High School Hoops - GHSA State Championships Preview

The Georgia High School Association basketball state championship week will wrap up on Friday and Saturday and here are a few notes on some of the remaining games.

Boys

1. Sandy Creek will take on Cross Creek for the Class 3A title as they each look for their first championship. Sandy Creek’s Jabari Smith Jr. will also look to cap his final season of high school basketball with a state title. Smith Jr. was recently named to the McDonald’s All-American Game final boys roster and earlier this week was named to the Naismith All-American first team.

2. The Grudge Match – Wheeler and Kell will face off for the fourth time this season. During the regular season, defending champs, Wheeler held off Kell twice to squeak out wins and sweep the season series, but Kell would get some payback after defeating Wheeler in the region championship game at the Wildcats gym.

3. Milton and Berkmar will each look to end their championship drought when they face off for the 7A title. It has been 11 years since Milton won their last championship and 20 years for Berkmar. Milton has been rolling with 25 consecutive wins while Berkmar has been impressive all season with key wins over Wheeler and Norcross.

Girls

1. Greater Atlanta Christian will try to back to back championships for the first time since the 2001, 2002 championship seasons, when they take on Cross Creek for the Class 3A title. With one of the most dynamic back courts in the state with Kaleigh Addie and Jaci Bolden, the Spartans have finally gotten into their groove and despite the spectacular season Cross Creek has had thus far, a return to the championship game has the Spartans locked in on winning consecutive state titles.

2. Westlake will look to make history by winning their fourth consecutive championship when they face Carrolton for the 7A title. In addition to the possibility of winning four straight state titles, the Lions can also end their historic season with over 100 consecutive wins against teams from Georgia, which would be the icing on the cake for Westlake senior guard Raven Johnson, who was recently named to the McDonalds All-American Game final girls roster and to the Naismith All-American first team.

3. Marietta and Woodstock will battle for the 7A title as Woodstock looks to win their first state title in program history, while Marietta looks for their first in over 50 years. This match up will feature two of the state’s top guards in Marietta’s Chloe Sterling and Woodstock’s Bridget Utberg who is coming off of a 29 point performance in the team’s first final four appearance and win over Brookwood last week.