Mountain View Nov. 25 North Cobb (boys), M.L. King (girls) at Johnson-Gainesville Nov. 26 South Cobb at Johnson-Gainesville Dec. 3 Grayson Dec. 6 Berkmar Dec. 7 at Archer Dec. 10 at Central Gwinnett Dec. 13 at Parkview Dec. 16 at Brookwood Dec. 27-28, 30 at Carolina Invitational in Charleston, S.C. (girls) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Sunshine Classic Tournament in Daytona, Fla. (boys) Jan. 3 Mill Creek Jan. 4 at Mill Creek Jan. 10 Archer Jan. 11 Shiloh Jan. 14 South Gwinnett Jan. 17 at Grayson Jan. 21 at Berkmar Jan. 24 Central Gwinnett Jan. 25 Parkview Jan. 28 Brookwood Feb. 4 at Shiloh Feb. 7 at South Gwinnett

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BOYS COACH: Eddie Hood 2012-13 RECORD: 14-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Obinna Ofodile, 6-7, Soph. Kai Lambert, 6-2, Soph. Bryce Wooten, 6-4, Sr. Romelo Styron, 5-11, Sr. Sabionn Griffin-Bey, 5-9, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Eric Hamilton, 6-8, Sr. Anthony Showell, 6-1, Soph. Zaynah Robinson, 5-11, Sr. OUTLOOK: The Wildcats, already athletic, took another step forward in that category this offseason, according to head coach Eddie Hood. Those improvements, along with the confidence of a winning 2012-13 season, have led to high hopes around the boys program. Duluth has three returning senior contributors, including 6-4 Bryce Wooten, who is drawing D-I interest. Guards Romelo Styron and Sabionn Griffin-Bey also return to the rotation, where they will be paired with two of the area’s top sophomores, Obinna Ofodile and Kai Lambert. Both Ofodile, now up to 6-7, and Lambert, a versatile scorer, were major contributors as freshmen. WORTH NOTING: A pair of North Gwinnett transfers, both seniors, have a chance to impact the Duluth

duluth

WILDCATS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

Showell, also has a lot of potential. … The Wildcats’ new post-Christmas tournament, the Jingle Jam, will feature boys teams from Brookwood, Grayson, Centennial, Alcovy, Kell, Johnson-Gainesville and King’s Ridge. FAST FACT: Duluth, after years of struggles, has trended upward since Hood took over as coach. It won eight games in 2011-12, his first season, then improved to 14 victories last season.

program greatly. Post Eric Hamilton, who is 6-8, has 10 D-I offers and guard Zaynah

prolific scorer inside and out. The 6-3 post averaged 17.8 points (seventh-best in Gwinnett) and a county-best 9.8 rebounds as a junior. McGriff also was a big contributor last season with her defense and athleticism, which also a strength of Johnson. Auzenne gives the Wildcats a boost in perimeter scoring. WORTH NOTING: Head coach Chad Pittman is expecting immediate contributions from two freshmen, Brianna Dixon and Endia GIRLS Banks. Dixon is a 5-11 point COACH: Chad Pittman guard with great court vision, 2012-13 RECORD: 18-11 Pittman said. Banks, a 5-9 RETURNING REGULARS: wing, is an excellent athlete Katie Powell, 6-3, Sr. who excels in transition. … A Alyah McGriff, 6-0, Sr. few key players graduated off Taylor Auzenne, 5-6, Sr. last season’s state tournaJazmyn Johnson, 5-10, Sr. ment team, including Joi OTHERS TO WATCH: Jones (now at Appalachian Brianna Dixon, 5-11, Fr. State) and Aerial Carruthers Endia Banks, 5-9, Fr. (Auburn-Montgomery). … OUTLOOK: How seniors The Wildcats will host a new mix with freshmen will deter- holiday tournament, the Jinmine Duluth’s success this gle Jam, on Dec. 27-28. They season. The returning playare joined by girls teams ers include four seniors — from Brookwood, Creekview, Katie Powell, Alyah McGriff, Fayette County, North Cobb, Taylor Auzenne and Jazmyn Hillgrove, Alcovy and CenJohnson — who will mix with tennial. FAST FACT: Duluth has Duluth’s Katie Powell a pair of standout freshmen from a successful Duluth reached the state tournament the past three seasons, Robinson also is drawing D-I Middle team. Powell, a TCU commitment, is the team’s but has lost in the first round interest. … Another newtop returning player and a each time. comer, sophomore Anthony

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 Brookwood Nov. 26 MLK in Atlanta Hardwood Classic at North Atlanta (boys) Nov. 27 Shiloh in Atlanta Hardwood Classic at North Atlanta (boys) Nov. 23, 25-26 at North Forsyth Tip-Off Tourney (girls) Nov. 30 Luella in On the Radar Hoops Showcase (boys) Dec. 6 at Peachtree Ridge Dec. 7 at Mill Creek Dec. 10 at Collins Hill Dec. 13 North Gwinnett Dec. 14 Alpharetta Dec. 16 at Mountain View Dec. 20 at Centennial Dec. 21 Archer at Loganville in Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase Dec. 27-28 Duluth Jingle Jam Jan. 7 Norcross Jan. 10 Habersham Central Jan. 14 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 17 Mill Creek Jan. 18 at Meadowcreek Jan. 21 Collins Hill Jan. 24 at North Gwinnett Jan. 28 Mountain View Jan. 31 Meadowcreek Feb. 4 Norcross Feb. 7 at Habersham

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 11

greater atlanta christian

SPARTANS Region 6-AA

BOYS COACH: Eddie Martin 2012-13 RECORD: 29-3 RETURNING REGULARS: Isaiah Wilkins, 6-7, Sr. Troy Morrison, 5-10, Sr. Justin Lewis, 6-6, Sr. Cam Boyd, 6-1, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Tyler Hamilton, 6-3, Sr. Eric Jamison, 6-3, Jr. Garrett Covington, 6-2, Soph. Ramses Sandifer, 6-7, Sr. Charles Botchway, 5-10, Soph. Landon Tabor, 6-4, Sr. Jacob Hoffman, 6-3, Soph. OUTLOOK: The Spartans have won three of the last four Class AA state titles, so the goals will be equally high this season, particularly after last season’s run to the championship. They have the enviable traits of most championship-caliber teams, too. They’re experienced, deep and play suffocating defense. Virginia commitment Isaiah Wilkins leads the way after averaging 16.2 points and 11.1 rebounds (second in Gwinnett) last season. He is one of four returning starters alongside point guard Troy Morrison (5.6 assists per game, third-best in Gwinnett), sharp-shooting Cam Boyd (10.2 ppg) and athletic, 6-6 Justin Lewis (5.9 rpg). Added into the mix this season is

playoff wins came by margins of 43, 32, 25 and 17. FAST FACT: Martin is an astonishing 142-18 with three state titles in his five seasons at GAC. He won three straight state championships in Georgia’s largest classification at Norcross, which followed a long tenure as the only boys basketball coach in Brookwood history from 1981-2001.

6-7 senior Ramses Sandifer, a top college prospect who moved in from Greenville St. Joseph (Miss.). WORTH NOTING: GAC will take an 18-game winning streak — and a perfect record in 2013 — into this season. Its last loss was Dec.

for fourth in Gwinnett) and rebounder (9.0, third in Gwinnett). Those two players will be surrounded by a pack of newcomers led by sophomores Brenna Miller and Clarke Permanter, as well as 6-foot freshman post Lexi Mann. Head coach Cal Boyd said this team’s success depends on its ability to defend and create easy opportunities on offense. WORTH NOTING: All eight GIRLS of Greater Atlanta ChrisCOACH: Cal Boyd tian’s losses last season 2012-13 RECORD: 21-8 came to powerhouse teams RETURNING REGULARS: — three to Class AA state Sydni Means, 5-6, Sr. champion Wesleyan and Brianna Cummings, 5-10, Sr. one to AAAAAA unbeaten OTHERS TO WATCH: Parkview included. The loss Brenna Miller, 5-10, Soph. to Parkview came in the Clarke Permanter, 5-9, Soph. finals of the Panthers’ preLexi Mann, 6-0, Fr. Thanksgiving tournament. OUTLOOK: The Spartans … In addition to graduation’s will be extremely young and effect, the Spartans also lost inexperienced — outside Cosette Mahre off its 2012-13 of two positions. And those team. Mahre, now a junior two are very experienced. and a top 3-point shooter, Seniors Sydni Means and now attends St. Paul’s School (N.H.), where her younger GAC’s Isaiah Wilkins Brianna Cummings, two of the state’s top players, are the sister Madison is a top ice 29, 2012, a triple overtime clear leaders of an otherwise hockey prospect. setback against Jonesboro of youthful team. Means, a FAST FACT: The Spartans Class AAAA. … The Sparpoint guard who has comhave won 20 or more games tans put together a schedule mitted to Mercer, averaged every season since 2003-04 full of blowout victories last 6.1 assists (second-best in with a high of 32 wins during season, including most of the Gwinnett) last season. Cumthe 2006-07 state championstate tournament. Outside of mings, headed to George ship season. In four seasons a 64-56 AA Final Four win Washington, is the team’s top under Boyd, they have won over Laney, their other state returning scorer (18.5, tied 26, 25, 20 and 21 games.

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2013-14 SCHEDULE Nov. 15 Hiram in Hoops For A Cure Classic at King’s Ridge (girls) Nov. 15 King’s Ridge in Hoops For A Cure Classic at King’s Ridge (boys) Nov. 16 Luella in Hoops For A Cure Classic at King’s Ridge (girls) Nov. 16 Eagles Landing in Hoops For A Cure Classic at King’s Ridge (boys) Nov. 20 South Gwinnett in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 21 Columbia in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23 Milton in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23 Seneca, S.C. in Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 25 Collins Hill in Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Dec. 6 at SW Atlanta Christian Dec. 7 at Decatur Dec. 10 Langston Hughes Dec. 14 GAC Showcase (boys) Dec. 19-21 at Carrollton Tournament (girls) Dec. 20 North Florida Christian (boys) Dec. 21 North Cobb Christian at Pope (boys) Dec. 26-28, 30-31 at Arby’s Classic in Bristol, Tenn. (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Walnut Grove Tournament (girls) Jan. 4 at St. Francis Jan. 7 Hapeville Charter Jan. 10 at Wesleyan Jan. 14 Westminster Jan. 17 at Lovett Jan. 18 Oneonta, Ala. in Girls Night Out at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 20 MLK Showcase at Berkmar (boys) Jan. 24 at Hapeville Charter Jan. 25 Hilton Invitational at Norcross (boys) Jan. 28 Wesleyan Jan. 31 at Westminster Feb. 4 Lovett

grayson

RAMS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Geoffrey Pierce 2012-13 RECORD: 13-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Marquise Lanier, 6-3, Sr. Austin Morris, 6-2, Sr. C.J. Brown, 6-0, Sr. Marquise Bumpas, 6-6, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jordan Dilwood, 6-3, Sr. Cam Boaz, 6-3, Sr. Austin Dukes, 5-10, Soph. Trevian Sconiers, 6-4, Soph. OUTLOOK: Grayson has struggled in boys basketball since the school opened in 2000, as evidenced by its failure to make the state tournament since moving to Georgia’s largest classification. That may change soon under Geoffrey Pierce, whose 13 wins last season, his first with the Rams, tied a school record. The team’s go-to player is senior Marquise Lanier, a second-team all-region pick as a junior after averaging a team-high 14.2 points. His fellow returnees include two seniors who logged heavy minutes last season — C.J. Brown and Austin Morris. Fellow seniors Marquise Bumpas, Jordan Dilwood and Cam Boax also are expected to be main contributors, as are a pair of promising sophomores, Austin Dukes and Trevian Sconiers. WORTH NOTING: Defense

54). … The Rams will stay in the area for a holiday tournament, playing in the first-year Jingle Jam at Duluth. FAST FACT: Nine of Grayson’s 13 losses from last season were by single digits, with six of those coming by four points or fewer. Turning those tight losses around will be a key if the Rams are to make their first state playoff appearance in Class AAAAAA.

