An exciting boys basketball state tournament culminates this week in Macon, where 16 schools will chase a coveted state championship trophy in their respective classes. Each of the eight matchups contains interesting storylines and battles between squads that are elite on offense, defense, or both. Following are our predictions for the eight GHSA boys basketball championship games, beginning with the lowest classification.
Class 1A-DII
A miraculous, buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Greenforest sent Charlton County on to its first-ever GHSA boys basketball state championship appearance. The Indians, who held Greenforest to just 49 points, will need another spectacular defensive performance to defeat Wilkinson County, which averages nearly 72 points per game.
Prediction: Charlton County 68, Wilkinson County 66
Class 1A-DI
King’s Ridge Christian has defied all odds, reaching the GHSA boys state basketball championship game as a 4-seed. The Tigers will meet Mt. Pisgah, who they lost to by 9 points in early December. Every possession will count in what should be a defensive masterclass.
Prediction: Mt. Pisgah 61, King’s Ridge 55
Class 2A
Westside-Augusta stunned title favorite Columbia with a gutsy defensive performance in the semifinals, and Providence Christian made history with a victory over Model as well. Both teams are playing their best basketball of the season, and offensive explosions have been the catalyst for this improvement. Ultimately, Westside’s defensive aggressiveness may prove enough to win a state title.
Prediction: Westside-Augusta 78, Providence Christian 66
Class 3A
Is it still football season? Cedar Grove and Sandy Creek meet once again, this time on the basketball court, to decide a state champion. The Patriots have defeated the Saints thrice this season, all by 23 points or more. Sandy Creek’s size and talent pose a possibly insurmountable threat to the Saints.
Prediction: Sandy Creek 82, Cedar Grove 64
Class 4A
It’s a familiar sight to see Pace Academy in the state championship, but Fayette County’s 13-game win streak has landed the Tigers in an excellent position to steal another title from the Knights. Reginald Kennedy has been a star for the Tigers, posting more than 24 points per game, but he will face a tough challenge against the duo of Eric Chatfield and Kyle Greene.
Prediction: Fayette County 67, Pace Academy 66
Class 5A
No surprises here – it’s a matchup between Eagle’s Landing and Kell, the consensus top two teams in the classification. There will be no shortage of talent in this showdown, and the storylines write themselves.
Prediction: Kell 75, Eagle’s Landing 70
Class 6A
Strength of schedule had been a point of contention for Lee County, but the Trojans have proved many wrong on their road to Macon. Alexander has fielded some great teams in recent years, but has failed to win a GHSA boys basketball state championship. What will give in this matchup?
Prediction: Alexander 70, Lee County 61
Class 7A
It’s another region rematch for the title as Wheeler will take on Cherokee. The Wildcats won their most recent matchup with the Warriors by a whopping 53 points, but a Cherokee loss by only 9 points in late January provides a glimmer of hope for the Warrior faithful. Can Cherokee hold the nation’s top player, Isaiah Collier, in check?
Prediction: Wheeler 83, Cherokee 67
