Preseason High School Boys Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard: Independent Top 10

After coming up just short at Dick's Nationals last April, La Lumiere begins the 2016-17 season at No. 1.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jason Hickman
By
Nov 8, 2016, 9:00am
Video: Breaking down the Independent Top 10
La Lumiere, Oak Hill Academy and Montverde Academy hold down top spots.

Back in 2012 and 2013, MaxPreps took a stab at separate rankings for independent academy programs and traditional high schools.

While some applauded the effort, for others it caused confusion and raised questions. Where do you draw the line between independents and traditionals? What about teams with associate membership to major governing bodies like the FHSAA (Florida) and NIAA (Nevada)?

We've elected to re-visit the approach in 2016-17, making a clear distinction between the two divisions – teams that play for a state championship and teams that don't.

Beginning Dec. 4 and continuing each week through April, MaxPreps will publish separate High School Top 25 and Independent Top 10 rankings.

Without further ado, we roll out our Preseason Independent Top 10 presented by the Army National Guard:
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Click on school names for team previews

1. La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.)
Head coach: Shane Heirman (50-6 career record, third season)
2015-16 record: 27-4, No. 6 final national ranking

2. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Head coach: Steve Smith (1,026-92 career record, 32nd season)
2015-16 record: 45-1, No. 2 final national ranking

3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Head coach: Kevin Boyle (645-141 career record)
2015-16 record: 26-2, No. 7 final national ranking

4. Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.)
Head coach: Billy McKnight (First year)
2015-16 record: 28-7

5. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Head coach: Zach Ferrell (87-16 career record, fourth year)
2015-16 record: 27-3, No. 19 final national ranking

6. Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)
Head coach: Paul Washington Sr. (First year)
2015-16 record: 28-2, No. 16 final national ranking

7. St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)
Head coach: Mark Taylor (421-132 career record, sixth season at St. Benedict's Prep)
2015-16 record: 35-2

8. Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.)
Head coach: Arkell Bruce (58-12 career record, third year)
2015-16 record: 27-9

9. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)
Head coach: Curtis Condie (29-4, second year)
2015-16 record: 29-4

10. Mountain Mission (Grundy, Va.)
Head coach: Al Wilson (First year)
2015-16 record: 29-8

Others to keep an eye on: Conrad Academy (Orlando, Fla.), Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.)

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