OTR Hoops: GHSA Final 4 Preview (1A-3A) – March 1, 2024
March is upon us and we’re down to only 4 teams in each classification. This year’s playoff has brought tons of excitement, each round full of upsets and huge performances. The Final 4 will likely be no different as we’ll see some of the hottest teams in the state battle it out for a trip to Macon. We tell you everything you need to know about the Final 4 matchups.
By: Staff
3A
Sandy Creek vs. Carver-Columbus
March 2nd – 3:00 PM @ Savannah State University
Sandy Creek was finally able to get over the championship hump last year and they’re now two games away from repeating as champions but they’ll have to go through Tony Montgomery and Carver-Columbus first. Montgomery went for 42 points just two weeks ago and if he gets hot again, Carver-Columbus could make this one interesting. Still, Sandy Creek is great at the end of close games and Amari Brown has proven he’s built for the big moment.
Johnson-Savannah vs. Dougherty
March 2nd – 7:00 PM @ Savannah State University
Johnson-Savannah won’t have to go far for their Final 4 matchup with Dougherty and should bring a raucous crowd to Savannah State on Saturday night. Johnson-Savannah has had an up and down year but they’ve found their groove at the right time, wins over Cross Creek and Hebron Christian in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Dougherty has looked strong for most of the year and they’re coming off a huge win over Douglass. It’s worth noting that these teams met back in November and Dougherty won, 66-48.
2A
Butler vs. Toombs County
March 2nd 3:00 PM @ Georgia College & State University
Butler and Toombs County will go toe-to-toe on Saturday in one of my favorite matchups of the weekend. Toombs County is 28-2 and they’re out to prove something to the rest of the state. They’re led by Dominic Eason, a 6’5 guard that’s averaging 20 PPG, and he’ll be an x-factor on Saturday. Butler comes from a much tougher region though and they’ve got some impressive wins under their belt. Some of the state’s best under-the-radar prospects will be on the floor for this one and it should make for a competitive contest.
Westside-Augusta vs. Columbia
March 2nd 7:00 PM @ Georgia College & State University
While Columbia didn’t see a ton of smoke in the regular season, their path to Macon has presented some tough battles and showed us some things about this team. Trevian Callaway, Quay Wallace, and Tahmar Mann each bring something different to the table and they’ve all won a lot of games. However, they’ve got a challenge ahead in trying to stop Lavonta Ivery and DeMarco Middleton. Together, they give Westside-Augusta one of the best backcourts in the state. Westside-Augusta has the slight edge in my eyes but I’ve also learned not to bet against Columbia.
1A-D1
Paideia vs. Savannah
March 1st 3:00 PM @ Georgia College & State University
Paideia and Savannah will meet on Friday, pitting two of the best players in 1A-D1 against each other. Paideia’s CJ Harper and Savannah’s Maki Joyner have each received D1 offers and they’ll be the ones to watch on Friday. Deshawn Davis will also play a large role for Savannah, one of the best rim protectors in Georgia’s 2025 class. If Paideia is able to limit the scoring of Maki Joyner, they’ll have a good chance to advance to Macon.
Mt. Pisgah vs. Mt. Vernon
March 1st 7:00 PM @ Georgia College & State University
It’s become evident in years past that the 1A-D1 trophy runs through Region 6. Mt. Vernon and Mt. Pisgah are very familiar foes, both coming from Region 6. Mt. Vernon took the only game between them this year, 69-43, but this Mt. Pisgah team looks completely different now. O’neill Connolly has returned from injury and sophomore Jackson Williams has emerged as a go-to scoring option. They’ll still need to slow down KJ Garris who went for 30 points last round and the pair of forwards, Dennis Scott and Xavier Shegog.
1A-D2
Manchester vs. Warren County
March 2nd 3:00 PM @ Fort Valley State University
Warren County has been of the biggest stories of this year’s playoffs, upsetting both Christian Heritage and Portal on their way to the Final 4. Freshman guard, Torossie Leslie, is rising his stock with every game and the other guards like Cosa Pender have stepped up in big moments. Manchester has a similar story as not many thought they would make it this far either. Now, both of these underdogs get to battle it out for a trip to Macon.
Greenforest vs. Macon County
March 2nd 7:00 PM @ Fort Valley State University
Greenforest came on very strong in the second half of the year and they’ve carried that momentum through the first few rounds, winning each of their playoff games by 25 or more. Seniors, Caleb Kawela and Elijah Lewis, are the heartbeat of this team and they’ve played in games like this before. While Macon County is 27-3, they haven’t played nearly the same level of competition that Greenforest has faced this year. They’ll need a big night out of Frankie Raines or Dontavious Collier if they want to pull off the upset.
