GHSA Class 7A Final Four Preview
Georgia’s highest classification, class 7A, final four has been set for this Saturday at Buford City Arena and hosted by Buford High School. Norcross, Grayson, Meadowcreek, and Newton have all advanced to the final four. All four programs have definitely made their name this season, with all playing tough schedules during the regular season. We preview the 2018 GHSA 7A final four below.
Newton (27-3) vs Norcross (27-3) – Saturday March 3rd at 4:00pm
The Newton Rams have made their 2nd final four appearance in the last three seasons. 2019 point guard Ashton Hagans, who decommited from Georgia earlier this week, has been on a tare this season and should be in serious conversation for Georgia’s basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. Hagans finished with a monster 31 points to lead his Newton squad against one of Georgia’s powerhouse programs in Wheeler High School in their elite 8 matchup Wednesday night. The junior point guard was offered from Georgetown and Marquette, who both had their whole staff on site for Hagans, that same night. Ashton will be going against his current AAU teammate in 2019 forward Issa Muhammad of Norcross in this Saturday’s matchup. Norcross made a statement in their elite 8 matchup Wednesday night against powerhouse McEachern that they are the best team in the state of Georgia. The Blue Devils defeated McEachern 75-55 in that contest. They were led by their sophomore guard 2020 Brandon Boston with 25 points. Norcross kept their foot on the gas from start to finish and led the entire game against McEachern and now have put McEachern’s hopes of getting to the Geico Dick’s Nationals to bed. Norcross has now been put “on the bubble” watch to participate in the 2018 Geico Dick’s Nationals, all that is left to increase their resume is to capture that class 7A state title. Newton and Norcross both have had somewhat national schedules this year and have several quality wins over out of state opponents and GHSA opponents. Below I have a listed the qualities wins from both programs this season.
Newton Quality Wins: Heritage, Columbia, Pebblebrook, Grayson, Mountain View, Tift County, Spartanburg (SC), Trinity (KY), Dorman (SC), Westside Macon, Warner Robins, and Wheeler
Norcross Quality Wins: Miller Grove, Gainesville, Lakeview Academy, Wesleyan Christian (NC), Berkmar, Meadowcreek, Holy Spirit, Madison Memorial (WI), Southside (SC), Gaston Day (NC), Mount Vernon, Duluth, and McEachern
Meadowcreek (23-6) vs Grayson (22-6) – Saturday March 3rd at 8:00pm
The Meadowcreek Mustangs are making history by making their first ever final four on the hardwood in a long time. The Mustangs defeated Campbell this past Wednesday night to secure their spot in the final four. Their big 3 of 2019 guard Jamir Chaplin, 2018 wing Corey Hightower (Detroit), and 2018 forward Amari Kelly (Duquesne) have been leading this Meadowcreek team all year long. Chaplin finished with 21 points, Hightower finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Kelly finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks against Campbell. The journey does not end at the final four. Meadowcreek is trying to contiune their run by making their first ever state championship appearance. The Mustangs have battled some of the toughest teams this year such as Gainesville, Blanche Ely (FL), Wheeler, and more (see below). They will be going up against another tough Gwinnett County squad in Grayson High School. Grayson has been led this year by senior guard 2018 Travis Anderson (Charleston Southern). The senior guard finished with 16 points Wednesday night as Grayson snapped Pebblebrook’s 24 game winning streak on the road. Anderson has been underrated for most of his career at Grayson. The Rams have now made back to back final four appearances. Grayson, like Meadowcreek, has also played some steller competition this season in the state of Georgia. Defeating programs such as Sacred Heart (AL), Greenforest Christian, Langston Hughes, and more (see below).
Meadowcreek Quality Wins: Tift County, Trinity Christian (NC), Gainesville, Berkmar, Blanche Ely (FL), Sandy Creek, Jonesboro, Lincoln (FL), Wheeler, Lambert, and Campbell
Grayson Quality Wins: Woodland, Greenforest Christian, Riverwood, Newton, Gainesville, Sacred Heart (AL), Miller Grove, Langston Hughes, Berkmar, Peachtree Ridge, and Pebblebrook