was a strength in Grayson’s turnaround 2012-13 season, and Pierce plans on continuing that trend this season. His team held opponents to 46 points per game in his

GIRLS COACH: Cynthia Cooper 2012-13 RECORD: 3-22 RETURNING REGULARS: Lika Bah, 5-7, Sr. Shakara Burton, 5-7, Jr. Courtney Deckard, 5-6, Jr. Michelle Akolade, 5-7, Jr. Jessica Ewing, 5-10, Soph. Imani Conner, 5-4, Soph. OUTLOOK: Head coach Cynthia Cooper took over a struggling program for the 2009-10 season and took the Rams to the state tournament that season behind highscoring guard Taren White. While Grayson hasn’t reached that level of success in recent seasons because of inexperiGrayson’s Marquise Lanier ence, it has high hopes for the upcoming one thanks to a first season, including some strong core of returning playimpressive games against high-scoring teams like Brook- ers. Lika Bah is the team’s top senior, and she is backed up wood (which scored 47 and by a trio of juniors who contrib33 points vs. Grayson) and uted last season — Shakara Dacula (which scored 49 and

SPORTS

Burton, Michelle Akolade and Courtney Deckard. Two young players, sophomores Jessica Ewing and Imani Conner, also are back after breaking into the varsity lineup as freshmen. Ewing was one of the best in Gwinnett and tops on Grayson last season with her 7 rebounds per game average. WORTH NOTING: While its defense was solid, point production was a problem for Grayson last season. It topped the 60-point mark just once, a 67-60 overtime win over Shiloh, and broke the 50-point barrier just two other times. … A lack of height continues to plague the Rams, too. Other than Ewing (5-10), no other returning regular is taller than 5-7. … Cooper was Grayson’s fourth coach in six seasons when she was hired, so her current tenure has provided some stability. Prior to taking the head job, Cooper was a longtime assistant at Norcross and Shiloh. FAST FACT: The Rams haven’t had a winning season since joining the state’s highest classification for the 2005-06 season. They did have success in Class AAA in the program’s early stages, reaching the state tournament in 2004 and 2005. Grayson’s only state-tournament win came in 2004.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 16 Meadowcreek Nov. 19 at Walnut Grove Nov. 26 at Walnut Grove Tip-Off (boys) Dec. 3 at Dacula Dec. 6 Archer Dec. 7 North Oconee Dec. 10 at South Gwinnett Dec. 13 at Lanier Dec. 14 Walnut Grove Dec. 16 Shiloh Dec. 21 Collins Hill at Loganville Dec. 27-28 at Duluth Jingle Jam (boys) Dec. 27-28 at West Forsyth Holiday Classic (girls) Jan. 4 Lanier Jan. 7 at Berkmar Jan. 10 at Brookwood Jan. 11 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 14 Parkview Jan. 17 Dacula Jan. 21 at Archer Jan. 24 South Gwinnett Jan. 28 at Shiloh Jan. 31 Berkmar Feb. 1 Brookwood Feb. 4 Central Gwinnett Feb. 7 at Parkview

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The best local coverage from a staff that calls Gwinnett home

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 13

hebron

LIONS Region 8-A

BOYS COACH: Will Cantrell 2012-13 RECORD: 13-15 RETURNING REGULARS: Caleb Hawkins, 5-10, Sr. Derek Vandiver, 5-10, Sr. Cory Johnson, 6-0, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jackson Welch, 5-10, Jr. Thomas Swift, 6-2, Soph. Luke Crawford, 6-4, Soph. OUTLOOK: Every player on the Hebron Christian roster has been a part of the program since middle school, giving the coaching staff a knowledgable group of kids to work with. Head coach Will Cantrell is particularly pleased with how the Lions understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, while focusing on the three core values he preaches: hard work, discipline and togetherness. Caleb Hawkins and Derek Vandiver are the only two seniors for a very young team, which will fill the rest of the rotation with underclassmen. The Lions have a large number of high-percentage shooters, particularly from 3-point range, so that is expected to be a strength in their preferred up-tempo offense. WORTH NOTING: After a 3-9 start last season, the Lions played their best basketball down the stretch. They won their final two regular-season games over Commerce and

system, that third-place finish in the region would have meant a state tourney trip, but the new Class A power ratings system left the Lions out. … Cantrell, entering his fourth season with Hebron, is a Providence Christian grad. He also played basketball at Georgia College and State University. FAST FACT: Hebron reached its first state tournament in 2011-12, Cantrell’s second season as its head coach. The Lions defeated Lincoln County in a Class A play-in game, then fell to powerhouse Whitfield Academy in the next round.

Prince Avenue, then defeated Prince Avenue and Lakeview in the region tourney before

14 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

GIRLS COACH: Merideth Drake 2012-13 RECORD: 17-15 RETURNING REGULARS: Ashleigh Stanley, 5-2, Jr. Hannah Lentz, 5-7, Jr. Brooke Davis, 5-10, Jr. Jozie Lewis, 5-11, Jr. Tatum Williams, 5-5, Jr. Lexi Kent, 5-9, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Madison Cagle, 5-7, Soph. Yarimel Ramirez-Williams, 5-4, Soph. OUTLOOK: The Lions lost their head coach and leading scorer since last season Hebron’s Jozie Lewis ended. Bryan Bartley resigned as coach and he’s been a semifinal loss to Pinecrest replaced by Merideth Drake. and a season-ending win over She inherits a team that lost its Commerce. Under the previous go-to scorer, Amber Skidgel.

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Skidgel, a junior who transferred to Archer, averaged 21.7 points last season, trailing only Naismith national player of the year Diamond DeShields of Norcross among Gwinnett players. Filling that offensive void will be tough, but Drake is eager to rebuild the program around a big group of juniors who return from a state playoff team. Ashleigh Stanley, Hannah Lentz, Brooke Davis and Jozie Lewis are expected to step up their scoring this season, while fellow juniors Tatum Williams and Lexi Kent also are important players. WORTH NOTING: Lewis was the team’s second-leading rebounder behind Skidgel last season. Stanley and Lentz were the two leaders in assists. … Bartley left his position as girls basketball coach and athletic director for a job at Montrose Christian (Md.). He went 30-26 in his two seasons with the Lions. … Drake, a Dacula grad, is an elementary music teacher at Hebron. FAST FACT: Hebron returned to the state playoffs last season after missing out in Bartley’s first season. The Lions had a very successful run under previous coach Betsy Hensley, reaching the state playoffs from 2005-2008 with one state Final Four appearance.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 15 at Pinecrest Nov. 19 Monroe Area Nov. 22 East Jackson Nov. 26 Landmark Dec. 3 Mt. Pisgah Dec. 6 George Walton Dec. 7 at Pacelli Dec. 13 at Providence Dec. 14 Athens Christian Dec. 20 King’s Ridge Dec. 27-28, 30 East Jackson Holiday Bash (boys) Jan. 3 at Athens Academy Jan. 7 Prince Avenue Jan. 10 Tallulah Falls (girls) Jan. 11 Pinecrest Jan. 14 at Towns County Jan. 17 Lakeview Jan. 24 at Commerce Jan. 28 Athens Academy Jan. 31 at George Walton Feb. 1 Providence Feb. 4 at Athens Christian Feb. 7 at Prince Avenue

lanier

LONGHORNS Region 8-AAA

son County in the region quarterfinals. … Lanier had won five games in a row and seven of its last eight prior to the upset loss to Madison in the region tourney. FAST FACT: The Longhorns cruised through region play during the 2012-13 regular season, going 7-1. Their lone loss was to JohnsonGainesville.

rick Brown. WORTH NOTING: Seniors Bryceton Osborne and Paul Hagerty also figure to play significant roles … Huckaby took over for Tony Watkins as head boys coach for the

GIRLS COACH: David Palmer 2012-13 RECORD: 9-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Amber Cesair, 5-8, Sr. Lauren Brown, 5-5, Sr. Taylor-Rose Gibson-Green, 5-10, Jr. Kierra Chandler, 5-10, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: I’mon Washington, 6-0, Jr. Tamara Morris-Thompson, 5-5, Jr. Trezha Berryman, 5-5, Jr. OUTLOOK: The young Lanier program continues to improve, edging closer to what it hopes is the first state playoff berth in school Lanier’s Amber Cesair history. It had some ups last season, like a five-game winning streak in Region 2011-12 season, going 128-AAAA play, but fell short 14. He improved that total of the state playoffs. Four by four wins last season. After starting 2-4, the Long- key players are back from horns rebounded and made that squad, headed up by a push for the state tourney Amber Cesair, a guard who before falling 44-40 to Madi- has started every game

since the program started. She was a first-team allregion selection as a junior. Lauren Brown, also a guard, is an important leader, too, and a three-year starter. She was a second-team all-region pick. A pair of forwards also return in TaylorRose Gibson-Green, who averaged 7 rebounds last season, and Kierra Chandler, also a top defender and rebounder. Tamara Morris-Thompson also bolsters the guard position after moving up from junior varsity. WORTH NOTING: Lanier’s leading scorer of the past two seasons, Shelby Threlkeld, transferred to South Forsyth. Threlkeld, a junior, averaged 15.2 points as a freshman and 13.8 points last season. … A pair of transfers gave the Longhorns an offseason boost. I’mon Washington, a 6-foot forward, moved in from Alabama and guard Trezha Berryman transferred from region rival Stephens County. … Gibson-Green is the top rebounder in school history. FAST FACT: The Longhorns finished one win away from a school record for wins last season. The current mark of 10 wins was set in 2011-12.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 15 at Dacula Nov. 19 at Providence Nov. 23 Eagles Landing Christian at North Oconee Nov. 26 TBA at North Oconee Dec. 6 at Johnson Dec. 13 Grayson Dec. 16 Stephens County Dec. 20 at Chattahoochee Dec. 21 at Loganville Dec. 26-28 at Gainesville Invitational Holiday Tournament (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at East Jackson Holiday Bash (girls) Jan. 4 at Grayson Jan. 7 at Stephens County Jan. 10 Providence Christian Jan. 14 Monroe Area Jan. 17 Johnson Jan. 20 Johns Creek at Centennial (boys) Jan. 21 at Lumpkin County Jan. 24 Madison County Jan. 28 at Walnut Grove Jan. 31 Eastside Feb. 4 at Chestatee

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BOYS COACH: Jeremy Huckaby 2012-13 RECORD: 16-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Peyton Smith, 5-8, Sr. Simon Shafack, 6-5, Sr. Paul Webb, 6-5, Sr. Trevon McSwain, 6-7, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Juwuan Jones, 6-3, Fr. Derrick Brown, 6-4, Soph. Bryceton Osborne, 5-8, Sr. Paul Hagerty, 6-0, Sr. OUTLOOK: Lanier has its sights on a Region 8-AAAA title and a state tournament berth this season after a breakout season that saw the team win 16 games. Simon Shafack and Paul Webb, a pair of 6-5 seniors, return after leading their team in both scoring and rebounding last season. Shafack averaged 9.5 points and 6 rebounds, while Webb averaged 8 points and 6 boards. Peyton Smith, a steady senior, takes over as the full-time point guard after sharing the duties last season with Jordan Harper, who graduated. Head coach Jeremy Huckaby’s squad will get even taller after football season finishes and Trevon McSwain (6-7) and Juwuan Jones (a 6-3 freshman) join the basketball team. The roster also features 6-4 Der-

