The 2008-09 YourFindit Top 25 high school basketball rankings were released Friday as the 2008-09 season will begin soon.
Duncanville (TX) tops the preseason top 25 as they return the majority of a team that won its second consecutive 5A title. Their roster, which is led by Shawn Williams and Roger Franklin, boasts as many as eight Division 1 prospects, including Perry Jones, the 6-10 junior who transferred from Wilson (Dallas, TX).
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), St. Benedict's (Newark, NJ) and St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ) round out the top five.
St. Anthony (Jersey City, NJ), the 2007-08 USA Today national champions, enter this season ranked #10. The Friars will be led by Dominic Cheek, who is ranked as one of the nation's top 15 players by several recruiting services.
To view the top 25 and subsequent regional rankings for the 2008-09 high school basketball preseason, please look below:
National Rankings:
1. Duncanville, TX
Coach: Phil McNeely (675-163, 24 years at Duncanville)
Last season's record: 36-2, Class 5A region finalist
Outlook: The Panthers are preparing for a second straight Class 5A state title as they enter the season with as many as eight Division 1 prospects. Shawn Williams (Texas), a 6-7 senior, averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds and Roger Franklin (Oklahoma State), a 6-6 forward, averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game. 6-0 guard Jamison Sterns (Baylor) and 6-1 guard Reger Dowell (Oklahoma State), and juniors 6-10 center Perry Jones (Baylor), who transferred from Wilson (Dallas), and 6-8 forward Julian Washburn (Baylor) are each ranked in the nation's top 100, respectively. 6-7 freshman Chris Washburn, Julian's younger brother, 6-7 junior Luke Mergerson and 5-11 sophomore Cameron Lenzy will also be involved in the rotation.
Key Games: Dec. 5 vs. Oak Hill Academy (VA) and Dec. 6 vs. Scott County (KY) at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 13 vs. Lincoln (NY); Dec. 18-23 City of Palms Classic; Dec. 29-30 T-Mobile National HS Federation Tournament; Jan. 23 vs. LeFlore (AL) at Primetime Shootout
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, CA
Coach: Gary McKnight (797-74, 26 years at Mater Dei)
Last season's record: 35-1, California Interscholastic Federation Division II State Championship
Outlook: David Wear and Travis Wear, the 6-10 senior twins, lead the Monarchs after winning their second straight Division II State Championship. David averaged 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season, while Travis scored 16.6 points and grabbed 8.5 rebounds per game. Both have committed to North Carolina. Mater Dei adds a transfer in UCLA recruit Tyler Lamb, a 6-5 junior shooting guard who averaged 27 points, 5.3 steals and 4.8 assists at Colony (Ontario). 6-3 junior guard Gary Franklin and 6-7 senior forward Andy Brown will join the Wear twins in the starting lineup.
Key Games: Dec. 19-23 City of Palms Classic; Jan. 19 vs. Chicago Whitney Young at HoopHall Classic; Feb. 7 vs. St. Benedict's (N.J.)
3. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA
Coach: Steve Smith (718-44, 23 years at Oak Hill)
Last season's record: 34-4
Outlook: The Warriors will return three starters and will add two New York guards to their starting rotation in Doron Lamb (Bishop Loughlin) and Lamont Jones (American Christian/Rice). 6-2 junior Pe'Shon Howard (6.2 ppg, 4.5 apg), 6-9 senior Keith Gallon (12.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg), 6-7 senior Glenn Bryant (12.2 ppg), 6-3 junior Bryon Allen (7.1 ppg) and 6-8 senior Chasen Campbell all return. Head coach Steve Smith added another international transfer in 6-11 senior Baye Mousa Keita, who hails from Senegal.
Key Games: Dec. 5 vs. Duncanville (TX) at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 13 vs. Whitney Young; Dec. 18-22 Iolani Classic; Jan. 17 vs. South Atlanta at HoopHall Classic; Jan. 19 vs. Christ School (NC); Feb. 14 vs. St. Patrick at Primetime Shootout; March 6 vs. Montrose Christian; April 3-5 Nike Championship Tournament
4. St. Benedict's, Newark, NJ
Coach: Dan Hurley (179-17, 7 years at St. Benedict's)
Last season's record: 25-1
Outlook: With the loss of McDonald's All-American Samardo Samuels (Louisville) and the early graduation of Greg Echenique (Rutgers), the Gray Bees return yet another dynamite team. Led by 6-9 junior Tristan Thompson, a Texas recruit who averaged 5.7 ppg and 5.0 rpg, head coach Danny Hurley will lead one of the nation's premier programs. 6-5 senior guard Lamar Patterson (Pittsburgh) and 6-2 senior Tamir Jackson (Rice) will star for the Gray Bees, which features an international roster that includes 6-4 sophomore Myck Kabongo (Canada), 6-8 junior Gil Biruta (Lithuania) and 6-4 sophomore Anders Misters (Latvia). 6-4 sophomore Aaron Brown, 6-0 junior Mike Poole and 6-10 junior J.P. Kambola add to the rotation.
