A Strength Like None Other See Back Page

A STRENGTH LIKE NONE OTHER SEE BACK PAGE

JANUARY 22-28, 2010 GWINNETT’SATLANTA’S HIGHSPORTS SCHOOL TALK SPORTS NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER VOL 4 NO 17 02G I SCORE GWINNETT Get In The Game!

™ STARTING THE HIGH SCHOOL LINEUP PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

PUBLISHER/EDITOR I.J. Rosenberg • GENERAL MANAGER Bob Houghton • MANAGING EDITOR Alex Ewalt • ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR DJ Galbiati • BUSINESS MANAGER Marvin Botnick • SALES MANAGER Mark Mayo • SALES ASSOCIATE John Saunders BEAT WRITERS Josh Bagriansky (Dream), Stephen Black (Kennesaw State), Jason Boral (Thrashers), James Butler (UGA), Dave Cohen (Georgia State), Ricky Dimon (Tech), Alex Ewalt (Preps), Scott Janovitz (Hawks/Recruiting), Brian Jones (Falcons), Fletcher Proctor (Braves) STAFF WRITERS Cranston Collier, Joe Deighton, Rajesh Gupta, Zander Lentz, Andrew McCarron, Alan Gales, Brian Penter, John Edwards, Derek Wiley, Foster Lander, Summer Goldberg CONTRIBUTORS Tad Arapoglou, Dean Zindler, Kevin Dankosky, Mitch Evans, Matt Judy, Tony Schiavone, Richard Diamond, Joe Haines, Brian Katrek, Chris Dimino, Mike Bell, Matt Stewart, Fred Kalil, Nick Cellini, Phillip Leopold, Dave Marshall, Greg Smith, Steak Shapiro, Mike Cather, Beau Bock, Hal Lamar, Chris Cotter, Roy Hickman, Dave Cohen, John Olah, Jeff Woolverton, Chris Voss, Bob Rathbun, Courtney Capps, Bill Hartman, Chuck Dowdle, Shannon Alderman, Dan Kamal, Dennis Scott, C.C., Hal Lanier, Jeff Batten, Micah Hart, Ben Wright, Alan Vasquez, Andrew Vedlitz, Brian Jones SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Mitch Albom, Dave Kindred, Barry Bloom SHONZIKIO WILLIAMS ERIN HALL SCHOOL LISTING TUCKER HIGH WESLEYAN SCHOOL CHEROKEE/FORSYTH: Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, Forsyth Central, North Forsyth, Sequoyah, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, Woodstock The senior wing for the Tigers was the The senior shooting guard went for a COBB: Allatoona, Campbell, Harrison, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, Marietta, McEachern, N. Cobb, career-high 28 points in the Lady Wolves’ N. Cobb Christian, Pebblebrook, Pope, S. Cobb, Sprayberry, Walton, Wheeler team’s leading scorer in the big 67-61 overtime win over Walton in the Tribute to a King 72-59 win over Osborne in the Tribute to a DEKALB: Chamblee, Columbia, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, Marist, Miller Grove, M.L. King, King Holiday Hardwood Classic. Hall was Paideia, Redan, St. Pius X, Southwest DeKalb, Stephenson, Stone Mountain, Tucker Holiday Hardwood Classic on Monday. FULTON: Alpharetta, Blessed Trinity, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Douglass, Grady, Lovett, Mays, Milton, North Springs, 12-of-20 from the field in the game, Williams has had some high point totals this including four 3-pointers, and added four Northview, Riverwood, Roswell, Tri-Cities, Westminster, Woodward Academy season, going for 24 points (21 in the first GWINNETT: Berkmar, Brookwood, Buford, C. Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Meadowcreek, rebounds and two assists. Hall, who is half) in a 79-72 win over Lakeside-DeKalb in committed to play college ball at Wake Mill Creek, Norcross, North Gwinnett, Parkview, Peachtree Ridge, South Gwinnett, Wesleyan the DeKalb County Holiday Tournament. He GORDON: Calhoun, Gordon Central, Sonoraville Forest, is trying to lead Wesleyan to its is top-15 in scoring in DeKalb County. third straight state title.

