National Guard Boys Basketball Preseason Top 25

By Dave Krider

MaxPreps.com

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.): Coach Gary McKnight (797-74 and seven state titles in 26 years) is on the verge of recording his 800th victory for the Monarchs and it won’t take long because he returns four starters from a 35-1 team which won its second consecutive Division II state title. All five starters are Division I college talents, beginning with 6-foot-10 senior twins David and Travis Wear, who have signed with North Carolina. David averaged 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds last year, while Travis was close behind with 16.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. Rounding out what may be the nation’s tallest frontline is 6-8 senior Andy Brown, a Stanford signee who averaged 14.6 points and 5.9 rebounds. Junior point guard Gary Franklin (6-3), who has committed to Southern California, averaged 12.9 points and 4.9 assists. The fifth starter, 6-5 junior UCLA commitment Tyler Lamb, averaged 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists at Ontario Colony. Connor Hughes, a 6-6 senior, is a great leaper and shot blocker who will play volleyball next year for UC-Irvine. “We have the potential to be great,” McKnight assesses. “They are very unselfish. We have one of the tougher schedules we’ve ever had, but if we don’t challenge them, they’ll get bored.”

2. Duncanville (Texas): Senior bookends Roger Franklin and Shawn Williams return from a 35-2 team and they will be starting for the fourth year. Williams (6-7, 210), who has signed with Texas, averaged 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds as a junior, while Franklin (6-5, 215), who has signed with Oklahoma State, averaged 14.3 points and 8.4 rebounds. They are 104-8 in three years, including a 39-0 Class 5A state championship as sophomores. Reger Dowell, a 6-1 senior, who also will attend Oklahoma State, started at the end of the year and will handle point-guard duties. Putting the Panthers over the top was the transfer of 6-11, 210-pound Perry Jones – one of the nation’s premier juniors – from Dallas Wilson. McNeely calls him “a huge talent who can run point on fast breaks.”

3. Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.): An outstanding backcourt and a motivated big man will keep the Warriors high in the national rankings throughout the year. Coach Steve Smith (718-44 in 23 years) has the unusual distinction of returning four starters from last year’s 34-4 squad. He notes that eight players have Division I potential. “We’ll be better than last year,” he promises. “We’ll be deeper and more balanced.” The backcourt has been bolstered by the transfer of 6-5 junior Doron Lamb from Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and 6-0 senior Lamont Jones from American Christian (Aston, Pa.). The big man, literally, will be 6-9, 320-pound Keith “Tiny” Gallon, who averaged 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Smith revealed that Gallon has lost 30 pounds, is working harder than ever and is expected “to be our leading scorer.” He will be supported ably by 6-7 senior Glenn Bryant (12.5 ppg) and 6-11 Senegal native Baye’ Moussa Keita, a junior.

4. St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.): The Celtics have two of the premier players in the country and might have been ranked even higher had not 6-1 junior guard Kyrie Irving been forced to sit out the first month due to transfer rules. Coach Kevin Boyle (432-125 in 20 years) calls Irving, who averaged 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at Montclair Kimberley Academy, “definitely the best junior in New Jersey.” North Carolina signee Dexter Strickland, a 6-3 senior guard, is the leader among three returning starters He averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists for a 25-5 team. Premier sophomore Michael Gilchrist (6-6) will greatly increase last year’s averages of 9.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks. Seniors Paris Bennett (6-6) and Dean Kowalski (5-9) along with the coach’s son, 5-9 junior Kevin Boyle, are other key returnees.

5. Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.): The Railsplitters already have won New York’s biggest prize – the Class A Federation state title – two years in a row and again will be favored with the return of three starters from a 30-4 team At his best in big games, 6-6, 225-pound superstar Lance Stephenson will be starting for the fourth year. As a junior he averaged 23.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Other returning starters are 6-8, 230-pound James Padgett, a University of Maryland recruit who averaged 10.4 points and 9.3 rebounds as a junior, and 5-8 guard Darwin Ellis, who averaged 14.1 points and 5.3 assists as a junior.

6. St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.): Coach Dan Hurley (179-17 in seven years) returns a talented inside-outside combination from a 24-1 team and plenty of depth with an overall nine Division I prospects. Rice University recruit Tamir Jackson (6-2) was the No. 2 scorer as a junior with a 13.8 average and he drilled 52 three-pointers. Outstanding junior Tristan Thompson (6-9, 210) will greatly increase last year’s averages of 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, though it will be hard to top his .591 field goal percentage. Hurley says that 6-2 sophomore Myck Kabongo “could be brilliant” and he has a host of big men, including 6-6 senior Lamar Patterson, a Pittsburgh recruit, who averaged 21 points as a junior at McCasakey (Lancaster, Pa.).

7. Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.): Including reserves, the Wildcats probably have the tallest team in the country. Coach Jack Keefer (617-241 with four state titles in 37 years) returns four starters, but couldn’t be blamed if he exclaimed, “My kingdom for a point guard!” He has hopes that 6-0 senior Alonzo Bass can fill that leadership role, because he has a bunch of Division I tall timber to work with. Start with 6-9, 225-pound senior Stephan VanTreese, who averaged 11.6 points and 9.7 rebounds for last year’s 17-6 teams and has signed with Louisville. Add Purdue signee Jeff Robinson, a 6-9, 220-pound senior who averaged 6.2 points on a deep, balanced team. Then there are juniors Dominique Ferguson (6-9, 220), who averaged 11.8 points and has committed to Kentucky, and Justin Martin (6-7), who averaged 15 points on the JV squad and already has committed to Louisville. Waiting in the wings are 7-0, 300-pound junior Jan Mahelen and super sophomores Michael Chandler (6-10, 230) and Ryan Taylor (6-5).

8. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.): If anybody expects to beat the Stags, they better do it this year, because coach Mike Jones (149-47 in six years) has a potential nine Division I prospects and most of them are underclassmen. Jones predicted, “We have a chance to be really good. We’re really deep and will play 10 or 11 guys every game.” The top seniors are 6-6 Naji Hibbert, a Texas A&M recruit who averaged 15.8 points for last year’s 20-10 team, and 6-2 Marcus Rouse, who averaged 13.6 points. Junior guard Josh Selby (6-2), who already has committed to Tennessee, averaged 14.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists last year. Sophomore guard Quinn Cook (6-0) averaged 10.1 points last year.

9. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.): Four starters who averaged in double-figure scoring are back from a 30-3 team which finished second in the Class AAAAA state tournament. Coach Doug Lipscomb (406-80 with four state titles in 16 years) says, “If we can stay injury-free, we can compete (with anybody).” North Carolina State recruit Richard Howell (6-8) averaged 17.2 points and 11.1 rebounds last year, while Wake Forest recruit Ari Stewart (6-7) averaged 14.5 points and 6.4 rebounds. Other key returnees are 5-10 junior Phil Taylor, who averaged 13.9 points, 6.8 assists and made 63 steals, and 6-3 senior Tahj Tate, who averaged 10.5 points and 3.2 assists.

10. Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.): The Dolphins are not overly big, but they are experienced and they are lightning-quick. “We have phenomenal guard play,” says coach Tyrone Slaughter. “We can play four guards at one time and are going to use a pressure defense for 84 feet.” Three starters from a 26-6 team are the anchors. Chris Colvin, a 6-3 senior, averaged 13.5 points, 8.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds last year, while Michael Jordan’s son, Marcus, a 6-3 senior, was right behind at 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.5 steals. Stan Brown, a 6-8, 212-pound senior, is the key inside force, having averaged 11.3 rebounds last year. Junior guard Anthony Johnson (6-3), who averaged 12.5 points, already has committed to Purdue.

11. Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.): Stu Vetter (774-97 in 32 years at four schools) says, “We have a chance to be as good as any team I’ve had at Montrose (in 10 years). This team has pieces that fit together.” Three starters return from a 21-4 team and Vetter believes he has eight Division I players. Villanova already has signed seniors Mouphtauo Yarou (6-9, 250) and Isaiah Armwood (6-8, 200). Armwood averaged 14.8 points and 6-6 Dadrian Collins averaged 14.7 points as a junior. Impact newcomers are 6-5 junior Terrence Ross, who averaged 18.6 points last year for Portland Jefferson’s state champions and was named Class 5A Player of the Year, and super-talented 6-5 freshman Justin Anderson.

12. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.): Coach Frank Allocco (470-66 with three state titles in 17 years) returns four starters from a 28-4 team and a transfer, 6-7 senior Hollis Thompson, has filled the one opening nicely. The Georgetown recruit averaged 18.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a junior at Los Angeles Loyola. Senior point guard Brandon Smith, who averaged 12 points and seven assists, has signed with California, while 6-7 senior Jeff Powers, a 10.3 scorer, has signed with Denver. Junior John McArthur (6-8) averaged 10 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists and is a surefire major recruit, as will be 6-2 sophomore Joe Stein. Six-foot senior Jordan Estrada “is a big-time defender,” according to Allocco.

13. Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.): Coach Rex Morgan, who has won Florida’s Class 2A state title the last four years, says this year’s squad “could be the best since 2004-05. We have seven kids with Division I potential.” The ringleader is Kansas State signee Wally Judge, a 6-10, 235-pound senior who averaged 16.7 points and 12.2 rebounds as a junior and led the Apaches to a 20-1 record after becoming eligible. Rodney McGruder, a 6-6 senior who averaged 23 points last year at Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.), also is a Kansas State recruit. Other key players are 6-7 senior Emari Bailey, who averaged 12.6 points; 5-10 junior point guard Dietric Payne, who averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 assists; and 6-6 senior Josh Relaford, who averaged 14.8 points last year at Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.).

14. Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.): Kurt Keener (559-163 with seven state titles in 30 years) has the rare distinction of coaching two Naismith Trophy winners (Chris Webber and Shane Battier). This year he will build around three starters from a 21-5 team and a very talented junior transfer. The Yellowjackets are deep with nine potential Division I players. DaShonte Riley, a 6-11, 220-pound senior, averaged 10.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.1 blocks last year. Miami (Fla.) signee Donnavan Kirk (6-8, 225) averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. South Florida signee Jordan Dumars (6-6), the son of Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars, averaged 8.5 points and shot .460 from three-point range. The newcomer is 6-1 junior guard Ray McCallum, the son of Detroit Mercy coach Ray McCallum, who averaged 21.4 points last year at North (Bloomington, Ind.).

15. St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.): Coach Bob Hurley has a magnificent 36-year record of 933-102 with three national championships and five unbeaten teams, so never count the Friars out even though they return just one starter from last year’s 32-0 No. 1-ranked squad. The leader will be 6-6 senior Dominic Cheek, who averaged 15.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.5 assists last year on a very balanced team. Jamee Jackson, a 6-7 senior, averaged six points and six rebounds in a backup role. After nine games, however, three talented junior transfers will be eligible. They are 6-8 Ashton Pankey, who averaged 15 points and 7.0 rebounds for Archbishop Molloy (Queens, N.Y.); 6-7 Devon Collier, who averaged 17 points and 8.0 rebounds for All Hallows (Bronx, N.Y.); and 6-6, 260-pound Derrick Williams, who averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds for Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.). 

16. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.): Coach Ken Novak (567-118 with three state titles in 26 years) may have his best-ever team with four returning starters who have signed Division I scholarships and another four with that type of potential. The veterans are 6-4 Ray Cowels, a Santa Clara recruit, who averaged 17.1 points; 6-4 Trent Lockett, an Arizona State recruit who averaged 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds; 6-8, 235-pound Mike Broghamer, a Notre Dame recruit who averaged 11.5 points and 6.9 rebounds; and 6-0 Marcus Williams, who averaged 7.3 points and 5.1 assists. Joining them is Mr. Basketball candidate Royce White, a 6-7, 225-pound Minnesota recruit, who averaged 21.5 points last year at Minneapolis De La Salle.

17. Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.): Three starters from a 20-12 team return and will be joined by two outstanding juniors and two of the best freshmen in Kentucky. Coach Billy Hicks (704-198 with two state titles in 27 years) will build around 6-7 senior Richie Phares, who averaged 17.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and shot .573 from the field; and 6-3 junior guard Ge-lawn Guyn, who averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 steals. The superb juniors are 6-8 Dakota Euton (commtted to Kentucky) and 6-4 Chad Jackson, who both averaged 20 points last year at Rose Hill Christian (Ashland, Ky.), where O.J. Mayo started his storied career. The freshman standouts are 6-4 Tamron Manning and 6-3 Isiah Ivey. “This could be the best team we’ve had here,” Hicks projects. “We’ve never had so many athletes and they have a great work ethic along with great chemistry.”

18. Fairfax (Los Angeles, Calif.): Harvey Kitani (563-181 in 28 years) has one of the best building blocks in the country: 6-11, 256-pound senior Renardo Sidney, who averaged 24 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.7 blocks for last year’s 27-6 team. He will be aided greatly by two other returning starters – 6-6 senior Solomon Hill averaged 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds last year, while 6-2 senior Lance Bailey averaged 10.5 points. Kitani looks for even bigger things from Hill, whom he calls his most improved player.

