GHSA State Championship Preview: Class 1A
Class A-Private No. 1 St. Francis (29-3) vs. No. 2 Greenforest (21-9) It’s hard to believe that it is the first time these two programs will have met since Greenforest’s 2017 demolition of the Knights in the Final 4, 86-56.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass A-Private
No. 1 St. Francis (29-3) vs. No. 2 Greenforest (21-9)
It’s hard to believe that it is the first time these two programs will have met since Greenforest’s 2017 demolition of the Knights in the Final 4, 86-56. St. Francis is paced by Xavier-signee Dwon Odom, Georgia’s most electrifying point guard in transition. He had 23 points and 7 rebounds in their 63-58 win over Mt. Pisgah. Greenforest’s length could make the game interesting with 6-foot-11 MTSU-signee Christian Fussell and a slew of other bigs. Drexel-signee Lamar Oden is a solid playmaker at 6-foot-6 while Chase Cormier is a dangerous three-point threat. The emergence of sophomores Jalen Forrest and Florian Tenebay have balanced the Eagles. Forrest had a team-high 17 points in Greenforest’s 52-47 win over Trinity Christian. The versatility of Jusuan Holt and the shooting of Jordan Brown and Seth Hubbard will be key for St. Francis.
Class A-Public
No. 1 Treutlen (30-0) vs. No. 3 Hancock Central (27-3)
Here we are again for Treutlen. The Vikings are back in the state title game after losing at the buzzer last year. The senior-laden group has survived a handful of scares to remain perfect. They beat Lincoln County 78-77 in the Elite 8 before nearly squandering a double-digit lead against Terrell County, holding on 68-63. The trio of KaSabian Mitchell, Kamron Jordan and Chris Floyd do the heavy lifting. Hancock Central hasn’t won state since 2008, but they have threatened numerous times. The Bulldogs tore undefeated Wilcox County to shreds, 83-59 in the Final 4. Leroy Wilson (23), Jamal Taylor (18) and Marquavious Lawrence (11) led the rout as the Bulldogs hit eight three-pointers. Expect Treutlen to play a fast game and try to play in the 80s while Hancock will rely on its stingy defense which allows only 52.5 points per game.