The GHSA State Basketball Tournament is just around the corner. This year promises more of the usual, as a ton of talent from across the Peach State will do battle for the right to be called state champions.

But going deep into the tourney is about much more than just talent and ability. Some of the state’s top coaches say that while that is certainly important, winning a title is about much, much more.

Head coach Sharman White and Miller Grove are no strangers to the tournament. They have made a habit of going deep into the postseason and have won back-to-back state titles.

”At our program we want to be playing for state championships every season,” White said. Read more >

As the clock on the high school basketball regular season ticks down to double-zero, the top boys teams are gaining momentum. Milton, the AJC’s top-ranked team in Class 5A, won twice last week in region games by a gaudy average of 51 points.

Most of the ranked teams have completed playing in national tournaments and “showcases” against out-of-state powerhouses. Because the big boys were back to playing cross-town rivals and region bottom dwellers, the AJC’s newest rankings were relatively flat. All of the No. 1’s in every classification remained on top. Read more >

The craziness in Georgia girls basketball is settling down, just as region and state tournaments are about to commence. Last week, we saw three new teams ascend to the top spot of the AJC’s weekly poll. This week, all five of the No. 1’s remain in the pole position.

Three of the top teams are local schools. Norcross is tops in Class 5A, Chamblee is tops in Class 4A and Wesleyan is still the team to beat in Class A. Chamblee is undefeated this winter, while Norcross and Wesleyan have just two losses apiece. Read more >

As the top boys basketball teams in the state make their playoff pushes, teams from the metro area continue to dominate in the AJC’s weekly polls, especially in the larger classifications. Every No. 1 ranked team (with the exception of Class A) is inside or within shouting distance of I-285.

Milton remains in Class 5A’s top spot after beating No. 3 Wheeler 77-59 on Saturday night. With the emergence of Walton to the ninth spot, every Class 5A team is from metro Atlanta.

Seven ranked teams in Class 4A are locals. Miller Grove has only one loss this season, to Florida’s Dr. Krop, and remains No. 1.

Columbia lost, but was still able keep the top spot in Class 3A. Their loss came against highly regarded (but unranked) Tucker from Class 4A, 62-54. Read more >

Several of the state’s most highly ranked teams competed in tournaments and invitationals over weekend, despite being knee-deep in region play. One of the most high-profile of those events was the Marriott Invitational, which as held at Norcross over the weekend.

At Norcross, Miller Grove was beaten for the first time this season by Dr. Krop (Fla) 70-63. Read more >