Road to Macon: Powerhouses, Rivalries, and Redemption define GHSA Final Four

Road to Macon: Powerhouses, Rivalries, and Redemption define GHSA Final Four

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

The road to the GHSA Boys Basketball State Championships at the Macon Centreplex is set, and this year’s Final Four fields are loaded with familiar powers, historic first-time runs, and a few teams that have caught fire at exactly the right moment.

From a Cobb County takeover in Class 6A to an undefeated run in Class 4A, the semifinals promise high drama before champions are crowned in Macon.

Class 6A: Cobb County Showdown

The Class 6A championship will come through Cobb County, where Wheeler, McEachern, Hillgrove and Pebblebrook make up the entire Final Four.

Top-ranked Wheeler (25-6) has looked every bit the preseason favorite. The defending champions have rolled through the bracket and continue to dominate defensively, holding opponents to 55 points per game. The Wildcats will meet a familiar opponent in McEachern (25-4), which they defeated 68-59 earlier this season.

Both programs thrive on defense—McEachern allows just 56 points per game—which should produce a physical, half-court battle. Wheeler’s offensive balance, led by Kevin Savage Jr. and Colben Landrew, could be the difference, though McEachern’s Chase Lumpkin and Zachary Graves will test the Wildcats on both ends.

On the other side, rivals Hillgrove (23-7) and Pebblebrook (22-8) meet for the fourth time this season. Hillgrove has won all three previous matchups, including a 66-63 region tournament victory, but sweeping a rival four times is rarely easy.

Pebblebrook has surged late in the season, fueled by Zyree Brown, Alexander Jones and Donald McMillan, while Hillgrove counters with Asa Montgomery, Bryson Jatta and Landon Gundy. With momentum on its side, Pebblebrook could finally flip the script.

Class 5A: The Deepest Field

Class 5A entered the season as arguably Georgia’s deepest classification, and the semifinal matchups reflect that depth.

Gainesville (30-0) has been one of the state’s most consistent teams all year and returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2018. After last season’s first-round exit, the Red Elephants have responded with dominant defense and balanced scoring from KJ White, Charlie Gershmel, Brandon Nelson, Quintin Mansfield and Kevin Curtis.

Standing in their way is Woodward Academy (24-6), last year’s runner-up. The War Eagles feature a talented core led by Bently Lusakueno, Bradyn Elder, Myles Hays and Jarvis Hayes Jr. and enter the semifinals riding a 14-game winning streak. Gainesville edged Woodward 52-51 earlier this season, suggesting another tight battle could be coming.

The other semifinal features one of the state’s hottest teams. Alexander (28-2) has won 23 consecutive games and returns to the Final Four behind a talented lineup that includes Gregory “Pops” Dunson, Jayden Crawford, Marquise Leslie and Torian Greene.

Their opponent, Tri-Cities (17-13), endured an up-and-down regular season but has rediscovered its form in the postseason. The Bulldogs are making their sixth Final Four appearance in eight years, proving once again that playoff experience matters.

Class 4A: History Within Reach

St. Pius X (31-0) continues one of the most remarkable seasons in program history. The Golden Lions enter the semifinals undefeated and are making their first Final Four appearance.

Senior leaders Harris Reynolds, Westin Keppen, Max Etienne and D’Marley Elliott have powered an offense averaging 75 points per game.

But Jonesboro (23-7) brings one of the state’s most consistent postseason pedigrees. The Cardinals are making their 10th Final Four appearance and rely on defense, surrendering just 51 points per game.

The other semifinal pairs a first-time participant with a familiar contender. Cambridge (18-12) has not lost since the final week of January and rides that momentum into the program’s first Final Four behind Carter Higdon, Christian Frazier and Jordan Higdon.

Pace Academy (23-7), last year’s runner-up, returns with championship expectations. The Knights rely on the scoring trio of Hayden Clay, Brielen Craft and Gavin Fountain and have the experience advantage heading into the matchup.

Class 3A: Cinderella in the Bracket

Few stories in this year’s tournament match East Hall’s turnaround.

The Vikings were 2-14 in mid-January but have gone 12-1 since Jan. 23, earning their first Final Four appearance since 2007. The return of injured guard Braydon Langston helped ignite the run, while Chasen Jones and Koen Bryantanchor the interior.

They will face Cross Creek (25-5), last year’s state runner-up. The Razorbacks feature a dynamic backcourt led by Frashad Tisby, Derrick Shine Jr. and Dontrell Jackson, whose playmaking has fueled another deep playoff run.

In the other semifinal, Harlem (22-9) arrives after one of the tournament’s biggest wins—an upset of defending champion Sandy Creek in the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs lean on prolific junior scorers Ty Shine and AJ Williams, both already past 1,000 career points.

Douglass (22-8) counters with a balanced attack led by Malachi Edgell, Cameron Niles and Charles Amica, who have helped the Astros average 65 points per game this season.