19. Olympia (Orlando, Fla.): It’s hard not to like a school with five senior starters returning from a 24-3 team, with all of them being Division I caliber players. Coach Mark Griseck (178-61 in eight years) will count heavily on 6-2 Dexter Fields, an Alabama-Birmingham recruit, who averaged 17.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and will be one of four four-year starters. William Green (6-6), a Western Kentucky recruit, averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 blocks last year. Other veterans include 5-9 Martell Buie, who averaged 11.7 points and 6.1 assists; 6-4 Jamel Marshall, who averaged 9.7 points and 7.0 rebounds; and 6-6 Jordan McCoy, who averaged 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.

20. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.): The Eagles will be flying high with as many as 12 Division I prospects. Coach Kevin Sutton is especially high on 6-11, 245-pound Arizona State recruit Ruslan Pateev, who averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds last year. Rob Chubb, a 6-9, 230-pound senior transfer from McIntosh (Peachtree City, Ga.), has signed with Auburn and 6-8, 220-pound senior Nick Diatta has signed with Towson. Juniors to watch are 6-8 Papa Samba-Ndao and 6-5, 215-pound James Bell, who has made a commitment to Villanova. “This is definitely one of the top teams I’ve had,” Sutton says. “They are very balanced and we have quality depth at every position.”

21. Findlay College Prep (Henderson, Nev.): Several big-time transfers have thrust the Pilots – who were 32-1 last year – into the national spotlight. Coach Mike Peck’s key returnee is 6-10, 207-pound Nevada-Las Vegas recruit Carlos Lopez, who should more than double his junior averages of seven points and five rebounds in a reserve role. He will be joined by some outstanding shooters. The top marksman is 6-3 Texas recruit Avery Bradley, who averaged 24.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists last year at Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wash.). One of Illinois’ top seniors, 6-3 D.J. Richardson, has joined Avery after averaging 20 points and 3.0 assists last year at Peoria Central. A third outstanding guard, 6-3 junior Cory Joseph, has moved in from Ontario, Canada.

22. Northland (Columbus, Ohio): The Vikings are young, but they are super talented. Coach Satch Sullinger needs look no farther than his own house to find one of the nation’s elite juniors, his son, Jared, an overpowering 6-9, 270-pounder who averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds last year for a 21-1 team. Sullinger, who has committed to Ohio State, will be joined by another talented junior, 6-7 J.D. Weatherspoon, who has committed to Xavier after averaging 11 points and 7.6 rebounds last year. Sophomore point guard Trey Burke (5-10) runs the show quite well and already has offers from three mid-major Division I colleges.

23. LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.): Coach Otis Hughley will rely heavily on one of the nation’s top senior centers, 6-10, 270-pound DeMarcus Cousins, who has committed to Alabama-Birmingham. He averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 3.6 blocks for last year’s 30-3 team. The Rattlers also will count on two players who sat out last year after transferring – 6-9, 245-pound junior Kentari Nettles and 6-2 senior Marlon Ford, who averaged 23 points as a sophomore at Mobile B.C. Rain. Nettles already has committed to the University of South Alabama. Other seniors who have Division I potential are 6-3 Denzel McDaniel, 6-5 Gerald Watkins and 6-5 D.J. Woods.

24. White Station (Memphis, Tenn.): The Spartans will build around three players who started on last year’s 25-13 team. Though he’s just a 6-0 junior, Joe Jackson stands tall after averaging 25.3 points and 3.1 assists last year. Coach Jesus Patino also will count heavily on 6-8, 225-pound senior Ferrakohn Hall, who averaged 14.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in four games following a transfer. Two sophomores who should make big impacts are 6-2 Andre Hollins and 6-6, 235-pound Marvin Williams.

25. Pinewood Prep (Summerville, S.C.): Coach Pat Eidson (619-244 in 29 years) says flat out, “This is our best team ever and I’ve been here for 18 years.” The Panthers return four starters from a 27-4 team and one of them is a superstar, 6-9, 210-pound senior Milton Jennings, a Clemson recruit who averaged 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.2 blocks last year. He will get plenty of help from seniors K.J. Manigault, a 6-4 Wichita State recruit, who averaged 11.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.6 assists last year; and 6-4 Ryan Bogdan, who averaged 10.9 points and drilled 67 threes.