Who to watch in the Georgia basketball state championship games

Starting on Thursday afternoon, the Georgia High School Association basketball state championship game tip off in Macon at the Macon Centreplex. UGASports has you covered on who and what to watch for during the seven games.

Key players: C Ikey Obiagu (Greenforest), Justin Forrest (Greenforest), Kobi Simmons (St. Francis)

What to watch for: These two schools are no strangers to meeting in the state championship game. This is the third meeting between the two top programs in the title game in the past four years. Each side has taken their turn knocking off the other. Can Kobi Simmons lead his team to a third straight championship or will Greenforest’s size be too much?

Key players: Jonathan Baehre (Wilkinson County)

What to watch for: Hancock Central comes into the state title game with a 24-6 overall record, but they have a tall task in trying to take down the traditional power of Wilkinson County. Dr. Geter’s Warriors are back in the state title game with a 25-6 record. Power forward Jonathan Baehre has had interest from several high-major programs lately, including the Georgia Bulldogs.

Key players: Wendell Carter (Pace Academy), Isaiah Kelly (Pace Academy), Zach Kaminsky (Pace Academy)

What to watch for: Pace Academy’s frontcourt of Carter, Kelly and Kaminsky can be overwhelming for any high school team, but it’s especially difficult for other AA teams to handle. Manchester comes in with a 25-5 record, but can they find a way contain Pace’s size? That’s going to be a key in this one.

Key players: Jaylin Ingram (Morgan County), Devorious Brown (Morgan County), Trevion Lamar (Jenkins)

What to watch for: Morgan County is becoming a regular in the AAA state championship game, but this time around they don’t have Tookie Brown. A scrappy Jenkins High School team will arrive in Macon hoping to knock off the powerhouse program from Madison.

Key players: Davion Mitchell (Liberty County), Richard LeCounte (Liberty County), M.J. Walker (Jonesboro)

What to watch for: This game could be a lot of fun. Two of the state’s best overall prospects face off in Mitchell, an Auburn commit, and Walker. In the most recent update of the 2017 Rivals150, Walker checked in at 20th overall, while Mitchell came in at 34th overall. Mitchell will have the help of Georgia football commit Richard LeCounte, but Jonesboro will be looking to defend last year’s title.

Key players: Alterique Gilbert (Miller Grove), Aaron Augustin (Miller Grove), Ephraim Tshimanga (Allatoona), Trey Doomes (Allatoona)

What to watch for: Prior to last season, Miller Grove had won six straight state titles. Meanwhile, Allatoona advanced to their first state title game in school history before losing to Brunswick. Both come into Friday night’s matchup hoping to finish off their seasons the right way this time around. The guard matchup between the two teams should be fun to watch with Gilbert and Augustin taking on Tshimanga and Doomes.

Key players: Jamie Lewis (Westlake), Daniel Lewis (Westlake), Chuma Okeke (Westlake), Raquan Wilkins (Westlake), Michael Durr (Westlake), Ronald Bell (Westlake), Collin Sexton (Pebblebrook), Jared Harper (Westlake)

What to watch for: These two met twice during the regular season as they are in the same region, and they also played for the region title last month. Westlake took all three of the previous meeting in large part due to their overwhelming size and depth. Pebblebrook lost to Wheeler in last year’s state title game and are hoping end on a high note this year. Collin Sexton has been a scoring machine this year and his backcourt mate Jared Harper, an Auburn commit, is capable of putting up big numbers as well.