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Hoops, here it is! It’s high school basketball season at long last. The Prep Sports Report has you covered for all things hardwood this season, and we’ll start by previewing the upcoming season for area Georgia High School Basketball Association (GHSA) teams.

Two big changes for this season are the implementation of the 35-second shot clock for all varsity GHSA games and a radically different looking regional alignment for a lot of our schools after reclassification over the summer. For the first time in the modern era, Savannah’s private school trio of Calvary Day, Savannah Country Day and Savannah Christian will be playing in region 3-3A alongside public school powers like Johnson, Beach and others.

The city’s top rivalry over the last three seasons has been Johnson and Windsor Forest (3-2A), but not only are the two schools no longer in the same region, they aren’t even in the same classification. While those two rivals part ways with one another, Woodville-Tompkins finally has another Savannah school in its region with the Savannah High addition to Class 1A DI. Jenkins (1-5A) and Richmond Hill (1-7A) are the lone area teams in their respective regions as well.

While Friday, November 11 is the first day for GHSA teams to play regular season games, most of our area teams don’t begin until the week of Monday, November 14.

Below, you’ll find out about all of the key teams, players, stats and storylines for every GHSA team in the Savannah area. We’ll go region-by-region starting from Class 7A and working our way down to Class 1A. Buckle up, lace ‘em up and toughen up hoops fans, it’s basketball time in Savannah, GA.

REGION 1-7A

Richmond Hill*

Camden County

Colquitt County

Lowndes

Valdosta

Richmond Hill (5-21 in 2021) had a rare down year last season in region 2-6A. Head coach Bill Henderson’s team graduated 73% of its total points scored in 2021.This year, the Wildcats jump up to Class 7A, but the move up in class isn’t going to mean stiffer competition within region play. No team in the region is ranked in Kyle Sandy’s preseason top-10 poll. That’s good news for RHHS, which will need to find scoring from untested players this year.

REGION 2-6A

Effingham County*

South Effingham*

Brunswick

Evans

Glynn Academy

Grovetown

Lakeside, Evans

Effingham County (18-9, 10-2 in 2021) has been ultra-consistent over the last decade. Under Jake Darling’s direction for the last nine years, the Rebels have posted an overall record of 130-88 (.596). Travis Priddy takes over the program this season with Darling moving to the Athletic Director role over the summer. Priddy has coached at several schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, but while at Savannah Country Day (two seasons) and Savannah Christian (five seasons), he posted a record of 100-76 (.568). He has tons of talent coming back this season in Springfield.

Keion Wallace (15.0 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game in 2021) is back for his senior campaign and the three-time all-region selection was named the Region 2-6A co-Player of the Year last season. Wallace leads a loaded, experienced Rebels squad that was seconds away from winning a region championship last season in a memorable title game versus Statesboro. Other key players returning from the 2021 squad include: Jordan Goldwire, Rashad Scott, Timmy Brown and Ashley Thompson.

South Effingham (3-22, 0-12) had a rough season last year, but the Mustangs should be better this year under head coach Rico Cambell. The Mustangs lose their leading scorer from last season, but they’ll return four seniors who all averaged more than five points per game in 2021. Those seniors are: Gavin Hiatt (9.3), Devin Hallman (8.7), Isaiah Campbell (6.4) and Rakeam Williams (5.3).

REGION 1-5A

Jenkins*

Bradwell Institute

Coffee

Greenbrier

Statesboro

Ware County

Jenkins - The 2021-22 season saw Jenkins (7-13, 1-5 in region 3-4A) win fewer games than it had since 2008 (three wins). Senior Juwan Boggs returns to lead the HVJ backcourt after averaging 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last year. This season, head coach Terry Hines and the Warriors bump up to Class 5A to play in region 1 where Statesboro (preseason No. 8) is the odds-on favorite to win the region. Jeremiah James (8.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists) should join Boggs to form a solid scoring tandem for Hines and company in 2022-23.