Key Games: Dec. 6 vs. Whitney Young at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 19-23 Kruell Classic; Dec. 26-30 Nike Invitational; Jan. 19 vs. Wheeler (GA) at HoopHall Classic; Jan. 24 vs. Lincoln (NY); Feb. 2 vs. St. Patrick; Feb. 7 vs. Mater Dei (CA) at Nike Extravaganza; Feb. 14 at Rice (NY) at Prime Time Shootout
5. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, NJ
Coach: Kevin Boyle (432-125, 20 years at St. Patrick)
Last season's record: 25-5, lost in Non-Public Group B North Jersey final
Outlook: Dexter Strickland, a four-year starter, leads the Celtics this year with the help of sophomore phenom Mike Gilchrist. Strickland, a North Carolina recruit, averaged 17.7 points per game last season. 6-1 junior guard Kyrie Irving (a transfer from Monclair Kimberley), 6-6 junior forward Markus Kennedy, 5-9 senior Dean Kowalski, 6-6 senior forward Paris Bennett (George Mason) and 6-1 junior guard Kevin Boyle, the son of the St. Pat's head coach, are also back. Bennett averaged 8.3 rebounds per game.
Key Games: Dec. 19-23 City of Palms Classic; Dec. 26-30 Beach Ball Classic; Feb. 2 vs. St. Benedict's; Feb. 13 vs. Lincoln (NY); Feb. 14 vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) at Primetime Shootout
6. Findlay Prep, Henderson, NV
Coach: Michael Peck (32-1, 1 season at Findlay Prep)
Last season's record: 32-1
Outlook: Findlay Prep scrapped their fifth-year program and has instituted a strict four-year program, qualifying them for the high school rankings. Last season, in their first year under the new program, they went 32-1. Only two players return from last year's team as they welcome several key transfers. Avery Bradley, a McDonald's All-American candidate, comes to Findlay after leading all scorers (25.7 ppg) in Washington's Class 4A at Bellarmine (Tacoma). He will be joined by 6-3 senior D.J. Richardson (Illinois), a native of Peoria, IL, and 6-2 sophomore Rasham Suarez (Puerto Rico) to form one of the nation's best backcourts. 6-10 senior Carlos Lopez (UNLV) from Puerto Rico, 6-8 senior Victor Rudd, a native of Sylmar, CA, and 6-9 senior Godwin Okonji from Nigeria form the frontcourt. Underclassmen 6-3 junior Cory Joseph (Canada), 6-3 junior Willie Hankins (Van Nuys, CA) and 5-11 junior Isaiah Grayson (Tucker, GA) provide high-quality depth.
Key Games: Nov. 21-23 National Prep Showcase; Dec. 6 vs. Montverde Academy in Marshall County HoopFest; Jan. 17-19 Flyin' To The Hoop Classic; Jan. 29-31 Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament
7. Lincoln, Brooklyn, NY
Coach: Dwayne "Tiny" Morton (13 years at Lincoln)
Last season's record: 30-4, State Federation AA State Champion
Outlook: Lance Stephenson leads the Railsplitters into a season which can make history for the Lincoln program. Last year, they won their third straight PSAL championship, tying the record set in 2004 by the Lincoln team led by Sebastian Telfair. This year, they look for their fourth to break the record and get third straight state title. Stephenson, who has over 2,000 career points, averaged 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 6-10 senior James Padgett (Maryland), who averaged 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, will lead the frontcourt. 5-10 senior Darwin Ellis, who averaged 14 points, four assists, and three steals, and 6-0 sophomore Shaquille Stokes, a transfer from St. Patrick's (Elizabeth, NJ), will man the backcourt with Stephenson.
