Cobb County (GA) Team Previews Part 4
Allatoona (Acworth, GA)
Last Season Record: 21-9
Allatoona High School has never been known for basketball nationally but Coach Hood has had the Buccaneers in great position the last few years. Allatoona has the best record out of the Cobb County schools the last three years with a record of 81-13. The success in these last three years are three consecutive region titles, two state championship appearances, and three consecutive final fours. The Buccaneers were just three points short of making their third consecutive state championship appearance with a lost to Langston Hughes in last year’s class 6A final four. With no Trey Doomes, who has transferred to the University School in Florida, there will be new leaders for this seasons Allatoona squad. Coach Hood told me he will be expecting a lot from 2018 F Tobi Abeyeye, 2018 CG Chima Ogboi, 2019 WG Jeremiah Sanabria, and 2018 WG Rolan Wooden. Allatoona is known for their man-to-man pressure defense. Never having a legit and top talented player, Coach Hood will always have the Buccaneers competing to the highest level. This seasons schedule for Allatoona is not as competitive as past seasons but their region will be competitive. They will also be competing in the Atlanta Hawks Naismith Showcase in December and will face Miller Grove (GA), a rematch of the class 5A state title game back in the 2015-2016 season. The Buccaneers tip off their season against North Gwinnett (GA) in the annual Jared Cook Classic at North Gwinnett High School on November 21st.
South Cobb (Austell, GA)
Last Season Record: 23-8
With no Trevin Wade, who transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, the Eagles will have to find their scoring elsewhere. South Cobb is most known for their intense man-to-man full court pressure defense under Coach Moultrie. South Cobb held superstar and elite scorer Collin Sexton (Pebblebrook HS/Alabama University) to just 15 points in their meeting against the Falcons on Jan. 11th 2017. The Eagles were close to capturing a region title, but lost to a great Allatoona team. The Eagles also made the final four last season but came up short after a lost against Brunswick High School. Coach Moultrie and the Eagles are 51-32 in the last three seasons. With the lost of Wade, there were other seniors who all contributed on last year’s team as well. Nick Dubois, Kadredrean Jackson, Ralueke Orizu, Octavious Dollar, and Daniel Spann have all graduated and were key pieces to last seasons South Cobb squad. I say this year’s squad leader will be 2018 F Abram Gladney. Gladney got pretty decent minutes last season as a junior and will carry the load for the most part this upcoming season. South Cobb will host Whitefield Academy in an exhibition game on Saturday November 11th 2017.
Lassiter (Marietta, GA)
Last Season Record: 9-20
The Lassiter Trojan basketball program has only won 25 games since the 2010-2011 season. Last season the Trojans actually made it to the state playoffs, which was no surprised that they were eliminated in the first round due to the fact they faced powerhouse Pebblebrook High School and Collin Sexton. This season can maybe be different for the Trojans. Region 4 in class 7A is not filled with the best competition. The Trojans have a chance to take the title away from the Etowah Eagles. Lassiter’s best player is no doubt 2018 CG Christian Jackson. Jackson is actually a star cornerback who has committed to play college football at Michigan State University. But Christian is also a star on the hardwood. Jackson is a athletic shooting guard who can create his own and shot and also drive the lane and finish at the rim. Jackson was the Trojan’s leading scorer last season and will have a big senior season this year. Seniors PGs Elijah Fuller and Will Okonta will have to help contribute to this season’s squad. The Trojans will tip off their season against River Ridge High School on Wednesday November 8th 2017 in an exhibition game.
Harrison (Acworth, GA)
Last Season Record: 16-11
The Harrison Hoyas had a great season last year but had a surprising lost to Creekview in the region tournament which kept them out of the state playoffs. This season the Hoyas look to bounce back and look to get into the state playoffs for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. 2019 CG Jalen Williams will be one of the key pieces to this season’s squad. Williams is a left handed guard who has the quickness and strength to get to the basket. But a name you will have to remember for the next four years is 2021 SG Bobby Moore. Bobby is 6’4 shooting guard with great size that helps him hold defenders off on making his route to the rim. He is also a major athlete with crazy athleticism and will be a name to remember. Moore has big future ahead of him and will he be able to get Harrison back to the state playoffs again?