Return of the Power Poll

GEORGIAHOOPS

Top 20 Power Poll – Jan. 15, 2008

The Power Poll is back after a month out of commission. A number of new teams have cracked the top 20 overall state rankings and a couple of familiar faces remain at the top.

1. Wheeler (14-2)
Notable victories: McEachern 87-78, Centennial 93-64, Walton 81-72, Bishop O'Connell (Va.) 76-70, Boys & Girls (N.Y.) 77-75
Notable losses: Findlay Prep (Nev.) 54-68, Duncanville (Texas) 57-69
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at Lassiter, Jan. 18 vs. Sprayberry
Last rank: 1
Notes: The Wildcats finished second at the Beach Ball Classic, losing to the nation's second best team Duncanville out of Texas in Dec. While in S.C., senior Dequan Jones looked like a McDonald's All-American and clearly separated himself from the rest of the pack. He's on a roll right now and there isn't a player in the senior class playing with as much confidence as he is right now.

2. Columbia (15-1)
Notable victories: Antioch (TN) 85-62, Miller Grove 82-64, Mays 56-54, LaSalle (Ohio) 65-62, Stone Mountain 70-61, Miller Grove 61-59
Notable loss: Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) 38-43
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at Tucker, Jan. 18 vs. SW Dekalb
Last rank: 5
Notes:: The Eagles could very easily sit atop the top spot in the state power rankings. Seniors Travis Leslie, Darius Morrow and Kenny Mitchell pose such a problem with their size and strength. The homestretch won't be easy for the AAAA powerhouse but the pumped up national schedule should help them in tournament play.

3. Norcross (13-1)
Notable victories: Collins Hill 76-43, Peachtree Ridge 70-37, Westlake Prep (Fla.) 81-44, Westlake 62-57, Helen Cox (La.) 59-48
Notable loss: Kathleen (Fla.) 45-51
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at Collins Hill, Jan. 18 at Forsyth Central, Jan. 19 vs. Dillard (Fla.)
Last rank: 4
Notes: The Blue Devils, particularly Al-Farouq Aminu, shined on the nationally-televised game against Helen Cox (La.) last week. Aminu dominated the match-up against Greg Monroe, the nation's top big man and certainly earned some respect with regards to Mr. Georgia Basketball. Florida powerhouse Dillard comes to Georgia this week and Norcross's tremendous defensive attack will be tested.

4. Westlake (15-2)
Notable victories: Creekside 76-61, Fayette County 65-59, IMG (Fla.) 60-55, Riverdale 53-52, Wenonah (Ala.) 45-43, Creekside 79-59
Notable losses: Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) 58-65, Norcross 57-62
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Woodward Academy, Jan. 19 vs. Arlington Country Day (Fla.) at Norcross
Last rank: 2
Notes: The Lions won the Peach State Classic and Oklahoma bound wing Ray Willis was named tournament MVP. He was also impressive at the Amare Stoudamire Invitational in Florida, where he was one of the top five players in the field. While there, the team met up with Norcross in a tremendous battle between two of the Peach State powers. The Lions lost it 62-57.

5. Savannah (14-0)
Notable victories: Liberty County 88-82 OT, Beach 65-50, Windsor Forest 89-78, Richmond Academy 72-53, Savannah Johnson 89-75, Jonesboro 61-45, Irmo (S.C.) 62-38, Tallahassee Lincoln (Fla.) 87-67, Bradwell Institute 76-69 (OT)
This week's schedule: Jan. 18 vs. Windsor Forest, Jan. 19 vs. Jenkins
Last rank: 20
Notes: Don't look now but the Blue Jackets are rolling. Led by guards Kevin Williams and Norris Rumph, the traditional power is the top team in talent-rich Savannah and will be a contender when the state tournament rolls along.

6. South Atlanta (16-1)
Notable victories: Douglass 83-68, Jeanette (Pa.) 96-57, Lincoln (N.Y.), Southside 85-55, Booker T. Washington (Va.) 90-46
Notable loss: St. Benedicts (N.J.) 43-57
This week's schedule: Jan. 19 vs. Campbell Hall, Calif. (at UCLA)
Last rank: 10
Notes: The Hornets have the best player in the state on the roster in junior center Derrick Favors and letting the big men do what he does best. The only loss came to the nation's top team at the Bojangles tournament in N.C. after Christmas. South Atlanta is beating teams from Georgia by an average of 30 points a game this year.

7. Dunwoody (12-3)
Notable victories: Rome 67-65, Chamblee 78-72 (OT), Scott County (Ky.) 86-65, Jackson (Fla.) 85-61, Lee (Fla.) 78-59
Notable loss: Blessed Trinity 68-73, Pace (Fla.) 67-72, Bishop O'Connell (Va.) 67-69
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at North Atlanta, Jan. 18 at Chamblee, Jan. 19 vs. American Christian (Pa.) at Norcross
Last rank: 8
Notes: Dunwoody looks to be back on the right track after a couple of tough losses, all of which came within five points or less. The Wildcats have one of the best starting five in the state and can contend with any team from Georgia. The region play is a major test and Scott Bracco and company will have their hands full with Tyreke Evans this Saturday.

8. Miller Grove (12-3)
Notable victories: Redan 51-50, Tucker 70-62, Wesleyan 53-51, Stone Mountain 83-81, Jeannette (Pa.) 76-65
Notable losses: Columbia 64-82, Archbishop Moeller (Ohio) 48-51 (OT), Columbia 59-61
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Lakeside Deklab, Jan. 18 vs. Washington
Last rank: 6
Notes: Miller Grove head coach Sharman White has a boyish face but look closely at his hair and you'll probably see a lot of gray hair sprouting up. His team likes to keep the games close. For the most part, the Deklab County school gets the win in the end. Guard play is the strength, led by junior Mfon Udofia and Justin Allen.

9. Randolph Clay (17-0)
Notable victories: Eufaula (Ala.) 90-75, Terrell Count 84-79, Eufaula (Ala.) 91-69, Terrell County 74-54, Wilkinson County 79-73
This week's schedule: Jan. 18 vs. Fitzgerald, Jan. 19 at Brooks County
Last rank: NR
Notes: One of the most storied programs in the state continues to win by big margins and knock off the top teams on the schedule. Head coach Joe Williams reached 1,000 wins in midseason.

10. Blessed Trinity (15-0)
Notable victories: Dunwoody 73-68; Marietta 50-35, Chamblee 75-68
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Riverwood, Jan. 18 vs. Westminster
Last rank: 7
Notes: The Titans have three major victories under their belt and have taken care of every challenge since the start of the year. In order to move up further the power poll and pass Dunwoody, a team they beat on the road, Blessed Trinity will need to rack up more notable victories. So far, so good in that department.

