Montverde Academy captures program's fourth City of Palms Classic title to strengthen hold on top spot.
Video: Cade Cunningham City of Palms highlights
See the Montverde Academy standout in action for the nation's No. 1 team.
An unpredictable week of high school basketball saw 15 teams in the Top 25 teams go down, with six new faces in the rankings.
The City of Palms Classic was the headlining event of the week as No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) defeated No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 63-55 in the title game. In the 4-team signature series, No. 5 Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) upended No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) 61-59 to capture a title at the event as well.
The Tarkanian Classic shook up the rankingsas previously unranked Centennial (Corona, Calif.) jumps to No. 20 this week after knocking off previous No. 9 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), No. 13 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 22 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) en route to the title.
The other major tournament prior to Chistmas was the Chick-fil-A Classic. Split up into two divisions, the American Division saw No. 16 Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) take down Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) 56-52 and Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) upended No. 8 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 55-44 in the National Division championship game.
In a battle for Garden State bragging rights, No. 4 Patrick School took down previous No. 10 Roselle Catholic 72-64 in the debut of 5-star
Jonathan Kuminga.
Another big week of high school hoops will commence after Christmas, as the Beach Ball Classic, John Wall Holiday Invitational, Les Schwab Invitational and the Classic at Damien will take center stage this week.
Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
Photo by Jim Redman
1. (Last week 1) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 10-0
Captured fourth City of Palms Classic title, defeating four quality opponents by over 30 points per contest. The Eagles travel to the John Wall Holiday Invitational this week where they could potentially face No. 4 Patrick School in the title game.
2. (2) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 11-0Picked up a pair of quality wins, taking down Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) 76-55 and Marshall (Richmond, Va.) 66-55. The Trailblazers head to the Classic at Damien this week to face top in-state competition.
Blew past The Heights (Potomac, Md.) 100-40 prior to their big-time upcoming Dec. 29 showdown with Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) at the Slam Dunk to the Beach.
4. (6) Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.), 3-0Notched a massive early season 72-64 win over previous No. 10 Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) before heading to the John Wall Holiday Invitational.
Captured the City of Palms Signature Series crown, defeating previous No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy 61-59 in a game the Hawks trailed by 15 points late in the third. In the title game, they were fueled by a 22-8 fourth quarter that saw Florida pledge
Samson Ruzhentsev knock down a pair of late free throws for the win.
Made a run to the City of Palms Classic title game, falling to No. 1 Montverde Academy 63-55 in a highly anticipated showdown. The Ascenders notched quality wins over previous No. 23 Archbishop Stepinac and Gonzaga on the road to the title game.
Remain at No. 7 despite losing their first game. Buffaloes led
for over 26 minutes of a 61-59 loss to No. 5 Hamilton Heights in the City of Palms Classic Signature Series title
game. They notched a quality win over previous No. 20 St. Frances Academy
73-55 in semis.
8. (8) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), 8-1
Finished runner up at the Chick-fil-A Classic falling to Hillcrest Prep 55-44. The Lakers picked up a signature win over previous No. 3 Prolific Prep in the semifinals.
First loss came in the Chick-fil-A Classic semifinals against No. 8 La Lumiere 63-59. The Crew recovered with a quality win over Huntington Prep 58-52 despite being short three starters.
10. (14) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 21-1
Climb
four spots after winning their eighth 'Iolani Classic crown, knocking off No. 12 Wasatch Academy 76-68 in the title game.
After a strong start to the season, the Rams travel to the Wheeler Tournament of Champions after Christmas to take on unbeaten Lithonia (Ga.) in the opening round.
12. (17) Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), 15-1
Fell just shy of capturing the 'Iolani Classic crown, losing to No. 10 Oak Hill Academy 76-68 in the championship tilt. The Tigers picked up a signature win over previous No. 11 Long Island Lutheran 68-58 in the semifinals.
Host the DeMatha Christmas Tournament this week with an opening round matchup against Canterbury (Fort Myers, Fla.).
14. (10) Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), 1-1
Fell to No. 4 Patrick School 72-64 in a battle for early season Garden State bragging rights. The Lions travel to the Slam Dunk to the Beach after Christmas to face Sanford on Dec. 28 and First Love Christian Academy on Dec. 29.
15. (11) Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 6-1
Lost their first game of the year in the 'Iolani Classic semifinals 68-58 against No. 12 Wasatch Academy. The Crusaders look to regroup this week with a trip to the Beach Ball Classic.
Captured the Chick-fil-A Classic American Division crown, defeating Greensboro Day 56-52 in the title game. The Cavaliers head to the Beach Ball Classic this week opening with Buchtel (Akron, Ohio).
17. (9) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 7-1
Fell to No. 20 Centennial 71-55 for season's first loss. The Gaels travel to the Les Schwab Invitational this week to compete in a strong field that includes No. 22 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), No. 25 Norcross (Ga.), Mater Dei and top Beaver State contenders.
Placed well at the Tarkanian Classic, defeating previous No. 13 Mater Dei 70-62 in the third place game. The Huskies also captured a victory over No. 20 Centennial earlier in the season.
19. (NR) Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), 12-0The surprise team out of the Golden State this season benefits from Centennial's big week at the Tarkanian Classic after beating the Huskies 63-50 earlier in the month. The Wolverines are sure to be tested this week as they travel to the Beach Ball Classic on Dec. 27 to open play with unbeaten Poly (Baltimore).
Although slip ups to No. 18 Sheldon and No. 19 Harvard-Westlake earlier in the year cannot be overlooked, an argument could be made for this group to be higher after capturing the Tarkanian Classic title and securing signature wins over previous No. 9 Bishop Gorman, No. 13 Mater Dei and No. 22 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia).
While the Eagles have more losses than any other team in the rankings at this point in the season, a third place finish at the City of Palms Classic behind quality wins over previous No. 19 O'Dea (Seattle) and No. 21 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.).
22. (25) Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 4-0After cruising through their first four games of the year, the Crusaders face stiffest competition all season at the Les Schwab Invitational.
Suffered first defeat of the season in the City of Palms Classic Signature Series, losing to No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy 73-55. The Panthers rebounded with a 67-65 victory over West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.)
Outscored their opponents by 32.8 points per contest through their first five games. This group appears to be the team to beat out of the Badger State this season.
Off to a hot start prior to their toughest stretch of the year that includes a trip to the Les Schwab Invitational followed by a showdown with No. 14 Roselle Catholic at the Cancer Research Classic.
Dropped out: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), O'Dea (Seattle), McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.)