Key Games: Dec. 11 vs. Putnam City (OK); Dec. 13 vs. Duncanville (TX); Dec. 19-23 City of Palms Classic; Jan. 19 vs. LeFlore (AL) at HoopHall Classic; Feb. 14 vs. Westchester (CA) at Primetime Shootout
8. Wheeler, Marietta, GA
Coach: Doug Lipscomb (405-80, 16 years at Wheeler)
Last season's record: 30-3
Outlook: Richard Howell and Ari Stewart, two of the nation's top 100 players, combine to form one of the nation's top frontcourts. Howell (North Carolina State) averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds and Stewart (Wake Forest) averaged 15 points and eight boards per game. 6-4 junior Joey Jerome, 6-3 senior Tahj Tate and 5-9 junior Phil Taylor (7.3 apg) will start in the backcourt. Sophomore guard Karl Cochran, 5-11 Kareem Simmons, 6-3 junior Jamal Tiller and 6-7 freshman Charles Mitchell will add depth to the squad.
Key Games: Dec. 6 vs. Callaway (MS) at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 19-23 City of Palms Classic; Dec. 26-30 Beach Ball Classic; vs. Dominguez; Jan. 19 vs. St. Benedict's (N.J.) at HoopHall Classic
9. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA
Coach: Harvey Kitani (563-181, 28 years at Fairfax)
Last season's record: 27-6, LA City Section runner-up
Outlook: Renardo Sidney will cap off his much-hyped high school career as he looks to lead the Lions this season. Sidney, who averaged 24.1 points and 13.4 rebounds as a junior, is in fighting trim after losing 25 pounds. Sidney, the state's Junior of the Year, is joined by fellow top 100 prospect, 6-6 senior Solomon Hill, who recently decommitted to Arizona. 6-2 senior Lance Bailey (10 ppg) is the third returning starter. Rounding out the regulars are 6-2 junior Jordan Weathers and 5-11 junior Donte McFrazier. 6-7 sophomore Laik Carter, Wesley White, Kendrick Thomas, and Dre Coleman will round out the rotation.
Key Games: Dec. 18-22 Iolani Classic; Dec. 26-30 Les Schwab Invitational; Jan. 16 vs. Westchester; Jan. 23 vs. San Diego High; Feb. 6 at Westchester; Feb. 7 vs. Chicago Whitney Young at Nike Extravaganza
10. St. Anthony, Jersey City, NJ
Coach: Bob Hurley (933-102, 36 years at St. Anthony)
Last season's record: 32-0, Won State Tournament of Champions, Won USA Today National Championship
Outlook: Legendary coach Bob Hurley, a candidate of the Basketball Hall of Fame, returns just one starter from their mythical USA Today national championship team. Dominic Cheek, one of the nation's top 15 players, remains as seven players graduated and signed Division 1 scholarships. Five of the seven seniors were guards. Cheek, a 6-5 guard, averaged 12.3 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and three assists per game. He is joined by 6-1 senior Travis Conyers and 5-5 junior DeMarcus Owens. The Friars will switch from a backcourt-laden team to a one driven by its frontcourt. They rely on three junior transfers to fill in the gaps. 6-7 Devon Collier averaged 17 points and eight rebounds for All Hallows (Bronx, NY); 6-6 Derrick Williams averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds at Burlington Life Center (NJ); and 6-6 Pankey added 15 points and seven boards at Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood, NY). 6-6 senior Jamee Jackson (Quinnipiac) will also add to the rotation.
Key Games: vs. Whitney Young (Chicago); Dec. 26-30 MaxPreps Torrey Pines (Calif.) Classic; Jan. 19 vs. Putnam City (Okla.) at HoopHall Classic
11. Montrose Christian, Rockville, MD
Coach: Stu Vetter (764 wins in 32 seasons)
Last season's record: 21-4
Outlook: Last season, the junior trio of Terrell Vinson, Tristan Spurlock and Isaiah Armwood, all top 100 players, were considered the best underclass frontcourt trio in the nation. However, Armwood is the only one of the trio left as both forwards transferred to different schools: Vinson to St. Frances (Baltimore) and Spurlock to Word of Life Academy (Springfield, VA). With the help of two transfers, Montrose looks to remain in the national spotlight. The Mustangs welcome Moustaphou Yarou, a native of Benin, and Terrence Ross, one of the nation's top 50 juniors, to their Rockville campus. Yarou is a candidate to for the McDonald's All-American Game, while Ross (18.9 ppg), a 6-5 junior, was Oregon's Class 5A player of the year at Jefferson High in Portland. Head coach Stu Vetter will also have the help of 6-3 senior Dominic Milburn, 6-5 freshman Justin Anderson, 7-1 sophomore Nigerian transfer Jordan Omogbehim, 6-1 sophomore Tyler Hubbard, and 5-11 sophomore Jordan Roach. Anderson is one of the nation's best freshmen.
