The Road ends in Macon: State titles on the line

The Road ends in Macon: State titles on the line

Months of preparation comes down to four days as the GHSA crowns its basketball champions

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

MACON, Ga — It all comes down to this.

The summer workouts. The team camps. The extra sprints at the end of practice when legs were already heavy. Months of preparation across Georgia high school basketball will culminate this week inside the Macon Centreplex as the Georgia High School Association crowns its state champions.

From the private school final through Class 6A, teams that began their journeys in October now stand one win away from history. Here’s a look at the matchups and predictions for championship week in Macon.

Private Schools: Darlington vs. Holy Innocents’

Darlington arrives riding one of the state’s longest winning streaks at 17 games. The Tigers (26-2) are making the first championship appearance in program history and bring a balanced attack that averages 75 points per game. DJ Hall, Cam Selig, Brent Bell, Christian Teasley, Jordan Wilderderson and Joseph Ogunyemi have powered a season that has featured only two losses — one avenged in the Final Four against Mount Vernon.

Standing in the way is defending champion Holy Innocents’. The Bears captured the first state title in school history last season and have spent the winter proving it wasn’t a one-year run. Devin Hutcherson, Khalid Worthy, Jordan Mays and Jaden McCullough lead a veteran group that has won six straight and survived a double-overtime battle in the semifinals.

Darlington has the momentum, but Holy Innocents’ knows the rhythm of championship basketball on the big floor in Macon.

Prediction: Holy Innocents’

Class A Division II: Portal vs. Clinch County

Portal (26-5) brings youth and confidence into the program’s first-ever championship appearance. David Thomas, CJ Harden, Joshua Coleman and KJ Hunter have guided the Panthers through an 11-game winning streak, producing offense and leadership throughout the postseason.

Clinch County (28-3) returns to the state finals for the first time in 37 years and arrives with a defense capable of dictating the pace. Led by Kamarion Johnson and Jakyri Posley, the Panthers allow just 45 points per game and have also won 11 straight.

Portal’s rise has been impressive, but Clinch County’s defensive pressure could tilt the game.

Prediction: Clinch County

Class A Division I: Rabun County vs. Southwest Macon

Rabun County (29-2) has spent the season building toward a breakthrough. The Wildcats’ trio of Huey Blalock, Hayes Free and Trace Adcock has fueled a high-powered offense that averages 70 points per game while stretching defenses from the three-point line.

Across the floor will be one of Georgia’s most tradition-rich programs. Southwest Macon (29-6) counters with Chase Dupree, Caron “CJ” Howard and Alex Butts, a trio that averages 66 points per night and shoots nearly the same percentage from beyond the arc.

The Wildcats will travel. Southwest Macon will barely need to. The Patriots’ campus sits just minutes from the Centreplex, and their crowd support could be the loudest of the week.

Still, Rabun County’s shooting could provide the slight edge in a game that feels like a toss-up.

Prediction: Rabun County

Class 2A: Morgan County vs. Butler

Morgan County (25-6) returns to the title game for the first time since 2019 behind a defense-first identity. Zeki Locus, Jacoby Simmons and Kobi Jefferies have led a balanced Bulldogs team that averages 64 points while allowing just 47.

Defending champion Butler (25-4) has no plans of surrendering the crown. Kwamane Bridges leads the way at 19.9 points per game, with De’Cori Fleming adding 15.5. Butler captured its first state championship in 59 years last season and once again relies on defense, allowing only 45 points per game.

Experience and poise tend to matter in March.

Prediction: Butler

Class 3A: Harlem vs. Cross Creek

Harlem (23-9) rides the energy of a three-headed attack in AJ Williams, Ty Shine and Jayden Futrell. The Bulldogs thrive on defense, forcing turnovers and converting them into offense. Their 11.7 steals per game help fuel a scoring average near 68 points.

But Cross Creek (26-5) enters Macon on a tear. The Razorbacks have won 18 straight games and haven’t lost since December. Frashad Tisby, Dontrell Jackson and company lead a program that already owns recent titles in 2021 and 2022.

The twist: Cross Creek is already 3–0 against Harlem this season. Beating a team four times is difficult — but the Razorbacks are playing their best basketball at the right time.

Prediction: Cross Creek

Class 4A: Pace Academy vs. St. Pius X

Few programs are as familiar with championship basketball as Pace Academy. The Knights (24-7) have captured titles in 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2023 and enter the finals on a 19-game winning streak behind Hayden Clay, Jaydon Avery, Gavin Fountain and Brielen Craft.

But the story of the classification belongs to St. Pius X. The Golden Lions (32-0) are the state’s lone undefeated team, averaging 75 points per game and chasing the first championship in program history. Harris Reynolds, D’Marley Elliott and Westin Keppen have anchored the historic run.

A powerhouse meets a perfect season. The team that handles the moment best will walk away with the trophy.

Prediction: St. Pius X

Class 5A: Woodward Academy vs. Alexander

In arguably the state’s deepest classification, two heavyweights remain.

Woodward Academy (25-6) features one of the most talented young rosters in Georgia. Jarvis Hays Jr., Myles Hayes and Bentley Lusakueno have led the War Eagles through a 15-game winning streak while averaging 73 points and dominating the glass. Woodward last won the title in 2020 and fell in last year’s championship.

Alexander (29-2) enters just as hot, riding a 24-game winning streak behind Gregory “Pops” Dunson, Jayden Crawford, Torian Greene and Marquise Leslie. The Cougars average 75 points per game and captured the state championship in 2023.

Expect a fast, physical matchup between two teams comfortable in big moments.

Prediction: Woodward Academy

Class 6A: Wheeler vs. Pebblebrook

Few programs carry the championship pedigree of Wheeler. The Wildcats (26-6) have won 10 state titles and returned this season with the expectation of defending last year’s crown.

Colben Landrew, Kevin Savage III, Amare James, Lamarrion Lewis and Jaron Saulsberry headline a starting five that has drawn national attention all season.

Pebblebrook (23-8) is chasing history. The Falcons are seeking the program’s first state championship and have leaned on balanced play from Zyree Brown, DJ McMillian, Jaylen Humphrey and Anthony Moon to reach the finals.

Pebblebrook has the defense and shooting to compete. But Wheeler’s experience and star power may be too much.

Prediction: Wheeler

By week’s end, seven teams will cut down nets inside the Centreplex.

For everyone else, the chase begins again — with another summer workout.