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Top squads coming into their own in January as season surpasses halfway point few weeks into the New Year, we are tough out-of-state test against Thomas Clarke Central, a ranked squad, on Jan. 9, handful of D-I prospects. Astarting to get a better idea of the identi- Jefferson (N.Y.) this Saturday, a game that and Class 5A Stephenson on Dec. 28. Can Cover photos of Norcross’ Jeremy Lamb ties of some of the state’s boys hoops teams. should tell us if they can truly hang with the they translate early success into a strong and Westlake’s Jeff Newberry are courtesy of Some of the contenders have been surprises, big boys this season. Mill Creek, on the other region finish and a postseason run? Nat Carter/SydCamVisions. Next week, some were expected to be at the top. But all hand, has the same 9-1 record as Norcross in Dunwoody – The Wildcats are back Score Prep will take a look at some of the the following squads are definitely notewor- the region, but dropped a nine-point decision after a tough transition year in ’09 which more intriguing girls squads from around the thy in one way or the other. Here are a few to the Devils last month; they’ll get another saw the team dealing with the loss of a num- state. Ewalt can be reached at squads to keep an eye one, and a look at how crack at Norcross on Jan. 29 on the road. Mill ber of top college prospects. [email protected]. they got to where they are now. Creek has surprised by surging into the rank- Javon McKay is one of the top Newton – The Class 5A Rams are ings this season, but will want to prove its seniors in the state, and he’s got enjoying a strong season with a 14-1 record legit with some big second-half region wins. Dunwoody back into the rank- at press time, the only loss being to ’09 4A Chamblee, Lakeside-DeKalb, Miller ings and back onto the competi- semifinalist Richmond Academy by five Grove,Tucker – What else can you say about tion’s minds. The 6-4 McKay gets help from big point guard points. The team went undefeated in a Region 6-AAAA? These four teams are the Shane Porchea, also 6-4, on a Tennessee tournament in November and is frontrunners for playoff bids, although talent- senior-laden roster. Dunwoody fresh off a drubbing of Luella last Tuesday, ed Stone Mountain and Southwest DeKalb lost 79-57 to Region 5-AAA 73-55. At 6-0 in the region, a playoff spot is teams will have a say come region tourney powerhouse Columbia, a league highly likely, but what will the Rams have in time; as we know, the four best teams don’t opponent with its own hopes of store when they face some of the top teams always make it in. But in looking at these playoff glory. The Wildcats in the state? Newton has lost to the only squads, each one ranked in at least one poll, have a relatively easy schedule ranked team it has played, and isn’t sched- the league has four elite teams. Chamblee is between now and the final uled to play an ranked teams until the play- led by the scoring of senior David Mason and game, a home matchup with offs would start. Is the gaudy record a has risen to top-five status already. Lakeside- Columbia on Feb. 12 to close byproduct of less-than-stellar competition? DeKalb is a quick, guard-oriented team that the regular season. The out- Westlake – The South Fulton school averages well over 80 points a game and come in that contest could tell loses the best player in Georgia off last year’s recently dropped 111 on a good East Hall us whether the ‘Cats are a con- team (Jelan Kendrick – transferred to squad in the Tribute to a King Holiday tender or a pretender in 2010. Wheeler) but simply proceeds to knock off Hardwood Classic