Key Games: Dec. 18-22 Iolani Classic; Jan. 17 vs. Trotwood-Madison (OH) and Jan. 18 vs. Centerville (OH) at Flyin' to the Hoop; Feb. 15 vs. Shabazz (NJ) at Primetime Shootout; March 6 vs. Oak Hill Academy (VA); April 3-5 at Nike Championship Tournament
12. DeMatha, Hyattsville, MD
Coach: Mike Jones (149-47, 7 years at DeMatha)
Last season's record: 20-10, WCAC semifinalist
Outlook: DeMatha, the storied program, enters with arguably the school's best team since the retirement of legendary head coach Morgan Wootten. Head coach Mike Jones, who has won five WCAC titles in seven years, returns four starters and 12 lettermen from a team which features up to eight Division 1 prospects. 6-2 junior Josh Selby (Tennessee) is one of the nation's top 10 juniors, while 6-4 senior Naji Hibbert (Texas A&M) is one of the nation's top 100 seniors. Selby averaged 13 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Stags, while Hibbert led the team with 15.2 points per game. They are joined by 6-4 junior Jerian Grant, 6-4 junior Victor Oladipo, 5-11 sophomore Quinn Cook and 6-2 senior Marcus Rouse (SUNY-Stony Brook), who averaged 13.5 ppg. 6-0 senior Phillip Green, promising sophomore Mikael Hopkins and freshman James Robinson will also add to one of the East Coast's deepest teams.
Key Games: Dec. 12 at Bishop O'Connell; Dec. 18-22 Iolani Classic; Jan. 16 vs. Bishop McNamara; Jan. 18 vs. Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) at HoopHall Classic; Jan. 20 vs. Gonzaga; Jan. 23 vs. Bishop O'Connell; Feb. 17 at Bishop McNamara; Feb. 20 at Gonzaga
13. Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, MI
Coach: Kurt Keener
Last season’s record: 21-5, Class B quarterfinalist
Outlook: Detroit Country Day, the only high school to produce two Naismith National Players of the Year (Chris Webber and Shane Battier), returns a team that is led by yet another star big man in DaShonte Riley (Georgetown). The Yellow Jackets, who have won seven state titles in the last 19 years, return a trio of top-notch seniors and as many as 10 Division 1 prospects. Riley, who averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocked shots last season, is joined in the frontcourt by 6-8 senior Donnavan Kirk (Miami) and 6-6 senior Jordan Dumars (South Florida), the son of former Detroit Pistons all-star Joe Dumars. Kirk averaged 10 points, seven boards and two blocks, while Dumars averaged nine points and hit 41 percent of his three-point shots. 6-1 senior Ray McCallum, the son of new Univ. of Detroit-Mercy head coach Ray Sr., transferred from Bloomington (IN) North and will be welcomed in the backcourt by Bennie Sowler, who'll play football at Michigan State. Sophomores 5-11 Chris Sowler, 6-10 Amir Williams and 6-6 Urbane Bingham will add to the depth for the Yellow Jackets.
Key Games: Dec. 20 vs. Chicago De La Salle; Jan. 17 at Canton (Ohio) Glen Oak; Feb. 3 at St. Mary's Prep; Feb. 7 vs. Arthur Hill; Feb. 21 at Bloomington (Ind.) South
14. Arlington Country Day, Jacksonville, FL
Coach: Rex Morgan
Last season’s record: 26-4, Class 2A champions
Outlook: Arlington Country Day, one of Florida’s top programs, returns one of the nation’s best players and a valued transfer, both of which are from the DC area. 6-9 senior Wally Judge (Kansas State) led the Apaches as he averaged 16.3 points per game last season. His DC Assault AAU teammate Rodney McGruder (Kansas State), one of the nation’s top 100 players, joins him at ACD before they both bolt to Kansas State. McGruder averaged 21.1 points and 10.4 rebounds at Archbishop Carroll in Washington, D.C., where he was first-team All-WCAC in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. They are joined 5-11 junior Detric Payne, 6-7 senior Emari Bailey and 6-5 sophomore Delvon Summey. The eight-man rotation is bolstered by reserves 5-11 Allen Rivera, 6-3 junior Anthony Mosley and 6-2 junior Brandon Boyd.