REGION 3-4A

Benedictine*

Islands*

New Hampstead*

Burke County

Southeast Bulloch

Wayne County

Benedictine (16-7, 6-0) won the four-team region 3-4A last season under head coach Frank Williams and the Cadets could repeat again this year even with the addition of Burke County, Wayne County and Southeast Bulloch for 2022-23. No team is ranked in this region to begin the season. Caleb Jones (11.3 points per game) was one of the area’s best freshmen in 2021-22 and the shooting guard should be considered a preseason favorite for region Player of the Year honors in his sophomore campaign. Juniors Makhi Hampton (8.1 points per game) and La’Don Bryant (7.3) are also back for Williams and company.

New Hampstead (11-11, 4-2) and head coach Jeffery Williams finished with a .500 record last year and the Phoenix should be expecting to make the state playoffs again this year. Senior guard Zion Griffin and junior guard Toland Daughtry return for NHHS after being named to the All-Region 3-4A first team last year.

Islands (6-17, 1-5) was a young club last season but the program is moving in the right direction. This season under first-year head coach Reggie Stovell, the Sharks will be paced largely by junior guard (and 2021-22 All-Region 3-4A selection) Jordan Cave this year. Cave averaged 12 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists as a sophomore.

REGION 3-3A

Beach*

Calvary Day*

Groves*

Johnson*

Savannah Christian*

Savannah Country Day*

Liberty County

Long County

Johnson (17-11) and head coach Chuck Cambell have state title aspirations this season. The Atom Smashers went to the Elite 8 last year and won the region 3-3A championship the year prior. They’ll begin the season ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by Kyle Sandy and No. 4 by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Senior guard Antonio Baker is the unquestioned front-runner for Greater Savannah Area Player of the Year honors after he averaged 19.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a junior and 15.3 points as a sophomore. With a college offer from Kennesaw State to his credit, Baker is a preseason first-team All-State selection by Sandy. Coming over from Bethesda Academy this season, Josh Quarterman (11.1 points per game) is the most significant transfer in the city this season. He’ll join Baker and Malachi Robinson (6.1 points, 9.6 rebounds) to form a solid SCJ trio.

Beach (16-9) returns two of the area’s top players in Shamarrie Hugie and James Leach after the Bulldogs made a Cinderella run to the Class 3A Final Four last season under head coach Simon Heyward. Heyward’s team begins the season ranked No. 4 by Kyle Sandy and No. 5 by the AJC. Hugie averaged 16 points and 7.1 rebounds as a junior while Leach averaged 7.0 points and 7.3 boards per game.

Groves (18-6) is likely in for a rebuilding year under last year’s Greater Savannah Area Coach of the Year Kevin Evans. The Rebels made it to the Elite 8 last season after winning the loaded region 3-3A tournament to earn a 1-seed in the state playoffs. This season, Evans and company will have to replace 63% of its points scored from last year’s team and trio of guys likely tasked with filling that void are Khari Manning (5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists), Phillip Bing (4.5 points) and Ja'Quawn Singleton (4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds).

Calvary Day (17-7) won the Region 3-A Private championship and advanced to the Class A Private Elite 8 last year. The Cavs figure to be solid once again under eighth-year head coach Chad Carver. Guard Sean Stoddard (10.3 points, 3.0 assists) returns for his senior season to lead a good Calvary backcourt into region 3-3A. Junior Jake Merklinger also figures to play a key role once the star quarterback returns from the football field to the hardwood. Calvary averaged 56.6 points per game and allowed 47.7 last season.

Savannah Country Day (13-13) will be under the direction of first-year head coach Mac Tamminen this year, but the Hornets got some bad news in early November when junior Timo Moeller suffered a season-ending injury by tearing his ACL. Moeller, who averaged a double-double (14.0, 11.8) as a sophomore, was due for surgery just one week prior to the season’s start. Still, SCDS returns junior Rob Spaulding IV after the wing averaged 13.9 points and 5.9 boards per game last season.