11. Centennial (11-3)
Notable victories: Whitefield Academy 51-43, Craigmont (Tenn.) 81-79 (OT), La Cueva (N.M.) 64-63, Rose Hill Academy (Ky.) 55-53
Notable losses: Wheeler 64-93, Lone Peak (Utah) 57-75, Mason County (Ky.) 57-81
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at Northview, Jan. 18 vs. Roswell, Jan. 19 vs. Walton
Last rank: 3

12. Lithia Springs (15-1)
Notable victories: Villa Rica 88-80, Alexander 85-67, Newnan 74-58, Pebblebrook 58-55, Hiram 93-74, Decatur 55-54 (OT), Woodland 81-52,
Notable loss: Spartanburg 72-73 (OT)
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at South Paulding, Jan. 18 vs. Alexander, Jan. 19 at Osborne
Last rank: NR

13. Jordan (16-0)
Notable victories: Shaw 71-69, Northside 74-69
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Harris County, Jan. 18 vs. LaGrange
Last rank: 12

14. Marietta (14-2)
Notable victories: Campbell 56-45, Harrison 59-53, Kansas City Ruskin (Mo.) 60-55, San Diego (Calif.) 58-46, McEachern 74-58,
Notable losses: Blessed Trinity 35-50, Whitefield Academy 54-66
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at North Cobb, Jan. 19 vs. Campbell
Last rank: NR

15. Mundy's Mill (14-1)
Notable victories: Shaw 54-51, Druid Hills 67-60, Southwest Atlanta Christian 61-47, Riverdale 70-62, Tri-Cities 54-46, Newnan 76-62
Notable losses: Hiram 64-77
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 at Hiram, Jan. 18 at Tri-Cities, Jan. 19 vs. North Clayton
Last rank: NR

16. Douglass (12-1)
Notable victories: Newton 51-47, Stephenson 75-72, Redan 51-48, Newnan 53-44, Southside 72-49
Notable losses: South Atlanta 68-83
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Newton, Jan. 18 at Stephenson
Last rank: NR

17. Glenn Hills 13-2
Notable victories: Josey 64-53, Richmond Academy 75-60, Laney 67-52, Laney 69-52, Washington County 43-40 (OT)
Notable losses: North Augusta (S.C.) 47-49, Craigmont (Tenn.) 58-59
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Butler, Jan. 18 at Harlem, Jan. 19 vs. Hephzibah
Last rank: NR

18. Wesleyan (13-2)
Notable victories: Collins Hill 72-52, Dacula 55-48, Collins Hill 72-52
Notable losses: Christ School (N.C.) 72-74, Miller Grove 51-53
This week's schedule: Jan. 18 vs. Buford, Jan. 19 at GAC
Last rank: 15

19. Hancock Central (14-1)
Notable victories: Washington County 45-41, Washington County 50-37
Notable loss: Wilkinson County 52-64
This week's schedule: Jan. 15 vs. Twiggs County, Jan. 18 vs. Georgia Military, Jan. 19 vs. Wilkinson County
Last rank: NR

20. Appling County (14-1)
Notable victories: Bacon County 66-52, Bacon County 51-36, Long County 69-67 (OT),
Notable loss: Worth County 55-56
This week's schedule: Jan. 18 at Pierce County, Jan. 19 at Charlton County
Last rank: NR

Ranking the regions: #6 2-AAAAA

6. 2-AAAAA

Power teams: M.L. King, the team with the most balance and experience, is always a threat in the post-season. Look at last year's team. The Lions made it to the state Final Four. Big man Greg Henry and wing Demetrius Bates are a great 1-2 punch but this team is built on balance and toughness. The last three games of the regular season are on the road and against the top teams in the region. The Lions must close out strong.

Let's be honest. No one thought Douglass would be a contender this year. Except for the Astros. The team is incredibly athletic and relies on guard play of Reggie Slater, Derrick Spears and Rodney Wright. The only loss this season came at the hand of South Atlanta. The next four games will prove their worth as the Astros play the top four teams in 2-AAAAA in a row.

Redan big man Kenny Hall is one of the best players in the state that no one talks about. Dare we even say he could be a McDonald's All-American level player by the time it is all said and done. He's a super talent with super upside. But as history has shown, it's about the five guys on the floor and not just the one. If and when Redan can find some quality guard play, the team's depth inside will truly shine.

Stephenson is a tricky one to project. The team has plenty of talent, evident by the scoring prowess of junior Adrien Coleman, the length of senior Will Tolefree and the speed of junior Kevin Dukes but the team lacks consistency. They are scary enough to beat anyone in the region.

Sleepers: Keep an eye on Newton. The Covington school is a scrappy bunch and has knocked off Redan and kept it close with Douglass. They aren't out of the picture by any stretch of the matter.

Notes: Teams out of 2-AAAAA have always faired well in the state tournament, advancing to the Final Four nearly every year. Don't be surprised to see one of these clubs to do the same thing this year.

Playoff projection: Douglass, M.L. King, Redan, Stephenson

Counting down the regions

7. 5-AAAA

8. 2-AAAA

9. 5-AAAAA

10. 6-AA

Kennesaw State taps into Kennesaw Mountain

Kennesaw Mountain point guard Spencer Dixon didn't have to look very far for college. The 6-foot senior is taking his game down the street to Kennesaw State.

Dixon told Georgia Hoops on Monday night that he was ready to suit up for Tony Ingle next season. The Owls secured one of the top uncommitted point guards in the area in Dixon.

The Kennesaw Mountain star was named tournament MVP in Florida at the Bishop Moore Classic, where he scored 34 points in the championship game against Fort Myers. He also rebounded seven shots and handed out eight assists in the game.

Dixon is the 38th Division I basketball commitment in the 2008 in Georgia.

WilCo wins Middle Georgia match-up

IRWINTON, GA -- Tucked away in the rural confines of middle Georgia, two basketball hungry communities stuffed themselves into The Palace, an aptly named gym at Wilkinson County High School.

What they got on Friday night was equivalent to that of a barn-storming boxing tour of the 1950s.

Wilkinson County relied on pressure defense, key shooting, ball control and an athletic play from senior Jamaal Day and key shots from senior Branden Duncan to hold on for a 62-54 win over Hancock Central, the number one team in Class A.

Day broke down the Hancock defense and powered his way to the basket for an uncontested dunk with four minutes to play, swinging the emotional momentum to Wilkinson County's side. From there, the Warriors (12-4) never looked back.

Duncan drilled a three-pointer after Hancock (13-1) nailed a long ball and patiently scored at the foul line. From there, Wilkinson County coach Aaron Geter pulled the ball out and controlled the clock and the lead until the final buzzer.

Day finished with 23 points and found his grove in the fourth quarter. The prior three quarters of action were sloppy and filled with ill-advised shots from the senior. Nevertheless, he fought through it.

Wilkinson County had no match for Hancock Central junior forward Kammeon Holsey, who was dominate inside the paint throughout the game.

Holsey, a 6-foot-7 post, put together a great night's work, scoring a game high 29 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the defeat. He was unstoppable in the low post and was poised at the foul line, converting 13 of 19 from the charity stripe.