at Centennial on MLK Greater Atlanta most of the competition in its way until Day. Miller Grove loses Mfon Udofia and Christian – Class 2A’s top- Tuesday when it lost to a good but not great Stephen Hill to Georgia Tech (basketball and ranked boys team has streaked Morrow team for its second loss of the season. football, respectively), but has perhaps the out to a 15-1 record, staying The Lions are 15-2 at press time thanks in state’s best post tandem in sophomore Tony undefeated in the state with large part to the play of Clemson commit Parker (pictured) and senior Donte Williams, the only loss to a powerful Marcus Thornton, a 6-8 player who can score both 6-foot-9. And Tucker lost Virginia Tech Melrose (Tenn.) team in the and defend. With a win over Rice (N.Y.), the freshman Manny Atkins from last year’s run- finals of the Arby’s Shootout No. 17 team in the nation at the time according ner-up squad (the Tigers were blown out by over the holidays. The to USA Today, in the Chick-fil-A Classic over Miller Grove in the finals), but center Spartans made a statement the holidays, we’ve seen what Westlake can do Brandon Dawson (Kennesaw State commit), when they knocked off national power United Faith against top talent. The ’09 5A semifinalist wing Shonzikio Williams and sharpshooter Christian (N.C.) at should again be a factor deep into the playoffs. Chris Kingsberry have Tucker clicking again. Centennial in the MLK Day Norcross, Mill Creek – The Region 7- It will be a slugfest from here on out in this showcase last Monday, AAAAA monster, Norcross, may just get a league, but at least two or three talented showcasing a combination challenge from upstart Mill Creek this winter. teams will miss out on the postseason again of great physical talent and Norcross isn’t the juggernaut it was when it from Region 6-AAAA. maturity. This is a well- won three state titles, the last coming in ’08, Rockdale County – One of the surpris- coached team that, right but the Blue Devils aren’t bereft of talent. es of the state so far, Rockdale has quietly now, should be the favorite Norcross is led by swingman Jeremy Lamb, compiled an 18-1 record, with the only loss a to take the title. Senior cen- headed to UConn, and sophomore shooter one-point defeat to out-of-state Gadsden ter Trent Wiedeman is a Chris Bolden, a Brookwood transfer, has City (Ala.). The Bulldogs are led by junior smart post player that can stepped up nicely lately. The X-factor for swingman Kevin Ware, a 6-4 prospect who display bursts of athleticism Norcross will be how it copes without big, can really fill it up. Fellow junior Bernard as well as a great outside shot; bruising forward Adrian Hubbard, who left Thompson can also stuff the stat sheet as he’s headed to the College of SLAM IT DOWN: Miller Grove’s powerful 6-foot-9 sophomore the team a few weeks ago to nurse an injury well. Rockdale has great wins, including a Charleston next year. Junior wing and start preparing for his football career at tournament championship at the Florida player Malcolm Brogdon is the Tony Parker goes up for a jam. Parker is already one of the lead- Alabama as a tight end; he also could have Shootout over the holidays, where Ware was next big thing for GAC, as he ers on a relatively young Wolverines team that has lost six games been looked at as a basketball prospect had he named MVP. The ‘Dogs have dropped top in- scored 27 points against the tough to top competition, but that should be ready to defend its Class 4A stuck with the hardwood. Norcross gets a state competition, too, downing region rival United Faith team, which sports a title come the postseason. Photo courtesy of Nat Carter/SydCamVisions.