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 15

New tournaments emerge as older ones fade By Will Hammock

“We wanted to create an event where good teams in A look at some prominent tournaments and showcasour area didn’t have to go es in Gwinnett during the 2013-14 basketball season: A year after one postfar to play good competiNov. 20, 21, 23 Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at NorChristmas basketball tion, and people that were cross tournament ended, the in town could catch some Nov. 23, 25-26 Parkview Tip-Off Classic other holiday stalwart good girls and boys basNov. 23, 25-26 Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett has followed suit, part of ketball after Christmas,” Dec. 26-28, 30 Nike/BMASP Holiday Hoops Classic at a changing schedule in Duluth boys coach Eddie Berkmar recent seasons. Hood said. “We scheduled Dec. 27-28 Jingle Jam at Duluth Jan. 18 Girls Night Out at Brookwood For the first time since it after the Christmas holiJan. 20 MLK Showcase at Berkmar 1991, Brookwood won’t day so that teams could get Jan. 25 Hilton Invitational at Norcross host the Deep South prepared for the second Classic. The tournament half of their region schedfeatured 32 teams at one ules. The field of girls and point, but scaled back to 16 sponsor is a factor also. Despite losing those two boys teams will feature a teams in 2008 and won’t Trying to find teams that events, basketball fans still lot of players that will play be played at all this season. bring fans over the holiday will have opportunities for at the next level.” Brookwood officials is getting more and more quality basketball in GwinBerkmar will host the didn’t rule out rekindling difficult. We will look at nett after Christmas. Two Nike BMASP Holiday the Deep South at some the possibility of one day showcases will be played Hoops Classic Dec. 26-28 point. hosting it again.” in the area, one at Duluth and 30. The Patriots’ event “One factor was that North Gwinnett ended and one at Berkmar. will feature 12 boys teams, for the amount of time, its post-Christmas tourney The Jingle Jam at Duincluding Shiloh and effort, etc. being put into prior to last season after luth, scheduled for Dec. South Gwinnett. the event, the return as hosting it for more than 27-28, will feature the host Brookwood isn’t comfar as being a fundraiser two decades. The Bulldogs Wildcats as well as several pletely out of the special for the program was not now host an early-season other teams. Gwinnett event field, either. The worth it,” Brookwood girls Jared Cook Classic for participants in that event Broncos will host Girls coach Scott Terry said boys only, rather than their are the Brookwood boys Night Out, which benefits of the Deep South. “Not 16-team December event and girls and the Grayson the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, being able to secure a title from years past. boys. on Jan. 18. The showcase, will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

PREP HOOPS

held previously at Starr’s Mill, will include seven out-of-state teams along with Brookwood, Archer, Buford, Greater Atlanta Christian, Norcross and Wesleyan from Gwinnett. Both of the high school gyms will be used for games. Three of the other prominent local events, one for boys and two for girls, are early in the season. The Jared Cook Classic at North is Nov. 23 and 25-26, with the host Bulldogs joined by boys teams from Buford, Collins Hill, GAC and Peachtree Ridge from Gwinnett. Norcross will host the Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic Nov. 20-21 and 23 for top girls teams. The defending Class AAAAAA state champion Blue Devils will host several top teams, including six-time defending state champion Wesleyan. “I think it will be fun

to watch,” Norcross girls coach Angie Hembree said of that showcase. “We have a lot of good teams, a great atmosphere, a great facility.” The Parkview Tip-Off Classic, which features two brackets and 16 girls teams. The Panthers will be joined by Wesleyan, North, Peachtree Ridge and Mountain View, among others. “The tournament field is extremely strong with two defending state champions and two state runner-ups and 14 of the teams qualified for their respective state tournaments last season,” first-year Parkview girls coach Kirk Call said. “Every team has legitimate college prospects which should lead to very exciting matchups throughout the tournament. We are very pleased to host this event and we hope it is as exciting for everyone to attend as it is for us to host.”

State tourney returns to colleges for semis, Macon for finals By Will Hammock

will.hammock @gwinnettdailypost.com

The Class AAAAAA basketball teams that advance deep into this season’s playoffs will get to play at Georgia Tech’s posh McCamish Pavilion. Just not for the championship games. The Georgia High School Association will follow the same plan as it did last season with all of the state finals at the Macon Centreplex. The semifinal round will be held at various colleges around the state, highlighted by the AAAAAA Final Four games at Tech. Local coaches and players raved about the experience

STATE HOOPS Semifinal sites, Feb. 28-March 1 Class AAAAAA: Georgia Tech Class AAAAA: West Georgia Class AAAA: Fort Valley State Class AAA: Columbus State Class AA: Armstrong Atlantic Class A: Private: Columbus State Class A Public: Georgia College

at Tech last season, just not so much about the aging Macon Centreplex. “When you go to place like Georgia Tech for the Final Four, it’s magnificent,” said Norcross girls coach Angie Hembree, whose team won its third state title in four years last season in Macon. “That was so much

16 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

State championship games March 6 3 p.m. — Class A Public Girls 4:45 p.m. — Class A Public Boys 7 p.m. — Class AAAA Girls 8:45 p.m. — Class AAAA Boys March 7 Noon — Wheelchair 3 p.m. — Class AA Girls 4:45 p.m. — Class AA Boys

fun. The venue was great. Then to turn around and drive to Macon to that facility. I know (the GHSA) tried everything. Even if we could have gone to Mercer’s new facility. I’m sure they tried that too. “But a place like the Macon Coliseum doesn’t do justice to the tournament

7 p.m. — Class AAAAA Girls 8:45 p.m. — Class AAAAA Boys March 8 11 a.m. — Class A Private Girls 12:45 p.m. — Class A Private Boys 3 p.m. — Class AAA Girls 4:45 p.m. — Class AAA Boys 7 p.m. — Class AAAAAA Girls 8:45 p.m. — Class AAAAAA Boys

and to what the kids have accomplished.” West Georgia (AAAAA), Fort Valley State (AAAA), Columbus State (AAA), Armstrong Atlantic (AA), Columbus State (A Private) and Georgia College and State University (A Public) also will host semifinal games. It will likely mean

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a long trip to the coast for Gwinnett’s AA powerhouses, Greater Atlanta Christian and Wesleyan, regular competitors in the semifinals, with Armstrong Atlantic as their host site. The semifinal games are scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1. The finals will follow over the course of three days, March 6-8, at the Macon Centreplex. Those championship games, in the upper classes, had been held at the Arena at Gwinnett Center from 2002-2012, but scheduling conflicts with the Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons made the Duluth

facility unavailable for high school games. The situation left the GHSA scrambling for gyms last season, but they have a similar plan in place this season. “Oh gosh yes, going back to Gwinnett would be great,” Hembree said. “Kennesaw State would be great. I’d be fine with Mercer. Their facility is brand new. I just think the facility should match the level of our event.” The championship games in Macon are March 6 (Class AAAA, A Public), March 7 (Class AAAAA, AA and Wheelchair) and March 8 (Class AAAAAA, AAA and A Private).

City of Champions

Norcross players celebrate the Class AAAAAA state championship last season. (File Photo)

The basketball mecca in the state of Georgia continued to be Norcross during the 2012-13, when four Gwinnett schools in close proximity claiming state championships. The success included a sweep of the Class AAAAAA state titles by the Norcross boys and girls, the second time theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve accomplished that feat in a three-year span. In AA, the Greater Atlanta Christian boys won their third title in four seasons and the Wesleyan girls won their sixth championship in a row and 10th since 2002. The Norcross Blue Devils celebrate their 63-42 victory over North Gwinnett during the Class AAAAAA state championship last season. (File Photo)

Wesleyan defeated Laney for the girls Class AA state championship basketball last season. (File Photo)

Greater Atlanta Christian defeated Bleckley County 69-52 to win the boys Class AA state championship last season. (File Photo)

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ 17

meadowcreek

MUSTANGS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

BOYS COACH: Billy Davis 2012-13 RECORD: 13-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Austin Robinson, 6-1, Sr. Jonathan Jones, 6-6, Sr. Anthony Jenkins, 6-6, Sr. Jaylon Grace, 6-5, Sr. Don Smith, 5-9, Sr. Adrian Hicks, 5-9, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Diahlo Hill, 5-9, Sr. LaQuan Johnson, 6-3, Sr. DeAndre Smith, 6-2, Jr. Rayshaun Hammonds, 6-6, Fr. OUTLOOK: Meadowcreek enters this basketball season with two huge positives — experience and confidence. The latter comes from last season’s surprising postseason run, courtesy of playing its best basketball in the season’s closing stages. The Mustangs upset North Gwinnett in the Region 7-AAAAAA Tournament on a buzzer-beater to clinch a state trip, then did the same with another buzzer-beater in the third-place game vs. Collins Hill. They even won a state tournament game, knocking off Chattahoochee before falling to powerhouse Wheeler. Six players who had key roles on that team are back, including Austin Robinson. The high-scoring guard, whose 3-pointer as

berth last season was their first since 2009-10. Prior to that two-year absence, Davis had led his team to six straight state playoff appearances. … Freshman Rayshaun Hammonds (6-6) gives the coach more height off the bench, while Diahlo Hill, LaQuan Johnson and DeAndre Smith also will contribute off a deep roster. FAST FACT: Davis is 141-80 as Meadowcreek’s head coach, including 113-27 during his first five seasons. His record took hits during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, but his program is trending upward thanks to its late-season surge earlier this year.

Meadowcreek’s Adrian Hicks (24) time expired provided the game-winner against Collins Hill, averaged a team-high 18.4 points, third among Gwinnett’s Class AAAAAA scorers last season. Jonathan Jones and Adrian Hicks each averaged 10

points. Anthony Jenkins and Jaylon Grace are back to provide more height, while Don Smith’s 3-point shooting also was important to last season’s run. WORTH NOTING: The Mustangs’ state tourney

GIRLS COACH: Adrianne Stowers 2012-13 RECORD: 5-22 RETURNING REGULARS: Jaunna Bryson, 5-4, Jr. Ashley Okoku, 5-7, Sr. Julissa Aguirre-Lara, 5-4, Jr. Kourtney Hill, 5-4, Jr. Jane Nkreuwem, 5-6, Jr. Nalijah Winfield, 6-0, Jr. Ariyanna Britt, 6-0, Soph. OUTLOOK: The Mustangs will be young, but seven players return who saw significant minutes last season. Only one of those returnees is a senior, two-guard Ashley Okoku. She will be

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joined in the backcourt by point guard Jaunna Bryson, Julissa Aguirre-Lara and Kourtney Hill. The frontcourt features a pair of 6-footers, Nalijah Winfield and Ariyanna Britt, as well as wing Jane Nkreuwem. Two graduated seniors will be difficult to replace — Courtney Fields and Angel Alexander. Fields averaged a team-high 12.4 points. WORTH NOTING: Meadowcreek finished as the state runner-up in 2002, powered by a pair of players who fared well in college and professional basketball, Amber Holt and Sherida Triggs. The program made the state tourney three straight seasons from 2001-2003, but it hasn’t returned since that run. … Though Stowers, who played college basketball at Arizona, hasn’t taken the Mustangs to state, she has made great improvements over the program she inherited. Her first team was winless in 2006-07, but she has won 21 games the past four seasons. FAST FACT: The program has turned out its share of women’s basketball talent over the years, including two first-round picks in the WNBA Draft. Holt was the ninth overall pick of the

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 16 Salem Nov. 22 at Berkmar Nov. 23, 25-26 at John Morgan Thanksgiving Tournament in Mableton Dec. 3 Collins Hill Dec. 6 at Mill Creek Dec. 7 Mountain View Dec. 10 North Gwinnett Dec. 13 Norcross Dec. 19-21 at Paine College Holiday Round Classic in Augusta Jan. 7 at Habersham Jan. 10 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 11 at Collins Hill Jan. 14 Mill Creek Jan. 17 at Mountain View Jan. 18 Duluth Jan. 21 at North Gwinnett Jan. 24 at Norcross Jan. 25 at Salem Jan. 31 at Duluth Feb. 4 Habersham Feb. 7 Peachtree Ridge

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November 21, 2013 through January 5, 2014 Turner Field

