MaxPreps Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings

Xcellent 25 National Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (No. 2 last week) Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), 7-0
A team from Utah has never topped the Xcellent 25 in basketball, baseball or football. Those questioning Lone Peak's national legitimacy won't have to wait long to get an answer, as the Knights open Wednesday at the prestigious City of Palms Classic against defending Mississippi 5A state champ Callaway (Jackson).

2. (3) Long Beach Poly (Calif.), 5-0
Like Lone Peak, the Jackrabbits are headed to the City of Palms Classic. Poly plays in the event opener Tuesday against No. 12 Tift County.

3. (4) Chester (Pa.), 2-0
The Clippers made a statement against previously unbeaten Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) on Friday night at the I-95 Elite Showcase, pasting the NYC dynasty 70-52. Also headed to Fort Myers, Fla., for the City of Palms Classic, Chester – riding a 60-game win streak – takes on Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) on Tuesday night in first round action.

4. (6) Whitney Young (Chicago), 3-0
Yet another City of Palms participant, the Dolphins are facing a good news-bad news scenario in Fort Myers. They have a first round bye but are likely to meet slight tournament favorite Montverde Academy (Fla.) in the second round.

5. (8) Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.), 9-1
Also en route to Fort Myers. Southwind will play injury-ravaged Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) in the opening round Wednesday. Marquette pledge JaJuan Johnson pumped in 30 points as the Jaguars tuned up for City of Palms with an 89-74 win over Houston (Germantown) on Friday night.