Photo Credits: Mason Cobble @gotflixkedbymas3 on IG
MCDONOUGH, GA. — Just days after knocking off a red-hot Griffin High School squad in the Round of 32, Southwest DeKalb High School hit the road again Saturday for another major test. The Panthers traveled to face the highly touted Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy Chargers in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Tournament, a team led by sophomore standout A.J. Williams, one of Georgia’s most explosive scorers at more than 30 points per game.
Despite the hype surrounding ELCA’s star, Southwest DeKalb delivered a statement performance.
“Play hard and play our game” was the message from head coach Eugene Brown Jr. in the days leading up to the matchup. His team responded emphatically.
Junior guard Jackson Ushery continued to showcase his scoring ability, finishing with 23 points. Senior leader Thomas Glanton III turned in arguably his best performance of the season, recording a dominant 24-point, 10-assist double-double while adding six rebounds. Senior Aaron Burks also posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
From start to finish, the Panthers controlled the tempo and dismantled the Chargers in a commanding 67–36 victory.
Glanton credited his teammates for pushing him in practice, noting that preparation allows him to remain composed in high-pressure moments. When he finds his rhythm, the senior guard is difficult to contain — and on Saturday, he was firmly in control.
The 2026 Class 4A bracket is stacked with legitimate championship contenders. Programs such as St. Pius X Catholic High School, North Oconee High School, and Jonesboro High School headline a competitive field.
Given the Panthers’ track record under Brown, Southwest DeKalb belongs firmly in that conversation. Yet in a field this deep, the Panthers have flown under the radar — exactly how Glanton and his teammates prefer it. Speaking after the game, Glanton acknowledged that many did not expect them to be in this position but emphasized that having “dawgs on both ends of the floor” around him makes his role as a leader easier.
Under Brown’s leadership — now spanning more than a decade — Southwest DeKalb has amassed over 250 wins and made multiple state semifinal appearances. However, the ultimate goal — a state championship — remains just out of reach.
This year’s group may be one of the hungriest teams of Brown’s tenure.
Southwest DeKalb is powered by a dynamic backcourt headlined by Glanton and Ushery, complemented by strong frontcourt play from junior Jourden Smoak and senior Aaron Burks along with other role players such as junior Nazir “Bam” Mergan and senior Randall Hanks along with others. As a unit, the Panthers are among the most complete teams in Class 4A.
They may not boast the size or individual star power of some competitors, but they compensate with toughness, chemistry, and relentless effort.
Earlier this season, following a hard-fought victory over crosstown rival Lithonia High School, Brown emphasized his team’s mindset, noting that his players do not “shy away from the work.” Even in defeat — a one-point home loss about a week later against an undefeated St. Pius squad — Southwest DeKalb proved its resilience when a last-second three-pointer from Glanton that would have forced overtime rimmed out. The narrow margin underscored just how battle-tested this team has become.
Given their preparation, discipline, and recent performances, Southwest DeKalb’s current position in the state playoffs should come as no surprise — unless, of course, you simply haven’t been paying attention.
With momentum building and confidence surging, the Panthers are no longer just competing — they are contending. Their next test comes Wednesday on the road against another powerhouse, Pace Academy, with a spot in the Final Four on the line.
And if recent games are any indication, Southwest DeKalb won’t be traveling alone. Panther faithful have shown up strong throughout the postseason — and they’re expected to do it again.