His 12-point, seven rebound third quarter helped spark the Bulldogs and brought the game within two points to enter the fourth quarter.

The scene at The Palace was middle Georgia's version of life at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The old-timers lined the sideline seating like Jack Nicholas and Diane Cannon. Want to talk hardcore Georgia high school basketball? Pull up a chair next to someone on this row or the gentleman that brings his trademark spirit stick, a staple at Wilkinson County games for years. He's easy to find, always sitting at midcourt on the first row of the bleachers.

The Hancock Central faithful stacked 'em deep behind the Bulldog bench and certainly embodied the name of their hometown, Sparta.

One courtside observer said, "This game reminds me of a Baldwin game." That is about as good of a compliment one Wilkinson County fan can give as the WilCo-Baldwin rivalry is one of the best in the Southeast.

Maybe next year the locals will say at the Baldwin game, "This game reminds me a lot of the Hancock Central game last year."

The two Class A powers meet again next Saturday at Hancock Central.

Ranking the regions: #7 5-AAAA

Our countdown continues as we break down the top regions in the state. Today's edition focuses on one of the toughest regions in AAAA.

7. 5-AAAA

Power teams: Lithia Springs might be the most underrated, underappreciated and undervalued team in the Atlanta area. The Lions are a well-balanced attack and don't have one star on the roster but a great all-around team. This group will scrap with anyone and embody head coach Jason Slate's intense mentality. Don't be surprised to see the Lions finish the year deep into the state tournament.

In his second year at the helm at Pebblebrook, head coach Bennie Gibbs has helped turn the program around in a quick hurry. The Falcons boast great speed, a great scorer in Chris Beasley and an experienced senior in Chris Deny. Pebblebrook won't win the battles inside but they have been incredibly successful with speed and toughness.

Cherokee continues to play it's brand of basketball – high-energy, three-pointers and tough-nosed defense. The Warriors have good balance in the backcourt with Ryan Fleming, Chase Waters and Michael Kvam. The frontcourt is anchored by Shawn Kemp, Jr., a 6-foot-9 defensive presence inside. Only two teams on the remaining Cherokee schedule are below the .500 line. Keep an eye on how they finish the season. The talent and coaching is there to do some damage.

Notes: Lithia Springs hasn't lost to a state foe all season long and the lone loss was a one-point defeat in a helter skelter game in a tournament against Spartanburg (S.C.). Lithia Springs has only lost two games to in-state opponents in the last two years. That’s saying something.

Jan. 25 is the date to watch. That is when Lithia Springs plays at Pebblebrook.

Hillgrove is looking like a contender, even in it's infancy of a program. Sophomore big man Heath Houston has a chance to be one of the top big men in the region down the road.

Playoff projection: Lithia Springs, Pebblebrook, Cherokee, Hillgrove

Counting down the regions

8. 2-AAAA

9. 5-AAAAA

10. 6-AA

ALL Farouq Aminu

With the national lights of ESPN glaring and a nationwide audience watching, Norcross senior Al-Farouq Aminu was the best player in the nation on Thursday night as he led his Blue Devils to a 59-48 win over Louisiana's Helen Cox High School.

Aminu, the top ranked senior in Georgia, scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a highly anticipated match-up against Greg Monroe, the nation's number one player in the nation.

Norcross started the game slow, watching Helen Cox climb out to a 12-0 lead but Aminu responded and scored all 12 of Norcross's points. He defended the post well, grabbing a couple of steals against Monroe, who scored just nine points (4-16 FG).

Aminu showed off his versatility, athleticism, great bounce and length against his Louisiana foe and it wasn't even close as to who the better player was between the two of them. Aminu, who was playing in front of his future college coaching staff, was confident and collected on the national stage. It was his best effort of the season.

Monroe has struggled in nearly all of his national match-ups this season and looks nothing like the player that dominated the individual camps over the spring and summer in 2007. Norcross double and triple-teamed Monroe throughout the game and A.J. Hawkins stepped up on the defensive end of the floor against Monroe.

Norcross plays North Gwinnett on back-to-back nights. The Blue Devils tip off at 8:30 tonight at North Gwinnett.

Ranking the regions: #8 2-AAA

8. 2-AAA

Columbus basketball is always competitive and with Jordan's state championship last year in AAA, it certainly proved just how good the teams and players are in the border town.

Power teams: Jordan has won 19 games in a row, dating back to last season and judging by the way the team is playing so far this season, the Red Jackets don't appear to be slowing down.

Terrence Hill, one of the most under-appreciated guards in the state, leads the charge for defending state champs. Morehead State bound Steve Peterson is having a strong year and Winfred Ivey is a jet quick floor general that gets this high-powered, incredibly fast team rolling.

Twin towers Torin Walker and James Vincent form one of the biggest frontlines in the entire state for Columbus Northside. The two 6-foot-9 juniors are tough to stop as Walker's a versatile and athletic four man while Vincent is a naturally strong center that is impossible to move inside the paint.

Don't sleep on Shaw either. In fact, the Raiders have a team worthy of winning the region and making a splash in the state tournament. Anchored by balance and a number of contributing juniors, head coach Terry White leans on Maliek Daniels and Khiry White. The Raiders are a team to watch down the home stretch.

Sleepers: Carver, a usually strong program, is struggling this year as the team's top players (Jarmon Fortson and Jarvis Jones) spent the first half of the year wrapped up in football. Last year's 23-4 team is starting to regain it's confidence in the second semester. They could very well rebound and finish the year strong in the region.

Simply put, we're not quite sure what to think of Spencer. And that might be why they are so intriguing. The Greenwave are guard oriented and rely heavily on a quartet of undersized and quick guards to do the damage. You just never know with them. And that's a scary thing when trying to prepare for them.

Notes: Georgia Hoops will be headed down I-85 on Jan. 26 when Jordan travels to Northside in what should be a great battle of the Columbus powers. Speed versus size. We'll see who takes the cake in that one. The win could also have huge implications for the region tournament.

Playoff projection: Jordan, Shaw, Northside, LaGrange

Counting down the regions

9. 5-AAAAA

10. 6-AA

Lights, camera and hopefully plenty of action

Tonight is the night. Al-Farouq Aminu and his nationally-ranked Norcross team play host to Greg Monroe and his Helen Cox team from Louisiana.

Aminu, the top rated senior in the state, and Monroe, the top ranked senior in the nation, will lock horns in one of the top match-ups of the year. The two are projected McDonald's All-Americans.

ESPN2 will televise the game nationally. Norcross had to install new lighting, according a report in the AJC today, to accommodate ESPN.

Tickets are no longer $5 each. To see the game, all fans must shell out $10 for the game. While the line won't be wrapping around Norcross like last year's first round state playoff game against Wheeler, the fans will certainly fill to capacity.

