SBLive's Top 25 in Georgia high school boys basketball: Wheeler shows it's the clear-cut class of 6A

The Wildcats beat Newton in one of the games of the year, while No. 1 Pebblebrook enters the national conversation with another solid week.

The game of the week on paper was Wheeler vs. Newton, and it turned out even better than expected on the court.

Wheeler pulled out a thrilling overtime win and heads toward the playoffs full of confidence as the heavy favorite in Class 6A.

The rankings cover all classifications.

(Feature photo by Ed Turlington)

SBLIVE'S GEORGIA TOP 25

1. Pebblebrook (18-2) 

Last week: 1

Pebblebrook increased its win streak to 11 straight after blowing out region opponent East Coweta. The Falcons are undefeated at 5-0 in their region and made their debut in the national SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25.

2. Wheeler (17-4)

Last week: 2

Wheeler’s win streak sits at six after the Wildcats had a great week of hoops, scoring two blowout wins over region opponents, and then in the game of the week took down former No. 1 Newton in overtime. 

3. Berkmar (15-4) 

Last week: 3

Berkmar was 3-0 on the week, with two region wins and a huge win over Norcross in one of the top games of the week.

4. Newton (17-4)

Last week: 4

Newton had a tough schedule last week, facing three top 25 opponents in South Gwinnett, Grayson and Wheeler. The Rams took down South Gwinnett and Grayson but fell to No. 2 Wheeler.

5. North Gwinnett (19-3)

Last week: 6

 North Gwinnett has been scorching hot. A win last week over North Mecklenburg (North Carolina) was huge for the Bulldogs. 

6. Eagle's Landing (21-3)

Last week: 7

Eagle's Landing is on a seven-game win streak, with four straight being double-digit wins against region opponents.

7. Pace Academy (19-4)

Last week: 8

Pace Academy hasn’t lost in over a month while running up a 12-game win streak.

8. Shiloh (19-0)

Last week: 10

Speaking of win streaks, Shiloh has a lot to say. The Generals have won 19 straight and are having one of the team’s best years in school history.

9. Norcross (16-5)

Last week: 5

Norcross ended the week on a two-game win streak but started with a two-point loss to Berkmar, its second down-to-the-wire defeat against the Patriots this season.

10. McDonough (21-1)

Last week: 9

McDonough has eclipsed the 20-win mark for the first time since 2018. The Warhawks are one of the hottest teams in the state, riding a 16-game win streak.

11. Westlake (16-4)

Last week: 11

Many thought this was simply not the year for Westlake after the Lions lost three of their first four games. They're now on a 10-game win streak and 10-0 in the region.

12. Greenforest (18-4)

Last week: 12

Greenforest’s win streak stacks up with some of the best in the state, currently at 14 games. The Eagles also had a rough start to their season, losing three of their first four, but have been unstoppable since.

13. St. Pius X Catholic (18-3)

Last week: 14

St. Pius extended its win streak to five games after taking down top region rival Southwest DeKalb in a must-win game to take the region title.

14. Sandy Creek (18-3) 

Last week: 15

Sandy Creek has won five straight games against region opponents, pushing its region record to 10-0.

15. Milton (16-7)

Last week: 17

Milton is on a four-game win streak, and with a 10-2 record against Georgia opponents, the Eagles are glad because that's all that's left on their schedule.

16. Columbia (20-3)

Last week: 21

Columbia achieved a 20-win season for the second year in a row after beating its fourth straight opponent by 20-plus points.

17. River Ridge (19-3)

Last week: 22

River Ridge hasn’t lost in over a month and is on a 12-game win streak, with eight straight being against region opponents.

18. McEachern (13-7)

Last week: 18

McEachern went 2-0 last week with two huge wins over East Coweta and Newnan. The Indians get ready for a big-time matchup vs. Pebblebrook on Tuesday.

19. Alexander (17-2)

Last week: 23

Alexander’s second stint in the top 25 went well for the Cougars, as they took down a super talented Osborne team, increasing their win streak to six games.

20. Osborne (17-2)

Last week: 13

Osborne suffered its second loss on the season against a red-hot Alexander team.

21. Grayson (13-7)

Last week: 16

Grayson suffered a tough loss to Newton. The region matchup came down to the wire and was decided by two points.

22. Grovetown (19-3)

Last week: Unranked 

Grovetown has been killing it all season and is on a 10-game win streak. The Warriors haven't lost in a month.

23. Hillgrove (17-2)

Last week: 19

Hillgrove’s 10-game win streak ended with its loss to Gray Collegiate Academy (South Carolina).

24. Centennial (17-3)

Last week: 24

Centennial went 2-0 last week against Cambridge and Johns Creek, which were much-needed region victories.

25. Buford (17-5)

Last week: 20

Buford’s short-lived three-game win streak came to an end after it fell to Etowah. 

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Just missed: Kell (11-7), South Gwinnett (15-3), Cumberland Christian (15-6)