The coming of the new year and the calendar turning to January, means that all high school football is done and now the focus can be on basketball. The problem with this is by now half of the basketball season is already done . In many ways it is the best part of the regular season because it allows the boundaries of classification and geography to be relaxed, producing some of the more exciting and entertaining games of the season.
In recent years most of the top boys teams from the metro area came from Dekalb, Gwinnett, North Fulton, or Cobb. Last season the Jonesboro Cardinals got our attention be knocking off powerhouse Columbia in the state championship game. This season Jonesboro was able to schedule a date with 6 time state champion Miller Grove. While many were focused on Championship Weekend for football, Sharman White’s Wolverines made a rare trip to the southside and were soundly defeated by Jonesboro.
While that may lead some to pencil Jonesboro into the class AAAA final in Macon, there is another team from the metro area’s southside that you might want to keep an eye on. The McIntosh Chiefs may be flying below some radars, but not mine. Not after what I witnessed in the final of the Lake City Classic at Allatoona this week. Jason Eisele’s crew built a healthy second half lead and hung on the beat The Allatoona Buccaneers on their home floor 60-55.
With the team’s record at 12-0 Eisele told me that he is pleased with the maturity of the team. “We’ve grown up a little bit, said Eisele.” Most of these guys are juniors now, and this win is a real big step for us.” “Allatoona put together a great tournament, and brought together a good group of team that gave us good competition. I hope that we will grow from it ”
The guard play of Jordan Lyons and Will Washington is where it all begins for McIntosh. Their defensive intensity leads to some easy baskets on the other end. Lyons scored 24 points in the win over Allatoona and was Tournament MVP. The Chiefs are strong underneath with the play of Chase Walter and Dishon Lowery. Walter added 13 rebounds and 12 points in the Lake City Final.
With all early season tests behind them,McIntosh will resume region play Saturday at county rival Whitewater, Saturday January 3 at 4pm. Keep and eye on the Chiefs. Don’t be surprise if they end up playing in Macon