SBLive’s Top 25 in Georgia high school boys basketball: Berkmar, Wheeler on the rise

Berkmar and Wheeler both suffered early-season losses to fall a bit in the rankings, but both are back on the rise after a solid week, with the latter scoring a milestone win for coach Larry Thompson.

Pictured above is junior Wheeler guard Damion Mitchell (photo by Willie Prince).

SBLIVE’S GEORGIA TOP 25

1. Newton (9-0)

Last week: 1

Newton stays atop the rankings with two big wins over Greenforest and Pinson Valley (Alabama). Jakai Newton has led the charge for the Rams with 20-plus points in both games.

2. Pebblebrook (6-1)

Last week: 2

Pebblebrook traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to face James Clemens in the Bragging Rights: Georgia vs. Alabama tourney. The Falcons came away with bragging rights and the 78-58 victory.

3. Eagle's Landing (6-0)

Last week: 3

Eagle's Landing captured two region victories last week, improving its win streak to 22 straight dating back to last season.

4. Berkmar (3-1)

Lask week: 9

After its opening loss, Berkmar has taken down Archer, Norcross and Milton. Malique Ewin has been big for the Patriots and showed up again vs. Milton with 25 points and 10 boards.

5. Grayson (5-1)

Last week: 4

Grayson earned bragging rights against Alabama after taking down Sparkman 56-48.

6. Wheeler (5-3)

Lask week: 8

The Wildcats have won two straight since their loss to McEachern. Their win over South Cobb helped Coach Larry Thompson achieve his 150th career win.

7. St. Pius X Catholic (6-1)

Last week: 11

St. Pius has extended its win streak to six, and Eamonn Kenah was big in a win over Blessed Trinity with 19 points.

8. Norcross (5-3)

Last week: 7

Norcross suffered two heartbreaking losses last week — a 68-67 loss to Berkmar that came down to the last possession, which resulted in a Norcross turnover, and a 45-43 loss at the buzzer to Westlake.

9. Milton (3-2)

Last week: 5

Milton fell to Berkmar 73-62 and routed Etowah and Alpharetta. The Eagles will now prepare for the City of Palms Classic in Florida.

10. Baldwin (7-0)

Last week: 12

With Baldwin's win over Jones County, the Braves pushed their win streak to 24 straight dating back to last season.

11. Centennial (9-0)

Last week: 13

Centennial has rattled off three straight region victories and nine straight to start the season.

12. Sandy Creek (7-1)

Last week: 6

After seven straight wins, the Patriots suffered their first loss vs. Kell. The Patriots have another tough opponent in Pace Academy to gear up for.

13. Pace Academy (6-3)

Last week: 10

The Knights went 1-1 over the weekend in the Nike Hoophall West tourney. Pace Academy has lost two of its last three games.

14. Tri-Cities (3-1)

Last week: 15

Tri-Cities has won four straight, with its only loss coming against Jones High (Florida). The Bulldogs have leaned heavily on Kory Mincy and Simeon Cottle, who are averaging 19 and 18 points per game, respectively.

15. South Gwinnett (9-0)

Last week: 16

South Gwinnett hasn’t had a start this dominant in over 25 seasons. The Comets will look to keep improving their streak against Dacula on Tuesday.

16. North Gwinnett (7-3)

Last week: 14

North Gwinnett went 1-1 over the weekend, losing to McEachern by 10 points. Then the Bulldogs took on McGill-Toolen in the Georgia vs. Alabama Braggin’ Rights showcase and left with a 59-56 victory.

17. Shiloh (5-0)

Last week: 17

Shiloh earned braggin’ rights over the weekend with a 49-43 victory over Huntsville (Alabama) in the Braggin’ Rights tournament.

18. Westlake (6-3)

Last week: 19

Westlake has won five straight after a 1-3 start. The Lions knocked off Norcross with a layup at the buzzer to push their record to 6-3.

19. McEachern (4-4)

Last week: 20

McEachern, which lost four of its first five games, has been a totally different team of late. The Indians have had three consecutive big wins vs. Wheeler, Hillgrove and North Gwinnett.

20. Osborne (7-0)

Last week: 22

Osborne’s 20-point win over South Cobb pushes its win streak to seven. The Cardinals have region opponents Kennesaw Mountain and Allatoona up next on the schedule.

21. Buford (5-1)

Last week: 23

Buford's win streak is up to three games. The Wolves have been routing their opponents, outscoring their last three by 92 points.

22. McDonough (7-1)

Last week: 24

McDonough had two blowout wins over the weekend. The Warhawks have outscored their opponents by almost 200 points through eight games.

23. West Forsyth (9-1)

Last week: 25

West Forsyth went 3-0 over the past week, pushing its winning streak to nine games.

24. Cross Creek (6-1)

Last week: 21

Cross Creek rebounded after its 20-game win streak was broken last week with two consecutive wins over Laney.

25. Hillgrove (9-1)

Last week: 18

Hillgrove dropped its first game against McEachern but rebounded with wins against Paulding County and Kennesaw Mountain.