Savannah Christian (8-17) enters year one under head coach Zach Darling after graduating its top two scorers from last season’s squad. The Raiders did not win a game in region 3-A Private (0-6) and the move up to region 3-3A is going to give SCPS a more difficult region slate this season. Blake Hall (7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds), Jamari McIvory (5.8, 4.1) and Kenry Wall (3.2, 2.3) are solid returning players for Darling to build around. Senior Jayden Hester is a solid defender as well.

REGION 3-2A

Windsor Forest*

Appling County

Brantley County

Pierce County

Tattnall County

Toombs County

Vidalia

Windsor Forest (23-6, 11-1 in region 3-3A) was the Class 3A state runner-up under head coach Aaron Clark last year, but the Knights lose a lot of production from that squad as they head into region 3-2A this season. WF will depend on senior Qurahn Anderson to score the rock after the guard averaged 9.3 points per game last year before missing the final few playoff games due to injury. There are no teams in this region starting the season ranked in the Class 2A top-10.

REGION 3-A DI

Bryan County*

Savannah*

Woodville-Tompkins*

Claxton

Metter

Screven County

Woodville-Tompkins (18-11) and head coach Lenny Williams had another outstanding season in 2021-22 as the Wolverines reached the Class 2A Final Four. Seniors Alfonso Ross (guard) and Wes Walker (center) should lead Williams’ bunch this season as they move down to Class 1A DI for this year. The Wolverines begin the season ranked No. 7 in Class 1A DI by Kyle Sandy and No. 4 by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Entering his sixth season at Woodville, Williams has a record of 103-38 (.730) and has averaged 20.6 wins per season.

Savannah High (8-15) is poised for its best season in a long time this year under legendary head coach Tim Jordan. SHS has not had a winning season since 2014, but moving down Class 1A this season should give Jordan’s club a good chance at breaking that streak come season’s end. The Bluejackets return almost all of their production from last year, led by junior wing Jermaine Edwards sophomore Maki Joyner. Senior Amarion Watson and sophomore Chance Hendricks are also returning contributors who are expected to take steps forward in 2022-23.

Bryan County (20-7) might be unranked to begin the season, but there’s enough talent returning this year to warrant considering the Redskins as a popular Class 1A DI darkhorse pick. Before winning 20 games last season under head coach Brent Anderson, Bryan County had compiled a brutal 4-65 record in the previous three seasons combined. Sophomore Elijah Mincey was one of the best freshmen in the state last season as he averaged 16 points per game while being named the region 3-A Public Player of the Year in his first high school season.

TOP NON-REGION GAMES TO WATCH

Nov. 15 – Bryan County at Effingham

Nov. 18 – Beach at Savannah High

Nov. 21 – Johnson vs Dougherty (Joe Greene Tournament at Beach)

Nov. 22 – Beach vs Dougherty, Johnson vs Hiram (Joe Greene Tournament at Beach)

Nov. 26 – Johnson vs McDonough

Nov. 29 – Statesboro at Windsor Forest

Dec. 6 – St. Andrew’s at Jenkins

Dec. 14-17 – Savannah Holiday Classic

Dec. 19 – Portal at Effingham

Dec. 28-30 – St. Andrew’s Holiday Classic

THE FAB-15 – PSR’S TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

(no specific order; includes GHSA, GIAA, SCISA players)

Antonio Baker – Sr. – Johnson

Zyere Edwards – Sr. – St. Andrew’s

Qurahn Anderson – Sr. – Windsor Forest

Shamarrie Hugie – Sr. – Beach

Caleb Jones – So. – Benedictine

Josh Quarterman – Jr. – Johnson

Juwan Boggs – Sr. – Jenkins

Rob Spaulding – Jr. – Savannah Country Day

Elijah Mincey – So. – Bryan County

James Leach – Sr. – Beach

Jermaine Edwards – Jr. – Savannah High

Jordan Cave – Jr. – Islands

Keion Wallace – Sr. – Effingham

Sean Stoddard – Sr. – Calvary Day

Alfonso Ross – Sr. – Woodville-Tompkins

FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.

 

PHOTO CREDIT - USATD SYND

 

Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!