Class A Blog: Can the current No. 1 seeds in the power ratings hold on to those spots after the region tourmanents?

For the second consecutive season, Class A will utilize a power rating system to determine the state playoff teams, unlike the other classifications, where the top four finishers in this week’s region tournaments will advance to the post season.  In the power rating system, points are awarded for wins with wins over good teams garnering more points than victories over bad teams.

The teams with the top 16 power ratings will advance to the state playoffs, with region tournament champions receiving the top seeds based on their power rating. Then the classification will be divided – private schools on one side, public schools on the other. Here are next week’s likely No. 1 seeds after the region tournaments.

Boys Public

Portal has the top spot now, heading into the Region 3 tournament. The Panthers will have to hold off Calvary Day, a private school, and public school rival Treutlen, for the region championship.  If Portal falls, look for Seminole County, currently the top team in Region 1, to become the No. 1 seed.

Boys Private

Whitefield Academy, the 2012 Class A champions prior to the split championships last year, hold the No. 1 seed now.  Holding on to that rating will most likely mean that the Wolfpack will have to defeat Region 6 rival North Cobb Christian, currently the No. 2 team in the private school power rating, for a third time this season. Barring an upset the teams are probably headed for another showdown in the tournament championship game.

Girls Public

Claxton has the top seed right now, but in order to hold on to it, the Tigers may have to defeat private school Calvary Day in the Region 3 championship game this week.  The teams split during the regular season.  If Claxton falters, look for Randolph-Clay, the favorite to win the Region 1 tournament and current No. 2 in the power ratings, to claim the top seed.

Girls Private

Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy and Holy Innocents are in a tight battle for the top spot.  SACA over took the Bears this week by .02 of a point, even though Holy Innocents finished the regular season a perfect 23-0.  The Warriors will have the tougher road during their Region 6 tournament, where they will most likely face rival St. Francis in the title game.  St. Francis defeated SACA in last season’s private school state championship game, but SACA defeated the Knights in the teams’ lone meeting this season, 54-49.