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QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW
  
Today, we preview the quarterfinals and this weekend's star-studded Hoopsgiving tournament at Holy Innocents'. Visit ScoreAtl.com tonight for recaps of all the quarterfinals games and playoff brackets that will be  updated live HERE. Tonight's live scoring can be accessed HERE or through your smart phone or tablet via the free High School Scoring App


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In This Issue
Trivia
Question: 
How many sacks has the Mill Creek defense produced this season?

Today's answer can be found in the newsletter!

Wednesday's Answer:
There are five defending champions left in the playoffs (Colquitt, Buford, Calhoun, Benedictine, Mt. Paran)

PLAYOFF BRACKETS

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Friday, November 27, 2015


SCORE ATLANTA VOL. 11 ISSUE 40
 

Check out this week's publication!


 
HOLIDAY HOOPSGIVING
By Kyle Sandy
 

Storylines unfold as star-studded tournament tips off


Shake off your Thanksgiving hangover and make it out to Atlanta's premier basketball showcase. Holiday Hoopsgiving at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School is a two day event starting at 11:15 AM this Friday. The event is chock full with nationally recognized teams and top ranked prospects. Atlanta-based Class AA No. 2 Pace Academy features the No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2017 with 6-foot-11 Wendell Carter Jr. 

The big man is the reigning MVP of the event after pulling down 26 rebounds and scoring 18 points. Greenforest Christian, the No. 1 ranked team in Class A-Private, features 7-foot junior Ikey Obiagu, another five-star recruit that is regarded as the nation's best shot blocker. Douglas County will boast UNC signee Brandon Robinson, The Potters House has 6-foot-10 five-star senior Udoka Azubuike and local schools 5A No. 2 McIntosh, 6A No. 2 Norcross, 6A No. 6 Pebblebrook, 6A No. 3 Westlake and 4A No. 5 Sandy Creek all have a plethora of Division-One talent. The girls' side is loaded as well with 2A No. 1 Holy Innocents', 3A No. 2 South Atlanta and 4A No. 7 Jonesboro all in attendance. 

FOLLOW THE COVERAGE HERE

QUARTERFINAL PREVIEWS
 

Class AAAAAA: QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW





Class A-Private: QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW

Class A-Public: QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW

MATCHUP SPOTLIGHT: Archer at Mill Creek


Gwinnett County has produced many of the state's top football programs, but there is a new breed of schools making their name as not only the county's finest but also the state's best.
 
Only 16 miles separate Mill Creek and Archer, but they will square off for the first time in their school's history Friday night at Markham Field.

Although the two teams played to a 14-14 tie in a scrimmage game back in August, neither team showed much on either side of the ball making this matchup a true first time occasion. In what shapes up to be one of the most intriguing quarterfinal matchups in the state, the bright lights in Hoschton will play host to an incredible array of individual and team talent.
 
Bolstered by their ground attack, Mill Creek enters the game unblemished and hardly tested. They average just under 39 points per game, with a 31.5 margin of victory over 12 games. The team has also won every game by at least 24 points except their heavyweight bout against Peachtree Ridge (20-17 OT win).
 
The Hawks offense is lead by a pair of running backs who have a knack for finding the end zone. Joe Thomas leads the team with 706 rushing yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns, while Daniel Leconte has added 580 yards on the ground (4.7 yards per carry) and 13 scores. Quarterback Cameron Turley has thrown for 1912 yards and 15 touchdowns, while only tossing three interceptions. His 58 percent completion percent and ability to take care of the football has been a nice compliment to their power run game.
 
Look for the Hawks to try and establish their running game early in the game. They average almost 35 rushes per game, and if they can get Thomas and Leconte going it will open up the passing game for Turley.
 
Archer's offense is a stark contrast to that of their opponent. They too have a power run game, but their offense is marked by balance. Running back Jamyest Williams is having an exceptional year with 1249 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns. He has accounted for six 100-yard rushing games and is always a threat to beat a team on the ground. His eight receptions on the year also make him a pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
 
Speaking of pass catching, the Tigers display one of the premier wide receivers in the entire country. Five-star prospect Kyle Davis leads the team in receptions (47) and receiving yards (773). His big 6-foot-2, 218-pound frame gives opposing defensive backs nightmares. Davis has six touchdowns on the year and is a deep threat at all times during the game. Quarterback Will Bearden has quietly turned in a stellar senior season. He is completing 69 percent of his passes and has racked up 2430 yards, 23 touchdowns and has only thrown three interceptions.
 
