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Six Cobb County boys teams and three girls squads are ranked in the top 10 of their respective classifications in the first Associated Press high school basketball poll of the season, released Monday.

Three boys teams occupy the top five spots in the Class AAAAA poll. McEachern owns the No. 1 position with five first-place votes and a 10-1 record. The Indians lone loss, which came after 10 straight wins to start the season, occurred Saturday following a 74-73 loss to Class AAA's top-rated team, South Atlanta. McEachern hosts Woodstock in Region 5AAAAA competition today at 7:30 p.m.

Walton is ranked third with a 9-3 mark and Wheeler, which is 7-5, holds down fifth-place. The Raiders and the Wildcats have plenty of company in the rankings as they are joined by fourth-ranked Centennial and sixth-rated Milton, giving Region 6AAAAA teams the No. 3 through No. 6 positions in the poll. Norcross is ranked second.

Walton visits 9-2 Milton today in a showdown of undefeated 2-0 region opponents, while Wheeler is on the road at Region 6AAAAA foe Kell. Tip time for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.

"Rankings are fine and it's nice to be recognized, but what really matters is your ranking in March," Walton coach Joe Goydish said. "We knew coming into the season that the region had some really solid teams, so I'm not surprised (that we have four in the top 10)."

Hillgrove, which is riding an undefeated season-opening 11 game winning streak, is third in Class AAAA. The Hawks host Region 7AAAA undefeated Sprayberry (7-3, 3-0) today at 7:30 p.m. The Yellow Jackets have won seven of nine.

First-year GHSA program North Cobb Christian and perennial top 10 team Whitefield Academy are tied at No. 8 in Class A.

The Eagles, who began the year with eight consecutive victories, have dropped four of their last five to move to 9-4 on the year. After an 0-2 start, the Wolfpack has captured wins in six of their last eight games to improve to 6-4. Both teams continue play on the road on Friday.

"We're progressing well in a lot of things and we're confident we're doing what we need to do," Eagles coach Dennis Marrow said. "We're not playing poorly. It's been a tough schedule and our ranking reflects that."

Among others receiving votes are Region 6AAAAA teams Campbell and Lassiter along with Class A Mount Paran Christian.

Marietta continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the Class AAAAA girls top 10 as the Lady Blue Devils hold down the No. 4 position with a 7-3 record. Marietta is at Region 5AAAAA foe Kennesaw Mountain today at 6 p.m. The 10-2 Lady Mustangs have won seven in a row.

"It's always nice when you're thought of so highly," Marietta coach Ken Sprague said. "But, we still have a long way to go."

Campbell, which is ranked eighth, is undefeated at 10-0 and visits Region 6AAAAA opponent Centennial today at 6 p.m.

Undefeated Osborne is 6-0 and is tied with Northwest Whitfield for the sixth spot in Class AAAA. The Lady Cardinals host Hiram Friday in Region 7AAAA play.

Also receiving votes in the girls poll are Class AAAAA teams McEachern and Kennesaw Mountain and Class A Mount Paran Christian.

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