Class A-3A Private Blog: Region 5-A Division I play heating up

A meeting between No. 1-ranked Walker (13-1, 5-0) and No. 2-ranked Mount Vernon (12-1, 5-0) scheduled for Friday evening will help determine the pecking order for the highly competitive Region 5 in Class A-Division I.

In that league resides No. 1 Walker, No. 2 Mount Vernon, No. 8 Mount Bethel (9-5, 4-1) and a St. Francis (9-5, 4-0) squad that’s unranked, but yet to lose in league play through four games.

Walker enters the game at 13-1, with the Wolverines’ only loss coming to 5A No. 2 Decatur, 85-72. The team has been led by its defense, which has been dominant, allowing more than 70 points only twice, once to the previously mentioned Decatur and once to 7A Buford in an 82-71 win. While dominant defensively, Walker has also been strong offensively, scoring 79.2 points per game. The Wolverines are led by sophomore KD Hernandez, who is averaging 17.6 points per game and 6.9 assists per game, leading the team in both categories.

Mt. Vernon enters the matchup at 12-1 and has been even more dominant defensively, allowing more than 65 points only once, in its lone loss to Lake Highland Prep of Florida, a team MaxPreps has ranked second in the state. That loss came by a score of 73-44. While stronger defensively, Mt. Vernon has not been as potent offensively, scoring 65 points per game.

The game will likely come down to which offense executes better within its system. With both defenses playing at a high level, both teams will need to play unselfishly to create open shots and limit turnovers. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will most likely come away with the win.

The game also has major implications for the rest of the season. The winner will be fast-tracked toward the No. 1 overall seed in the A-3A Private playoffs, while the loser will not be guaranteed a top seed and will have to earn it down the stretch.

Region 5 is one of the toughest in the private classification. A team like Mt. Paran is looking to turn its season around after a tough start. Sitting at 8-7 overall and 3-3 in region play, the Eagles remain a dangerous team. They have a huge game on the 13th, facing Mt. Vernon, coming one game after the Mustangs face Walker.

The other undefeated team in the region is St. Francis. The Knights have opened the season 9-5 overall and 4-0 in region play. However, they have yet to play Walker or Mt. Vernon and will not do so until the end of the month. Before that, they will face Mt. Paran next Friday.

‍