Independent Top 10 team preview: No. 5 Hamilton Heights Christian Academy

Video: Breaking down the Independent Top 10
Hawks would love to end season in New York City for Dick's Nationals.

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



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6-5, Sr., G) … Committed to Virginia Tech

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6-5, Sr., G) … Recently de-committed from Florida

Jason Jitoboh (6-9, So., C) … Sister Jessica is a 6-foot-2 post for HHCA Lady Hawks

C.J. Massengill (6-1, Sr., G) … Chattanooga native adds experience in backcourt

Issa Samake (6-7, So., F) … Native of Mali with Iowa State offer



Therren Shelton-Szmidt (6-5, Sr., G) … Could add to eight Division I offers this winter STORYLINES

* Canada has been very good to Ferrell and the Hawks. In addition to Alexander-Walker, Gilgeous-Alexander and Shelton-Szmidt, our neighbors to the north have sent 6-10 junior Kaosi Ezeagu along with sophomores Tre Edwards and Wheza Panzo HHCA's way.

* Will last year's Dick's Nationals snub be a rallying point for the Hawks? Two of the program's three losses last year came against Oak Hill Academy while it claimed wins over teams from 10 different states and two of the top programs in Canada. Hamilton Heights was playing its best basketball down the stretch as evidenced by a 73-44 thrashing of a talented Mountain Mission team in the final game of the season.

KEY DATES

Dec. 1 – vs. Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)

Dec. 2 – vs. Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.) @ Marshall County Hoopfest



Dec. 21-23 – Chick-fil-A Classic

Jan. 4 – vs. Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.)

Look for an expanded preview of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy on November 10.