Region tournaments are underway in Georgia high school basketball. These competitions serve as a final opportunity for lower-seeded teams to finish with a higher region standing than they achieved in the regular season. Last season, Carrollton, Sequoyah, Northside-Columbus, and Long County – all third-seeded teams – secured top seeds in the state playoffs by winning their respective region tournaments. Clarke Central, a No. 5 seed, saved its season with a miraculous region tournament run that ended in a playoff berth and a region title. Which Georgia high school basketball teams could be sleepers that embark on upset-laden runs in region tournaments this season?
Parkview (5-seed)
The Panthers have the misfortune of competing in one of the state’s best regions, which includes Grayson, Newton, South Gwinnett, and Archer. However, they are battle-tested and have several quality victories to support a possible region title-game run, including wins over Newton, Mount Vernon, Tucker, and Buford. The Panthers are on a four-game skid, but three of those losses came by 10 points or less. Opponents should be careful not to underestimate the Panthers.
Baldwin (4-seed)
The Braves have won just 14 games this season, but they consistently play up to their competition. A 20-point victory over Tucker is evidence, and so are two losses to top-seeded Westside-Macon by a combined 10 points. Baldwin picked up a tournament-opening blowout win over Griffin and will face Westside for the third time this season on February 15. If they can win that rematch, they’ll face either Perry or Spalding, two teams the Braves have already beaten.
Druid Hills (5-seed)
Momentum recently has favored the Red Devils, and they could become one of the sleepers of the Georgia high school basketball postseason. Druid Hills has won six of its last seven games and has yet to lose by double digits to a Georgia opponent this season. In a tightly contested region, the Red Devils have an excellent chance to clinch a playoff spot. They next face Stephenson, a squad they defeated at the end of January, and they would likely face top-seeded Southwest DeKalb in the semifinals, whom they lost to twice by just 15 combined points.
Walton (3-seed)
The Raiders are a top 15 team in 7A, but they face a daunting region tournament path that likely includes Cherokee and Wheeler. They have come close to pulling off several impressive victories this season, but have yet to truly break through the ceiling. This is their opportunity to do so with consistent defensive pressure. While a region championship may be unattainable, given Wheeler’s dominance, a runner-up bid may be available with a second win over Cherokee this season.
Often, teams that advance deep into the state playoffs are fueled by a strong region tournament run. Many programs have an opportunity to spark a legendary streak now, but it will take turnover-free play and strategic coaching to execute. Which of these Georgia high school basketball sleepers could become this year’s Cinderella team once the state tournament arrives?
