SBLive's Top 25 in Georgia high school boys basketball: Centennial rises on big region win

The Knights jump into the top 20 after dealing River Ridge its first region loss of the season last week.

The top teams in Georgia are in varying positions this week, with some still competing in region tournaments and others simply waiting to see who they'll face first in the playoffs.

Centennial jumped into the top 20 this week after dealing River Ridge its first region loss of the season last week.

The rankings cover all classifications.

(Feature photo by Dennis Carter)

SBLIVE'S GEORGIA TOP 25

1. Pebblebrook (23-2) 

Last week: 1

Pebblebrook finishes its regular season in the No. 1 spot that it held down for all of 2022. The Falcons ended their regular season on a 16-game win streak and as region champs. 

2. Wheeler (21-4)

Last week: 2

Wheeler’s 10-game win streak to end the season was a huge reason the Wildcats had their third consecutive season of 20-plus wins. Wheeler also went 16-0 in region play to earn its third straight region title. 

3. Berkmar (20-5) 

Last week: 3

Berkmar ended its season on an 11-game win streak, overcoming a slow start to pick up back-to-back 20-win seasons. 

4. Newton (21-4)

Last week: 4

Newton captured its eighth 20-win season in the last nine seasons. The Rams dominated their region, going 8-0, and will play in their region tournament this week. 

5. North Gwinnett (22-3)

Last week: 5

North Gwinnett ended its season on an impressive 16-game win streak, making it 20-plus wins for back-to-back seasons as region champs. 

6. Eagle's Landing (23-3)

Last week: 6

Eagle's Landing has solidified itself as one of Georgia’s top powerhouses, with this being the Eagles' seventh season in a row of 20-plus wins. Eagle's Landing also won its region tournament. 

7. Pace Academy (21-4)

Last week: 7

Pace Academy was on fire to end the season, and the Knights will take a 14-game win streak into the postseason. This is the third consecutive season that the Knights have gone undefeated in region play. 

8. Norcross (20-5)

Last week: 8

Norcross barely squeaked by Duluth in its last regular-season game to capture the ninth consecutive 20-plus-win season for the Blue Devils. 

9. Westlake (18-4)

Last week: 10

Westlake will take its 12-game win streak into the region tournament. The Lions will have all the confidence in the world after going 12-0 against region opponents in the regular season. 

10. Greenforest (20-4)

Last week: 11

Greenforest will look to remain hot after ending the regular season on a 16-game win streak. The Eagles went undefeated in region play for the second straight season. 

11. St. Pius X Catholic (22-3)

Last week: 12

St. Pius took down region rival Southwest DeKalb to end its season on an eight-game win streak and with a 15-1 region record. 

12. Sandy Creek (22-3) 

Last week: 13

Sandy Creek capped off another dominant season, this being the team’s eighth in the last nine to eclipse 20 wins. 

13. Milton (18-7)

Last week: 14

Milton cooled off a red-hot Alexander team with a 17-point victory. 

14. Columbia (21-3)

Last week: 16

Columbia capped off its season with a 30-point victory over Elite Scholars Academy, the team's ninth win of 30 or more points.

15. McDonough (23-2)

Last week: 9

McDonough’s 18-game win streak was snapped in the region championship by Fayette County. 

16. Grovetown (22-3)

Last week: 20

Grovetown’s win over Lakeside improved its region record to 10-0 to end the season. The Warriors also ended the season on a 10-game win streak, beating each opponent by double digits.

17. McEachern (14-8)

Last week: 17

McEachern finished the season off with a 20-point victory over Campbell. McEachern will face East Coweta in the first round of its region tournament. 

18. Hillgrove (21-2)

Last week: 21

Hillgrove has enjoyed its best season in eight years, going undefeated in region play and ending the year winning 14 of its last 15 games.

19. Centennial (20-3)

Last week: 22

Centennial ended its regular season on a six-game win streak, including a huge region win over River Ridge, which hadn't lost a region game all season.

20. River Ridge (21-3)

Last week: 16

River Ridge lost its first region game to Centennial. River Ridge still won the region, but its 14-game win streak was snapped. 

21. Alexander (23-2)

Last week: 18

Milton snapped Alexander’s 14-game win streak, but the Cougars finished the regular season with their best record since 2013.

22. Grayson (16-8)

Last week: 23

Grayson capped off its season with yet another region win, and though the Rams weren’t able to eclipse 20 wins, they lost only one game by double digits.

23. Osborne (20-5)

Last week: 24

Osborne had a rough finish to its season but closed it out with a win. Despite the struggles down the stretch, this has been the Cardinals' best season in years.

24. Social Circle (25-0)

Last week: 25

Social Circle completed a perfect regular season, dominating its competition all year. 

25. Buford (20-5)

Last week: unranked

Buford had some surprising losses this season, but the Wolves went 11-1 in a tough region.

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Just missed: Shiloh (19-5), Kell (14-8), South Gwinnett (15-3)