2025-26 Boys Basketball

Week 2 Preview

After an action-packed opening week, boys middle school basketball across Forsyth County shifts quickly into Week 2 with storylines already taking shape. From eye-opening offensive performances to familiar contenders picking up right where they left off, the first slate of games provided plenty to digest as teams prepare for their second time on the floor.

At the 7th-grade level, Little Mill (1–0) wasted no time becoming the talk of the county. The Mustangs put on an offensive clinic in their 64–30 win over Vickery Creek (0–1), pairing explosive scoring with a stifling defensive effort that forced turnovers and limited clean looks throughout the night. It was a complete performance that immediately stamped Little Mill as a team to watch.

Riverwatch (1–0) was equally impressive, posting the highest point total across both grade levels in Week 1. The Panthers poured in 68 points in their win over DeSana (0–1), fueled by a standout showing from Charlie Blanchard, who erupted for 39 points and knocked down eight three-pointers. Hendricks, North Forsyth, and South Forsyth also opened their seasons with victories, underscoring what already looks like a deep and competitive 7th-grade field.

The 8th-grade division saw a familiar theme emerge early, as last season’s top four — South Forsyth, Hendricks, Riverwatch, and Vickery Creek — all began the 2025–26 campaign with wins. South Forsyth, Hendricks, and Riverwatch cruised to victories by 20 points or more over Liberty, Otwell, and DeSana, showing little drop-off from their dominant runs a season ago.

Vickery Creek (1–0) faced a stiffer test, needing a strong second-half surge to pull away from Little Mill and secure its opening win. Piney Grove rounded out the Week 1 slate with a victory of its own, knocking off North Forsyth and positioning itself as an early factor in the standings.

Now the focus turns to Day 2 of the regular season. Lakeside opens its schedule by hosting Hendricks in an early-season showdown between two perennial powers, while Piney Grove gets the night off after its opening-week win. With early contenders emerging and plenty of teams eager to build momentum, Week 2 promises to add even more clarity to the county’s middle school basketball landscape.

South Forsyth (2-0) @ Little Mill (2-0)

Date: Thursday, November 20 | Tipoff: 5:30 PM

Based on their first two games of the season, this could easily shape up as the biggest matchup in the county so far. Little Mill has steamrolled its first two opponents, rolling past Vickery Creek 64–30 and North Forsyth 50–17, and is averaging a staggering 33.5-point margin of victory.

The Mustangs have been dominant on both ends of the floor. Their offense has been explosive, consistently pushing the pace and capitalizing on turnovers, while their defense has limited opponents’ opportunities from the opening tip.

That high-powered attack will now face its toughest challenge to date against South Forsyth. The Eagles have built their early success on the defensive end, allowing just 15.5 points per game through their first two contests. Their ability to control tempo and force tough shots has been the foundation of their strong start.

There are certainly other teams in the league capable of contending for a championship, and the season is still in its early stages. Even so, this matchup has the feel of something bigger — a possible preview of a high-stakes battle later in the postseason.

The key question will be whether South Forsyth can slow down, or even completely shut down, Little Mill’s potent offensive firepower. Can the Eagles’ lockdown defense rise to the occasion and contain one of the county’s most explosive teams, or will the Mustangs’ scoring depth and pace prove too much to handle?

Either way, the game promises a true clash of styles and a valuable measuring stick for both squads as the season continues.

Riverwatch (2-0) @ Piney Grove (1-0)

Date: Thursday, November 20 | Tipoff: 6:30 PM (approx.)

Riverwatch delivered its biggest win of last season in emphatic fashion, rolling past Piney Grove 50–24. That victory came right in the middle of a six-game surge to open the 2024–25 campaign, a stretch that cemented the Panthers as one of the early powers. For the Grizzlies, though, it was the start of a tough slide — they went on to drop their first five games as the season quickly got away from them.

Fast-forward to now, and Riverwatch looks every bit like the same high-octane machine. The Panthers are off to another blistering start, sitting just a half-game behind Vickery Creek and owning the league’s top scoring margin at +22.0 per night. They’re putting up 49.0 points per game — third-best in the county — while locking opponents down to just 27.0, the second-stingiest defense so far.

But Piney Grove has no interest in repeating last year’s script. The Grizzlies already changed the narrative in their opener against North Forsyth. A year ago, they fell to the Wildcats 50–32; this season, they flipped the outcome on its head with a 54–49 statement win to launch their 2025–26 campaign.

For both teams, tonight’s matchup carries more weight than just marking another early-season date on the calendar. Riverwatch is aiming to reassert itself as a legitimate title threat after last year’s disappointing postseason stumble. Piney Grove wants to earn a seat at that same table — and a win over the Panthers would send a loud message that they belong in the championship conversation.

8th-grade start times are approximate and listed an hour after the 7th-grade start times.