After two months of exciting high school basketball in Georgia, only three undefeated squads remain: Hebron Christian, Thomson, and Carver-Columbus. While it may not be a surprise to see Thomson among these ranks, the Lions and Tigers have stunned the state with their performances.
The Bulldogs are off to a 14-0 start this season. Momentum has been on Thomson’s side since its season opener against Commerce, which it defeated by 45 points. Just a month later, the Bulldogs pulled off a remarkable comeback to down the defending 2A state champions, Westside, on the road in another instant classic.
That momentum has held firm through the start of region play, allowing Thomson to build a 6-0 record in 4-2A. However, the trek only becomes more difficult from here. Two matchups with Butler and a must-watch rematch with Westside highlight the Bulldogs’ remaining region games, and trap opportunities, such as Putnam County and Laney, are plentiful.
The rise of Hebron Christian has caught many off guard. The Lions experienced scattered success at times during the 2010s, but they have recently struggled to find any form of consistency.
That narrative has changed this season. Like Thomson, Hebron Christian has won its first 14 games of the season, including victories over defending Class 1A-D1 state champion King’s Ridge Christian and 5A quarterfinalist Union Grove. Experience has also helped Hebron Christian to three victories over 7A squads in Lambert, Parkview, and Discovery.
With a mostly favorable region schedule remaining (with the exception of two faceoffs with Monroe Area), the Lions could end the Georgia high school basketball regular season undefeated, barring any surprising upsets.
By far, the most improved squad from last season is Carver-Columbus. The Tigers won just six games in 2023, and they had not won 10 games in a season since 2019. Both marks have been shattered in just two months, as Carver currently stands at 16-0.
Led by junior guard Tony Montgomery, who averages nearly 23 points per game, the Tigers have routed most opponents, posting an average margin of victory of just over 27 points. That includes a 66-point beatdown of Central-Talbotton and a 74-point blowout of Southwest Atlanta Christian.
A tricky region slate awaits, though, with Dougherty, Columbus, and Monroe (which has reached the state quarterfinals in three of the past four seasons) comprising five of the Tigers’ last seven remaining regular-season games.
Despite the undefeated records of these Georgia high school basketball teams, neither Thomson, Hebron Christian, nor Carver-Columbus hold a No. 1 ranking. In 2A, Thomson is overshadowed by both Westside and Butler, two region foes with arguably better resumes and strengths of schedule, according to MaxPreps. In 3A, the Lions and Tigers sit behind Sandy Creek and Monroe, a region opponent of Carver. Sandy Creek has appeared formidable this season, notching wins over Milton and Buford and suffering a one-point loss to Grayson, undoubtedly Georgia’s best overall team.
Can these three undefeated Georgia high school basketball squads wrap up their regular seasons without a blemish on their record? Will any win a state championship this season? The rest of this season will provide those answers.