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November 19 Philips Arena

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mill creek

HAWKS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

BOYS COACH: Chad Rogers 2012-13 RECORD: 16-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Eric Ritland, 6-2, Sr. Austin Ragsdale, 6-4, Sr. Chase Duffy, 6-6, Sr. Davion Clark, 6-4, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Seth Cheatham, 6-5, Sr. Shaheim Powell, 5-11, Jr. Ryan Dobbs, 5-11, Jr. Scotty Chadwick, 6-3, Jr. OUTLOOK: A Region 7-AAAAAA tourney loss to Collins Hill, by a close 52-48 score, kept the Hawks from a third straight state playoff appearance. Some key players graduated off that team, but the coaches have been impressed by the hard-working players who are filling those voids. Three seniors who were big contributors last season — Eric Ritland, Austin Ragsdale and Chase Duffy — return to the lineup along with junior Davion Clark. Ragsdale, Duffy and Clark are all 6-4 or taller, while senior Seth Cheatham also is 6-5. Head coach Chad Rogers plans to use his depth this season, using as many as 12 players in the rotation. WORTH NOTING: The graduation losses include the team’s top two scorers from last season, Trevon Shaw and Elijah Bryant. Shaw averaged 18.5 points, second among Class AAAAAA scorers in Gwinnett, and Bryant averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and four assists. … The Hawks will make their annual post-Christmas trip to Tift County for its tournament. Mill Creek’s Shannon McCrosson FAST FACT: Mill Creek is on a run

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of four consecutive winning seasons under Rogers. The high mark was a school-record 21-win season in 2011-12. GIRLS COACH: Ashley Phillips 2012-13 RECORD: 13-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Meredith Schulte, 6-0, Jr. Shannon McCrosson, 5-8, Sr. Kathleen Haxton, 5-7, Sr. Madison Phillips, 5-9, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Tatum Ragsdale, 6-1, Soph. Anna Parks, 5-5, Jr. Aizha Ross, 5-6, Jr. OUTLOOK: The traditionally strong Mill Creek girls fell short of their expectations last season as a Region 7-AAAAAA tourney loss to Mountain View, by a single point, kept them from the state playoffs. Nadiya Miller’s 3-point shooting and consistent offense will be missed. The 2013 grad earned first-team all-region and second-team all-county honors last season. Meredith Schulte, a second-team all-region selection, figures to take on a bigger scoring load after a breakout sophomore season. Fellow junior Madison Phillips also returns, along with point guard Shannon McCrosson and solid 3-point shooter Kathleen Haxton, who are both seniors. WORTH NOTING: The Hawks lost their final three games of last season, including back-to-back losses to Mountain View (45-40 in the regular-season finale and 52-51 in the region tourney). … The second Mountain View loss ended a streak of seven straight years that Mill

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 23, 25-26, 30 at Tabo’s Tipoff Tournament at Jefferson Dec. 3 at Norcross Dec. 6 Meadowcreek Dec. 7 Duluth Dec. 10 at Habersham Dec. 13 Peachtree Ridge Dec. 20 at North Gwinnett Dec. 27-28, 30 at Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Tournament (girls) Dec. 27-28, 30 at McDonald’s Classic at Tift County (boys) Jan. 3 at Dacula Jan. 4 Dacula Jan. 10 Mountain View Jan. 11 Norcross Jan. 14 at Meadowcreek Jan. 17 at Duluth Jan. 18 Alpharetta Jan. 21 Habersham Central Jan. 24 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 28 Collins Hill Jan. 31 North Gwinnett Feb. 1 at Collins Hill Feb. 7 at Mountain View Creek had reached at least the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs. That included two trips to the Final Four, once in 2008 and again in 2011. … Mill Creek will go on the road after Christmas for a tournament in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. FAST FACT: Ashley Phillips, the only head coach in program history, is 18780 with the Hawks. Six of his last eight teams have won 20 games or more.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 19

mountain view

BEARS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

BOYS COACH: Kyle Keefer 2012-13 RECORD: 5-22 RETURNING REGULARS: Jaymin Harris, 6-0, Sr. Wil Hartter, 6-0, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Deante Harris, 6-0, Sr. OUTLOOK: Mountain View is still in building mode as it enters its fifth season and third under head coach Kyle Keefer. One bright spot is the momentum it built late during a tough 2012-13 season. Though the Bears won just five games, they won back-to-back games over West Forsyth and Habersham Central before falling to eventual state champion Norcross in the Region 7-AAAAAA tourney quarterfinals. Keefer hopes that late-season surge carries over into this season as his team aims to improve on its two region victories from last season. Only two starters, Jaymin Harris and Wil Hartter, return. Both are guards, as is another important player coming back, Deante Harris. Hartter proved to be a long-range threat during his sophomore season. WORTH NOTING: It may not seem like a five-win season is a major improvement, but it was for the Bears. They went 1-24 and didn’t

in scoring just nine times in their 27 games last season. They scored in the 70s just twice, winning both games (71-60 over Chestatee and 70-58 over West Forsyth). FAST FACT: Keefer is the second head boys basketball coach in school history. He took over for Robert Perryman, who started up the program.

rior players, also is building off a big freshman season, while head coach Jackie Lindquist also sees Arianna Williams and Kennedy Stanciel as being key members of the rotation. WORTH NOTING: The Bears’ 18 wins set a new school record, topping the previous best of 11 from 2011-12. Their first state playoff berth was exciting GIRLS and it came via a 52-51 COACH: Jackie Lindquist win over rival Mill Creek, a 2012-13 RECORD: 18-10 program they hadn’t beaten RETURNING REGULARS: until last season. After losing D’Andra Pringle, 5-7, Jr. to eventual state chamIceis Walker, 5-5, Jr. pion Norcross in the region Aneysa Williams, 5-5, Jr. tourney semifinals, they OTHERS TO WATCH: bounced back to beat Duluth Jordan Stallworth, 6-2, 77-76 in overtime to take Soph. third in tough 7-AAAAAA. Arianna Williams, 5-8, Jr. Mountain View lost its state Kennedy Stanciel, 5-10, Sr. tourney debut, though, fallOUTLOOK: Entering its fifth ing to North Forsyth. … The season, Mountain View’s early-season schedule will program is on solid ground be tough for the Bears, who and is coming off the best open up with a strong Archer showing in school history. team and follow it up with The up-tempo Bears, who the always tough Parkview Mountain View’s Iceis Walker have been stout defensively, Tip-Off Classic. … Lindquist, have a group of regulars the only coach in program Central during the regular back from their first state history, won a state title in win a region game in 2011season. … The team was tournament team. The 2001 as a Central Gwinnett 12, and went 3-19 without competitive in its initial two returnees include a trio of assistant. a region victory in 2010-11. seasons in Class AAA, juniors who are proven play- FAST FACT: Mountain View … Mountain View’s other but it hasn’t fared as well ers in D’Andra Pringle, Iceis has gotten off to strong victories last season were since moving up to tough Walker and Aneysa Williams. starts the past few seasons. over Chestatee, Providence 7-AAAAAA. … The Bears Post Jordan Stallworth, one The team posted four wins Christian in Lanier’s holiday of the area’s top young inte- to open the 2012-13 seatournament and Habersham topped the 50-point mark

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 16 West Forsyth (boys) Nov. 19 Archer Nov. 22 at Dacula Nov. 23, 25-26 at Parkview Tip-Off Classic (girls) Dec. 3 North Gwinnett Dec. 7 at Meadowcreek Dec. 10 at Norcross Dec. 13 at Habersham Dec. 16 Duluth Dec. 20 Collins Hill Dec. 27-28, 30 at Wolverine Winter Classic at West Forsyth (girls) Jan. 7 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 10 at Mill Creek Jan. 11 at North Gwinnett Jan. 17 Meadowcreek Jan. 21 Norcross Jan. 24 Habersham Central Jan. 25 Alcovy Jan. 28 at Duluth Jan. 31 at Collins Hill Feb. 4 Peachtree Ridge Feb. 7 Mill Creek

son as part of a 10-3 start, which came on the heels of an 8-1 start to the 2011-12 season.

BOYS COACH: Jesse McMillan 2012-13 RECORD: 27-6 RETURNING REGULARS: Andre Chatfield, 6-3, Sr. Lorenzo Carter, 6-6, Sr. Ricky Madison, 6-5, Jr. Khalen Pinkett, 6-0, Sr. Thomas Cameron, 6-5, Sr. Jalen Davis, 5-9, Sr. Chris Herndon, 6-5, Sr. William Gibbons, 6-2, Sr. Devin Huffman, 6-2, Jr. Myles Autry, 6-0, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: A.J. Farrar, 6-3, Sr. Tim Cameron, 6-3, Jr. Abasiono Udofiah, 6-8, Jr. A.J. Bush, 6-4, Sr. Justin Kornegay, 6-1, Sr. OUTLOOK: The defending Class AAAAAA state champions lost two key pieces to graduation, Daily Post player of the year and Central Florida signee Brandon Goodwin (15.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.3 apg) and College of Charleston signee Terrance O’Donohue. But enough talent returns that another deep playoff run is possible, with eight seniors and two juniors back from last season. The top returning scorer is Harvard commitment Andre Chatfield (11.5 ppg), while Lorenzo Carter, Ricky Madison and Khalen Pinkett also were key players on the state title team. Carter, one of the nation’s top football

norcross

BLUE DEVILS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

A.J. Farrar. Farrar averaged 21.4 points for Cottage, a GISA school. FAST FACT: Norcross is on an amazing run of 13 straight appearances in the state tournament. Its state championship last season was its fifth, two with Jesse McMillan as head coach and three under Eddie Martin.

recruits, will join the team after football season is over. WORTH NOTING: Myles Autry, also a top football prospect, is back after missing his junior season with a knee in-

Cooper to lead the Blue Devils to the state title last season, but now head coach Angie Hembree’s team moves to the next chapter. Senior point guard Bri Williams is one of the county’s most experienced players, and fellow senior leader Sierra Butler, a Georgia Southern commitment, also has played a lot of basketball. Kolby Meeks and GIRLS Sydney Marshall, when she COACH: Angie Hembree recovers from a summer ACL 2012-13 RECORD: 28-5 tear in her knee, also will be RETURNING REGULARS: key players for the defendBri Williams, 5-5, Sr. ing Class AAAAAA state Sierra Butler, 6-2, Sr. champions. Sydney Marshall, 6-1, Sr. WORTH NOTING: DeShields Kolby Meeks, 6-0, Sr. (23.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg) OTHERS TO WATCH: and Cooper (17.3 ppg, 6.1 Deja Smith, 5-7, Sr. rpg) accounted for more than Bri Tanner, 5-8, Sr. 75 percent of Norcross’ scorAudrey Holloway, 5-6, Jr. ing last season. … The Blue Allison Johnson, 6-0, Jr. Devils finished last season Bena McCoy, 5-7, Jr. ranked No. 14 nationally by Nya Dawson, 5-7, Jr. ESPN and DeShields, a Madisyn Wells, 5-11, Jr. McDonald’s All-American, Vashnie Perry, 5-5, Soph. was the Naismith, USA Ly’Ricka Holloman, 5-6, Soph. Today, MaxPreps and WBCA Taylor Mason, 5-8, Fr. National Player of the year. Tylia Gillespie, 5-10, Fr. … Meeks is committed to OUTLOOK: The decoSouth Alabama for volleyball. Norcross’ Khalen Pinkett rated prep career of Diamond … Marshall is committed to DeShields is over and the the Gardner-Webb volleyball program. jury. … The Blue Devils added current North Carolina freshman left with three state titles FAST FACT: Hembree has three noteworthy transfers in in her four seasons. The won six high school state the offseason, Milton’s A.J. 2012-13 Daily Post player of championships as a coach, Bush (who quarterbacks the the year teamed with current three at Collins Hill and three football team) and Justin Kornegay, and Cottage School’s Georgetown freshman Shayla at Norcross.

