SBLive’s Top 25 in Georgia high school boys basketball: Grayson rises, Hillgrove debuts

Slow starts for McEachern and Westlake caused them to drop, while Hillgrove’s historic 6-0 start earned the Hawks an appearance in the second edition of SBLive's Top 25 in high school boys basketball.

The rankings cover all classifications.

Pictured above is Mansir Williamson of Centennial (photo by Zach Shugan), which is off to a 5-0 start.

SBLIVE’S GEORGIA TOP 25

1. Milton (1-0)

Last week: 1

SBLive’s No. 3 team in the nation has still played just one game, in which the Eagles beat Roswell 83-47.

2. Newton (4-0)

Last week: 4

Newton took down McEachern and Westlake over the Thanksgiving break. That makes three wins over top teams including the Rams' win over Norcross.

3. Wheeler (1-2)

Last week: 3

Wheeler lost to national No.1 Montverde Academy (Florida) and national No. 5 Duncanville (Texas). The Wildcats face their first region opponent in Kennesaw Mountain on Tuesday.

4. Grayson (4-1)

Last week: 11

Grayson rebounded after its two-point loss to Wheeler and has won three straight. The Rams will face Sparkman (Alabama) on Tuesday.

5. Pebblebrook (4-1)

Last week: 5

Pebblebrook went 1-1 over the weekend, losing to the No. 11 team in the national Power 25, Wasatch Academy (Utah), and beating Real Salt Lake Academy.

6. Eagle's Landing (0-0)

Last week: 6

Eagle's Landing hasn't done anything yet to suggest it belongs higher or lower than No. 6.

7. Sandy Creek (3-0)

Last week: 7

Sandy Creek went 2-0 at the Hard in the Paint tournament over the weekend, taking down Cumberland Christian Academy and Meadowcreek.

8. Kell (0-1)

Last week: 8

Kell suffered its first loss to Carmel Christian (7-0), one of the top teams in North Carolina. Kell is set to face its first region opponent in Allatoona on Tuesday.

9. Berkmar (0-1)

Last week: 2

Berkmar played one game in the Hoopsgiving tournament and lost to Greenforest 56-55 in a thriller, in which the Patriots gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter.

10. Norcross (4-1)

Last week: 20

Norcross is riding a four-game win streak after scoring an impressive 75-57 win over Pace Academy.

11. Pace Academy (2-1)

Last week: 9

Pace Academy suffered an 18-point loss at the hands of Norcross in the Hoopsgiving tournament and will try to bounce back against South Atlanta on Tuesday.

12. St. Pius X Catholic (2-1)

Last week: 13

St. Pius went 2-0 last week and is set to face Lithonia on Tuesday.

13. Baldwin (2-0)

Last week: 14

Baldwin is still riding its hot streak from last year’s undefeated season. The Braves have outscored their opponents 154-94.

14. Cross Creek (3-0)

Last week: 15

Cross Creek took care of South Carolina’s Dutch Fork, Wando and River Bluff to win the Tip Off at the Dam championship and will head back to Georgia to face Butler on Tuesday.

15. North Gwinnett (3-1)

Last week: 16

North Gwinnett will play their first game in a week on Tuesday after taking the weekend off.

16. Centennial (5-0)

Last week: 17

Centennial gets back into action after a week off and will face Roswell on Tuesday.

17. Tri-Cities (2-1)

Last week: 18

Tri-Cities traveled down to Florida and came back 1-1 after beating Jones and falling to Dr. Phillips, two of Florida’s top teams. The Bulldogs play Friday against Banneker.

18. Evans (1-1)

Last week: 19

Evans' win over the weekend evened its record out, and now the Knights will have a week to prepare for Academy of Richmond on Friday.

19. Chattahoochee (5-1)

Last week: 21

The Cougars will play their first game in a week on Tuesday against undefeated South Gwinnett.

20. Shiloh (4-0)

Last week: 22

Shiloh hosted this year’s Hoopsgiving tournament and came out undefeated with wins against McEachern and Langston Hughes. The Generals won’t play again until Saturday against Trinity Christian.

21. McEachern (1-4)

Last week: 12

McEachern is 1-4 for the first time since 2012, all four losses were by single-digits. The Indians' journey to get back on track doesn’t get any easier when they face Wheeler on Saturday.

22. Westlake (1-3)

Last week: 10

Westlake has gotten off to a tough start, coming away from the Hard in the Paint and Hoopsgiving tournaments winless. The Lions look to get back on track against Stephenson on Tuesday.

23. Dutchtown (4-2)

Last week: 23

Dutchtown rebounded well after dropping two games, winning three in a row. The Bulldogs will face region opponent Ola on Tuesday.

24. Hillgrove (6-0)

Last week: Unranked

This is Hillgrove’s first 6-0 start since 2008 after taking down Westlake.

25. McDonough (3-0)

Last week: 25

McDonough put up 85 points on Warner Robins and beat the Demons by 40 points. The Warhawks will face region opponent Fayette County on Tuesday.