November 5, 2026 — At the end of last season, boys basketball teams from Cobb Schools emphatically staked their claim on elite status in Georgia. All final four teams in the highest classification of the GHSA’s 2026 state championship hailed from this district. Hillgrove, McEachern, Pebblebrook, and Wheeler put on a dominant show, with Wheeler bringing home the school’s 11th state title.

This year’s Basketball State Championships will be played at the Georgia State Convocation Center, a departure from the Macon Centreplex. Even with GHSA’s region realignment and new classifications, the Road to Atlanta should still run through Cobb. With the 2026-2027 season ready to tip off, there is little doubt that eyes across the state are focused on what’s happening in the locker rooms, on the courts, and inside the huddles of our teams. Inside the district, teams in every corner of the county have their goals set on becoming the next Cobb Schools state champion.

The New 7A Classification

The Wheeler Wildcats graduated four college athletes, three of whom are playing Division I basketball. However, four-star, Purdue commit, senior Kevin Savage returns to lead the team. His steady hand and experience will be key to their success. 

“We will have to fill the gaps from our losses,” Wheeler assistant coach Joshua Astarita acknowledged. “We will also be challenged by how we will combat bigger teams. Savage and senior C.J. Tillis have developed in the Wheeler Program for four years and have blossomed into the leaders on the team. They will continue to emphasize the standard with the younger players, leading both by example and through their collaboration on the court.”

One of last season’s semifinalists, the Hillgrove Hawks, have high expectations once again. Returning senior Asa Montgomery, who recently announced his commitment to Duke, is a significant factor. 

“Having a top-five nationally ranked player and a USA Basketball gold medal winner gives our program an incredible level of talent and experience,” Hillgrove head coach Greg Moultrie noted, in reference to Montgomery. “But what excites me most is the potential of this team as a whole. We have an opportunity to compete at a high level, challenge ourselves against some of the best competition in the state and country, and continue to establish our program as one that competes for championships. Ultimately, I’m excited to see how much we grow together, both on and off the court, and what we can accomplish when we put the team first.”

The Walton Raiders entered the playoffs last season with a solid 22 wins and drew eventual semifinalist Hillgrove in the first round. Walton lost that game by three points, showing just how close their season came to a deep postseason run. It’s a tall task, but the Raiders look for another chance to make a run.

“We lost several senior starters and scorers,” Walton head coach Bo Abney admitted. “It will be a challenge to help our new guys find their roles so that we can be successful. There will be a lot of learning and development early in the year, but they are eager to improve and prove they belong. This team has great chemistry and plays super hard for each other. Everyone is extremely unselfish and wants what’s best for the team.”

The Raiders will look to junior Alek Avaliani and senior Tekena Oruwari to lead the way.

The Harrison Hoyas are looking for a bounce-back season for their team. The strength of the Hoyas' resurgence will be their three returning starters – senior Carter Kleiman and juniors Isaac Sowemimo and Caleb Robbins. The heart of the team, however, may be a different trio – Kleiman and fellow seniors Landon Jones and Cole Bentley. 

“Those three guys are best friends off the court,” Harrison head coach David Brock reported. “I think that bond will do a lot for us as we navigate through the season.”

There are newcomers in the new highest classification among Cobb Schools as well. One is North Cobb Warriors head coach Marcus Spivey, as it’s his first season at the helm for this team. Spivey knows that his aim is just as much about transformation as it is about wins.

“I am excited about building a new culture and experience within the North Cobb basketball program,” Coach Spivey proclaimed. “One of our biggest challenges will be changing our mentality and learning how to fight through adversity. We want to develop a program built on toughness, togetherness, and accountability. Our team leaders, senior Gavyn Cabble, junior Dylan Hamilton, junior Kamari Kilgore, and senior Nana Kinyanjui will play a major role in establishing that culture. I expect them to lead by example and hold themselves and their teammates accountable.”

Also new to the highest classification are the Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs. The Mustangs finished second in their region last season, made the playoffs, and advanced to the sweet sixteen of the state tournament. Duplicating that in a higher classification and, specifically, their new region, which consists of three of last season’s final four teams, would be an amazing accomplishment.

“This team believes they have been overlooked all summer and fall,” Kennesaw Mountain head coach Brian Fisher emphasized. “They feel as if they are one of the most underrated teams in Georgia. They want to make a statement that Kennesaw Mountain is a team you don't want to play this season because they are going to bring it every night. State playoffs are always our goal, and regardless of classification, this team knows what they are capable of, and they’re really looking forward to the challenge and are ready to step up.”

Coach Fisher expects returning seniors Graham Titus, Del Green, Makia Eseme, and Baraka Salania to play a major role in leading the Mustangs' charge.

Cobb Schools compete in two 7A regions. In Region 3-7A are Campbell, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, McEachern, and Pebblebrook. In Region 5-7A are North Cobb, Walton, and Wheeler.

6A Boys

The Lassiter Trojans enjoyed a historic region championship last season, earning that title for the first time in 35 years. Last year’s team graduated nine players; however, the team’s leading scorer returns – senior Preston Liston, who earned Class 5A First Team All-State – as do their spark plug Wonder Twins – seniors Dalton and Collins Price.

“I’m excited about seeing the growth of our new team,” professed Lassiter head coach Jay McAuley. “We have a lot of young talent that has yet to experience the varsity level. We have several newcomers who are expecting to make a splash this season, including Frank Jamieson, a 6-foot-6 junior, and sophomore Francisco Sarr. They are eager to get started!”

The Pope Greyhounds are another 6A team looking to replace significant production because of graduation. Gone are two three-year starters with 1,950 career points between them, and as Pope head coach Pat Abney said, “that’s a lot of points to make up for.”

Three returning senior will be counted on to fill that void. Quinn Lowe, a 6-foot-7 wing, averaged 13 points per game (ppg) last season, and guards Elijah Grimes and Simon German averaged 9 ppg and 7 ppg, respectively. They will each need to step up for the team to reach the next step and eclipse their first-round playoff exit from last season.

“We have a good core coming back from last year’s team, so there’s a lot to build off,” Coach Abney said. “It’s a new year, and I’m always excited to see what a new group can accomplish.”

Joining Lassiter and Pope in Region 6-6A are the Kell Longhorns, who are moving up one classification. Osborne and South Cobb will battle in Region 5-6A.

5A Boys

The Allatoona Buccaneers are coming off a run to the sweet sixteen in last season’s postseason tournament. Current seniors and returning players Carter Mappes, Jordan Littles, and Vinny Otowchits look to take the Bucs farther this season while leading on the court and in the locker room. With young talent eager to make an impression, it could be an exciting court season in northwest Cobb. 

“Our biggest challenge will be handling roles,” explained Allatoona head coach Frank Henderson. “We have talented younger players pushing for minutes, which means some of our older guys may come off the bench or share time with players younger than them. That’s never easy, and it can divide a team or make it stronger. We’ll talk about it openly from day one. The best players on the floor earn the minutes, every role matters, and how you handle your role says a lot about you. Competition for minutes should make everyone better, and I’m counting on our leaders to compete hard and still support the players pushing them. Their attitude will show the rest of the team how to handle it.”

While Allatoona is the lone Cobb Schools team in Region 7-5A, the Sprayberry Yellow Jackets are the only one in Region 6-5A.

It should be another exciting season in the gyms across the district, with many watching to see which Cobb Schools teams push to be the next state champion.

h/t non-branded photo provided by Pope HS