MaxPreps.com Staff Report
Basketball's version of the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard got underway last Friday with a visit to Mountain View High School in Mesa, Ariz., home of the state's 5A-I champions.
Stops in Ohio and Virginia followed, with Washington 4A champion Ferris slated for the next ceremony, Monday, April 9.
In addition to honoring the team accomplishments, MaxPreps and T-Mobile will be highlighting an outstanding student-athlete from each school.
Harper Kamp fit the bill for Mountain View, carrying a 4.0 grade point average to go along with his 18.5 points per game average for the Toros. Kamp will play for Ben Braun at Cal next season.
Mountain View has compiled an 89-8 record over the past three seasons, winning a state tile in each, including this year's 78-60 victory of St. Mary's of Phoenix.
In Ohio, it was Division I champion Archbishop Moeller of Cincinnati receiving the Tour of Champions trophy. The Crusaders overcame St. Edward - ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps for much of the season - in the state semifinals, then knocked off league rival St. Xavier for the third time since late December in the championship game.
Defense was the calling card for Archbishop Moeller in 2007, allowing just 43.6 points per game.
Senior Troy Tabler, who averaged 16 points per game in Moeller's big wins over St. Edward and St. Xavier, was the MaxPreps/T-Mobile honoree.
Perennial powerhouse Oak Hill Academy of Virginia was the tour locale Wednesday, as head coach Steve Smith cranked out another wildly successful season in 2006-2007.
Facing one of the nation's toughest schedules, the Warriors went 40-1, including wins over state champions from California, Georgia, Illinois, and Oregon.
Duke-bound Nolan Smith, Oak Hill's leading scorer at 21.5 points per game, was singled out for his exemplary efforts on and off the court.
In addition to Ferris, Linn-Mar (Iowa), Highland Park (Texas), and Roman Catholic (Pa.), will be honored by the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard in the next week.
At a Glance.
Archbishop Moeller
City/State: Cincinnati, Ohio
Head Coach: Carl Kremer
2006-2007 Record: 25-2
Accomplishments: Ohio Division I champion; No. 12 MaxPreps national ranking
All-American Honoree: Troy Tabler
Mountain View
City/State: Mesa, Ariz.
Head Coach: Gary Ernst
2006-2007 Record: 28-4
Accomplishments: Arizona 5A-I state champion; No. 13 MaxPreps national ranking
All-American Honoree: Harper Kamp
Oak Hill Academy
City/State: Mouth of Wilson, Va.
Head Coach: Steve Smith
2006-2007 Record: 40-1
Accomplishments: No. 7 MaxPreps national ranking
All-American Honoree: Nolan Smith