Three boys teams have a chance to defend their state basketball championships this week on GPB-TV. Wheeler, Butler and Holy Innocents’ all played their way back into the title game at the Macon Coliseum.

Here is a look at each championship matchup. If you can’t be there in person, you’ll be able to watch all the games live on GPB-TV or GPB.org.  Sit back, watch the best teams and enjoy.

Click here to view the girls capsules.

Class 6A

Pebblebrook (23-8) vs. Wheeler (26-6)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

About Pebblebrook: The No. 6-ranked Falcons defeated No. 4 Hillgrove 70-57 in the semifinal round. The Falcons are led by Zyree Brown, a Kennesaw State signee who was named Region 2 Player of the Year. D.J. McMillian and Jaylen Humphrey are other all-region players. Humphrey came up with 21 points and Brown scored 18 in the semifinal win. This will be Pebblebrook’s third trip to the final under coach George Washington, with both previous losses coming on painful last-minute shots.

About Wheeler: The No. 1-ranked Wildcats defeated No. 2 McEachern 56-52 in the state semifinal. The Wildcats are led by McDonald’s All-American and five-star guard Colben Landrew, a UConn signee, who scored 21 points in the semifinal. Landrew, the Region 5 Player of the Year, was joined on the all-region team by junior Kevin Savage III, senior Amare James, senior Lamarrion Lewis and senior Jaron Saulsberry, who has signed with Ole Miss. Wheeler is ranked No. 13 in the nation by MaxPreps.

Championship history: Wheeler has won 10 state championships – 1994, 2002-03, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2021-22, 2023, 2025. Pebblebrook has not won a state championship. 

Class 5A

Woodward Academy (25-6) vs. Alexander (29-2)

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. 

About Woodward Academy: The No. 3 War Eagles earned a return trip to the championship game by beating No. 1 Gainesville 62-61 and will try to avenge last year’s loss to Tri-Cities in the final. Woodward features a young roster that includes three of the top underclassmen in the state: Jarvis Hayes Jr., brother Myles Hayes and Bentley Lusakueno. Each was named to the All-Region 4 team and Jarvis Hayes was the league’s Player of the Year. Myles took a pass from Jarvis and hit the game-winning 3-pointer to beat No. 1-ranked and undefeated Gainesville 62-61 in the semifinal. 

About Alexander: The Cougars are making their third trip to the championship game under coach Jason Slate. Alexander ousted defending champion Tri-Cities 85-76 in the semifinal. The Cougars are led by guard Pops Dunson, a Colorado State signee who was voted as the Region 5 Player of the Year. Other players named to the all-region team were Charleston Southern signee Marquise Leslie, steady Jayden Crawford, Torian Greene and Christian Moore. Alexander is the hottest team in the state and brings a 24-game winning streak into the championship game. 

Championship history: Woodward Academy won its only state championship in 2020. Alexander won its only title in 2023. 

Class 4A

Pace Academy (24-7) vs. St.Pius (32-0)

When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. 

About Pace Academy: The No. 3 Knights beat unranked Cambridge 60-55 in the semifinal round. The Knights are led by senior All-Region 4 selections 6-foot-8 Hayden Clay (14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds) and Jaydon Avery (9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds), a three-sport athlete who signed to play football at Missouri. Sophomore Brian Craft (11.1 points, 3.8 assists) and junior Gavin Fountain (10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds) are other top contributors. Fountain had 23 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal win.  Pace Academy has won 19 straight games dating back to Dec. 30 vs. Oregon City, 

About St. Pius: The No. 1-ranked Golden Lions are the only remaining undefeated team in the state. They defeated No. 4 Jonesboro 79-63 in the semifinal after eliminating two-time defending champion North Oconee in the quarters. St. Pius is led by Harris Reynolds, a Clemson signee who was voted Region 5 Player of the Year; he scored 33 points in the semifinal win. Other all-region players are 6-foot-6 D’Marley Elliott, a Columbus State signee, and Westin Keppen, the team’s top defensive player. Most of the veteran team has played together for four years of high school – or longer. 

Championship history: Pace Academy has won five state championships – 2016-17, 2020-21 and 2023. St. Pius has never won a state championship. 

Class 3A

Harlem (23-9) vs. Cross Creek (26-5)

When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

About Harlem: The No. 8 Bulldogs defeated No. Douglass 63-50 in the semifinal round. A.J. Williams, a junior who averaged 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists, was the Region 4 co-Player of the Year. He scored 25 points in the semifinal win. Other players named to the all-region team were Ty Shine (20.4 points), Jayden Futrell (9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds) and Javon Napier. Williams and Shine make up a dynamic backcourt that is capable of taking over a game. Harlem is playing in championship game for the first time since 1969.

About Cross Creek: The No. 2-ranked Razorbacks beat unranked East Hall 78-59 in the semifinal. Frashad Tisby was the Region 4 co-Player of the Year; the three-star junior scored 23 points in the semifinal win. Others on the all-region team were Dontrell Jackson, Grovetown transfer Ian Leverette, Anthony Luke and Derrick Shine. Cross Creek has won 18 straight games, not losing since falling to Class 6A power Grayson on Dec. 26.

