A pair of boys teams return to defend their titles this week in the GHSA playoffs at the Macon Coliseum. But there are five teams in the field that are seeking their first championship.

Sandy Creek is going for its third straight title, a feat that was last accomplished by Wilkinson County (2017-19). North Oconee will be trying to go back-to-back after winning the school’s firs title last year.

Two of the championship games feature teams from the same regular-season region – Woodward Academy vs. Tri-Cities in Class 5A and Savannah vs. McIntosh County Academy in Class A Division II. 

All games will be televised live on GPB-TV and streamed live on GPB.org and on the GPB Sports App.

Class 6A: Wheeler vs. Newton

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Records/rankings: Wheeler (28-3), ranked No. 2, No. 1 seed from Region 5; Newton (21-9), ranked No. 4, No. 2 seed from Region 4.

Coaches: Wheeler – Larry Thompson; Newton – Barry Browner.

About Wheeler: The Wildcats are back in the title game after losing in the Final Four a year ago. The team is led by four-star prospect Colben Landrew, a 6-6 junior wing who was named Region 5 Player of the Year. Other Wheeler players on the all-region team were Kota Suttle, Mansur McClain and Tylis Jordan, 6-9 four-star who has signed with Ole Miss. Wheeler avenged its only regular-season loss to another Georgia team came by beating defending state champion Grayson in the semifinal round. Wheeler brings a 20-game winning streak into the final.  

About Newton: The Rams lost three times to No. 1 Grayson, whom Wheeler defeated in the semifinal. Newton is led by first-team all-region choice Ted Neal, a 6-6 senior who has committed to Appalachian State. Other top players are second-team selections Marcus Smith and Jordan Green, as well as honorable mentions Bryce Jackson and Zachry Harden,  and all-defensive selection Marcus Smith II.

Past championships: Newton won its only state championship in 1964. Wheeler has won nine state championships – 1994, 2002-03, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2020-21 and 2023.

 

Class 5A: Woodward Academy vs. Tri-Cities

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.

Records/rankings: Woodward Academy (27-4), ranked No. 1, No. 1 seed from Region 4. Tri-Cities (25-6), ranked No. 3, No. 2 seed from Region 4.

Coaches: Woodward Academy – Anthony Thomas, Tri-Cities – Omari Forts.

About Woodward Academy: The War Eagles are led by Region 4 Player of the Year Zachary Foster, a 6-foot-4 senior who averages 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Foster has signed with Clemson. Others on the first-team all-region team are Jarvis Hayes Jr. (son of Georgia State assistant coach Jarvis Hayes and nephew of GSU coach Jonas Hayes) and Deke Cooper. Hayes averages 13.6 points and 6.6 rebounds and Cooper averages 16.5 points and 8.1 rebound.

About Tri-Cities: The Bulldogs are led by all-conference selection Tre Keith, one of the top players to come through the talented Tri-Cities program. Keith averages 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Other top players are all-region players Sean Van Dorn (17.7 point, 6.2 rebounds) and Jalan Wingfield (16.1 points, 8.9 rebounds), as well as honorable mention choice Carby Martin (10.3 points, 5.8 rebounds).

Miscellaneous: The teams have already met three times. They split during the regular season and Woodward Academy won 87-80 in the Region 4 championship.  

Past championships: Woodward Academy won its only state championship in 2020. Tri-Cities has won two state titles – 2019 and 2022,

 

Class 4A: Pace Academy vs. North Oconee

When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Records/rankings: Pace Academy (27-4), ranked No. 1, No. 1 team from Region 4. North Oconee (29-2), ranked No. 2, No. 1 seed from Region 1.

Coaches: Pace Academy – Sharman White, North Oconee – Rick Rasmussen.

About Pace Academy: The Knights are led by Eric Chatfield, the Region 4 Player of the Year, a 6-5 senior who has signed with Georgia Tech. Chatfield averages 18.1 points and 4.6 assists. Other top players include 6-6 senior Chandler Bing (19.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists), Bentley Lusakueno (7.0 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Jackson Ferry (6.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists). Bing has signed with Georgia State.

About North Oconee: The roster for the Titans, the defending state champion, features many of the players who were members of the football team that won the state championship in the fall. Justin Wise was the Region 8 Player of the Year; the 6-foot-4 sophomore already has a DI offer from Auburn. Other top players are Khamari Brooks (a football commit to Georgia) and Banks Pourchier, who were both named to the all-region team.

Past championships: Pace Academy has won five state championships – 2016-17, 2020-21 and 2023. North Oconee won its first state title in 2024.

 

Class 3A: Sandy Creek vs. Cedar Grove            

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Records/rankings: Cedar Grove (28-3), ranked No. 1, the No. 3 tournament seed. Sandy Creek (28-3), ranked No. 3, the No. 1 tournament seed.

Coaches: Sandy Creek – Jon-Michael Nickerson, Cedar Grove – Camden Terry.

About Sandy Creek: Jared White was named the Region 2 Player of the Year. Others named to the all-region first team group were Jared White and Jacobi Robinson, with Avohn Florence and Amari Latimer earning spots on the third team. The Patriots don’t have the depth they enjoyed in the past (such as 6-9 force Jabari Smith, now playing for the Houston Rockets) but have an elite group of guards.

