Two-time defending Class AAAA boys state champion Upson-Lee has opened the year 9-0 to extend its state-best winning streak to 72 games heading into tonight’s showdown with three-time defending Class A-Public state champion Wilkinson County. The Knights have kept up their championship pace, despite graduating their two-time Class AAAA Player of the Year Tye Fagan, who is suiting up for the Georgia Bulldogs this season. Travon Walker and Zyrice Scott are the leaders of this year’s squad. Walker is a 6-foot-5 defensive tackle and five-star football player committed to Georgia. On the hardwood, he is equally dominant. He averaged 12.2 ppg, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game last season and is off to an even stronger start to his senior season. Scott showed off his own prowess in the Knights’ 70-32 win over Monticello—turning in a 23 points and 11 assists performance.
Challenging Upson-Lee’s three-year grip on the classification will be a tall task, but there are several teams that are equipped to pull off a potential upset. St. Pius has finished state runner-up to Upson-Lee each of the past two seasons, and has a strong nucleus leading them this year. The Golden Lions lost their three-point threat with the graduation of Everett Lane, but Matt Gonzalo is an All-State guard that has come up big during St. Pius’ current seven-game winning streak.
Sandy Creek nearly upset Upson-Lee last year, but fell 52-51 in the state semis. The Patriots feature 6-foot-8 Drexel-commit TJ Bickerstaff and Newton transfer Keith Williams III, who averaged 16 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists with the Rams last season.
Henry County is off to a 9-1 start after going 18-11 last year, and Americus-Sumter sits at 7-1 after last year’s run to the second round. Baldwin, which defeated Americus-Sumter 60-59 to end their season, has been led by seniors Donte Justice and Justin Webb and sophomores Jermyus Simmons and William Freeman. Justice is a three-sport star (football, baseball) that netted 16 points in the Braves’ 76-58 win over Wilkinson County this past weekend. Webb stands 6-foot-6 and leads Baldwin’s rebounding efforts (6.7 per game) and is scoring 13.3 ppg. Simmons is experiencing a breakout sophomore season while averaging 11.9 ppg. Freeman has also come up huge this season, and led Baldwin past Hancock Central 68-67 with his season-high 23 points.
The Spalding girls captured the program’s historic first state title last season, and returned the majority of their championship squad for this year. The team is off to a solid 9-2 start, with both of its losses coming to Class A-Private state powerhouse Holy Innocents’. Sophomore Kierstyn Milner, junior Corriana Evans and senior Kayla Milner are all averaging double-digit scoring, but it is the Jags’ signature defense that remains their biggest difference maker.
Spalding will have plenty of challengers looking to spoil their attempt to defend the program’s maiden title. Flowery Branch, which advanced to the AAAAA final last year, is in Class AAAA now and has won its last seven games.
Perennial power Carver-Columbus has opened the year 8-0 and junior Olivia Cochran is a 6-foot-3 double-double machine and ESPN four-star recruit that dominates the paint.
Henry County is 11-1, with its only loss coming to Carver-Columbus (59-45) in its season opener. The Warhawks, however, are still looking to replace the production of Auburn-signee, and AAAA Player of the Year Brooke Moore.
Madison County fell to Spalding 55-53 in last year’s quarterfinals, and currently sits at 11-0. Sophomore point guard Kayla McPherson and senior forward Jordan Bailey are an effective one-two punch that has come up big for the Red Raiders this year.
