With the conclusion of region tournaments statewide, the Georgia Class 7A basketball playoff bracket is complete. Several intriguing first-round matchups set the scene for exciting clashes between perennial powers in the subsequent rounds. Here is a breakdown of the bracket on the first day of playoff competition.
The first round’s seemingly uncompetitive matchups come between Grayson and Marietta and Carrollton and Colquitt County. The Blue Devils and Packers combine for just 10 wins and face off against two region tournament champions.
Besides those two games, numerous first-round matchups are worth keeping an eye on in the Georgia Class 7A basketball tournament. Walton-Lambert and South Gwinnett-McEachern feature possible 4-seed upsets, while powerhouse Pebblebrook will take a long trip to top-seeded Lowndes after a disappointing region tournament result. Osborne and Parkview have the opportunity to upset 2-seeds Denmark and Hillgrove respectively, and annual title threats Wheeler and Milton will square off as well.
Looking ahead, two potential second-round matchups – Buford vs. Cherokee and Newton vs. Pebblebrook – will certainly draw attention. The Wolves defeated the Warriors by 2 earlier this season and Newton will seek revenge for a 21-point loss to the Falcons last season, their only blemish on an otherwise-impressive resume.
In the top right quadrant of the bracket, a matchup between Westlake and the victor of South Gwinnett and McEachern should steal the spotlight. The Lions enter the state tournament having won nine of their last 10 games, including two victories over Pebblebrook and a win over region champion Carrollton earlier.
Every quadrant has the potential for a blue blood-heavy quarterfinals. The defending state champions, Norcross, will not have an easy path to a repeat, and No. 1-ranked Wheeler will have to contend with a minefield of upset-minded opponents in order to reach Macon. Don’t count out Grayson either; the Rams are playing their best basketball of the season and are riding an eight-game win streak. A plethora of potential state champions exists this season.
Every year, sleeper teams emerge with the ideal bracket path and matchups. This season is no different. Westlake and Mill Creek stand out as overlooked programs on the two-line with extensive experience against non-region opponents. Both squads have won at least seven of their last eight games as well.
As mentioned earlier, Osborne and Parkview stand out as three-seed Cinderellas that could possibly advance to the quarterfinals with one stunning upset each. The Cardinals and Panthers have subpar records but have faced a variety of offenses and defenses all season.
The first round will set the tone for the remaining rounds in this season’s Georgia Class 7A basketball playoffs. After the first two days, sleeper teams and potential state champions will become clearer. Once the quarterfinals arrive, several powerhouse programs will end their season, while others will travel to Georgia State University for the semifinals. Just one week later, two teams will meet in Macon for the finals.
Who do you think will win this year’s Georgia Class 7A state championship in boys basketball?