Sources told Georgia Hoops that a couple of NBA scouts could be in the house (incognito, of course) and several pro eyes will be watching from the comforts of a leather sofa in an office somewhere.

This is kind of a big deal.

Aminu and his Norcross mates are used to the national spotlight. They have played on ESPN before. The Blue Devils are familiar with national match-ups and performing in front of big crowds. Norcross is nationally ranked (No. 13 overall) in the latest USA Today top 25 poll.

Helen Cox is on a country-wide barn-storming tour. The Harvey, La., based school has played in Houston, Florida, Oregon and now in Georgia so far this season.

Monroe, a 6-foot-10 forward headed to Georgetown, has struggled on the national stage so far this season. He's usually good for 20 points and 10 rebounds a game but struggles to find his spot in each game.

Helen Cox also boasts 6-11 center Travon Flores, who recently committed to Marist and 6-4 guard Calvin Thompson, who signed with Howard in the fall.

For Norcross, this game marks the first major challenge since last year's state tournament within the state borders. The Blue Devils are beating teams by an average of 33 points a game. The closest game Norcross has had in-state this year was a 33-point win against Collins Hill in the season opener. Norcross is holding teams to an average of 41.1 points a game this year.

Monroe and Aminu are familiar with each other. The two have played against each other before on the AAU circuit as well as the Nike camps and USA Basketball camps. Both players are skilled big men. Aminu's more athletic and skilled with the ball while Monroe is a great shot-blocker and the best passing big man in the nation.

What happens tonight? Norcross's defensive pressure will be too much for Helen Cox's backcourt, a group of players that demand the ball in their hands instead of feeding the post, the team's obvious strength. Aminu and Monroe should both post 20 and 10 like numbers.

Get ready for tip-off. The nation will certainly be watching.

Ranking the regions: #9 5-AAAAA

Have you ever wondered what regions are the best regions in the state for boys high school basketball? Georgia Hoops has. We decided to rank the top 10 in the state. We'll countdown from 10 to one this week. Agree? Disagree? Just let us know in the comments section at the bottom of the story.

9. 5-AAAAA

Power teams: Marietta has all of the ingredients for post-season success. They have size, anchored by East Tennessee State bound J.C. Ward. They have experience with and a point guard that knows how to run his team in junior Chris Tanzy. The Blue Devils are a dangerous team this year and will challenge all comers in the post-season.

McEachern won the Kingdom of the Sun tournament in Florida in December and the only three losses have come against top level teams within Cobb County this year. But no one really knows just how good this team will be this year. Defensively, this team is better than it gets credit for. Guard Trae Golden is the toughest guard to stop in the state while Richmond bound big man Darrius Garrett is having a strong senior year.

Harrison have been a surprise this season to us. The Hoyas have great size, a proven leader in College of Charleston bound wing Matt Sundberg and good size from top to bottom. Harrison could potentially an Elite Eight team in AAAAA.

Sleepers: Every year there seems to be a surprise in this region, especially in the region tournament. Just ask McEachern. The Indians, a potential Elite Eight team last year, lost in the first round of the tournament and ended the season early.

Keep an eye out for Campbell. The Spartans have a team that could contend this year as the season rolls along. This team has good size, can defend and have proven themselves so far this season as a team that can handle the pressure of the big game.

South Cobb is a dangerous .500 level club. The team has good experience and will scrap with anyone. The rest of the schedule for the Eagles is favorable and this team is starting to hit it's stride at the right time.

Etowah boasts a team full of seniors and size. That always goes far in the post-season.

Random thoughts: Keep an eye on out on the region tournament. You just never know how this league shakes out. Circle Feb. 5 on the calendar. That is when Marietta travels to McEachern for a great Cobb County battle.

Playoff projection: Marietta, McEachern, Harrison, Etowah

Counting down the regions

10. 6-AA

Warriors come out to play

ATLANTA -- For the first time in what feels like forever, Southwest Atlanta Christian is laying low under the radar. And the class A powerhouse likes being in that position.

The Warriors might not be in that position for very much longer though. SACA held on for a 78-73 win over Banneker at the Dwight Howard II gymnasium on Tuesday night.

Led by sophomore Jalen Kendricks (pictured) and seniors Joel Lamb and Dorian Smith, the Warriors came away with a hard fought win. Kendricks, a multi-skilled 6-5 wing, was outstanding in the win as he scored 24 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out seven assists.

Lamb, a Charleston Southern signee, scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, while Smith scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out six assists.

Banneker made it close in the fourth quarter, scoring 35 points in the final eight minutes of the game. They scored 38 points in the first three quarters. Led by unsigned seniors Ed Dudley (18 points) and Kenton Harper (18 points, 12 rebounds), Banneker couldn't close the door in the end.

Southwest Atlanta Christian (13-3) will be a tough team in 2008. They have talent and size at the right positions. With a huge game on Saturday against Whitefield Academy, the Warriors have a chance to solidify themselves even further with a win at home. The game was originally scheduled to play at Ben Hill Recreation Center but it will be played at SACA at 7:30. Get there early as the gym will certainly fill up fast.

Coaches from Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State were on hand for the game.

What we learned:

- Kendricks will battle with Trae Golden of McEachern for the top spot in the 2010 state player rankings over the next two and a half years. Kendricks is the real deal. He's a Jalen Rose type of player.

- SACA has a chance to win another class A state title. This might be the most balanced team ever under Courtney Brooks' direction.

- Charleston Southern got a steal in Lamb. He's getting stronger and playing well under the basket. He'd be best served with a red-shirt year to continue to fill out.

- Banneker has talent. They just have to find some consistency and balance in its approach.

Ranking the regions: #10 6-AA

Have you ever wondered what regions are the best regions in the state for boys high school basketball? Georgia Hoops has. We decided to rank the top 10 in the state. We'll countdown from 10 to one this week. Agree? Disagree? Just let us know in the comments section at the bottom of the story.

10. 6-AA

Power teams: Wesleyan looks like a heavy favorite to win the AA state championship thanks in large part to the return of Georgia signee Howard Thompkins. He's been one of the toughest players to defend in the state this year and has the Wolves playing good basketball. The team has only lost two games and both games were lost by a bucket.

Greater Atlanta Christian is quietly enjoying a nice year at the AA level. The Spartans are young and gave good size and a well-balanced guard attack. Every year there is a team like this one that does good work in the post-season. It would surprise me if this team makes it to Macon.

Sleepers: Decatur is having a strong season and with wins over Riverdale, Houston and Lovett, the Bulldogs have a strong body of work. A one-point overtime loss to Lithia Springs has value, too. Don't be surprised if this team can sneak into the post-season again.

Notes: The depth in the south division of this region is strong. In fact, all four playoff teams from the 6-AA region should come out of the south based on talent alone. That won't be the case because of the way the region playoffs work out and the top two teams from each sub-region move on. That could be bad news for the likes of Wesleyan, GAC, Avondale and/or Decatur.