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Centreplex hosts wrestling state duals; GAC impresses in MLK Day showcase acon was the center of attention last win a couple of matches but Gordon Lee the Yellow Jackets to two consecutive state title while Smith was named Bobby Dodd Mweekend as the GHSA wrestling state would follow with a couple of wins. One of appearances. Other players to make the Small National High School Lineman of the Year. duals took place at the Macon Centreplex. In the key wins for Bremen was in the 160- Schools All-American team were Kolton They will receive their award at Georgia Tech Class 5A, Collins Hill defeated Pope 38-9 in pound weight class when Slade Madden Huston and Jessel Curry, both from Buford, on Feb. 13, when the Touchdown Club of the finals to win its third consecutive state defeated Austin Goodlet via pin with less and they also made the first team. Lineman Atlanta will name its all-metro team. title. Eleven Collins Hill wrestlers claimed than 30 seconds left in the third period. That Catlin Alford out of Adairsville and quarter- Northside-Warner Robins has found a victories in the finals, including T.J. Mitchell started a Bremen rally where they would win back Nick Marshall from Wilcox County new coach. The man that will be succeeding and Joel Smith. Mitchell has committed to the last three of four matches to secure the made the second team. To be considered for Conrad Nix will be Kevin Kinsler, who has Virginia Tech and Smith will spend his col- victory. Collins Hill, Loganville, Gilmer, the MaxPreps award, a player had to be at a been Northside’s defensive coordinator for lege career at Arizona State. The Eagles Jefferson and Gordon Lee will look to do the school with less than 1,000 current students. the last 15 years. Since 1998, his defense has made their way to the finals by defeating same thing when the traditional state finals Two more of the top players in Georgia allowed less than 10 points per game nine times and 15 points per game just once. Nix Johnson-Savannah, Centennial and Valdosta. take place in a month. were honored last week, as Alec Ogletree and decided to retire after leading Northside to In the third-place match, Camden County Garrison Smith got National High School Player of the Year awards from the Touchdown two state titles in 2006 and 2007. defeated Valdosta 38-26. AROUND THE COURT … Club of Atlanta. Ogletree was named Bobby Jones can be reached at In Class 4A, Loganville defeated Basketball was in full gear on Martin Dodd National High School Back of the Year [email protected]. Alexander 33-28 in the finals to claim the Luther King Day as the third annual Tribute to state title. Will Hale, Aaron Quade, Zach a King Holiday Harwood Classic took place at Wolaver, Matt Cragin, Jeremiah Vaught, Jon Centennial. There were five games that start- Williams, Justin Fancher and John Smith all ed from noon to 9:30 p.m., but the marquee WRESTLING STATE DUALS came away with wins to help Loganville top game had to be the boys contest between Alexander. In the third-place match, Cass Greater Atlanta Christian and United Faith, a defeated Marist 37-21. school from Charlotte, N.C. United Faith is TOP FINISHERS Gilmer was the top team in Class 3A as it considered one of the best programs in the defeated West Forsyth 47-18. Gilmer was able country, but it was the Spartans’ night to shine AAAAA AAAA to dominate the lower weight classes with as they took down the Falcons 78-55. Trent 1st Place...... Collins Hill 1st Place...... Loganville wins by Justin Karr (112), Zach Horton (125), Wiedeman, a College of Charleston signee 2nd Place...... Pope 2nd Place...... Alexander Danyhul Becker (130) and Tyler Davenport scored 11 points and pulled down 13 rebounds 3rd Place...... Camden County 3rd Place...... Cass (135). The Bobcats got past Riverwood, while Elliott Long added 22 points, which was 4th Place...... Valdosta 4th Place...... Marist Columbus and Eastside to make their way into a career best. Malcolm Brogdon added 27 the finals against West Forsyth. points in the win. GAC has proved that it can AAA AA In Class 2A, Jefferson claimed the top play with some of the best teams in the coun- 1st Place...... Gilmer 1st Place...... Jefferson spot with