With so many deep leagues around the state for boys basketball, choosing the five best ones was a difficult task. Using a loose group of criteria including overall depth and the presence of both elite and quality teams, here are Georgia’s top five regions. I include the teams I consider to be "quality" teams, bolding those that are in line for a playoff berth and italicizing ones I consider to be title contenders.
Check back tomorrow for a ranking of the top girls leagues.
BOYS
1. Region 6-AAAAA – Wheeler, Centennial , Lassiter, Milton , Walton, Campbell
As far as a collection of talent, this might be one of the top leagues in the country. With six teams that could potentially make deep playoff runs, and not one, but two legit state title contenders (Wheeler and Centennial), next week’s region tournament will be a dogfight. Wheeler undeniably has the most talent in the state, and the Wildcats have started to play some good team basketball in the second half of the season. Lassiter is one of the big surprises this year, and the smart, well-coached Trojans could pull some upsets if they get into the playoffs. Walton and Campbell are among the top teams in any other league.
Top Players – Ari Stewart, Richard Howell, Tahj Tate, Karl Cochran, Phil Taylor (Wheeler), Lorenzo Brown, Ryan Fleming, Kamren Belin (Centennial), Shannon Scott, Julian Royal, Dai-Jon Parker (Milton), Glen Rice Jr., Ryan Harrow (Walton)
2. Region 6-AAAA – Miller Grove , Marist, Chamblee, Tucker , Lakeside-DeKalb
This is the only non-5A league that makes the cut here. With realignment, this region lost Columbia to 3A but gained Chamblee, making it slightly weaker at the top. Miller Grove would be a top team in Class 5A with point guard Mfon Udofia and super-freshman Tony Parker, and Marist carried over its momentum from last season by becoming one of the most dangerous teams in Class 4A. Tucker has been a bit disappointing, but could still make a playoff run, and Lakeside-DeKalb is a pesky opponent (the Vikings were the first in-state team to knock off Miller Grove this year), and could slip into the playoffs with a region tourney upset.
Top Players – Mfon Udofia, Tony Parker, Donte Williams (Miller Grove), J.J. Mann, Dee Goens (Marist), Marcus Cowan, David Mason (Chamblee), Manny Atkins (Tucker), Kinley Branch (Stone Mountain)
3. Region 4-AAAAA – Westlake, Newnan, Riverdale, Creekside
Top to bottom, this is a solid region with only two teams (Mundy’s Mill and Chapel Hill) that have really struggled this season. I’m not quite ready to put Westlake in the category of title contender, but the Lions have athleticism and starpower in the form of juniors Jalen Kendrick and Marcus Thornton (already committed to Clemson). Newnan is benefiting from the fine play of two of its star football players (Russell Powell and Alec Ogletree), and has been in and out of our Power 15 all-class poll this year. Riverdale and Creekside have some good wins under their belts and the middle of the league is relatively strong with Pebblebrook, Morrow and East Coweta.
Top Players – Jalen Kendrick, Marcus Thornton (Westlake), Russell Powell (Newnan), Terrell Barnes (Riverdale), Brandon Barnes (Chapel Hill)
4. Region 5-AAAAA – McEachern , Cherokee, Harrison, South Cobb
With the addition of the Reddick Brothers (Charlie and Colin are both headed to Furman next year), McEachern should have the personnel to challenge for a title this season. Cherokee has the inside presence of Shawn Kemp (committed to Alabama) to strike fear into the hearts of opponents, and Harrison and South Cobb have both had solid seasons so far. North Cobb and Kennesaw Mountain, both with records around .500, make up the middle of the pack. The league is a bit weak at the bottom, however, with Woodstock, Marietta, Etowah and East Paulding struggling to get wins in region play.
Top Players: Trae Golden, Kadeem Batts, Charlie Reddick, Colin Reddick (McEachern), Shawn Kemp (Cherokee), Colin Slotter (North Cobb)
5. Region 8-AAAAA – Meadowcreek, South Gwinnett, Dacula, Berkmar
This last spot was essentially a toss-up between Region 7-AAAAA and 8-AAAAA, and 8 prevails on overall depth. Another league that would be a lot stronger if a few schools—namely, Berkmar and Parkview—were having their usual seasons, but its top team, Meadowcreek, is as athletic as they come. South Gwinnett has quietly put together a 19-5 season, and the middle of the league isn’t bad at all, with . The league doesn’t really have any teams that will stand up to a Wheeler, a Centennial, a McEachern or a Norcross in the playoffs.
Top Players: Dominique McCoy (Meadowcreek), Mario Vasser (South Gwinnett), Brian Cole (Dacula)
HONORABLE MENTION (in no particular order)
Region 2-AAAAA (Stephenson, Redan, Newton)
Region 7-AAAA (Norcross, Peachtree Ridge, Collins Hill)
Region 3-AAAA (Richmond Academy, Evans, Glenn Hills)
Region 5-AAAA (Fayette County , Lithia Springs, Sandy Creek)
Region 7-AAAA (Hillgrove , Cass, Sprayberry, Northwest Whitfield)
Region 4-AAA (South Atlanta, Spalding)
Region 5-AAA (Columbia, Druid Hills)
Region 3-AA (Dublin, Laney)
Region 6-AA (Greater Atlanta Christian, Blessed Trinity, Decatur)
Region 4-A (Wilkinson County, Hancock Central )
Region 5-A (Whitefield Academy, North Cobb Christian )
Region 7-A (Greenforest Christian, Paideia, Wesleyan )
Ewalt can be reached at aewalt@scoreatl.com .
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