Random thoughts: Jan. 19 and Feb. 1. Circle those dates on your calendar. That is when Wesleyan and GAC lock horns in what looks to be a great region rivalry series.

Playoff projection: Wesleyan, GAC, Lovett, Pace

City Search: Atlanta

I filed a big story on Atlanta basketball for Rivals.com on Friday. In the piece, I ranked the top 20 overall players in the city regardless of class, highlighted some of the top young players in the area, featured some of the top sleepers and the top five teams in the area.

For the full premium story, click here.

Last second drama

I had a chance to go to Georgia State on Wednesday afternoon as the Panthers played host to CAA power George Mason. The outcome? How about a tremendous comeback from Rod Barnes' club and a last-second game-winning shot from former Campbell High School star Leonard Mendez? Georgia State won in a tremendous comeback 66-64 at the Sports Arena in downtown.

After being down by 13 to start the second half, the Panthers responded to a long halftime speech from coach Barnes and turned the game around. Mendez led the team with 19 points. This was the first major win for Barnes in his short tenure at the GSU helm.

This was my first trip to see the Panthers in over three years and the mood, attitude, appearance and product that Georgia State has now is a tremendous difference than what it used to be.

Get ready to hear a lot about the Panthers down the road. They have fine tools to work with, including a number of former high-major players on the bench that transferred in and have to sit this season. They are recruiting the state really well, evident by North Clayton's Andre Malone (2009) on hand for the game as well as 2008 signee James "Boom" Fields of Savannah Beach.

The staff is hitting the home state hard and in a competitive CAA, the games are entertaining. HERE is a schedule for the remainder of the season.

Home sweet home

After a month long, country wide tour, Georgia Hoops is finally home.

I spent a good part of the month traveling across the country for my national coverage for Rivals.com. I started the month for a week's work in Huntington Beach, California for the Ocean View Tournament of Champions.

While on the West Coast, I saw two of the best guards in the nation in Jrue Holiday (a UCLA signee) and Demar Derozan (a Southern Cal signee) in action. The duo knows how to get it done.

The following week, I traveled to Fort Myers, Florida for the annual City of Palms tournament. This is my favorite event to cover each and every year. The fine folks of the tournament know how to run a big time event. Donnie Wilkie is one of the true gentleman in high school basketball tournaments.

Fayette County made the 1,000 mile round trip to the event and suffered a tough loss. Junior Noel Johnson put on a show, though. He shot seven of 10 to start the game and put up 21 points in the first half. Johnson was dominant on the offensive end of the floor. His legs ran out of gas in the second half and he finished with 31 points (11-23 FG, 2-8 from 3, 7-7 FT).

His offense isn't just about hitting threes anymore. Johnson did more off the bounce, scored more by creating for himself and went to the rim for buckets. He's one of the top pure scorers in his class and showed why in Fort Myers.

St. Benedicts out of New Jersey won the event and proved why they are the number one team in the nation.

Two days home with the family and a visit from Saint Nick was mixed into the calendar. That was the best two days of the month.

Another jump on a trusty Delta plane and a stop in Raleigh, N.C. yielded a great day of hoops at the GlaxoSmithKline Invitational at Broughton High School, the same gym where Pistol Pete Maravich did his thing as a prep star.

A three hour drive south to the Charlotte area placed us at the Bojangles Shootout, where South Atlanta and Miller Grove did some work.

Junior Derrick Favors put on a show on the first day of action, posting 42 points, 20 rebounds and 12 blocks. Too bad we missed it. He was an easy choice for the all-tournament team despite foul trouble in his other two games.

South Atlanta had a tremendous comeback against Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln. Down by 18 points to start the fourth quarter, the Hornets won the fourth quarter and held on for one of the best comebacks I've ever seen.

Senior Robert Jones stepped up big in Favors' absence. He put up 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.

Junior Mfon Udofia also made the all-tournament team. He was a 20-point scorer all week for Miller Grove as they went 2-1 in the event.

I saw too many games to count and after seeing what a good part of the nation has to offer for talent, I'll stand by my thought that Georgia is the best place in the nation for high school hoops.

What's next? Good question. Getting back in the gyms around the state is the first order of business. I'll be making stops in central Georgia to start this month and then stop by the two major events at Norcross (Jan. 19) and Centennial (Jan. 21).

The power poll will be updated in the near future as well as a couple of other items of business. With football season now in the books. all eyes are on the hardwood. Are you watching? I will be.

Blue Devils put on the full court press

SUWANEE -- Norcross must be sending a message this season. The two-time defending AAAAA state champions are off to a hot start in the young season and dominated region rival Peachtree Ridge on Thursday night on the road.

The Blue Devils defended their way to a 70-37 stomping of the Lions and made it look easy. Norcross came out firing from the start thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from junior guards Taariq Muhammad and Denzail Jones.

Norcross never looked back despite a Peachtree Ridge run that lasted all of four minutes. The Blue Devils did a great job with the press and just forced the Lions into turnover after turnover.

Al-Farouq Aminu, the state's top senior, made it look easy, scoring 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, had four big blocks, dished out three assists and collected a couple of steals. He is the most complete player in the state regardless of class.

Muhammad scored 18 points and had nine assists while Jones added 12 points.

What we learned:

- This Norcross club is finding its own identity early in the season. The big three from last year (Gani Lawal, Tony Neysmith and Jordan DeMercy) have been replaced by this year's big three (Aminu, Muhammad and Jones). The current big three have difficult skills than last year's club but similarly effective.

Aminu creates such much havoc defensively because of his length and agility. Muhammad is a great set up man with a developing three point shot and Jones, the energy spark in the backcourt, is a sharp-shooter. In 7-AAAAA, no one can match-up with them. In fact, we believe they will go undefeated against state teams this year in the regular season.

- The Blue Devils look like a team with a lot to prove this season and they've been doing it on the defensive end first and foremost this year. They might be a better defensive team in terms of overall quickness and keeping teams from getting the ball across the mid line than they were last year.

- Peachtree Ridge lost its big four from last year (Kevin Anderson, Zach Graham, Cameron Heyward and Bassy Inameti) and is currently going through a youth movement. The Ridge has a key senior in Bryen Pyles, who struggled mightily against Norcross, but the future is looking very strong. We were incredibly impressed with Khalid Mutakabbir, a 6-3 junior guard. He's a do-everything player that has a chance to be an emerging player in the state this year and beyond.

Freshman Cory Blackwell has created quite a buzz with his hot start this year and there were flashes of good things to come from the youngster in the defeat. He's big, strong and active.

Geogians finding fit in a Flash

Apparently there is a Georgia to Utah pipeline building. The Utah Flash of the National Basketball Developmental League has a three former Cobb County players involved with its team.

Former McEachern star Morris Almond was assigned to the Flash on Thursday by the Utah Jazz. Former Walton guard Kevin Kruger was the first selection by the Flash in the NBDL draft two months ago. Former Sprayberry guard Kevin Young is the Director of Operations for the club.