its 41-22 win over Sonoraville in the try, losing a close game to Melrose (Tenn.) 55- 2nd Place...... West Forsyth 2nd Place...... Sonoraville final match. Sonoraville got off to a strong 51, a team that was ranked No. 21 in the 3rd Place...... LaFayette 3rd Place...... Henry County start as Jay Teague defeated Isaac Kelly in the nation at the time. With the win, the Spartans 4th Place...... Eastside 4th Place...... Lovett 112-pound class. They also got a win from the improved their record to 15-1. They will have earlier stages of the finals when Richard another showcase game on Jan. 30 when they A Davis got a 12-5 decision over Daniel Barber take on Greene County (Ala.) in the Norcross 1st Place...... Bremen in the 130-pound weight class. But Jefferson Showcase at Norcross High School. got on a hot streak in the middleweights to In football news, Da’Rick Rogers is get- 2nd Place...... Gordon Lee earn the school’s ninth title in a row. ting more attention by the national media, as 3rd Place...... Wesleyan And finally in Class A competition, MaxPreps named the Calhoun receiver the 4th Place...... Bowdon Bremen was able to top Gordon Lee 44-27 in Small Schools National Player of the year. the championship match. It was a contest Rogers ended the 2009 season with 85 catches GOTOGHSA.NET FOR COMPLETE BRACKETS that went back and forth, as Bremen would for 1,647 yards and two touchdowns and led

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Collins Hill takes historic third straight title at wrestling state duals in Macon ast weekend at the Macon Centreplex, for the 47-46 win. Katie Carroll hit a go-ahead Brian Williams scored 25 points for Norcross at No. 4, Central Gwinnett coming in Lhistory was made as the Collins Hill 3-pointer with under one minute to play and Central Gwinnett as the Black Knights held at No. 6, and Mill Creek checking in at No. 9. Eagles wrestling team became the first school then free throws were exchanged to come to the off Dacula 80-73 in overtime. CGHS played Greater Atlanta Christian topped the Class 2A in Georgia to win three consecutive Class 5A final tally. Lauren Coleman fouled out in the without leading scorer Jordan Adams due to a rankings. On the girls side, Parkview was the state titles. Collins Hill claimed the victory fourth with 13 points and 11 rebounds for suspension. Jerry Coleman had 14 points and highest-ranked Gwinnett school in the highest with a 38-9 whipping of Pope in the dual state Parkview. Chaney Means scored 15 points for Kyron Anderson tallied 13. Finally, Kyle classification, coming in at No. 2 in Class 5A. finals. Collins Hill scorched its way to the title No. 6 GAC. Kristina Nelson had 12 points and Speller notched 33 points last week in Mill Norcross and Mill Creek nipped at the heels of with victories over Johnson-Savannah (84-0), five blocks to go along with eight rebounds in Creek’s 81-59 win over Dacula the night after the Lady Panthers, checking in at No. 3 and Centennial (58-11) and Valdosta (60-6) and the losing effort. In the other game of the Peach the Falcons fell in OT. No. 4, respectively. In Class 2A, Buford lost just six individual matches the entire tour- State Battle of the Southeast, Buford saw its The newest rankings were released by topped the rankings while GAC slipped from nament. In the finals, Bazell Partridge, Joseph amazing 43-game winning streak snapped with friend of Score Atlanta Todd Holcomb for the No. 4 to No. 6 after two home losses last week. Doyague, T.J. Mitchell (committed to Virginia a 56-46 defeat at the hands of Southwest AJC (see page 7). For the boys, Class 5A was Proctor can be reached at Tech), Steven Bradtmueller, Joel Smith (com- DeKalb. The Lady Panthers led by 12 in the littered with Gwinnett County schools with [email protected]. mitted to Arizona State), Jamie Hentica, Nick second and 11 in the third quarter before Holbert, Mac Bennett, Thomas Delain, Drew Buford mounted one final run to cut the lead to Ferguson and Devante Brown all scored victo- just five points in the fourth. Kayla Lewis ries to secure the title for the Eagles. scored 21 points for Southwest DeKalb as GWINNETT COUNTY SCHEDULE Mitchell’s win was the 200th of his career. Buford’s main weapon, Andraya Carter, fin- Overall it was Collins Hill’s fourth dual state ished with just 14. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 title since 2002. Next month the Eagles will Elsewhere, Brookwood got two huge attempt to defend their traditional state cham- efforts against South Gwinnett as Katie pionship, but only after facing the No. 1 team Mallow went for 24 points and Jazmine BOYS BASKETBALL in the country, Blair Academy out of New Jackson scored 21 in the Broncos’ 92-36 win. Berkmar vs. Dacula Shiloh vs. Meadowcreek Jersey, in the Final Four dual tournament, The South Gwinnett boys team was able to Brookwood vs. Parkview South Gwinnett vs. Central Gwinnett which will be held in Pennsylvania this week- exact revenge with a 73-67 win over the Chattahoochee vs. Collins Hill Arabia Mtn. vs. Greenforest Chr. end. Head coach Cliff Ramos’s Eagles are Bronco boys. John Harris had 23 for the Norcross vs. Peachtree Ridge Hebron Chr. Acad. vs. Lakeview Acad. ranked No. 11 in the Amateur Wrestling News Comets, who improved to 12-3. A.D. North Gwinnett vs. Mill Creek Walker vs. Providence Chr. nationwide poll. Harrison contributed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. HOOPS NEWS … Norcross scored a pair of wins over GIRLS BASKETBALL On the hardwood, Greater Atlanta North Forsyth. First, the girls won 80-50 Brookwood vs. Parkview South Gwinnett vs. Central Gwinnett Christian hosted the Peach State Battle of the thanks to Kaela Davis’ 22 points. Briana Chattahoochee vs. Collins Hill Buford vs. Cross Keys Southeast, which featured some of the best Jordan was all over the court as well for the Duluth vs. North Forsyth Arabia Mtn. vs. Greenforest Chr. girls programs in the metro area. The host Lady Lady Blue Devils with 21 points, four Norcross vs. Peachtree Ridge Hebron Chr. Acad. vs. Lakeview Acad. Spartans played a close one with Parkview in a rebounds, three assists and three steals. The North Gwinnett vs. Mill Creek Walker vs. Providence Chr. Class 5A vs. Class 2A tilt and the Lady boys crushed as well with a 78-34 win. Spartans nearly pulled off an upset over the No. Jeremy Lamb netted 30 points while Chris 2 Lady Panthers, but Parkview was able to rally Bolden notched 14 points.

Rankings based on results through Wed., November 12. Rankings editor Todd Holcomb can be reached at [email protected]

WWW.SCOREATL.COM JANUARY 22-28, 2010 SCORE GWINNETT I 07G AJC GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS Class AAAAA Class AAAA Class AAA Class AA Class A 1. Redan 1. Fayette County 1. Kendrick 1. Buford 1. Wesleyan 2. Parkview 2. Rome 2. Washington County 2. Laney 2. Taylor County 3. Norcross 3. Southwest DeKalb 3. Carver-Atlanta 3. Rabun County 3. Randolph-Clay 4. Mill Creek 4. Northwest Whitfield 4. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 4. Vidalia 4. Calvary Day 5. Stephenson 5. Douglas County 5. Columbia 5. Northeast-Macon 5. Paideia 6. Campbell 6. Madison County 6. Pickens 6. Greater Atlanta Christian 6. Gordon Lee 7. McEachern 7. Bainbridge 7. Rutland 7. Fannin County 7. Southwest Atlanta Christian 8. Westlake 8. Statesboro 8. Chestatee 8. Lovett 8. Holy Innocents’ 9. Bradwell Institute 9. Forest Park 9. Stephens County 9. Henry County 9. Savannah Christian 10. Douglass 10. Osborne 10. Franklin County 10. Dodge County 10. Bryan County AJC BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS Class AAAAA Class AAAA Class AAA Class AA Class A 1. Milton 1. Rockdale County 1. South Atlanta 1. Greater Atlanta Christian 1. Whitefield Academy 2. Westlake 2. Chamblee 2. Columbia 2. Northeast-Macon 2. Wilkinson County 3. Centennial 3. Miller Grove 3. Liberty County 3. Decatur 3. Wesleyan 4. Norcross 4. Tucker 4. Monroe 4. Dublin 4. Lanier County 5. Walton 5. Richmond Academy 5. LaGrange 5. Laney 5. Claxton 6. Central Gwinnett 6. Cass 6. Elbert County 6. Southwest-Macon 6. Wilcox County 7. Wheeler 7. Fayette County 7. Dunwoody 7. Dade County 7. Terrell County 8. McEachern 8. Hillgrove 8. Westover 8. Thomasville 8. Bowdon 9. Mill Creek 9. Bainbridge 9. Franklin County 9. Putnam County 9. Pace Academy 10. Newton 10. North Clayton 10. North Hall 10. Jefferson 10. Greenville Rankings based on results through Sunday, January 17 and were compiled by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye.