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Johns Creek Today
By the People, for the People
Top-Ranked GHSA Basketball Teams Face Off in First Round
Tri-Cities and North Oconee look to defend state titles as other ranked teams clash in early matchups
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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The first round of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) basketball state tournaments features several highly anticipated matchups, including top-10 teams facing off in the Class 6A bracket. Defending champions Tri-Cities and North Oconee begin their title defenses, while other ranked squads like Walton, Hillgrove, Pebblebrook, and Cherokee will battle in the opening round.
Why it matters
The GHSA basketball state tournaments are a highly anticipated annual event, with teams vying for state championships across multiple classifications. These early-round clashes between ranked teams will set the tone for the rest of the tournament and provide an early glimpse at which programs have the best chance of cutting down the nets.
The details
In Class 6A, No. 9 Walton will travel to face No. 4 Hillgrove, while No. 6 Pebblebrook will visit No. 5 Cherokee. These matchups pit top-10 teams against each other in the first round due to the depth of Regions 5-6A and 6-6A. Meanwhile, defending champions Tri-Cities (Class 5A) and North Oconee (Class 4A) will begin their title defenses, with Tri-Cities facing Johns Creek and North Oconee hosting Benedictine.
- The GHSA basketball state tournaments begin on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
- The first-round games featuring the top-ranked teams will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
The players
Tri-Cities
The defending Class 5A state champions, led by a talented roster looking to repeat their title run.
North Oconee
The defending Class 4A state champions, aiming to defend their crown with another deep tournament run.
Walton
The No. 9-ranked team in Class 6A, facing a tough first-round matchup against the No. 4-ranked Hillgrove squad.
Hillgrove
The No. 4-ranked team in Class 6A, hosting the No. 9-ranked Walton team in a highly anticipated first-round clash.
Pebblebrook
The No. 6-ranked team in Class 6A, traveling to face the No. 5-ranked Cherokee team in the opening round.
What they’re saying
“These early-round matchups between top-ranked teams are always must-see events. Fans are in for some great basketball as teams fight to keep their championship dreams alive.”
— Todd Holcomb, Sports Writer (ajc.com)
What’s next
The winners of the first-round games will advance to the second round of the GHSA basketball state tournaments, which will take place on Friday, February 28, 2026.
The takeaway
The GHSA basketball state tournaments are set to deliver high-intensity, high-stakes action from the very first round, as some of the top-ranked teams in each classification face off in must-see matchups that will shape the rest of the postseason landscape.
