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The Alexander boys basketball team is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAA and No. 4 in the state across 
all classifications as they start region play, with eyes on another state championship.
Alexander won the state title in 2023 and reached the finals in 2024 before last year's Elite Eight run. The Cougars return all but one starter from that team.
Returning point guard Gregory 'Pops' Dunson, a Colorado State commit, and guard Jayden Crawford, a Georgia Southern commit and transfer, were both named to the Atlanta Tipoff Club's preseason watch list.
Other key returners from last year include 6-foot-8 forward Marquise Leslie, a Charleston Southern commit, 6-foot-7 center Christian Moore, wing Torian Greene, guard Ethan Miller and guard Donovin Martin. Cam Jackson, a 6-5 forward, moved up from the JV team.
“The goal is to build and improve on last year,” said Alexander coach Jason Slate.
The Cougars have played a tough 11-game non-region schedule against teams that are all state-ranked in either Georgia, Arkansas, Texas or Florida.
Dunson is averaging 19.9 points per game and 5.8 assists to lead the team in those categories.
Crawford is second in points with a 12.6 points per game average, followed by Greene at 12.4 points per game. Leslie leads the team in rebounds with 4.9 per game.
Slate said Class AAAAA is “really deep this year, maybe the deepest it’s ever been,” pointing to powerhouses like No. 1 Gainesville, which remains undefeated.
“We're in the mix, which is where we want to be,” he said. “I think we have a shot, but you've got to do it, and you've got to have a little bit of luck as well.”