Almond, a 6-6, 225-pound guard out of Rice has appeared in three games for the Jazz, playing a total of 12 scoreless minutes. The Powder Springs native was selected by the Jazz in the first round (25th overall selection) of the 2007 NBA Draft.

Kruger, a 6-2, 185-pound guard from UNLV/Arizona State is second on the team in scoring (13.3) and tops in assists (6.3), three point shooting (36 percent) and free throw shooting (92.9 percent).

Young is in his first year with the Flash. He was the head coach and general manager for the Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, Ireland prior to coming back to the United States. He played at Clayton State for two years before his coaching career.

The Flash, a NBDL team and affiliate of the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics, are 3-3 on the season.

Plenty of Favors in South Atlanta blowout

COLLEGE PARK -- Total domination. That is about is about as good of a description as it gets in South Atlanta's 80-48 win over North Clayton on Tuesday night.

Derrick Favors, the top player in the state, dominated the game in every possible way in the blowout win. The 6-9 center scored 24 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, blocked 10 shots and had four steals in the victory.

South Atlanta set the tone early with its physical play, attention to defense and Favors' presence in the paint. The Hornets went into the halftime break with a 15-point lead. If that wasn't enough, a 26-4 third quarter slammed the door shut with a bang.

It wasn't a close one and things just were not clicking for North Clayton, a young team that should have a fine year this season. But when the state's best player is having the kind of game he was having on Tuesday night, there just isn't much a team can do.

What we learned:

- One observer that we sat with said Favors is better than Dwight Howard at this same stage and that the youngster from South Atlanta is a clone of Tim Duncan. That is strong company and it is hard to disagree with the notion that Favors is more skilled than Howard. The gap is small in my eyes simply because Dwight Howard was the best player I've ever seen here in Georgia. With a year and a half left, Favors could very well take Howard's spot in my eyes. He's an incredible, incredible talent.

- This did not look like the same South Atlanta team I saw last month in the ugly scrimmage against Redan. South Atlanta showed it's defensive tenacity and took the wind out of the sails early with intense pressure from end to end.

- North Clayton's band was great. They were fun to watch and their energy was the only thing that had the home crowd nodding in approval.

Weekly Wrap-Up: Vol. 3

This week's weekly wrap-up is shortened. We wanted to at least post the players of the week, the updated teams seen list and our schedule for this week. Hope to see you on the road along the way.

Week 2 Superlatives

Top player of the week: Jordan Callahan, PG, Blessed Trinity

Top senior of the week: Dequan Jones, SF, Wheeler

Top unsigned senior of the week: Jordan Callahan, PG, Blessed Trinity

Top junior of the week: Ari Stewart, PF/SF, Wheeler

Top junior sleeper of the week: Alioune Diouf, SF, McEachern

Top sophomore of the week: Phil Taylor, PG, Wheeler

Top freshman of the week: None

Georgia teams evaluated to date this season

26 – Blessed Trinity, Centennial, Chamblee, Collins Hill, Columbia, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dominion Christian, Dunwoody, East Coweta, Heirway Academy, Marist, McEachern, McNair, Mill Creek, Miller Grove, Milton, Northview, Redan, Riverdale, Sandy Creek, South Atlanta, South Cobb, Stephenson, Wheeler (twice), Whitefield Academy (twice)

Total games: 14

On tap for this week

Dec. 4 – South Atlanta at North Clayton

Dec. 6 – Norcross at Peachtree Ridge

Dec. 7 – Westlake at Fayette County

Dec. 8 – Mt. Zion-Jonesboro Hoopfest:

11:30 Griffin vs. Lassiter

4:00 Mount Zion vs. Shiloh

7:00 Miller Grove vs. Wesleyan

8:30 Jonesboro vs. Pebblebrook

All games are tentative.

Top 10 games of the week

You thought last week was interesting? Wait until this week. There are a number of quality match-ups in the state this week. We picked the top 10 and give our thoughts on each.

No. 3 Centennial at No. 1 Wheeler, Friday, Dec. 7

Another week, another big game at Wheeler. The Wildcats have an even bigger challenge after picking apart McEachern in last week's match-up of top 10 programs. This week isn't looking any easier. The region rivals square off in a great match-up. Centennial brought its entire team to Wheeler for the McEachern and Whitefield scrimmages while Wheeler is playing better than any team in the state. If the Wildcats can shoot like they did against McEachern, watch out. If Centennial can utilize of all it's tools, watch out. Buckle up, this one will be a lot of fun.

Georgia Hoops pick: Wheeler

No. 5 Columbia at No. 6 Miller Grove, Tuesday, Dec. 4

Hiding in the shadows of the Wheeler-Centennial game this week is this game of a game on Tuesday night. The two Dekalb County powers will grind it out in what should be one of the best games of the year. No one is playing better individually in the state right now than Mfon Udofia. And there might not be a better overall team from top to bottom in the state than Columbia. This one will be fun and it will be close.

Georgia Hoops pick: Columbia

No. 2 Westlake at No. 16 Fayette County, Friday, Dec. 7

This is one of the best rivalry games in the state and this year's series could be at an all-time high. Fayette County won the battle last year, winning two of the three games. Westlake is hot right now but Fayette County's Noel Johnson might be just a little hotter. We will be there for the match-up and expect to see this one go down to the wire.

Georgia Hoops pick: Fayette County

No. 6 Miller Grove vs. No. 15 Wesleyan at Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, Saturday, Dec. 8

Both teams have had major tests early on. Miller Grove will be coming off of a tough game against Columbia and Wesleyan will be ready for this one. The question has to be how much will the Columbia game take out of Miller Grove and how will Wesleyan defend Mfon Udofia?

Georgia Hoops pick: Miller Grove

No. 10 South Atlanta at North Clayton, Tuesday, Dec. 4.

If it weren't for the airport nearby, the noise from the gym in this one would echo through the south side of the city on Tuesday night. We are going to be in the building for this county border war. South Atlanta's Derrick Favors is off to a hot start and North Clayton is coming off a big win at Phillips Arena. Last year's match-up at the same time came down to one bucket. We don't anticipate this one being that close. South Atlanta's defense is just too strong thanks to Favors inside.

Georgia Hoops pick: South Atlanta

No. 8 Dunwoody at Rome, Saturday, Dec. 8

Dunwoody beat the brakes off of Rome last year at home. This year a trip to North Georgia has a different feel. After losing the season opener, the Wildcats should be playing with more fire and more determination to prove themselves. Rome matches up well with Dunwoody inside, especially with Wake Forest bound Tony Woods holding up the middle. It should be a close one for the first half. Dunwoody will likely push the gas down and floor it until the final buzzer.

Georgia Hoops pick: Dunwoody

Baldwin at Hancock Central, Saturday, Dec. 8

Hancock Central could crack the power poll this week if they can string together a nice run of victories. This game against Baldwin could push the class A team over the hump. No one is hotter right now in single A than Hancock Central. This game will have the gym rocking. If you ever have a chance to see them at home, do it. The folks at both schools know how to get a gym loud.

Georgia Hoops pick: Hancock Central

Turner County at Tift County, Saturday, Dec. 8

Keep an eye on both of these teams. Turner County, a class A program, is young and big while Tift County, a traditional power, always has a team ready to play. Turner County travels to Tifton and will be met with a hostile crowd on opening night for Tift County within the state and too much speed to deal with.

Georgia Hoops pick: Tift County

Tri-Cities at Mundy's Mill, Friday, Dec. 7

Mundy's Mill cracked into the coaches' poll on Tuesday, checking in at No. 5 in AAAAA. We'll admit it, we probably slept on the Tigers. Tri-Cities is a big-time defensive team but a game on the road with a hot team might be too much. Keep an eye on Todd Salters, he's a sleeper at the point and playing to win and earn a scholarship this year for Mundy's Mill.

Georgia Hoops pick: Mundy's Mill

Pebblebrook vs. Jonesboro at Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, Saturday, Dec. 8

This will be a track meet. And we can't wait. Georgia Hoops will be on hand for this one. Both clubs enter the week undefeated and could very well be come Saturday. Jonesboro guard Brandon Hosley is off to a hot start, putting up big numbers. His counterpart, Chris Beasley, is off to a similar start.

Georgia Hoops pick: Jonesboro

Note: All of the rankings for teams are from the preseason power poll. This will be updated on Monday. We went 6-3 in our picks from last week.

Top 20 Power Poll: Week 1

WHEELER STILL ON TOP, THREE NEW TEAMS IN

With the season's first full week of work in the books, the Top 20 Power Poll has a couple of big shifts, three new teams in and a number of key match-ups to watch this week.

1. Wheeler (1-0)
Notable victories: McEachern (No. 7 at the time) 87-78
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Alpharetta, Dec. 7 vs. No. 3 Centennial
Last rank: 1
Notes: If there were any questions about just how good the Wildcats are going to be this year, the AAAAA powerhouse certainly answered them. With a lineup of five Division I players, Doug Lipscomb might have his best team ever at the Cobb County school. But isn't that always the assumption at the start of the year? A convincing win over McEachern proved the point home. A huge match-up against Centennial awaits the team this week. Get your popcorn ready.

2. Westlake (2-0)
Notable victories: Creekside (NR) 76-61
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 at Fayette County (No. 16), Dec. 8 at Star's Mill
Last rank: 3
Notes: Senior Ray Willis is off to a hot start this year. The Oklahoma bound wing is averaging 23.5 points a game so far for the Lions. Junior forward Javoris Bryant scored 27 in the season opener against Creekside. A major test comes this week when the team travels to 2-AAAA foe Fayette County for a huge game in Fayetteville. Georgia Hoops will be on hand for this one.

3. Centennial (2-0)
Notable victories: Whitefield Academy (No. 6 at the time) 51-43
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 at Wheeler (No. 1)
Last rank: 4
Notes: The Knights are diving right into the season and have one of the best games of the year already on the calendar against Wheeler, the state's top team. Both victories haven't come easy for Centennial and playing on the road will be a challenge. We'll learn a lot about the Roswell school on Friday night. It proves to be one of the biggest games of the year, just three games into the season.

4. Norcross (1-0)
Notable victories: Collins Hill 76-43
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. Forsyth Central, Dec. 6 at Peachtree Ridge (Thursday game)
Last rank: 5
Notes: The two-time AAAAA state champions picked up where they left off from last year in a blowout win over Collins Hill. Al-Farouq Aminu, the state's top senior, scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the season opener. Guards Denzail Jones and Taariq Muhammad both did what they are known to do. Jones shot the lights out and Muhammad directed the offense well.

5. Columbia (4-0)
Notable victories: Antioch (TN) 85-62
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Miller Grove (No. 6), Dec. 7 at SW Dekalb, Dec. 8 vs. Cedar Grove
Last rank: 8
Notes: The Eagles traveled to Nashville to take on one of the best teams in the Music City and did some damage on the road. Travis Leslie, one of the top unsigned seniors in the state, scored 25 while fellow uncommitted 2008 player Kenny Mitchell put in 21. South Carolina signee Darius Morrow scored 15 points.

6. Miller Grove (4-0)
Notable victories: Redan 51-50, Tucker 70-62
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. Columbia (No. 5), Dec. 7 at Washington, Dec. 8 vs. No. 15 Wesleyan (at. Mt. Zion-Jonesboro for Georgia Hoopfest)
Last rank: 15
Notes: The Wolverines won the Dekalb County Thanksgiving Classic with a one point win over Redan. Junior point guard Mfon Udofia was named tournament MVP after averaging 26.6 points and seven assists a game in the tournament. Senior wing Justin Allen emerged as another scoring option for the Lithonia team. Udofia scored 40 against Tucker, the defending AAAA state champions on Saturday.

7. Blessed Trinity (5-0)
Notable victories: Dunwoody (No. 2 at the time) 73-68; Marietta (No. 9 at the time) 50-35
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Chamblee, Dec. 7 vs. North Atlanta, Dec. 8 vs. Pace Academy (5 p.m.)
Last rank: NR
Notes: Only two weeks into the season and we already have a major surprise in the state. The Titans went to Dunwoody and played a tremendous game against one of the top powers in the state. Senior guard Jordan Callahan led the attack with big shots and great passing. The team is well-balanced and well-coached. The spotlight is now on the Roswell school.

8. Dunwoody (1-1)
Notable victories: None
Notable loss: Blessed Trinity (NR) 68-73
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. Druid Hills, Dec. 7 at Grady, Dec. 8 at Rome (4 p.m.)
Last rank: 2
Notes: For the first time in forever, Dunwoody lost at home. Blessed Trinity came into Wildcat Country and defeated one of the best teams in the state handily. Dunwoody rebounded and beat a talented Chamblee team the game after. A big test comes when the AAA powerhouse travels north to Rome for a tough road match-up against Rome, featuring Wake Forest bound Tony Woods. Last year's game saw Delwan Graham go for 19 and 19 against Woods.

9. Whitefield Academy (2-1)
Notable victories: Marietta (No. 9 at the time) 66-54
Notable loss: Centennial (No. 4 at the time) 43-51
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. Our Lady of Mercy, Dec. 8 at Meadowcreek
Last rank: 6
Notes: After a tough loss on the road to Centennial, Whitefield rebounded well and came back for its first win of the year against Eagle's Landing Christian on the road. The Wolfpack also went on the road to Marietta, one of the toughest places to play in Atlanta, and walked away with a moral boosting 12-point victory over the Blue Devils. The brutal non-region schedule continues with a tough road game against Meadowcreek on Saturday.

