Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school boys basketball: Milton gets chance to re-enter national conversation

It's a tournament-heavy schedule this week with some intriguing in-state and out-of-state matchups.

The action gets going early this week, with a bunch of good games today and Tuesday.

And several are tournaments, so opponents as the week goes on will be pending the early results.

(Feature photo by Willie Prince)

TOP 10 GAMES TO WATCH

10. McDonough (9-1) vs. John Milledge Academy (3-0), 5:30 p.m. Monday

McDonough is coming off a defensive showcase in which the team held Baldwin to just 29 points. Baldwin had been on a 24-game win streak, but McDonough has shown it can put up big points in addition to its stifling defense, with five games of 75 or more points. John Milledge Academy has carried over its success from last year’s 27-1 championship season to this season. The Trojans are looking good but will face the toughest competition they may see all season tonight. 

9. Baldwin (8-1) vs. Westover (Albany) (8-0), 5:30 p.m Wednesday

Baldwin recently suffered its first loss since February 2020. The Braves went undefeated last season and were 8-0 before losing to McDonough. Watch for Baldwin to play some of its best ball in the upcoming games after that wake-up call. Westover is having its best start to a season in over 20 years. The Patriots will have a tough task in Baldwin despite its hot streak, but hope to catch Baldwin vulnerable after a loss. 

7. Greenforest (6-4) vs. Pace Academy (7-3), 6 p.m. Monday

Greenforest and Pace Academy will match up in the Playing for a Change tournament. Both teams are wildly talented with some of the top recruits in the 2022-23 class. This game will be a good measuring stick for both squads. 

6. South Gwinnett (12-0) vs. University (Florida) (7-4), 7 p.m. Monday

South Gwinnett looks to improve upon its tremendous start. South Gwinnett will play its second game in Florida vs. University, after taking down Dillard (Florida) over the weekend. University has been a top-tier team in Florida for the last couple of seasons, and come into this matchup winners of two in a row. 

5. Pebblebrook (8-2) vs. Greenhill (11-6), 3:30 p.m. Monday

Pebblebrook is on Game 3 of a five-game stretch of out-of-state opponents. The Falcons most recently went 1-1 in the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, as the team lost to Durango (Nevada) and beat Oak Ridge (Florida). Greenhill’s eight-game win streak recently got snapped, but look for the Hornets to aim to get back to its winning ways. 

4. Alexander (7-0) vs. North Gwinnett (8-3), 4:30 p.m. Monday

North Gwinnett is coming off back-to-back big wins and have seemed to be unstoppable with superb play from Clemson commit RJ Godfrey and Thomas Allard, who recently dropped 43 points with 13 threes. Alexander, on the other hand, has been unstoppable. Alexander’s schedule hasn’t been a cakewalk and won’t get any easier with North Gwinnett. 

3. East Coweta (7-1) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2), 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

East Coweta will face St. Thomas Aquinas in the Sunshine State Explosion tournament. East Coweta takes a talented team down south, with four starters averaging double-digit points. St. Thomas is coming off a 19-point blowout loss in its last outing, and has two big-time players in Matthew Cadogan and Andrew Akuchie, who are both averaging over 16 points per game. 

2. Eagle's Landing (8-0) vs. Grayson (5-2), 4 p.m. Monday

The undefeated Eagles will face Grayson in tournament play this afternoon. Eagle's Landing has been hot to start the season and has continued its win streak to 24 straight games dating back to last season. Grayson's two losses have been by two points each, against Wheeler and McEachern. The Rams have played great basketball this season against great competition, so this will be a tough matchup for both teams. 

1. Milton (4-2) vs. Calvary Christian Academy (Florida) (5-0), 5 p.m. Monday

Milton faces its second straight out-of-state opponent. Milton’s last game was a 17-point victory vs. Charlotte (Florida). Calvary Christian is one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, coming in at No. 15 on the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25. Milton will have a tough task on its hands, but with a win here, Milton’s name will start to re-enter the national conversation.