About Cedar Grove: The Saints are led by Manny Green, a 6-foot-6 junior four-star forward; he averages 19.1 points and was named Region 5 Player of the Year. Javonte Floyd, a 6-10 junior, averages 10.7 points, and was named the region’s defensive player of the year. First team all-region selections were Keith Gillespie (14.1 points) and Floyd and second-team selections were Yusef Bowyer  (13.0 points) and Dontavius Stringfield (7.1 points).

Miscellaneous: Sandy Creek and Cedar Grove played for the state championship in 2023, with Sandy Creek winning 66-38.

Past championships: Sandy Creek has won two championship – 2023 and 2024. Cedar Grove won its lone state championship in 1997.

 

Class 2A: Butler vs. Union County

When: Thursday, 3 p.m.

Records/rankings: Butler (20-8), ranked No. 6, No. 4 tournament seed; Union County (26-5), ranked No. 5, No. 6 tournament seed.

Coaches: Butler – Chaz Clark, Union County – Corey Garrett.

About Butler: The Bulldogs won the Region 4 tournament and bring a 13-game winning streak into the title game. Marcus Scurry, a 6-foot-1 junior, was the region’s player of the year; he averages 19.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Other top players are first-team selection Kwamane Bridges (17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds) and second-team selection Zyion Smith (8.4 points).

About Union County: The Panthers finished second in Region 7, losing in the tournament final to North Cobb Christian, who is playing for the championship in the Private school classification. Union County is led by first-team all-region selections Houston Henry and Hayden Hughes and second-team selection Maddox Young.

Past championships: Butler won its lone state title in 1966. Union County has never won a state championship.

 

Class A Division I: Southwest Macon vs. BEST Academy

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Records/rankings: Southwest (27-2), ranked No. 2, No. 1 tournament seed. BEST Academy (24-7), ranked No. 3, No. 15 tournament seed.

Coaches: Southwest – Monquencio Hardnett; BEST Academy – Brian Weeden.

About Southwest Macon: The Patriots are the Region 2 champions and have won 13 straight games. Chase Dupree, a 6-3 junior, was voted the region player of the year; he averages 20.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Other top players are first-team selection Brandon Ashley (14.6 points, 3.6 assists), second-team selection Caron Howard (15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds) and third-team pick Rinaldo Callaway (5.5 points, 6.6 rebounds).

About BEST Academy: The Eagles finished second in the Region 5 tournament, losing to St. Francis in the championship game. Top players are all-county players Jacob Mickell (18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Josh Mickell (17.4 points, 6.7 rebounds), senior twins. Honorable mention choices were Nick Dozier (10.8 points) and Xion Evans (11.7 points).

Past championships: Southwest Macon has won six championships -- 1973, 1975,1978-79, 1985 and 1989.  BEST Academy has never won a state title.

 

Class A Division II: Savannah vs. McIntosh County Academy

When: Friday, 3 p.m.

Records/rankings: Savannah (26-4), ranked No. 1; No. 1 seed from Region 3; McIntosh County Academy (26-5), ranked No. 2, No. 2 seed from Region 3.

Coaches: Savannah – George Brown, McIntosh County Academy – Marquice Jones.

About Savannah: Maki Joyner was the Region 3 Player of the Year; the versatile senior guard averages 18.4 points and 9.7 rebounds. Joyner surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season, as did teammate Jermontae Brown, a 6-5 senior who averages 12.9 points and was also a first-team all-region pick. Other top players are Deshawn Davis (10 points, 14.2 rebounds), voted the region’s top defensive player, as well as all-region picks Jermaine Edwards, Shone Ruth and Romon Anderson (9.1 points, 5.2 rebounds).

About McIntosh County Academy: C.J. Battle was voted the Region 3 Player of the Year; the 6-foot-3 senior averaged 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. M.J. Quarterman (12.2 points, 10.1 rebounds) was voted as the region’s top defensive player. Jaden Ellis (13 points, 3.3 rebounds) and Derrick Irons (6.6 rebounds) were also named to the all-region team.

Miscellaneous: The two teams from Region 3 have played three times this season. They split during the regular season and Savannah prevailed 48-45 in the region championship game.

Past championships: Savannah has won 11 state championships – 1930-32, 1937, 1941, 1946-47, 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1998. McIntosh County Academy has never won a state championship.

Private: North Cobb Christian vs. Holy Innocents’

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Records/rankings: North Cobb Christian (28-3), ranked No. 3, No. 1 tournament seed. Holy Innocents’ (26-4), ranked No. 1, No. 3 tournament seed.

Coaches: North Cobb Christian – Greg Matt, Holy Innocents’ – Mario Mays.

About North Cobb Christian: The Eagles have won 19 straight, including the Region 7-2A tournament, despite playing an all-sophomore lineup. Brock Bass-Bonner was the region’s player of the year; the 6-foot-7 sophomore averages 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. Other all-region players on the team include Xavier Butler (15.6 points, 12.8 rebounds), Grant Robich (14 points, 6.7 assists)  and Isaiah Chandler (12 points, 4.5 rebounds).

About Holy Innocents’: The Bears are built around 6-foot-9 senior Caleb Wilson, a five-star recruit who is headed to North Carolina. Wilson can handle the ball like a point guard and knows how to find the open man. He averages 21.2 points, 11 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.6 blocks. Devin Hutcherson, the region’s defensive player of the year, averages 14 points and 5.2 rebounds. Other top all-region selections were Kingston Whitty (10.4 points) and Khalid Worthy (7.9 points, 4.4 rebounds).

Past championships: Both teams are seeking their first state championship.