10. South Atlanta (2-0)
Notable victories: None
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at North Clayton, Dec. 7 vs. Clarkston (at Price Middle School)
Last rank: 11
Notes: The state's best player, Derrick Favors, scored 42 points in the season opener against Washington High School. The Hornets have a huge non-region rivalry game on Tuesday night against a good North Clayton team on Tuesday night. Georgia Hoops will be on hand for that one.

11. Swainsboro (1-0)
Notable victories: Dublin 78-75
This week's schedule: Unknown
Last rank: 12
Notes: Won a tough one on the road against Dublin without a full roster of players. Alabama bound Tony Mitchell scored 39 in the win.

12. Jordan (3-0)
Notable victories: None
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Shaw, Dec. 7 at Hardaway, Dec. 8 at Central Talbotton
Last rank: 13
Notes: The defending AAA state champions are off to a hot start, blowing teams out by at least 20 so far. Unsigned senior Terrence Hill scored 40 against LaGrange. Don't sleep on the Jackets again this year. They have major scoring power.

13. Tucker (0-1)
Notable victories: None
Notable loss: Miller Grove (No. 15 at the time) 62-70
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 vs. North Springs
Last rank: 10
Notes: Junior Manny Atkins scored 25 points for the defending AAAA state champions in the season opening loss to Miller Grove. The Tigers have a light load this week but should still be counted on as a major contender within region play this year.

14. McEachern (0-2)
Notable victories: None
Notable losses: Harrison (NR) 65-68, Wheeler (No. 1) 78-87
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. South Cobb, Dec. 7 at North Cobb, Dec. 8 vs. Walton
Last rank: 7
Notes: Two games in and the Indians have some major soul searching going on right now. The Powder Springs club dropped its first two games of the year but don't sleep on them. The talent is there. Trae Golden is just a sophomore but he can absolutely go. The team has size and senior Darrius Garrett is showing a nice, and improved, offensive game early on.

15. Wesleyan (2-1)
Notable victories: None
Notable loss @ Christ School (N.C.) 72-74
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Creekview, Dec. 7 vs. Holy Innocents, Dec. 8 vs. (No. 6) Miller Grove (at Mt. Zion-Jonesboro, 7:00 p.m.)
Last rank: 14
Notes: Despite 31 points from Howard Thompkins, the AA powerhouse dropped a tough one out of state to a very good Christ School team. A game later, he put in 35 points on the second leg of the North Carolina trip.

16. Fayette County (5-1)
Notable victories: Creekside 74-72
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 at Woodward Academy, Dec. 7 vs. (No. 2) Westlake, Dec. 8 vs. Parkview
Last rank: 16
Notes: Junior Noel Johnson scored 42 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against McIntosh last week. The Tigers continue to win big games and the biggest test of the year comes this week against Westlake on Friday night.

17. Savannah Johnson (1-0)
Notable victories: None
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 at Camden County, Dec. 8 vs. Statesboro
Last rank: 17
Notes: The Atom Smashers picked up a 22-point win to start the season. Quietly, this team could string together a good run of wins and creep up on the state as the year rolls forward. Don't sleep on them.

18. Cherokee (1-0)
Notable victories: None
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 at Hillgrove, Dec. 8 vs. Etowah
Last rank: 18
Notes: Shawn Kemp, Jr. scored 24 points for the Warriors in a 94-84 overtime win that looked more like a track meet against East Paulding High School.

19. M.L. King (3-0)
Notable victories: None
This week's schedule: Dec. 4 vs. Lithonia, Dec. 7 at Luella
Last rank: NR
Notes: With wins over North Atlanta, Chattahoochee and North Gwinnett in the South Forsyth tournament, the Lions have shown off great balance and athleticism early. Seniors Greg Henry and Demetrius Bates are leading the team early.

20. Savannah (3-0)
Notable victories: Liberty County 88-82 OT, Beach 65-50
This week's schedule: Dec. 7 vs. Windsor Forest, Dec. 8 at Richmond Academy
Last rank: NR
Notes: The Jackets are off to a hot start with a pair of important wins against area teams. A 65-50 win over cross-town rivals Beach is equivalent to Georgia Tech winning a football game against Georgia. South Cobb made their way down to the coastal city and were beaten by 16 points. Guards Kevin Williams and Norris Rumph are tough to deal with in the backcourt.

Dropped out: Marietta, East Hall and Meadowcreek

Any questions?

MARIETTA -- If there was any questions about just how good Wheeler High School will be this year, the Wildcats certainly put any sort of doubts to rest on Saturday evening.

Wheeler, the top team on the Georgia Hoops Power Poll, shot the lights out en route to a 87-78 victory over No. 7 McEachern. All five starters for Wheeler scored in double figures, including a team high 24 from sophomore Phil Taylor and 23 points from junior Ari Stewart.

Up only by three points at the halftime break, Wheeler went on a 15-0 run to start the second half and thus cracked the game wide open. The Wildcats mixed in hot shooting on the perimeter and athletic plays at the cup to spark the game-changing run.

Taylor, junior Tahj Tate, Dequan Jones and Richard Howell all hit key three-pointers in the second half. McEachern simply didn't have the answers to stop all of the size and athleticism that Wheeler rolled out on the floor.

Jones, a Miami signee, was outstanding in all aspects. He scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, blocked four shots and handed out four assists. Tate, who had a monster dunk in transition, scored 14 points on great-looking jumpers. Howell added 11 points and key passes in the victory.

McEachern had it's bright moments, courtesy of Richmond bound Darrius Garrett. The 6-8 senior played big around the basket, scoring with thundering dunks, blocking shots with authority and knocking down three-pointers late in the game.

Garrett finished with 17 points while sophomore guard Trae Golden put in 19 points. Golden's game is predicated on aggressiveness and the Indians never seemed to find its edge. Thus Golden, an Ohio State commitment, was a little tarnished on the big stage.

Junior Alioune Diouf was quietly effective in the defeat as the wing put in 18 points.

What we learned:

- When all of the wheels are rolling, Wheeler is the best team in the state. No one has more weapons, size, athleticism an versatility in a starting lineup.

- Even with all of the size, Wheeler can be just as dangerous on the wing as shooters. They won't always be knocking down shots like they were on Saturday night but when they do, watch out.

- Phil Taylor, only a sophomore, looked like the most poised player on the court in this one for Wheeler. He's solid each time out, makes the right decisions and has done a fine job of running this team full of Division I talent.

- We're not sure how long we can say this but Tahj Tate is the biggest sleeper in the state. The 6-2 junior can fly, knock down shots and has the tools to be a nice looking guard at the college level.

- If Trae Golden can't power his way to the basket, he really struggles.

- McEachern seemed to play at half speed on both sides of the ball. With a team full of athletic players, it was odd to see the team move rather lethargically.

- McEachern showed some resiliency in the second quarter and battled back thanks to key plays from Darrius Garrett. But giving up a 15-0 run to start the second half will usually be detrimental.