DeKalb teams start basketball season strong

Cedar Grove High School represented DeKalb in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state basketball championships in 2022-23, and the Saints are off to a 2-0 start in 2023-24 following a 58-45 win at Miller Grove.

Manny Green had a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Cedar Grove Saints (2-0) against the Miller Grove Wolverines (0-2) in the nightcap at Miller Grove on Nov. 14.

Joining Green in double figures for the Saints were Jayden Scott with 13 points and Dontavious Stringfield with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Saints are one of several DeKalb teams to start the season at 2-0.

The Miller Grove Lady Wolverines also defeated Cedar Grove 44-34 in the girls’ game on Nov. 14.

Miller Grove’s defense caused 18 turnovers and three Lady Wolverines scored in double figures. Makiya Jones had 13 points and six rebounds, Kaeslyn Benjamin had 12 points, and Arieyona Christon had 11 points and five rebounds.

Tucker’s boys’ team is off to a 2-0 start behind an 86-44 win against Brookwood and an 82-71 win against Savannah.

The Tucker Tigers are led by returning players such as 6-foot, 7-inch senior Josiah Lawson and senior point guard Khayri Dunn.

Druid Hills’ boys’ team is off to another strong start, going 2-0 in its early season games and winning 105-34 against Glenn Hills. The Red Devils went 16-13 last season, after going 25-5 the year before.

Josiah Marsh leads the Red Devils in scoring after logging 28 points against Glenn Hills and nine points and six rebounds against North Atlanta.

For the second consecutive year, the M.L. King boys’ team is off to a 2-0 start. Both Lions’ wins have been on the road, coming in the form of an 81-73 win at Mt. Zion and a 97-54 win at Northview.

Arabia Mountain’s boys’ team has won its only game of the season so far, in a 61-46 win against Redan. The girls’ team did the same, winning its only game 86-23 against Redan.

Lakeside’s boys are also 1-0 following a convincing 60-39 win at Cristo Rey Atlanta High School.

Lakeside’s girls’ team tops the county in wins after going 3-0 in its opening week of play. The Lady Vikings are outscoring their opponents 186-64 and have only played at home once so far this season.

Columbia’s girls’ team is 1-0 following a 60-47 win at Griffin. The Lady Eagles are led by a host of returning players from last season’s region championship team, including Nia Anderson, Kerselin Anderson, Keamaura Robinson, and Jakiah Slaughter.

Several of the county’s projected top teams—such as Columbia’s boys’ team and Southwest DeKalb’s girls’ team—had not started playing regular season games at press time.

Southwest DeKalb began play after press time and also were set to play in a tournament in California beginning Nov. 22. Head coach Kathy Richey-Walton said her team would play some of the best teams in California on its trip.

Towers (girls and boys), Greenforest (girls), and Marist (girls and boys) also had not started regular season play at press time.

Georgia basketball media outlet Sandy’s Spiel has Marist, Southwest DeKalb, Columbia, and Greenforest in the top 10 for their respective statewide classifications. St. Pius, Cedar Grove, Columbia, and Greenforest made the top 10 in the boys’ rankings.

For a complete schedule including all DeKalb County School District teams, visit dekalbschoolsga.org/athletics/basketball/.

Schedules for all schools in DeKalb, including Decatur, Marist, and St. Pius, can also be found on maxpreps.com.