2013-14 SCHEDULE Nov. 20 Newton in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 21 Alcovy in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 22 Osceola, Fla. in Montverde Championship Series in Montverde, Fla. (boys) Nov. 23 McEachern in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23 Montverde, Fla. in Montverde Championship Series (boys) Dec. 3 Mill Creek Dec. 6 at North Gwinnett Dec. 7 Wenonah, Ala. in Nike Explosion at Wheeler (boys) Dec. 10 Mountain View Dec. 13 at Meadowcreek Dec. 14 Peachtree Ridge (girls) Dec. 14 Greenforest in GAC Showcase (boys) Dec. 16 Habersham Dec. 20 Peachtree Ridge (boys) Dec. 20-21, 23 at Peach State Invitational at Westlake (girls) Dec. 26-28, 30 at BeachBall Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (boys) Jan. 7 at Duluth Jan. 10 at Collins Hill Jan. 11 at Mill Creek Jan. 14 North Gwinnett Jan. 18 SW DeKalb in Girls Night Out at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 21 at Mountain View Jan. 24 Meadowcreek Jan. 25 Christ School, N.C. in Hilton Invitational at Norcross Jan. 28 at Habersham Jan. 31 at Peachtree Ridge Feb. 4 Duluth Feb. 7 Collins Hill

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 21

north gwinnett

BULLDOGS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

a post-Christmas trip to the difficult Rotary Roundball Classic in South Carolina. … North relied on a stifling defense to win most of its games last season, but it also showed flashes of offensive proficiency. Its season high was a 101-point outing against Meadowcreek during the regular season. … Stackhouse is the son of famed North Carolina and NBA player Jerry Stackhouse. FAST FACT: North has won 18, 21 and 19 games in Smith’s first three seasons as head coach. His 201112 team reached the state quarterfinals behind current Georgia Tech guard Chris Bolden. GIRLS COACH: Bryan Sellers 2012-13 RECORD: 29-2 RETURNING REGULARS: Baylee Rexing, 5-3, Sr. Joshlyn Belcher, 5-6, Sr. Alyssa Munlyn, 6-2, Jr. Stephanie Amichia, 6-2, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Jessica Belcher, 5-6, Fr. Grace Rigsbee, 6-2, Fr. Emily Toomer, 5-8, Jr. North Gwinnett’s Stephanie Amichia Kathleen Wilson, 5-10, Soph. County, Tucker and Hillcrest OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs again with the Bulldogs’ lost two big-time players to (S.C.) in that home showJared Cook Tip-Off Classic. case. The slate also includes graduation in Lexie Brown They will face Effingham

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BOYS COACH: Zach Smith 2012-13 RECORD: 19-6 RETURNING REGULARS: Ahmad Caver, 6-0, Sr. T.J. Howard, 6-0, Jr. Owen Lewis, 6-2, Sr. Kam Calhoun, 6-4, Jr. Malik Carter, 6-7, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Daniel Imatorbhebhe, 6-4, Jr. Josh Imatorbhebhe, 6-2, Soph. Jaye Stackhouse, 6-0, Jr. OUTLOOK: A 35-foot buzzer-beater by Meadowcreek in the Region 7-AAAAAA Tournament opener kept North from the state playoffs last season despite its 19-win regular season. That finish should give the Bulldogs, who return nearly every main contributor from last season, plenty of motivation for the upcoming season. Leading scorer T.J. Howard (14.9 ppg) returns, as does No. 2 scorer Ahmad Caver (11.7 ppg). Both Howard and Kam Calhoun (5.5 rebounds) are entering their third season as starters. Owen Lewis led the team in rebounding (5.8) and Malik Carter averaged 5.4 boards. WORTH NOTING: Smith put together a challenging schedule, starting once

22 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

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and Peyton Whitted, who are at Maryland and Penn State, respectively. Brown averaged 18.4 points and a countyhigh 6.9 assists, while Whitted averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. But a handful of other major contributors are back from last season’s Class AAAAAA runner-up team, including LSU commitment Stephanie Amichia, who led the team in rebounding (8.3). Baylee Rexing and Joshlyn Belcher are both proven 3-point shooting threats, while Alyssa Munlyn will be a factor on the interior alongside Amichia. WORTH NOTING: North made the state finals last season after making the Final Four in 2011-12. Its only two losses last season were to eventual state champion Norcross. … The schedule offers some substantial tests early in the season with Campbell at home, St. Francis on the road and Tucker in Norcross’ showcase. That is followed by the always difficult Parkview Tip-Off Classic. Its post-Christmas tourney is in Dahlonega this year. FAST FACT: Bryan Sellers has won 22 or more games in each of his three seasons as North’s head coach, compiling a 77-13 record (85.6 winning percentage).

2013-14 SCHEDULE Nov. 14 Campbell Nov. 16 at St. Francis (girls) Nov. 20 Tucker in Hilton Lady Tip-off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23, 25-26 at Parkview Tip-off Classic (girls) Nov. 23 Effingham County in Jared Cook Tip-off Classic (boys) Nov. 25 Tucker in Jared Cook Tip-off Classic (boys) Nov. 26 Hillcrest, S.C. in Jared Cook Tip-off Classic (boys) Dec. 3 at Mountain View Dec. 6 Norcross Dec. 7 Habersham Dec. 10 at Meadowcreek Dec. 13 at Duluth Dec. 14 North Cobb Christian in GAC Showcase (boys) Dec. 16 Peachtree Ridge Dec. 20 Mill Creek Dec. 21 at Habersham Dec. 27-28, 30 at Rotary Roundball Classic in Charleston, S.C. (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Gold City Classic in Dahlonega (girls) Jan. 7 at Collins Hill Jan. 11 Mountain View Jan. 14 at Norcross Jan. 17-18 at Wally Keller Classic in Punta Gorda, Fla. (boys) Jan. 21 Meadowcreek Jan. 24 Duluth Jan. 28 at Peachtree Ridge Jan. 31 at Mill Creek Feb. 4 Collins Hill

GWINNETT DAILY POST’S PRESEASON

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS First team Stephanie Amichia, North, Sr., 6-2 Brianna Cummings, GAC, Sr., 5-10 Alexandra Frazier, Central, Jr., 5-8 Madison Newby, Archer, Jr., 5-7 Katie Powell, Duluth, Sr., 6-3

Second team Vickie Harris, Parkview, Jr., 6-3 Bree Horrocks, Buford, Sr., 6-5 Sydni Means, GAC, Sr., 5-6 Genesis Perrymond, Parkview, Sr., 5-6 Amber Skidgel, Hebron, Jr., 6-0

Third team Lorrie Cruse, Peachtree Ridge, Sr., 5-10 Keevana Edwards, Wesleyan, Sr., 6-0 Baylee Rexing, North, Sr., 5-3 Star Toomey, Dacula, Jr., 6-1 Bri Williams, Norcross, Sr., 5-5

Norcross’ Andre Chatfield

BOYS First team Andre Chatfield, Norcross, Sr., 6-3 Shaun Jones, Central, Sr., 6-3 Rakim Lubin, Buford, Sr., 6-8 Devin Mitchell, Collins Hill, Sr., 6-3 Isaiah Wilkins, GAC, Sr., 6-7

Second team Aaron Augustin, Peachtree Ridge, Soph., 5-11 T.J. Howard, North, Jr., 6-0 Austin Robinson, Meadowcreek, Sr., 6-1 Tim Rowe, Berkmar, Sr., 6-10 Amir Warnock, Peachtree Ridge, Sr., 6-8

Third team Lorenzo Carter, Norcross, Sr., 6-6 Deion Dedeaux, Brookwood, Sr., 5-7 Marquise Lanier, Grayson, Sr., 6-3 Ricky Madison, Norcross, Jr., 6-5 Kevon Tucker, Dacula, Soph., 6-3

gwinnettdailypost.com

Central’s Alexandra Frazier

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 23

parkview

PANTHERS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Nick Gast 2012-13 RECORD: 3-23 RETURNING REGULARS: Parker Role, 6-7, Sr. Christian Embry, 5-9, Sr. Marcus Williams, 6-4, Sr. Malik Abraham, 6-2, Jr. Alario Harris, 5-10, Jr. OUTLOOK: Parkview hopes the answer to its recent struggles comes from new head coach Nick Gast, who takes over for Steve Richardson. Richardson, who won 238 games in 17 seasons as the Panthers’ head coach until the 1999-2000 season, filled in for a season after Keenan Temple resigned. Parkview didn’t reach the postseason in three seasons under Temple. The new coach inherits a pair of starting guards from the 2012-13 team, Malik Abraham (11.4 points per game last season) and Alario Harris. They were solid last season as sophomores, so a year of maturity should make them even better. Senior Parker Role, injured all of last season, gives the team some height and a versatile scoring threat. Seniors Christian Embry and Marcus Williams also are key players. WORTH NOTING: Gast comes to Parkview from Valdosta State, where he spent the bulk of his basketball career. He played for the Blazers for four years, spent two years there

He averaged team highs of 11.9 points and 8.2 rebounds, which was fifth-best in Gwinnett County. FAST FACT: The once-proud program has fallen on hard times of late. It is on a run of five straight losing seasons, posting double-digit wins in just one of those seasons. Parkview’s last winning season was 2007-08., when it went 20-8.

Parkview’s Genesis Perrymond as a graduate assistant and worked the past four seasons as an assistant coach to VSU’s Mike Helfer. He also coached in the past for a season at Clinch

County and at Southeastern Louisiana University. … T.J. Thomas, one of the Panthers’ top players last season as a junior, transferred to Tucker.

GIRLS COACH: Kirk Call 2012-13 RECORD: 29-1 RETURNING REGULARS: Genesis Perrymond, 5-6, Sr. Vickie Harris, 6-3, Jr. Makenna Pouengue, 5-8, Jr. Kristin Telford, 5-5, Jr. Bernice McGriff, 5-8, Jr. Tatiana Wayne, 5-6, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Raven Johnson, 5-10, Soph. Dominique Leonidas, 5-5, Soph. Khari Jernigan, 6-2, Soph. Kiersten Hunter, 5-5, Soph. Kristi Derouen, 6-0, Soph. Autumn Sizemore, 5-7, Soph. OUTLOOK: The dominant, Region 8-AAAAAA girls basketball program in recent years hasn’t translated that into great success in the state tournament. Despite going unbeaten through the regular season and region tournament the past two seasons, both ended with tough playoff losses

to Norcross. Those teams were coached by Tony Watkins, now the girls coach at Lambert. He was replaced in the offseason by Kirk Call, who inherits a team that lost just two seniors, Marissa Mandeldove and Mia Marshall. South Alabama commitment Genesis Perrymond (11.7 points, 6 assists per game last season) leads the large group of returning players, which also includes a strong inside force with Vickie Harris, who averaged 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season. WORTH NOTING: Call, previously at Walnut Grove, isn’t totally unfamiliar with the Parkview community. He was an assistant coach for the Panthers’ girls basketball team from 2002-06, helping then head coach Mike McCoy on a 2003 state championship team. … The Parkview Tip-Off Classic again features an impressive group of top girls teams, including Gwinnett’s Wesleyan, North Gwinnett, Mountain View and Peachtree Ridge, as well as defending Class AAA state champion St. Pius. FAST FACT: The Panthers have averaged 27.3 wins the past six seasons, winning 26 or more games in five of those. They’ve gone 59-2 the past two seasons and went 58-3 over the two-year span of the

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 19 at Lithonia Nov. 23, 25-26 Parkview Tip-Off Classic (girls) Nov. 23, 25-26, 30 at Tabo’s Tipoff Tournament at Jefferson (boys) Dec. 3 at Berkmar Dec. 6 at Brookwood Dec. 13 Dacula Dec. 16 Central Gwinnett Dec. 20 at Whitewater Dec. 21 Cedar Shoals at Loganville Dec. 26-28 at Gainesville Invitational Holiday Tournament (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Upward Classic at Roebuck Dorman, S.C. (girls) Jan. 4 South Gwinnett Jan. 7 at Archer Jan. 10 at Shiloh Jan. 14 at Grayson Jan. 17 Berkmar Jan. 18 Shiloh Jan. 21 Brookwood Jan. 25 at Dacula Jan. 28 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 31 Archer Feb. 4 at South Gwinnett Feb. 7 Grayson

2008-09 to 2009-10 seasons. The 2008-09 team reached the state Final Four.