Key Games: Dec. 19-23 City of Palms Classic; Dec. 26-30 Beach Ball Classic
15. Rice, New York, NY
Coach: Maurice Hicks
Last season's record: 24-4, New York Archdiocesan AA champions
Outlook: Rice loses McDonald's All-American Kemba Walker and All-City performer Chris Fouch, but the Raiders return the remaining three starters from a team that won the New York Archdiocesan AA championship. Led by 6-5 senior Durand Scott, the best senior in New York, Rice looks to once win the New York CHSAA title. Scott is joined by 6-5 junior James Stukes, 6-7 senior Tyler Montplasier, and 6-3 junior Shane Southwell. They have a group of underclassmen that will see more time in 6-3 sophomore Shamel Williams, 6-1 junior Dytrel Bracey and 6-2 sophomore Jermaine Sanders.
Key Games: Feb. 14 at St. Benedict’s (NJ) at Prime Time Shootout
16. Hopkins, Minnetonka, MN
Coach: Ken Novak Jr. (449-71, 19 years at Hopkins; 567-118 in 26 years overall)
Last season’s record: 27-2
Outlook: Hopkins would have been ranked in the nation’s top 25 this season based solely on the team that they returned. However, they are not in the nation’s top 15 after adding transfer 6-7 senior Royce White (Minnesota), the state’s top player. White averaged 20 points at De La Salle (Minneapolis) last season. The Royals fell short of a state title last season, but have won three state championships since 2002. They return four starters who are Division 1 prospects, in addition to White. In the backcourt, they are led by 6-4 senior Ray Cowels (Santa Clara) and 6-4 senior Trent Lockett (Arizona State), who averaged 17 points and 15 points, respectively, per game last season. 6-0 senior point guard Marcus Williams contributed seven points and five assists. 6-8 senior Mike Broghammer (Notre Dame), the nephew of Christian Laettner, will man the post after averaging 11 points and seven rebounds last season.
Key Games: Jan. 3 Timberwolves Shootout; Jan. 23 vs. Milwaukee Vincent; Feb. 13 vs. Lincoln (N.Y.) at Nike Super Six
17. Whitney Young, Chicago, IL
Coach: Tyrone Slaughter (66-22, 4 years at Whitney Young)
Last season's record: 25-5, Class 4A sectional finalist
The Dolphins return three starters (all of which in the backcourt) from their team last season. 6-3 senior Chris Colvin led the team last season with 14 points, three steals, and two assists per game. 6-3 junior Anthony Johnson (Purdue) averaged 12 points, while 6-3 senior Marcus Jordan, the youngest son of Michael Jordan, averaged 11 points, six rebounds and three steals. 6-8 senior Stanford Brown (12.3 rpg), 5-8 junior Ahmad Starks (Oregon State), 6-6 junior Sam Thompson and senior Franklin Griffin will add to the rotation.
Key Games: Dec. 6 vs. St. Benedict's (NJ) at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 13 vs. Oak Hill (VA) in Milwaukee; Jan. 19 vs. Mater Dei (CA) at HoopHall Classic; Feb. 7 vs. Fairfax (CA) at Nike Extravaganza
18. De La Salle, Concord, CA
Coach: Joe Allocco (303-38, 11 years at De La Salle; 470-66 in 17 years overall)
Last season's record: 28-4, Northern California Division I finalist
Outlook: The Spartans return four starters and have added one of the nation's top 50 players in Hollis Thompson (Georgetown), who transferred from Loyola (Los Angeles). Thompson, the 6-8 senior forward, averaged 19.5 points and 10.2 rebounds last season and will flourish in the Princeton-style offense, which will prevail for Thompson at Georgetown. The backcourt will be led by 5-11 senior Brandon Smith (California), who averaged 12 points and seven assists last season, and 6-2 sophomore Joe Stein. However, the frontcourt is the key as De La Salle has least five players in the rotation are 6-feet-6 or taller. 6-6 senior Beau Levesque, 6-0 senior Jordan Estrada, 6-8 junior John McArthur (10 ppg, 6 rpg), 6-8 senior Jeff Powers (Denver), junior Nate Appel and 6-6 Zach Payne also return. The Spartans lost in the Northern California Division I final last season, but this season, they will look to win their first state championship since 2006.
