GAC Preseason Team Preview

GAC players (from left to right) Delano Spencer, Isaiah Wilkins, Colin Swinton

Coach Eddie Martin is entering his fifth season as the head coach of Greater Atlanta Christian School. He took over the program after leading Norcross to three straight state championships. His first year at GAC, the team lost in the Final Four, then went on to win two straight state titles in his second and third years before being upset in last year's Elite 8 game by Manchester HS to finish 25-6.  GAC lost only three seniors off last year's team.  This year's team has the makings of another run and returning the title to the private school located in Norcross, GA.

GAC returns it's leading scorer, rebounder, and assist man. The starting backcourt of senior point guard Colin Swinton, coming off a junior season leading the county in assists where he averaged 11.9ppg and 5.9apg, and senior SG Delano Spencer (Ga Southern commit), who led the team in scoring at 15.1ppg with 3.5rpg, and 3.8apg.  Isaiah Wilkins is a 6'6 forward who averaged 7.3ppg, 6.3rpg (led team), and had 53 blocked shots as a sophomore. His role will increase with the departure of Cole Hobbs (Kennesaw State) and Robert Armstrong (Georgia College & State Univ).

Speaking about this year's team, Coach Martin says, "I am really excited about this year's group of guys.  Got the bulk of our team back. It makes it exciting to have so many guys back - they pick up things quicker. The chemistry and success we had over the summer was good and I hope we can build on it." The Spartans are awaiting the arrival of 6'6 post Andrew Lewis off the football field who will provide size, experience, and athleticism inside.

The Spartans will find out early and often if this group is up to the challenge. With the newly aligned regions across Georgia, GAC only has eight region games. That left them to schedule seventeen games and Martin believes "Our schedule is very competitive. We went out there and scheduled seventeen tough ones. It could slap us in the face but serve us well in region play."

Martin is working on finding those other guys to fill out his rotation. "We try to find about seven to eight guys, whether right or wrong, but that's what we try to do," says Martin. Some of those other guys are a trio of juniors in Tyler Hamilton, Justin Lewis, and Troy Morrison. Sophomore Cameron Boyd will also be in the mix when he returns from the football field.

As far as state championship talk, Coach Martin was candid with his response, "We talk about it before we ever start playing.  I think we have a team this year that can compete for a State championship.

Once we start playing, its one game at a time.  If we can stay free from injury, find a solid rotation, and play defense, we can contend"

With Martin leading the way, expect the Spartans to have a say come playoff time.

GAC opens play this Saturday at Parkview HS against Fayette County HS at 5:30pm. They will play 3A Morgan County HS in the GACS showcase sponsored by Blue Collar Basketball on Dec.15 at 7:00pm