The 2021-2022 Georgia high school boys basketball season has been one for the ages. There have been stunning playoff upsets and runs, and all these amazing headlines converge in Macon for the basketball state championships this weekend. 16 teams punched their ticket to the finals last weekend, but only eight will be crowned state champions. Who will they be? Here are the GHSA state championship predictions:
A-Private Championship (Greenforest Christian vs. King’s Ridge Christian): It’s extremely hard to pick against Greenforest. The Eagles are 27-4 and their last single-digit win was in December of 2021. I think the Eagles will be too much to handle for King’s Ridge, who barely escaped First Presbyterian Day in the semifinals. Greenforest wins, 71-60.
A-Public Championship (Warren County vs. Drew Charter): Drew Charter enters this matchup riding a 27-game win streak and having defeated 30-0 Social Circle. However, don’t count Warren County out. They’ve pulled off some massive wins recently, defeating Manchester and Dublin. I’ll put Drew Charter on upset alert, but I think that they narrowly escape Warren County, 64-61.
2A Championship (Westside-Augusta vs. Butler): Both of these teams scored massive upsets early in the playoffs, knocking out Columbia and Pace Academy. In this clash of titans, I’ll side with Westside and their offense. Butler is also missing star guard Kedar Bodie. Westside, 75-68.
3A Championship (Windsor Forest vs. Cross Creek): I would be shocked if either team scored more than 70 points in this game. Defense has been a theme throughout the playoffs for both of these teams. I expect Windsor Forest to avenge their 2021 semi finals loss to Cross Creek with a 54-46 win.
4A Championship (Spencer vs. Westover): Westover is likely to be the favorite after knocking off top-ranked McDonough, but I’ll go with Spencer to win the title. Greenwave basketball has only allowed about 36 points a game in the playoffs, and I believe their defense will stand up once again to clinch a 51-46 state championship win.
5A Championship (Eagle’s Landing vs. Tri-Cities): How can you pick against Eagle’s Landing? The Eagles have been utterly dominant this year and have not lost since early January. Tri-Cities has played in close games three of the last four rounds and will have to face 5A’s best team in a rematch of last season’s state championship. I’ll go with Eagle’s Landing, 78-69.
6A Championship (Buford vs. Grovetown): Grovetown has had a magical playoff run with wins over top-ranked Wheeler and Alexander. Buford, on the other hand, has had a much easier path, which might prove to be their downfall. Grovetown basketball is battle-tested in the playoffs, and I believe that will help lead them to a 75-67 state championship victory over Buford.
7A Championship (Berkmar vs. Norcross): Region rivals meet for a fourth time this season. Despite Berkmar having won the first three meetings, Norcross kept the final score within six each time. There is definitely upset potential in this game, but it’s tough to pick against such a well-rounded Patriot squad. Berkmar wins, 57-54.
