Georgia high school boys basketball playoffs: Breaking down the championship game matchups in all classifications

Eight state champions will be crowned this week in Macon.

By Darren Nichols | Photo by Willie Prince

It's championship week in Georgia high school boys basketball playoffs, with eight teams waiting for the chance to be crowned state champs in Macon.

Here's a preview of all eight games in the order they'll be played.

Class A Public

Drew Charter (30-1) vs. Warren County (25-3), 3 p.m. Wednesday

Drew Charter is having one of those magical seasons that teams dream of. The Eagles are trying to end their season on top and increase their win streak to a record-high 29 in a row. The Eagles are led by Jakobe Strozier, who has helped advance Drew to new heights. Warren County has won 16 straight and 21 of its last 22 games. The Screaming Devils are led by Lorenzo Johnson, who averages 22 points a game and has been phenomenal in the playoffs. Strozier versus Johnson will be a great matchup to watch as two red-hot teams compete for the trophy.

Class 4A

Spencer (29-2) vs. Westover (25-3), 7 p.m. Wednesday

Spencer and Westover faced off in the second round last season, as Spencer’s fourth-quarter comeback fell just short in Westover's 50-49. Spencer has been on a mission since that loss, with the Greenwave piling up their most wins in a season in over 15 years. Spencer has built 27 straight wins of momentum for this game. After three consecutive subpar seasons, Westover has blossomed and now finds itself in a position many didn't see coming this season. Issac Abidde will lead Westover into what could be viewed as the Patriots' biggest game in school history.

Class 2A

Butler (22-6) vs. Westside (27-3), 3 p.m. Thursday

Butler and Westside will face each other for the fourth time this season. Butler gave Westside two of its three losses, sweeping the regular-season series. Westside got revenge in the region tourney to become region champs. Now Round 4 is for all the marbles. Westside has a terrific trio of juniors in Jalex Ewing, Amauri Tillman and Khalon Hudson, who all average over 15 points per game. Butler will combat that with its dynamic duo of seniors Kedar Bodie and Kendrell Glanton.

Class 5A

Eagle's Landing (27-3) vs. Tri-Cities (22-5), 7:30 p.m. Thursday

This year’s state championship week is all about the rematch throughout multiple classifications. Eagle's Landing and Tri-Cities played for the 5A championship last season, a year where the Eagles ran through all of their competition with none of the games being particularly close, including the final. Eagle's Landing has shown its dominance again this season but was on the brink of defeat before pulling together in overtime against Jonesboro in the final four. Tri-Cities has improved from last season, with Simeon Cottle playing out of his mind. He is averaging 24 points per game this season and went off for 36 points against Calhoun. David Thomas has been the go-to guy for Eagle's Landing, and the Eagles will need a big game from him to become back-to-back champs for the first time in school history.

Class 3A

Windsor Forest (23-5) vs. Cross Creek (25-6), 3 p.m. Friday

Windsor Forest and Cross Creek will face off for the 3A state title in a rematch of last season’s final four. Last year’s game came down to the wire, with Windsor Forest's valiant fourth-quarter comeback coming up just short in a 77-76 loss. Cross Creek went on to win the state championship and has firmly placed itself in a position to go back-to-back. This is yet another must-watch rematch.

Class 6A

Grovetown (28-3) vs. Buford (25-6), 7:30 p.m. Friday

Despite Buford’s 25-6 record, it's been an up-and-down year for the Wolves. They were 1-4 against SBLive Top 25 teams in the regular season and had an ugly 27-point loss to Rabun Gap. But Buford found a different gear in the playoffs and hasn’t looked back. Grovetown, on the other hand, was 6-1 versus top 25 opponents this season. The Warriors enter this matchup riding a 17-game win streak and have passed through a gauntlet of a playoff schedule. Grovetown has beaten Alexander, Langston Hughes and 6A favorite Wheeler.

Class A Private

Greenforest (27-4) vs. King's Ridge Christian (28-4), 1 p.m. Saturday

King's Ridge Christian is the embodiment of hard work paying off, and the Tigers have finally made it to the big stage. Last season marked their first 20-win season in school history, ending in a first-round exit. Now King's Ridge has shown it's one of the top-tier teams in Class A Private, but the Tigers will have their hands full against Greenforest. The Eagles played one of the toughest schedules in Georgia, taking down teams such as McEachern, Grayson, Berkmar, Pace Academy and Cross Creek and suffering close losses to Pebblebrook and North Gwinnett. Greenforest is well equipped to bring a state title back to Decatur with the twin towers of DK Manyiel and Gai Chol. 

Class 7A

Berkmar (26-4) vs. Norcross (26-6), 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Berkmar and Norcross are two teams basketball fans knew would be good this season. Berkmar went to the championship game last season and came within five points of beating Milton. Norcross is an extremely talented team led by Jerry Deng and London Johnson, while Berkmar counters with Malique Ewin, Jameel Rideout and Jermahri Hill. Berkmar is right back in the position that most would have assumed, trying to make up for its loss here last season. Norcross may have exceeded some expectations but earned its spot in the championship game by beating Newton and North Gwinnett. This will be a fun matchup to watch with uber-talented players on both sides.