Georgia's defending Class AAAAA champions look to ride "The Big Three" to a national title.
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The Eagles prepare for a game at the City of Palms Classic last December.
<center>Photo by Jim Redman</center>
David Boyd
2009-2010 record: 29-4, Georgia AAAAA state champions, No. 14 in final Xcellent 25
Key returnees: Kevin Kornegay (6-1, Sr., G),
Jordan Loyd (6-2, 170, Sr., G, Furman),
Evan Nolte (6-8, 200, Jr., F),
Dai-Jon Parker (6-3, 185, Sr., G), Eric Riley (6-6, Sr., F),
Julian Royal (6-8, 215, Sr., F, Georgia Tech),
Shannon Scott (6-2, 180, Sr., G, Ohio State)
Keep an eye on: Shaquille Johnson (6-4, Jr., G/F), Mo Lewis IV (6-6, 210, F), Jalyn Patterson (5-10, Fr., G)
Scouting report: Boyd says he took some heat a year ago when he publically stated that winning a national title would be a goal for his team in 2010-11. Even so, the expectations will remain sky high.
"I've always believed in setting high goals," Boyd said. "If you don't reach them you can still have a great year. Our goal here is going to be to try and win a state championship every year – that's a huge accomplishment. The other stuff is just icing on the cake."
Milton's hopes revolve around "The Big Three" – national Top 100 seniors Parker, Royal and Scott. The trio helped the Eagles reach Georgia's AAAAA title game as sophomores and then took it a step further last season. Each of them earned All-State honors as juniors and will have their college decisions made and behind them by the time the season starts – a major bonus according to Boyd.
"Huge, huge, huge," Boyd said. "It allows them to just concentrate on the season and that's big. To have a group like this has been a dream come true. It's been an incredible experience and has had a great impact on the school and the community. They are great players and really great kids."
Not to be overlooked, Nolte is a fourth All-State honoree and is being pursued by the likes of Florida, Georgia Tech, Ohio State, Stanford, Virginia and Wake Forest.
The program will also be bolstered by three newcomers. Boyd expects transfer Johnson and freshmen Lewis and Patterson to log meaningful playing time. Johnson is attracting attention from programs like Auburn, Clemson, Jacksonville, Liberty and Western Kentucky and "probably jumps higher than any athlete I've ever coached," Boyd said.
Lewis, who wears a size 16 shoe, is the son of former New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, a three-time Pro-Bowler.
The Eagles will tackle one of the nation's most ambitious schedules with games against nationally-ranked programs like Greater Atlanta Christian, Norcross, Miller Grove, Oak Hill Academy, Rainier Beach, Wheeler and Winter Park, plus a trip to Fort Myers, Fla., for the City of Palms Classic.
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