Class 2A: Champions and Challengers

Defending champion Butler (24-4) returns to the Final Four riding a 19-game winning streak. The Bulldogs’ veteran core—Kwamane Bridges, De’Cory Fleming and Ahmaad Anthony—has powered a team that allows just 45 points per game.

Their opponent, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate (24-5), is making its first Final Four appearance. The Spartans play with relentless intensity and rely heavily on the scoring trio of Galen Roberts, King Jones and Akil Robinson.

In the other semifinal, Therrell (18-12) advanced after knocking off defending champion Carver-Columbus in the Elite Eight. The Panthers are led by double-double machine Morion McWhorter, along with scorer Gordon Davis and floor leader Andrew Taylor.

Morgan County (24-6) enters the matchup on a 17-game winning streak, fueled by the cohesive play of Zeki Locus, Kobi Jefferies and Jacoby Simmons.

Class A Division I: Familiar Contenders Eye Macon

The Class A Division I bracket features the state’s top-ranked team against a program eager to return to a familiar stage.

Vidalia (26-2) has held the No. 1 spot and hasn’t lost since Jan. 17, surviving a few tense moments along the way but continuing to advance behind the steady play of Rashad Brown and Jerry Roundtree. The Indians now sit one win away from another trip to the championship game.

Standing in the way is Southwest Macon (28-6), a team that filled the Macon Centreplex during last year’s finals run before falling just short. The Patriots would love nothing more than another chance to compete for a title just five miles from campus. To get there, they will need big performances from Chase Dupree, Caron “CJ” Howard and Alex Butts, a trio determined to finish what last year’s team started. With momentum and motivation on their side, Southwest Macon looks poised to return to the championship stage.

The other semifinal features two teams with contrasting styles but similar success. Rabun County (28-2) has reached the Final Four for the first time in school history, fueled by a high-powered offense averaging 71 points per game and a blistering 45 percent shooting from three-point range. Hayes Free, Huey Blalock and Trace Adcock have sparked the Wildcats’ perimeter attack.

Fitzgerald (25-4) relies on a more balanced approach. The Purple Hurricane shoot just 30 percent from beyond the arc, but consistent scoring from Darryon Devine, Victor Copeland and Jeff Hicks keeps the offense steady. Still, Rabun County’s shooting could prove decisive as the Wildcats continue their historic run.

Class A Division II: Stars and Streaks

In Class A Division II, Chattahoochee County (27-1) arrives with one of the state’s biggest individual stars. Curtis “Champ” Simpson, averaging 21 points per game, headlines the Panthers alongside A’nyzhon “Bam” Purnell and Javen Tullis. Chattahoochee County has been rolling since November and enters the semifinals with confidence.
Clinch County (27-2) counters with a team that has surged since early February and has played some of its best basketball down the stretch. But if Simpson continues his scoring tear, Chattahoochee County could move one step closer to a memorable finish.
The other semifinal pits two programs leaning on talented trios. Portal (25-5) has relied on David Thomas, CJ Harden and Joshua Coleman to carry the offensive load and has been locked in since a late-January loss. Washington-Wilkes (18-8 has grown throughout the season behind young standouts Aayden Wayman, KJ Wylie and Mayson Mingle, but Portal’s experience may give the Panthers the edge in a pressure-packed semifinal.

Private School: Heavyweights Collide

The GHSA Private School bracket features several of the state’s marquee programs.

Mount Vernon (28-3) enters as one of Georgia’s hottest teams, guided by standout performers Darrell Dickens and Gabe Alterman. The Mustangs have played with the poise of a championship contender and appear ready for another finals push.

But Darlington (29-2) arrives with revenge on its mind. After falling to Mount Vernon in early January, the Tigers have rattled off 17 consecutive wins. Joseph Ogunyemi and Cam Selig will be key if Darlington hopes to avenge that loss, though Mount Vernon’s momentum gives the Mustangs a slight edge.

The other semifinal may deliver championship-level intensity a round early. Holy Innocents’ (25-3) survived a double-overtime Elite Eight thriller and now leans on experienced leaders Devin Hutcherson, Jaden McCullough and Khalid Worthy, all of whom have been part of a state title run before.

The Walker School (25-5) believed since the summer it had the pieces for a deep postseason run. King Daniel Hernandez, Anderson Carey and Devan Fenande have delivered steady production all season and now have the Wolverines on the brink of the program’s first championship appearance.

Still, Holy Innocents’ playoff experience could prove decisive as the Bears attempt to claw their way back into the finals.

With rivalries, undefeated seasons, redemption stories and a few Cinderella runs still alive, Georgia’s road to Macon is set for a dramatic finish.

Only a handful of teams remain standing—but by the weekend, new champions will be crowned at the Macon Centreplex.