Check out our High School sports page at gwinnettprepsports.com! You’ll find... • New High School sports message boards • All local prep content, divided by school and by sport • The latest sports photos and Spotted galleries • Personalized school pages • Scores, stats, schedules & more 24 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

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BOYS COACH: Keith Arrington 2012-13 RECORD: 21-10 RETURNING REGULARS: Amir Warnock, 6-8, Sr. Aaron Augustin, 5-11, Soph. Brandon Johnson, 6-3, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Rasheed Stanley, 7-0, Sr. Darryl Greer, 6-2, Sr. DeAngelo Gibbs, 6-3, Fr. Khalil McCoy, 6-0, Soph. Romello White, 6-7, Soph. OUTLOOK: A regular state playoff participant and Region 7-AAAAAA power, Peachtree Ridge has a good chance at seeing that kind of success continue this season. Despite losing 2012 Super Six selection Jordan Capps (14.4 points per game), the Lions will field another deep, quick team, which suits the coaching style of head coach Keith Arrington well. They also will have one of the county’s top interior players back in Amir Warnock, who averaged 13.6 points and 10.2 rebounds (fourth in Gwinnett County) last season. He played his best basketball late in the season. Fellow senior Brandon Johnson also is back, while point guard Aaron Augustin will steer the offense once again. Augustin averaged 10 points and 5.1 assists (seventh in Gwinnett) as a freshman. He is ranked by several recruiting services as one of the top

peachtree ridge

LIONS R e g i o n 7- A A A A A A

Devils. They also had state tourney success in 2012-13, routing Centennial in the first round and knocking off 8-AAAAAA Shiloh in the second round before falling at Wheeler in the Elite Eight. … Peachtree Ridge has its typically tough schedule, beginning with matchups against Buford, Miller Grove and Hillgrove in North Gwinnett’s early-season Jared Cook Holiday Classic. … A talented group of freshmen who won the county eighthgrade title last season could make an impact on the varsity right away. FAST FACT: Arrington won his 600th career game last season. His 30-plus year coaching career includes stops in the South Georgia, Augusta and Savannah areas. GIRLS COACH: James Clanahan 2012-13 RECORD: 10-15 RETURNING REGULARS: Lorrie Cruse, 5-10, Sr. Justina Young, 5-4, Jr. Marissa Bowman, 5-8, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Courtney Hopson, 5-10, Sr. Ale’man Parrish, 6-1, Sr. Kamilla Jones, 5-7, Fr. OUTLOOK: Peachtree Ridge’s Peachtree Ridge’s Aaron Augustin team isn’t laden with height, an issue in a region with lots of it, so expect a more up-tempo sophomores in the nation. eventual state champion NorWORTH NOTING: The Lions cross, falling 55-48 in an intense attack this season. That also will take advantage of some of finished as region runner-up to region tourney final to the Blue

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the Lions’ strengths — multiple players who are strong ballhandlers and good overall team speed. One of the top athletes is senior Lorrie Cruse, the team’s only returning doublefigure scorer. She averaged 10.4 points and a team-best 6.2 rebounds as a junior. Cruse also is an adept ballhandler, as are fellow returning regulars Justina Young and Marissa Bowman. Those three also have the versatility to play multiple positions. WORTH NOTING: Seniors Courtney Hopson (5-10) and Ale’man Parrish (6-1) will be important post players for the Lions against the taller teams in the region. Freshman Kamilla Jones (5-7) also will factor into the playing rotation. … One big void to fill this season is replacing the shooting of leading scorer Melissa Turvy, who averaged 12.8 points as a senior last season. … The season begins with one of the area’s most-challenging girls tournaments, the Parkview TipOff Classic. Peachtree Ridge will travel to Chattanooga for its post-holiday tourney. FAST FACT: The Lions’ last state tournament trip was in the 2007-08 season. They have been competitive in recent seasons, but breaking through to the state playoffs is tough in Region 7-AAAAAA.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 23, 25-26 at Parkview Tip-Off Classic (girls) Nov. 25 Buford at Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 26 Miller Grove at Jared Cook Holiday Classic at North Gwinnett (boys) Nov. 30 Hillgrove in On the Radar Hoops Invitational at St. Francis (boys) Dec. 3 at Habersham Dec. 6 Duluth Dec. 7 Nike Explosion at Wheeler (boys) Dec. 7 Shiloh (girls) Dec. 13 at Mill Creek Dec. 14 at Norcross (girls) Dec. 16 at North Gwinnett Dec. 20 at Norcross (boys) Dec. 26-28, 30-31 at Arby’s Classic in Bristol, Tenn. (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Hixon Wildcat Holiday Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. (girls) Jan. 4 at Shiloh Jan. 7 Mountain View Jan. 10 Meadowcreek Jan. 11 Habersham Jan. 14 at Duluth Jan. 17 at Collins Hill Jan. 24 Mill Creek Jan. 25 Collins Hill Jan. 28 North Gwinnett Jan. 31 Norcross Feb. 4 at Mountain View Feb. 7 at Meadowcreek

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 25

providence

STORM Region 8-A

BOYS COACH: Norman Brown 2012-13 RECORD: 12-13 RETURNING REGULARS: Anthony “ABJ” Kushanu, 6-2, Sr. Duncan Gotfredson, 6-0, Jr. Steven Kleinschmidt, 6-4, Jr. Nick Allen, 6-5, Jr. Jeremy Hardnett, 5-10, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Drew Kindig, 5-8, Jr. Bobby Rodgers, 6-3, Soph. Elijah Carlson, 5-8, Soph. OUTLOOK: Leading scorer Charlie Scott (12.6 points per game) graduated, but the Storm’s roster features plenty of other experienced players who were in pivotal roles last season, Norman Brown’s first leading the program. Brown, who previously coached at three DeKalb County schools, likes Providence’s halfcourt defense and overall shooting ability, including a pack of solid shooters from 3-point range. He also has a number of capable ballhandlers. Anthony “ABJ” Kushanu, Duncan Gotfredson and Jeremy Hardnett are three of the most experienced guards, even though Hardnett is just a sophomore. Hardnett took over the starting point guard role after the Christmas break last season, helping the team finish with a 9-5 record after the holidays (improving on a 3-8 start). Drew Kindig

aged 8 points and 4 rebounds in the first four games before tearing the ACL in his knee. FAST FACT: Although it narrowly missed the playoffs last season, Providence basketball still has a strong history in recent years. It reached the state playoffs three of the previous four seasons, making the Class A quarterfinals in 2010.

Providence Christian’s Megan Parker and Elijah Carlson also are in team’s top returning scorer the guard rotation, along with (11.8) and rebounder (6), as sixth man Bobby Rodgers. well as shooter (36 percent WORTH NOTING: Providence 3-point range, 61 percent also has some size on the field goals). … The return of front line this season with 6-4 Kushanu, one of the school’s Steven Kleinschmidt and 6-5 top athletes, is huge for the Nick Allen. Kleinschmidt is the Storm. The 6-2 guard aver-

26 • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013

GIRLS COACH: Brad Roby 2012-13 RECORD: 17-11 RETURNING REGULARS: Megan Parker, 5-5, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Brittany Tuttle, 5-5, Sr. Mackenzie Tuttle, 5-6, Sr. Laura Per-Lee, 5-10, Jr. OUTLOOK: First-year head coach Brad Roby inherits a team that is coming off a successful season, but the Storm also graduated four senior starters off that 17-11 team. His debut season will mean coaching a young and inexperienced group of players, who already have shown the new coach great things with their work ethic. The only returning starter is guard Megan Parker, who started on the varsity as a freshman last season. Laura Per-Lee gives the team a little height, while newcomers Brittany and Mackenzie Tuttle are the team’s only seniors. The Tuttles, two of three triplets

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(the third, Tayler, is one of the state’s top cross country runners), are softball standouts who can help with their athletic ability. WORTH NOTING: Two of the biggest holes to fill in the lineup were left by graduating seniors Aubrey Gold and Jessie Kowalewicz. Gold averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds last season and Kowalewicz averaged 11.5 points and 3.5 assists. … Defense was a strength last season for Providence, which relied on shutting teams down rather than outscoring them. It topped the 50-point mark just five times last season. … Roby is very familiar with Providence, where he coached for the 10 previous seasons with experience in both the boys and girls programs. He played high school basketball at Central Gwinnett under former Black Knights head coach Melvin Sweat. … The Storm’s previous head coach, Vanita McGough, now coaches at Grayson. FAST FACT: Providence hasn’t reached the state playoffs since the 2008-09 season, but it came painfully close last season. It led Holy Innocents’ 33-28 going into the fourth quarter of the Region 5-A quarterfinal matchup, only to go scoreless in the fourth quarter and lose 42-33.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 12 at Paideia (boys) Nov. 15 Wesleyan (boys) Nov. 16 Mt. Vernon (girls) Nov. 19 Lanier Nov. 22 Whitefield (girls) Nov. 23 at Wesleyan (boys) Dec. 3 at Mt. Vernon Dec. 6 at Prince Avenue Dec. 7 at Athens Academy Dec. 10 Holy Innocents’ Dec. 13 Hebron Dec. 14 at Whitefield Jan. 3 at George Walton Jan. 4 at Mt. Pisgah Jan. 7 Athens Christian Jan. 10 at Lanier Jan. 11 at Commerce Jan. 14 at Pinecrest Jan. 17 Tallulah Falls Jan. 21 at Lakeview Jan. 24 at Towns County Jan. 28 George Walton Jan. 31 Prince Avenue Feb. 1 at Hebron Feb. 4 Athens Academy Feb. 7 at Athens Christian

2012-13 COUNTY HOOPS LEADERS BOYS Scoring Last First School Games Points Avg. Clifton Will Wesleyan 27 549 20.3 Mitchell Devin Collins Hill 28 566 20.2 Doyle Kyle Buford 29 580 20 Shaw Trevon Mill Creek 26 481 18.5 Robinson Austin Meadowcreek 28 516 18.4 Wilkins Isaiah GAC 32 518 16.2 Hamlet Bryan Archer 30 486 16.2 Goss Shamus Duluth 24 386 16.1 Williams Kyle Buford 32 464 16 Davis A.J. Buford 29 464 16 Smith Randall Archer 30 470 15.7 Williams Jaylen Dacula 28 437 15.6 Goodwin Brandon Norcross 32 496 15.5 Howard Tobias North 25 372 14.9 Goodson Brandon Dacula 28 414 14.8 Capps Jordan P-tree Ridge 31 455 14.7 Jones Shaun Central 26 377 14.5 Swinton Collin GAC 29 416 14.3 Lanier Marquise Grayson 25 356 14.2 Warnock Amir P-tree Ridge 31 437 14.1 Tucker Kevon Dacula 28 386 13.8 Egejuru Brian Central 25 343 13.7 Harper Jordan Lanier 26 345 13.3 Joell Darius Collins Hill 28 370 13.2 Scott Charlie Providence 25 315 12.6 Foster C.J. Berkmar 31 384 12.4 Imachukwu Ify Duluth 25 307 12.3 Dedeaux Deion Brookwood 26 314 12.1 Skidgel Tyler Hebron 29 347 12 Rowe Tim Berkmar 31 369 11.9 Thomas T.J. Parkview 25 297 11.9 Bryant Elijah Mill Creek 26 307 11.8 Kleinschmidt Steven Providence 24 284 11.8 Caver Ahmad North 25 292 11.7 Chatfield Andre Norcross 33 380 11.5 Abraham Malik Parkview 24 273 11.4 Joseph Kendall Brookwood 26 291 11.2 Floyd Nafis Archer 29 302 10.4 Johnson Cory Hebron 28 288 10.3 Boyd Cam GAC 27 276 10.2 Hannah Malcolm Berkmar 31 316 10.2 Augustin Aaron P-tree Ridge 31 313 10.1 Hicks Adrian Meadowcreek 28 281 10 Jones Jonathan Meadowcreek 26 262 10 Rebounds Last First School Games Rebounds Avg Doyle Kyle Buford 29 342 11.8 Wilkins Isaiah GAC 32 355 11.1 Nkemdiche Robert Grayson 16 170 10.6 Warnock Amir P-tree Ridge 31 313 10.1 Thomas T.J. Parkview 25 205 8.2 Jones Shaun Central 26 147 8.1 Young Damian Grayson 26 204 7.8 Abdullah Khalil Brookwood 26 195 7.5 Davis A.J. Buford 29 203 7 Thomas Ryan Hebron 29 188 6.5 Bryant Elijah Mill Creek 26 169 6.5 Nwanze Kelvin Archer 30 192 6.4 Williams Jaylen Dacula 28 179 6.4 Overby Aubrey Archer 28 176 6.3 Reyes Johncarlos Collins Hill 28 177 6.3 Goodwin Brandon Norcross 32 201 6.3 Capps Jordan P-tree Ridge 31 192 6.2 Skidgel Tyler Hebron 29 176 6.1 Lewis Justin GAC 32 189 5.9 Rowe Tim Berkmar 31 183 5.9 Lewis Owen North 25 146 5.8 Barnes Kevin P-tree Ridge 30 174 5.8 Kleinschmidt Steven Providence 24 138 5.8 Shaw Trevon Mill Creek 26 148 5.7 Ofodile Obinna Duluth 24 135 5.6 Carter Lorenzo Norcross 25 139 5.6 Howard Joe Grayson 26 143 5.5 Calhoun Kam North 24 133 5.5 Carter Malik North 25 135 5.4 Martin Justin Central 19 103 5.4 Webb Paul Lanier 24 129 5.4 Wooten Bryce Duluth 24 123 5.2 Jones Jonathan Meadowcreek 26 137 5.2 Mack Charles Wesleyan 27 140 5.2 Rochelle Jaye Wesleyan 27 138 5.1 Williams Brandon South 12 61 5.1 Robinson Austin Meadowcreek 28 144 5.1 Mitchell Devin Collins Hill 28 142 5.1 Snelling Terrance Meadowcreek 28 142 5

