New Year Storylines

With the new calendar year upon us, let's talk about what storylines are to unfold in 2024.

Although it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, who really is the best girls team in Georgia? There are two clear cut options: Class 7A No. 1 Grayson or Class 3A No. 1 Hebron Christian. Hebron Christian entered the year with the most fanfare, a loaded roster that has destroyed the competition dating back to GBCA Live in June. Grayson however, is the hottest they've been all season, their four transfers gelling quickly. While Hebron Christian (11-2) has the slight advantage in the national rankings, Grayson (12-0) has made up ground in the blink of an eye. The Lions went 2-2 at the Nike Tournament of Champions while the Rams tore apart the competition in a pair of Insider Exposure events, going 5-0 winning by an average of 38 points per game. The quintet of Danielle Carnegie Danielle Carnegie 5'9" | PG Grayson | 2024 State GA (Georgia Tech), Malaya Jones Malaya Jones 5'3" | PG Grayson | 2024 State GA (Nicholls State), Tatum Brown Tatum Brown 5'5" | PG Grayson | 2025 State GA , Taj Hunter Taj Hunter 5'8" | CG Grayson | 2024 State GA and Erin Rodgers Erin Rodgers 6'1" | SF Grayson | 2024 State GA (Florida Atlantic) composes arguably the best starting five in Georgia, all dynamic guards. Where Hebron would have the advantage on paper would be with their size and overall depth, boasting Jakerra Butler Jakerra Butler 6'0" | PF Hebron Christian | 2025 State GA and Danielle Osho Danielle Osho 6'1" | PF Hebron Christian | 2025 State GA as twin towers inside that would potentially cause issues for the smaller Rams. Aubrey Beckham Aubrey Beckham 5'10" | PG Hebron Christian | 2025 State GA has ascended into becoming Georgia's top 2025, recently picking up a Tennessee offer while Mia James Mia James 5'5" | PG Hebron Christian | 2025 State GA stars alongside a vast array of aggressive guards that can shoot the ball. A dream matchup couldn't be agreed upon to appear on the schedule this year but the two will likely be in Macon come March and compete for what matters most in their respective classifications, a state title.

It appears as the top three, possibly the top four are above all others in Class 5A. No. 1 Union Grove (13-1), No. 2 Midtown (11-0), No. 3 Maynard Jackson (10-1) and No. 4 Warner Robins (10-1) have all played exceptionally well. Warner Robins may be the biggest surprise out of the four even though they were state runner-up a year ago. Graduation hit the Demonettes hard, but freshman Trinitee Thomas Trinitee Thomas 5'9" | SG Warner Robins | 2027 State GA has lived up to the hype and carried Warner Robins with the help of Nevaeh Mack Nevaeh Mack 5'5" | PG Warner Robins | 2024 State GA , Tori Davis, Korveanna Slaughter and Verkesia Fuller who have all stepped up. Union Grove has played the toughest schedule out of the bunch, their only loss coming against Hebron Christian. The senior-laden group has great guard play led by Jordan Brooks Jordan Brooks 5'4" | PG Union Grove | 2024 State GA and two relentless posts in Nadea Smith Nadea Smith 5'11" | PF Union Grove | 2024 State GA and Mariah Miller Mariah Miller 6'0" | PF Union Grove | 2024 State GA . Maynard Jackson's January 16 battle with Midtown will tell us a lot about both teams. In order for Midtown to truly announce themselves as a state contender, they will have to knock off their Region 5 rival. The Jaguars swept Midtown last season 84-40, 61-50 and 53-40 but Midtown is a year older now and is playing with great confidence especially after wins over Class 2A No. 2 Thomson 57-53 and Class 5A No. 8 Jones County 36-33. The Knights have massive tests this week starting tonight as they visit Class 4A No. 4 Stockbridge and host Class 5A No. 6 Creekside on Friday.