The Tigers will attempt to have balance with Williams and Bearden. The key for them will be to ground and pound early in the game to set up the play-action passing game. If that happens, they will surely take some deep shots to Davis.
 
Key Matchup: Archer offense vs. Mill Creek defense
 
Mill Creek displays one of the premiere defensive units in the entire state allowing a mere seven points per contest. Their numbers are off the charts accumulating 17 interceptions and 62 sacks this season. Linebacker Micah Bull has proven to be the leader in the middle racking up 86 total tackles and two fumble recoveries. Tyler Vernon has shown unprecedented pass-rushing ability with his team-leading 16 sacks from his defensive end position. Also, defensive back Kishawn Miller leads the team with four interceptions and will have his work cut out for him with the talent at wide receiver from Archer.
 
The Tigers ability to beat team's running the ball and through the air have made them one of the best offensive teams in Georgia this season. While most of the attention will be paid to Davis, Bearden will need to look to seniors Aramis Bryant (21 receptions, 518 yards, eight touchdowns) and Dylan Singleton (22 receptions, 313 yards, four touchdowns) in the passing game. With the size advantage that Davis displays over the corners from Mill Creek, Bearden should take some downfield shots to him even if he is double covered. Establishing the presence of Williams running the ball will not only give him confidence, but it will also give the team a lift and prove they can score on this stout defense.
 
Prediction: Mill Creek 21, Archer 17
 
Mill Creek (12-0)
  • Won Region 7-AAAAAA
  • Beat Northview 46-13 (First Round) and Newnan 44-14 (Second Round)
  • State Titles: none
  • Best Finish: Elite 8 in 2010 and 2012
  • Last Season: 7-4 (Lost to Grayson in the First Round of the state playoffs 24-6)
  • First Season: 2004
 
Archer (11-1)
  • Second in Region 8-AAAAAA
  • Beat Etowah 40-17 (First Round) and McEachern 24-21 (Second Round)
  • State Titles: none
  • Best Finish: State Runner-Up in 2014
  • Last Season: 11-4 (Lost to Colquitt County in the State Championship Game 28-24)
  • First Season: 2009

QUARTERFINALS PAIRINGS
 

Class AAAAAA
R7 #3 Collins Hill at R5 #1 Roswell
R8 #1 Grayson at R3 #1 Westlake
R1 #1 Colquitt County at R6 #1 South Forsyth
R8 #2 Archer at R7 #1 Mill Creek
 
Class AAAAA
R2#1 Houston County at R5 #1 Allatoona
R7 #2 Kell at R4 #2 Northgate
R4 #4 Drew at R3 #3 Ware County
R3 #2 Glynn Academy at R4 #1 Stockbridge
 
Class AAAA
R6 #2 Marist at R5 #1 Woodward Academy
R8 #1 Buford at R3 #1 Thomson
R6 #1 St. Pius at R1 #1 Bainbridge
R4 #1 Jonesboro at R7 #1 Cartersville
 
Class AAA
R4 #3 Westminster at R6 #2 Adairsville
R2 #4 Westside-Macon at R4 #2 Cedar Grove
R8 #3 Elbert County at R6 #1 Calhoun
R4 #1 Blessed Trinity at R7 #1 Dawson County
 
Class AA
R1 #2 Fitzgerald at R2 #1 Benedictine
R8 #1 Rabun County at R3 #1 Jefferson County
R1 #1 Brooks County at R6 #1 Greater Atlanta Christian
R6 #4 Pace Academy at R4 #1 Macon County
 
Class A-Public
T9 Commerce at T1 Marion County
T13 Johnson County at T5 Clinch County
T11 Trion at T3 Irwin County
T10 Mt. Zion-Carroll at T2 Emanuel County Institute
 
Class A-Private
T8 Savannah Christian at T1 Prince Avenue
T5 Mt. Paran Christian at T4 Eagle's Landing Christian
T11 Christian Heritage at T3 Aquinas
T10 Stratford Academy at T2 Pinecrest Academy

SCORE POLL






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