Key Games: Dec. 26-30 Merv Lopes Holiday Classic; Jan. 19 vs. McClymonds (CA); Feb. 7 vs. Dominguez
19. Lawrence North, Indianapolis, IN
Coach: Jack Keefer (617-241 in 37 years overall)
Last season's record: 25-2, Class 6A state quarterfinalist
Outlook: The Wildcats return to national prominence three years after Greg Oden and Mike Conley, Jr. graduated from Lawrence North. During their tenure, the Wildcats won three consecutive state titles (2004-06) and a USA Today national championship in 2006. This season, they boast a roster stacked with at least eight Division 1 prospects and seven players 6-7 or taller. Lawrence North is led by 6-8 senior Steven Van Treese (Louisville), who averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds. 6-9 senior Jeff Robinson (Purdue) and 6-9 junior Dominique Ferguson (Kentucky) will round out the talented frontcourt. The veterans include 6-7 senior Chris Read, senior Kyree Jones and 6-3 senior Larry Smith. 6-10 sophomore Michael Borum leads the underclassmen, along with 6-4 junior Ryan Taylor and 6-7 junior Justin Martin.
Key Games: Dec. 20 at Chicago Simeon; Dec. 29-30 T-Mobile Classic; Jan. 23 vs. North Central; Feb. 24 at Pike
20. South Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Coach: Michael Reddick
Last season’s record: 27-3
Outlook: South Atlanta, the seven-time Atlanta Public Schools champion, returns the nation’s top center Derrick Favors to a team that led the state in scoring (83 ppg) last season. Favors, the 6-9 forward/center, averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds and 9.5 blocks as a junior. He will be joined by fellow seniors, 5-11 guard Nick Watkins (7.5 apg) and 6-5 Auburn recruit Andre Malone, who transferred from North Clayton High in College Park. Another trio of seniors in 5-6 Rodrick Pitts, 6-3 Mikale Carter and 6-3 Derrick Murray will be key to the starting rotation, while 6-7 sophomore Nick Jacobs will also be important to the team’s success.
Key Games: Jan. 17 vs. Oak Hill Academy at HoopHall Classic
21. Putnam City, Oklahoma City, OK
Coach: A.D. Burtschi (600+ wins in 32 seasons)
Last season's record: 25-2, Class 6A state quarterfinalist
Outlook: Putnam City looks to challenge for their second state title in four years as they returns 13 players from last year. The Pirates will be led by Xavier Henry, the nation's top shooting guard, but has added one of the nation's top 100 players in Kyle Hardrick. Henry, a four-year starter, averaged 26.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game last season. Hardrick (Oklahoma), a 6-8 senior forward, transferred from Norman (OK). 6-2 senior Garen Wright and 6-2 senior Tyler Earls will lead the backcourt.
Key Games: Dec. 11 vs. Lincoln (N.Y.); Dec. 18-22 Iolani Classic; Jan. 19 vs. St. Anthony (N.J.) at HoopHall Classic
22. Christ School, Arden, NC
Coach: David Gaines (247-66, 10 years at Christ School)
Last season’s record: 34-2, NCISAA state champion
Outlook: Christ School looks to win its third consecutive Class 3A state title this year as they return four starters and as many as six Division I prospects. The Greenies are led by 6-10 senior Mason Plumlee, who committed to Duke to play along with his older brother Miles. As a junior, Plumlee averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds. He is joined by fellow seniors 6-5 Lakeem Jackson (South Carolina), 6-6 Dee Geiger (Harvard) and 6-3 senior Reginald King. The underclassmen are led by Plumlee’s younger brother 6-10 Marshall, one of the nation’s top 50 juniors, and two transfers: 6-8 Sebastian Koch from Wren (SC) and 6-9 Lucas Troutman from Belton-Honea Path (SC).
