Top 10 games to watch in Georgia high school boys basketball: Berkmar clashes with California titan in Chicago

The game will offer a can’t-miss matchup between Modesto's Jamari Phillips and Berkmar’s Jameel Rideout.

By Darren Nichols | Photo by Jamie Spaar

Berkmar has played one of the toughest schedules in the state this season, and it doesn't get any easier in a date Saturday with Modesto Christian in Chicago.

The game will offer a can’t-miss matchup between Modesto's Jamari Phillips and Berkmar’s Jameel Rideout.

TOP 10 GAMES TO WATCH

10. Southwest DeKalb (13-3) @ Lithonia (12-6), 7 p.m. Friday 

Southwest DeKalb is having one of its best seasons in awhile. The team has already eclipsed its win total from last season, and now sits at 8-0 and tied for first in the region. Lithonia has been used to sitting atop the region standings but is currently in third place behind Southwest DeKalb and St. Pius X. Lithonia recently lost to St. Pius in a hard-fought six-point loss, the best game any opponent has played against St. Pius. So while Southwest is trying to maintain its position in first, Lithonia hasn’t given up yet. 

9. Chapel Hill (13-2) vs. Alexander (11-2), 6 p.m. Monday

Alexander will face Chapel Hill in the M.L.K. Showcase. Alexander is coming off its worst loss of the season, a 26-point blowout, but the Cougars are still 4-1 in their last five games. Chapel Hill, on the other hand, has been red hot, currently on a six-game win streak including 11 of its last 12.

8. Grovetown (16-3) @ Evans (13-6), 8:30 p.m. Friday

This region rivalry is a must-watch. The last two seasons both teams have been first and second place in the region. Last season Evans took the title, and the year before it belonged to Grovetown. Both teams are knotted up at 4-0 and tied for first place. This is the first of two matchups, but essentially the winner of this season series is very likely to gain its second region title in three seasons. 

7. Sequoyah (14-4) @ Centennial (14-2), 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

Centennial and Sequoyah square off in a big region matchup. Centennial holds the second-place region spot with a record of 6-1, while Sequoyah’s record stands at 5-2. This is the second matchup between these two teams, with Centennial taking the win in the first. If Sequoyah wins, then both teams will be tied for second with chances at first, but if Centennial sweeps the season series, third place is almost inevitable for Seqouyah. 

6. Osborne (14-0) @ Kell (9-7), 7:30 p.m. Friday

Osborne looks to continue its historic season as it takes on region rival Kell. Osborne holds first place in the region with a record of 7-0. Kell is right behind in second place with a region record of 6-2. This will be the second matchup between the two teams, with Osborne winning the first. Look for Kell to come out swinging, especially with how hot they are, being winners of four of its last five. 

5. Tri-Cities (10-3) vs. McDonough (16-1), 6:30 p.m. Monday

McDonough looks to extend its win streak to 12 vs. Tri-Cities in the Dream Challenge. With the help of leading scorers Daavion Thomas and Thalmus McDowell, McDonough has been unstoppable. This matchup will be exciting because Tri-Cities has some major scorers in Kory Mincy and Simeon Cottle, who are both averaging over 20 points per game.

4. South Gwinnett (15-3 ) @ Grayson (11-5), 7:30 p.m. Friday

South Gwinnett will travel to Grayson on Friday for a huge region matchup. South Gwinnett has the overall record advantage over Grayson but is 1-1 in the region standings while Grayson is 1-0. South Gwinnett has been struggling of late, as the Comets started their season 13-0 and have now lost three out of their last five. Although Grayson lost its last game, the Rams are 4-1 in their last five. This matchup has serious region implications. 

3. Eagle's Landing (16-3) vs. East Coweta (12-4), 5 p.m. Monday

Eagle's Landing has won eight of its last nine games, with the one loss being by three points to North Gwinnett. The Eagles have been firing on all cylinders with Dave Thomas at the helm scoring in bunches. East Coweta has won two in a row after a two-game cold spell. It will be interesting to see how the Indians' top two scorers — Delricco Gillespie and Samuel Moss — match up against Eagle's Landing's Dave Thomas and AJ Barnes.

2. Buford (14-3) @ Shiloh (15-0), 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

This is a huge region matchup for both squads. Shiloh has the overall record advantage, but both teams are tied for first place in the region at 5-0. Buford has won four of its last five and two in a row since a blowout loss to Rabun Gap. Shiloh is having one of its best seasons in school history. The Generals are led by senior Trevon Payton, who is averaging 17 points, five boards and three assists.

1. Berkmar (9-4) vs. Modesto Christian (California) (14-1), 6 p.m. Saturday

Both teams will travel to Chicago to compete in the Quincy Shootout. Modesto Christian is one of the top programs in California and has more than proved it with a record of 29-1 in the past two seasons. Berkmar has had its fair share of travel this season with six of games against out-of-state opponents. This game will offer a can’t-miss matchup of Modesto's Jamari Phillips vs. Berkmar’s Jameel Rideout, two of the most dynamic scorers you will see at the high school level.