Blackshear Gregory Duluth 14 68 4.9 Clifton Will Wesleyan 27 133 4.9 Capps Jordan Peachtree Ridge 24 115 4.8 Shafack Simon Lanier 26 126 4.8 Grace Jaylon Meadowcreek 28 136 4.8 Moore Joshua Meadowcreek 20 97 4.8 Jones Connor Providence 25 118 4.7 Jenkins Anthony Meadowcreek 29 139 4.7 Adams Logan South 10 47 4.7 Tucker Kevon Dacula 28 132 4.7 McDonald Grant Collins Hill 28 123 4.4 Imachukwu Ify Duluth 25 110 4.4 Madison Ricky Norcross 33 145 4.4 Smith Jacari South 9 39 4.3 Assists Last First School Games Assists Avg. Williams Kyle Buford 32 192 6 Egejuru Brian Central 25 145 5.8 Morrison Troy GAC 32 179 5.6 Goodwin Brandon Norcross 32 170 5.3 Augustin Aaron P-tree Ridge 31 164 5.2 Dedeaux Deion Brookwood 26 135 5.2 Smith Randall Archer 30 154 5.2 Walker K.V. South 12 53 4.4 Bryant Elijah Mill Creek 26 104 4 Hicks Adrian Meadowcreek 28 114 4 Doyle Kyle Buford 29 116 4 Abraham Jalen Parkview 26 102 3.9 Herrin Noah Hebron 28 107 3.8 Swinton Collin GAC 29 111 3.8 Harper Jordan Lanier 26 93 3.6 Williams Jaylen Dacula 28 92 3.3 Mitchell Devin Collins Hill 28 92 3.3 Davis A.J. Buford 29 87 3 Styron Romelo Duluth 26 75 2.9 Goss Shamus Duluth 24 67 2.8 Hannah Malcolm Berkmar 31 87 2.8 Wilkins Isaiah GAC 32 85 2.7 Foster C.J. Berkmar 31 81 2.6 Howard Tobias North 25 66 2.6 Smith Don Meadowcreek 30 76 2.5 Joell Darius Collins Hill 28 70 2.5 Harris Alario Parkview 24 59 2.5 Jenkins Anthony Meadowcreek 29 67 2.3 Scott Charlie Providence 25 57 2.3 Robinson Austin Meadowcreek 28 65 2.3 Ambrosio Eric Collins Hill 29 64 2.2 Mack Charles Wesleyan 27 58 2.2 Pinkett Khalen Norcross 33 74 2.2 Caver Ahmad North 25 52 2.1 Calhoun Kam North 24 47 2 Cotter Colin Brookwood 23 45 2 Goodson Brandon Dacula 28 56 2 GIRLS Scoring Last First School DeShields Diamond Norcross Skidgel Amber Hebron Frerking Katie Wesleyan Newby Madison Archer Cummings Briana GAC Brown Lexie North Powell Katie Duluth Cooper Shayla Norcross Frazier Alexandra Central Gardner Courtney Brookwood Cooke Daijah Berkmar Threlkeld Shelby Lanier Whitted Peyton North Turvy Melissa P-tree Ridge Fields Courtney Meadowcreek Onenda Colette South Walker Rebecca Brookwood Perrymond Genesis Parkview Nelson Kristina Buford Jones Joi Duluth Kowalewicz Jessie Providence Buford CiiCii GAC Ratliff Bria Shiloh Harvey Arielle South Gold Aubrey Providence Hutchins Kelsey Mtn. View Harris Victoria Parkview Cruse Lorrie P-tree Ridge Rogers Kayla Archer Mandeldove Marissa Parkview

Games Points Avg. 29 675 23.3 24 520 21.7 32 653 20.4 30 556 18.5 28 519 18.5 31 570 18.4 22 392 17.8 31 539 17.3 29 444 15.3 29 423 14.6 26 366 14.1 25 344 13.8 31 425 13.7 25 319 12.8 24 298 12.4 26 321 12.3 29 358 12.3 30 343 11.7 27 313 11.6 21 244 11.6 22 252 11.5 28 315 11.2 23 246 10.7 26 275 10.6 22 233 10.6 27 286 10.6 30 316 10.5 23 240 10.4 30 309 10.3 29 294 10.1

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Rebounds Last First School Powell Katie Duluth Toomey Star Dacula Cummings Briana GAC Aifuwa Faustine Dacula Reynolds Carol Central Amichia Stephanie North Harris Victoria Parkview Marshall Mia Parkview Virgil Bria Mtn. View Gardner Courtney Brookwood Stowers Brittany Collins Hill Harvey Arielle South Gold Aubrey Providence Gibson-Green Taylor-Rose Lanier Ewing Jessica Grayson DeShields Diamond Norcross Walker Rebecca Brookwood Jackson Morgan Archer Cruse Lorrie P-tree Ridge Cooper Shayla Norcross Travis Lexus Central Hutchins Kelsey Mtn. View Skidgel Amber Hebron Petit Lea Berkmar Whitted Peyton North Perrymond Genesis Parkview Nelson Kristina Buford Frerking Katie Wesleyan Threlkeld Shelby Lanier Washington Ja’Taja Berkmar Harris Taylor South Buford CiiCii GAC Marseille Cii Cii Archer Jordan Marissa Archer Lewis Josie Hebron Edwards Keevana Wesleyan Brown Lexie North Munlyn Alyssa North Guffie Michaela Brookwood Darrah McKenzie Buford Washington Keisha Central Johnson Jonnae Dacula James Tiara Grayson Henderson Megan P-tree Ridge Frazier Alexandra Central Horrocks Bree Buford Scott Katie Providence Onenda Colette South Ibebunjo Uche Shiloh Bah Lika Grayson Mayes Anazjah Dacula Burton Shakara Grayson Jones Joi Duluth Belcher Joshlyn North Assists Last First School Brown Lexie North Means Sydni GAC Mandeldove Marissa Parkview Dillard Maya Buford Newby Madison Archer Williams Bri Norcross Frazier Alexandra Central Stevens Brittany Wesleyan Kowalewicz Jessie Providence Perrymond Genesis Parkview Rexing Baylee North DeShields Diamond Norcross Jones Joi Duluth Holbrooks Lesley Brookwood Onenda Colette South Frerking Katie Wesleyan Marshall Mia Parkview Leonidas Dominique Parkview Harris Victoria Parkview Clayton Kierra South Daniels Katy Dacula Walker Rebecca Brookwood Belcher Joshlyn North Threlkeld Shelby Lanier McGee Briana Central Stanley Ashleigh Hebron Cooke Daijah Berkmar Williams Aneysa Mtn. View Lentz Hannah Hebron

Games Rebounds Avg 22 216 9.8 26 236 9.1 28 252 9 26 232 8.9 29 244 8.4 31 257 8.3 30 245 8.2 30 246 8.2 28 227 8.1 29 226 7.8 26 203 7.8 26 200 7.7 22 165 7.5 25 176 7 25 174 7 29 200 6.9 29 197 6.8 30 195 6.5 23 142 6.2 31 188 6.1 28 168 6 27 159 5.9 24 138 5.8 26 150 5.8 31 177 5.7 30 168 5.6 27 151 5.6 32 176 5.5 25 137 5.5 26 140 5.4 26 137 5.3 28 146 5.2 30 154 5.1 30 151 5 24 121 5 32 159 5 31 152 4.9 31 152 4.9 28 137 4.9 29 139 4.8 27 127 4.7 26 123 4.7 19 87 4.6 24 109 4.5 29 128 4.4 29 128 4.4 22 97 4.4 26 115 4.4 21 90 4.3 25 107 4.3 26 112 4.3 24 101 4.2 21 86 4.1 31 127 4.1

Games Assists Avg. 31 214 6.9 28 171 6.1 29 174 6 29 142 4.9 30 137 4.6 33 135 4 29 113 3.9 31 117 3.8 22 76 3.5 30 102 3.4 31 102 3.3 29 89 3.1 21 65 3.1 8 24 3 26 77 3 32 88 2.8 30 84 2.8 27 76 2.8 30 81 2.7 26 67 2.6 24 63 2.6 29 72 2.5 31 78 2.5 25 61 2.4 29 67 2.3 24 53 2.2 26 55 2.1 26 55 2.1 24 49 2 Returning players in bold

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 • 27

shiloh

GENERALS Region 8-AAAAAA

BOYS COACH: Kim Rivers 2012-13 RECORD: 23-7 RETURNING REGULARS: Jordan Chance, 6-4, Sr. Emir Basic, 6-4, Sr. Kareem Brewton, 6-2, Jr. Elliott Strickland, 6-0, Sr. Justin Chance, 6-3, Sr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Josh Okogie, 6-3, Soph. Malik Chandler, 5-10, Soph. Thomas Massey, 6-8, Sr. Rodney Caddle, 6-6, Jr. OUTLOOK: Had everyone returned for the Generals, they would have immediately been picked as a state title contender this season. But their top seven players are gone, including point guard Nate Mason and 7-1 post Trayvon Reed, both among the nation’s top prospects. They both transferred to play their senior seasons elsewhere — Mason, a Minnesota commitment, to Montrose Christian (Md.) and Reed, a Maryland commitment, to Life Center Academy (N.J.), where he will play for former Louisville star Pervis Ellison. Mason will play for Bryan Bartley, who was the Hebron girls coach last season. WORTH NOTING: Seniors Jordan Chance, Emir Basic, Elliott Strickland and Justin Chance will step into bigger

tourney before returning to Montverde (Fla.) for the second straight season Jan. 30-Feb. 1. FAST FACT: Kim Rivers, entering his sixth season with Shiloh, has a 48-12 record the past two seasons with back-to-back state playoff trips.

roles this season, as will junior Kareem Brewton. Thomas Massey, a 6-8 senior, Rodney Caddle, a 6-6 junior, and sophomores Josh Okogie and Malik Chandler also will be part of the rotation.