Key Games: Dec. 20-23 Chick-Fil-A Classic; Dec. 27-30 Glaxo/Smith/Kline Tournament; Jan. 19 vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
23. LeFlore, Mobile, AL
Coach: Otis Hughley
Last season's record: 30-3, Class 6A semifinalist
Outlook: LeFlore employs one of the nation's most high-powered offenses and is led by one of the nation's top 10 players in DeMarcus Cousins. Coach Hughley's offense averages 86 shot attempts per game last season in just 32 minutes. Cousins, the UAB recruit and certain lock for the McDonald's All-American Game, averaged 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5.5 blocks. Cousins is joined in the post by 6-9 senior Kentari Nettles, a South Alabama commit. 6-2 senior Marlon Ford and 6-4 senior Denzel McDaniel will combine for an experienced guard tandem, but 6-5 Gerald Watkins, 6-4 Darryl Woods, 5-11 Kelly Vail, 5-9 Niko Williams and 6-0 Jarred Williams lend support to the backcourt.
Key Games: Jan. 19 vs. Lincoln (NY) at HoopHall Classic
24. Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA
Coach: Mike Bethea (321-81, 14 years at Rainier Beach)
Last season’s record: 28-1, Class 3A state champion
Outlook: Rainier Beach looks to win their sixth state title in 11 years despite graduating four Division I recruits. This season, the Vikings are led by 6-5 senior Aaron Dotson (LSU), who averaged 18 points last season. 5-10 senior D'Vonne Pickett (Eastern Washington) will run the point after averaging seven assists last season. 5-9 junior Jaamon Echols will join him in the backcourt. 6-5 senior Najee Ali will be joined in the frontcourt by key transfer 6-7 senior Corey Stern, who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds at ThunderRidge in the Denver area.
Key Games: Jan. 19 vs. Dominguez (Calif.); Jan. 20 vs. Franklin; Feb. 7 vs. Westchester (Calif.)
25. White Station, Memphis, TN
Coach: Jesus Patino 77-33 (3 years at White Station, 410-194 overall)
Last season’s record: 25-13, Class 3A runner-up
Outlook: White Station will not only make the top 25 rankings this season, but they will next year as this year’s team is led by underclassmen. The Spartans return three starters, including their scorer in 6-0 junior Joe Jackson. Jackson, one of the nation’s top 15 juniors, averaged 24.8 points last season. 6-8 senior Ferrakohn Hall averaged 12 points and eight rebounds. Joining them will be two sophomores who contributed last season in 6-2 Andre Hollins, who averaged eight points and two steals off of the bench, and 6-6 Marvin Williams.
Key Games: Nov. 22 vs. Raleigh-Egypt; Dec. 6 vs. Columbus (Ohio) Northland at Marshall County Hoopfest; Jan. 15-17 at Bass Pro Tournament of Champions
Regional Rankings
East:
1. St. Benedict's, Newark, NJ
2. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, NJ
3. St. Anthony, Jersey City, NJ
4. Lincoln, Brooklyn, NY
5. Montrose Christian, Rockville, MD
6. DeMatha, Hyattsville, MD
7. Rice, New York, NY
8. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia, PA
9. St. Frances, Baltimore, MD
10. Gonzaga, Washington, DC
South:
1. Wheeler, Marietta, GA
2. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, VA
3. Arlington Country Day, Jacksonville, FL
4. South Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
5. Christ School, Arden, NC
6. LeFlore, Mobile, AL
7. White Station, Memphis, TN
8. Word of God Academy, Raleigh, NC
9. Pinewood Prep, Summerville, SC
10. Montverde Academy, Montverde, FL
Southwest:
1. Duncanville, TX
2. Findlay Prep, Henderson, NV
3. Putnam City, Oklahoma City, OK
4. Hightower, Missouri City, TX
5. Hall, Little Rock, AR
6. Bishop McGuinness, Oklahoma City, OK
7. Strake Jesuit, Houston, TX
8. North Crowley, Fort Worth, TX
9. St. Mary’s, Phoenix, AZ
10. Cedar Hill, TX
Midwest:
1. Detroit Country Day, Birmingham, MI
2. Whitney Young, Chicago, IL
3. Hopkins, Minnetonka, MN
4. Lawrence North, Indianapolis, IN
5. Madison Memorial, Madison, WI
6. North Lawndale, Chicago, IL
7. Simeon, Chicago, IL
8. Mountain State Academy, Beckley, WV
9. Northland, Columbus, OH
10. Zion-Benton, Zion, IL
West:
1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, CA
2. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA
3. De La Salle, Concord, CA
4. Rainier Beach, Seattle, WA
5. Dominguez, Compton, CA
6. Westchester, Compton, CA
7. Taft, Woodland Hills, CA
8. McClymonds, Oakland, CA
9. Franklin, Seattle, WA
10. San Diego, CA
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