Note: These two teams both compete in Region 4 and have already played three times. Cross Creek won 82-72 and 60-57, then 74-50 in the title game. 

Championship history: Cross Creek has won two state championships – 2021 and 2022. Harlem has never won a state championship. 

Class 2A

Morgan County (25-6) vs. Butler (25-4)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

About Morgan County: The No. 8-ranked Bulldogs knocked off No. 6 Therrell 69-62 to reach the championship game. Morgan County is led by Region 2 Player of the Year Zeki Locus, a senior guard who averages 13.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.8 steals. Kobi Jefferies, Trey Carter and Garrett Ward were named to the all-region first team and Jacoby Simmons was named to the second team. Morgan County is riding an 18-game winning streak and hasn’t lost since Dec. 29 to an out-of-state opponent. 

About Butler: The No. 3-ranked Bulldogs – the defending state champions -- bring a 20-game winning streak into the game and haven’t lost since Dec.13 against South Carolina rival North Augusta. Butler defeated No. 2 KIPP 50-41 in the semifinal. The Bulldogs are led by Region 4 Player of the Year Kwamane Bridges, a senior who averages 19.9 points, and Region 4 Defensive Player of the Year Jamil Walker, a junior who averages 7.6 points, 10 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. Ahmaad Anthony was named second-team all-region. De’Cori Fleming and Artrell Carter were named to region’s all-defense team. 

Championship history: Morgan County has won three state championships – 2014, 2016 and 2019. Butler has won two state titles – 1966 and 2025. 

Class A Division 1

Southwest Macon (27-6) vs. Rabun County (29-2)

When: Friday, 3 p.m.

About Southwest: The No. 6-ranked Patriots defeated No. 3 Vidalia 62-51 in the semifinals. Southwest is led by Region 2 Player of the Year Chase Dupree (27.0 points, 4.5 rebounds) and Offensive Player of the Year C.J. Howard (20.9 points). Alex Butts (10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds), Jonathan Hurley and Octavius Raglin were also on the all-region team. Southwest has won 20 straight games in its drive to get back to the championship game. The Patriots lost to BEST Academy in the 2025 final. 

About Rabun County: The No. 1-ranked Wildcats whipped No. 7 Fitzgerald 70-50 in the semifinals. Huey Blalock, a Naval Academy signee, was voted the Region 8 Player of the Year; he averages 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game. Blalock had 27 points and 13 assists in the semifinal. Other all-region players include Hayes Free (18.8 points, 8.1 rebounds), Trace Adcock (15.8 points) and Reed Burrell. Rabun County has won 17 in a row and hasn’t lost since falling to region foe Commerce.

Championship history: Southwest won state championships in 1973, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985 and 1989. Rabun County has not won a state championship. 

Class A Division 2

Clinch County (28-3) vs. Portal (26-3)

When: Thursday, 3 p.m.

About Clinch County: The No. 3-ranked Panthers defeated No. 1-ranked and previously undefeated Chattahoochee County 53-49 in the semifinal. Kamarion Johnson was voted Region 2 Player of the Year and Jakyri Posley was named Offensive Player of the Year. Johnson scored 22 points in the semifinals to help Clinch reach the state final for the first time in 37 years. Others on the all-region team are Traviian Miller and Kyiis Mingo. The Panthers have won 11 straight games. 

About Portal: No. 6 Portal beat unranked Washington-Wilkes 60-48 in the semifinal. The Panthers had three players named to the All-Region 3 team – junior David Thomas (16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists), sophomore C.J. Harden (11.4 points) and junior Josh Coleman (11.1 points, 6.5 rebounds). Thomas led the Panthers with 17 points in the semifinal. The Panthers have won 11 straight games since a road loss to McIntosh County Academy. 

Championship history: Clinch County has won two state championships – 1987 and 1989. Portal has never won a state championship. 

Class Private

Darlington (29-2) vs. Holy Innocents’ (26-3)

When: Wednesday, 3 p.m.

About Darlington: The No. 5-ranked Tigers bring a 17-game winning streak into the state title game. They avenged a regular-season loss to No. 3 Mt. Veron – their last loss – by beating them 57-48 in the state semifinal round. Six Darlington players were named to the All-Region 6 team – D.J. Hall, Cam Selig (who scored 26 in the semifinal), Brent Bell, Christian Teasley, Jordan Wilkerson and Joseph Ogunyemi. Nathan West was named region coach of the year. 

About Holy Innocents’: The No. 1-ranked Bears, the defending state champs, have been atop the rankings all season. No wonder … they’re loaded. Devin Hutcherson, a 6-foot-4 guard, averages 19.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Hutcherson, a Belmont signee, was named Region 5 Player of the year and the region’s Defensive Player of the Year. Holy Innocents’ also features all-region pick Khalid Worthy, who doubles as a standout football player. 

Championship history: Darlington has never won a state championship. Holy Innocents’ won its first a year ago.