OTR Hoops: 2025 GHSA Tournament Analysis – February 18, 2025

With the GHSA playoffs upon us, our staff looks ahead at some of the storylines that could take shape. Who are the favorites? Which players are poised to shine?  We dig in this aticle. Find all the GHSA brackets here.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Are the Grayson Rams Prepared for a Repeat?

All signs from Hope Hollow Road point to the answer being YES. Coach Geoffrey Pierce’s squad suffered only two losses this season, which came at the hands of nationally ranked squads of Columbus (FL) and Sierra Canyon (CA). The Rams have a starting lineup without a weak spot to be identified. Jacob Wilkins and Caleb Holt handle the playmaking while Amir Taylor and KJ Garris fill the gaps with timely scoring and blue-collar effort. While point guard Chris McLavish is the glue with ball handling and shot making. And save Holt, they are all battle tested seniors.

Looking for potential challengers in this bracket, Wheeler and McEachern end up in the same quadrant and on the same half of the bracket as Grayson. So, the Rams potentially would only have to face one of those teams. On the other half of the bracket, it could play out in many different directions. Etowah is a tough out. They are led by Aiden Weaver and Colton Etter. Lambert has been a steady performer all season long. Newton County has experience and athleticism. Keep Pebblebrook, Peachtree Ridge, and Hillgrove as teams that could get hot.

Who are the favorites in Class AAAAA?

Two of the hottest teams in the state have been found in Class AAAAA in Woodward Academy and Tri Cities. Both competed in Region 4 and split during the regular season. Woodward found the upper hand in the region championship game earning a top seed. The Eagles from Milton were a favorite all year long before an unexpected upset in the region tournament. They could potentially face off against Woodward in the second round.

Do not count out the top teams from Region 8 in Habersham County and Winder-Barrow. Habersham came out on top in the region championship after splitting the regular season with the Bulldoggs. They have an experienced roster that is poised for a deep run. Whereas Winder is coming off a Final Four appearance last season and returns much of their roster from last season.

Is Holy Innocents the favorite to run the table in the Private School bracket?

The Golden Bears are led by one of the nation’s premier prospects in North Carolina commit, Caleb Wilson. They are tested and look ready to run the table. If there were odds given for challenger, it would come from the other side of the bracket in North Cobb Christian and Greenforest Academy. NCC has a youthful roster led by Brock Bass Bonner. Greenforest Academy brings the experience led by Daniel Damarola, who could be the only player in the bracket that could challenge Wilson step for step on the defensive end.

Competitive Class AAAA Heating Up

Pace Academy enters the post season as the favorite. They have not lost since mid-January when they were without Eric Chatfield for back-to-back games. Chatfield has been on fire all season long leading the coach Sharman White’s offensive charge as a scorer and playmaker. They could get a true second round challenge from last season’s Class AAAAA reigning champion, Kell High School. They were upset in the Region 6 championship game and slid into Pace’s side of the bracket. Yet, last year’s champion in Class AAAA is North Oconee who enters the post season with a 24-2 record. Their only two losses came in November to Habersham County and Winder-Barrow respectively.

Cedar Grove Enters the Class AAA as the Favorite.

The Saints ran the table in region play. Their only three losses come to Wheeler, Grayson, and The Villages Charter (FL) in OT. They have proved they are the team to beat. Junior forward Manny Green and senior guard Keith Gillespie lead the way with a potent 1-2 punch. Yet the young men from Pickens County might have something to say about that. Before being upset in the region championship game, they had a perfect regular season record. And keep an eye on Cherokee Bluff who looks to be peaking at the right time. They ran through the region tournament and handled East Hall in impressive fashion in the championship game.

Non-Atlanta Bias

At times scouts and hoop-heads can be accused of being too focused on teams from the Metro-Atlanta area. In fairness, the area is one of the richest in the country in terms of individual talent and nationally ranked teams. Nevertheless, there are gems outside of the metroplex that deserve attention.

As mentioned above, Pickens County ran the table regular season table with a perfect record, before losing in the region championship game. Southwest Macon enters the tourney with a 21-2 record in Class A D1. They are led by Chase Dupree, Brandon Ashley, and Carson Howard. Also pay attention to Rabun County in Class A D1. They earned a good draw in the tournament and with guard Huey Blalock with the keys in hand, they ought to finish the season strong.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.