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knee injury. The junior, who missed all of last season, averaged 8.2 points as a Shiloh freshman. She is part of a strong junior class — along with Courtney Blair, Uche Ibebunjo, Kiva Thompson, Kierra Ward and Davida White — that won the 2011 Gwinnett County eighth-grade title with an GIRLS unbeaten record. That team COACH: Marsha Jones was coached by Jones, so 2012-13 RECORD: 2-21 she knows these players RETURNING PLAYERS: well. She has two seniors on Kaylen Ward, 5-8, Sr. the roster, Kaylen Ward and Briana Dodd, 5-6, Sr. Brianna Dodd. Courtney Blair, 5-6, Jr. WORTH NOTING: The Racquel Cranston, 5-9, Jr. Generals won just two Uche Ibebunjo, 5-11, Jr. games last season, but both Kiva Thompson, 5-6, Jr. were region victories. They Kierra Ward, 5-2, Jr. defeated Central Gwinnett, Davida White, 5-4, Jr. a state playoff team, and Emani Bell, 5-6, Soph. Grayson. … Jones was Christina Massey, 6-0, Soph. promoted last season from Kayla Hall, 5-7, Soph. middle school head coach OTHERS TO WATCH: to high school head coach. Sharai Lay, 5-8, Fr. She worked previously in Bria Cade, 5-8, Fr. the South Gwinnett cluster Ebonae Thurman, 5-10, Fr. before moving to the Shiloh OUTLOOK: Head coach cluster in 2008. … She will Marsha Jones inherited carry six sophomores and a five-win team that was freshmen on the varsity Shiloh’s Elliott Strickland already in rebuilding mode roster. when she took over prior to FAST FACT: Shiloh has … Shiloh will play in three struggled to a 10-64 record multi-day events this season last season, then injuries to the past three seasons, but it outside of region play, begin- a pair of expected starters made her job even more hasn’t always been that way. ning with the Under Armour It made seven state tournaTournament at North Atlanta difficult. There is good news on that front with the return ment appearances in a 10on Nov. 25-26. It then plays year span from 2000-09. in Berkmar’s post-Christmas of Racquel Cranston from a

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 16 Allatoona (girls) Nov. 25-26 at Under Armour Tournament at North Atlanta (boys) Dec. 6 South Gwinnett Dec. 7 at Peachtree Ridge (girls) Dec. 10 at Berkmar Dec. 13 Brookwood Dec. 14 at Collins Hill Dec. 16 at Grayson Dec. 20 Central Gwinnett Dec. 21 M.L. King (girls) Dec. 26-28, 30 at Berkmar/BMASP Nike Tournament (boys) Jan. 4 Peachtree Ridge Jan. 7 at Central Gwinnett Jan. 10 Parkview Jan. 11 at Dacula Jan. 14 Archer Jan. 17 Morrow (girls) Jan. 18 at Parkview Jan. 21 at South Gwinnett Jan. 24 Berkmar Jan. 25 at Brookwood Jan. 28 Grayson Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at Montverde Tournament, Fla. (boys) Feb. 4 Dacula Feb. 7 at Archer Feb. 8 at Morrow (girls)

south gwinnett

COMETS BOYS COACH: Jamal Basit 2012-13 RECORD: 10-15 RETURNING REGULARS: K.V. Walker, 6-0, Sr. Jayland Benjamin, 6-4, Sr. Josh McKeever, 6-0, Jr. Roberto Gallinat, 6-3, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Angelo White, 5-10, Fr. Dontay Torrence, 6-0, Fr. Aaron Udell, 6-0, Jr. OUTLOOK: Jamal Basit returns for his second season with the Comets with a very young team that lost eight players off the 2012-13 roster. The coach will look to point guard K.V. Walker, entering his third year in a starting role, as the team leader. He averaged a teamhigh 4.4 assists, which was fourth in Gwinnett County, last season. He will be joined in the rotation by three other returning regulars, fellow senior Jayland Benjamin and juniors Josh McKeever and Roberto Gallinat. Basit also is counting on freshmen Angelo White and Dontay Torrence to contribute immediately. WORTH NOTING: South had some success in the first season under Basit, who went 20-9 and made the state second round at his previous coaching stop, Tow- impressive January victory ers. The victories included an over Archer and a 20-point

Region 8-AAAAAA

losses in seven of their last eight games. … South will stay home for its post-Christmas basketball tournament this season, taking part in the new Nike tournament at Berkmar. FAST FACT: The Comets’ perennially strong program has suffered some down seasons of late, particularly in the postseason. South has missed the playoffs the last four seasons, including upsets in the region quarterfinals in the first two years under previous head coach Scott Bracco. GIRLS COACH: Kidada Holtzclaw 2012-13 RECORD: 14-12 RETURNING REGULARS: Kierra Clayton, 5-3, Sr. Taylor Harris, 5-11, Jr. Arielle Harvey, 6-0, Jr. OTHERS TO WATCH: Asheika Alexander, 6-0, Soph. Alexis Lewis, 6-1, Fr. OUTLOOK: Size and athleticism are the two main strengths of Kidada Holtzclaw’s first South Gwinnett team. Holtzclaw was hired earlier this year from Alcovy as the replacement South Gwinnett’s L.V. Walker for Jaime Fisher, a South grad who took a job at Lamwin over Brookwood, but bert. Three returning players the Comets faded late with are back for the new coach

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— Kierra Clayton, Taylor Harris and Arielle Harvey. Harris, Harvey, sophomore Asheika Alexander and freshman Alexis Lewis are all 5-11 or taller. Harvey is South’s top returning scorer (10.6) and rebounder (7.7). Harris averaged 5.3 boards. WORTH NOTING: An overtime loss to Brookwood in the Region 8-AAAAAA tourney cost the Comets a state tournament trip last season. They lost 39-34 in a low-scoring game that was typical of their style of play. … Jashawna Johnson and Colette Onenda are the two biggest graduation losses off the 2012-13 roster. … Holtzclaw, who played at Alabama, took over a five-win Alcovy team and four years later had her team in the Class AAAA Final Four. … The schedule will be difficult from the start with a trip over to Norcross’ early-season showcase. In that tourney, South matches up with GAC, Milton and Newton. FAST FACT: Though the Comets missed state last season, they made the playoffs the previous two seasons. They also are on a run of three straight winning seasons, which includes an 18-11 record in 2011-12 and a 16-12 mark in 2010-11.

2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 15 Lithonia Nov. 19 at Collins Hill Nov. 20 GAC in Norcross Hilton Lady Blue Tipoff Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 21 Milton in Norcross Hilton Lady Blue Tipoff Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23 Newton in Norcross Hilton Lady Blue Tipoff Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 25 Arabia Mountain at Decatur (boys) Nov. 26 at Decatur (boys) Dec. 3 Archer Dec. 6 at Shiloh Dec. 7 at Central Gwinnett Dec. 10 Grayson Dec. 13 Berkmar Dec. 14 at Georgia Military College in 100 Men Showcase Dec. 16 Chattahoochee Dec. 26-28, 30 at Nike Christmas Tournament at Berkmar (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Lake City Classic at Allatoona (girls) Jan. 7 Brookwood Jan. 10 Central Gwinnett Jan. 11 at Parkview Jan. 14 at Dacula Jan. 17 at Archer Jan. 21 Shiloh Jan. 24 at Grayson Jan. 25 at Berkmar Jan. 31 at Brookwood Feb. 4 Parkview Feb. 7 Dacula

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wesleyan

WOLVES Region 6-AA

BOYS COACH: Ryan Hodges 2012-13 RECORD: 11-16 RETURNING REGULARS: Graham Deaton, 6-1, Sr. Jaylen Clarke, 6-1, Jr. Reggie Bynum, 5-9, Jr. Jordan Mack, 6-3, Soph. OTHERS TO WATCH: Brian Coffey, 6-0, Fr. Charlie O’Briant, 6-6, Fr. OUTLOOK: Second-year Wolves head coach Ryan Hodges will field a completely revamped lineup this season thanks to the graduation of five starters. Four returning regulars — Graham Deaton, Jaylen Clarke, Reggie Bynum and Jordan Mack — will step into more prominent roles this season because of those losses. A more balanced offense is expected since one of the graduated players was Will Clifton, a Georgia College and State University signee who averaged a county-best 20.3 points. The returning players and newcomers are meshing well together, Hodges said, and he is encouraged with their work ethic thus far. WORTH NOTING: Two freshmen likely will be important contributors, 6-0 Brian Coffey and 6-6 Charlie O’Briant, who offers

Both of those ninth-graders are highly touted — Mikayla Coombs and Devyn Lowe. WORTH NOTING: The state’s most successful GIRLS girls basketball program COACH: Jan Azar is on an unbelievable 2012-13 RECORD: 28-4 run, with six straight state RETURNING REGULARS: championships, which Keevana Edwards, 6-0, Sr. ties Hart County (1989Landyn Duley, 5-8, Sr. 94) for the state record Lauren Frerking, 6-0, Jr. for most consecutive girls Nikki McDonald, 6-0, Jr. hoops titles. The Wolves Cairo Booker, 5-4, Soph. have nine state crowns in Taylor Casey, 5-5, Soph. the last 10 years and 10 OTHERS TO WATCH: in a 12-year span — the Mikayla Coombs, 5-10, Fr. 10 titles also tied Taylor Devyn Lowe, 5-6, Fr. County for the most by a OUTLOOK: Wesleyan’s girls basketball program strong foundation means in state history. They also that a state title is again have won a state-record 30 the goal despite the consecutive state playoff graduation of six talgames. … Azar is 409-85 ented seniors who led last and is Gwinnett’s longestseason’s championship tenured girls coach at her run. Of the eight returning current school. She started players, four are juniors the program at Wesleyan and seniors who have in 1997-98. loads of playoff experience. FAST FACT: Five of WesSenior Keevana Edwards, leyan’s six Class of 2013 a Stetson commitment, players signed with college Wesleyan’s Keevana Edwards Landyn Duley, Lauren basketball programs: Katie Frerking and Nikki McDonFrerking (Auburn), Brittany falling 80-72 in overtime much-needed size. … The ald are the veteran players Stevens (Samford), Paige against Dade County. … Wolves won a tight game in the group. Guards Cairo Mosley (Clemson), Taylor Hodges was a Marist aswith Westminster in last Booker and Taylor Casey Blackmon (Kennesaw season’s Region 6-AA tour- sistant for five years before contributed to the varsity State) and Kendra Talley ney to clinch a state berth. taking the Wesleyan job. last season as freshmen, (Presbyterian). The sixth, FAST FACT: The Wolves But they lost a first-round much like a pair of newCaraMia Tsirigos, signed have won two state titles heartbreaker at state, comers will this season. with Indiana softball.

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in boys basketball, the first in 2008 and then again in 2010. Both were won by previous head coach Skip Matherly.

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2013-14 SCHEDULE

Nov. 15 at Providence (boys) Nov. 19 Pinecrest Academy (boys) Nov. 19 Milton in Hilton Lady Blue Tip-Off Classic at Norcross (girls) Nov. 23 Providence (boys) Nov. 23, 25-26 at Parkview Tip-Off Classic (girls) Dec. 3 Forest Park Dec. 6 at Darlington Dec. 10 Pace Academy (boys) Dec. 13 at Holy Innocents’ Dec. 14 Decatur Dec. 20 at Brookwood Dec. 21 North Florida Christian (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at FCA Gold City Classic at Lumpkin County (boys) Dec. 27-28, 30 at Carolina Invitational (girls) Jan. 3 at Calvary Day Jan. 4 at Savannah Country Day Jan. 7 at Lovett Jan. 10 GAC Jan. 14 at Hapeville Charter Jan. 17 at Athens Academy (boys) Jan. 18 Brentwood Academy in Girls Night Out at Brookwood (girls) Jan. 21 Westminster Jan. 24 Lovett Jan. 25 Buford (girls) Jan. 28 at GAC Jan. 31 Hapeville Charter Feb. 4 SW Atlanta Christian Feb. 7 at Westminster

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