High school basketball: Link Academy only remaining unbeaten in National Top 10 after Prolific Prep loses

By Jordan Divens Jan 25, 2023, 11:15am

Montverde Academy firmly in No. 2 spot after No. 3 Crew fall to No. 7 Dream City Christian over the weekend.

The National Top 10 saw another shake-up as top-ranked Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) is the only remaining unbeaten high school basketball team in the rankings after No. 3 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) suffered its first setback of the season against No. 7 Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).

Although Dream City Christian was due for a big bump in the rankings after the signature win, an unexpected loss the next night followed up the statement win. As a result, Dream City moves up one spot after splitting the pair of contests at the Crush in the Valley.

The loss from the Crew of Prolific Prep sets up a potential No. 1 versus No. 2 showdown at the Metro Classic between Link Academy and Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) on Feb. 3.

The national rankings for independent programs continues to see a revolving door for the final spot as St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) re-enters the rankings due to numerous bad losses in front of them, including Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.), Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) and The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.).
Recent McDonald's All-American selection Kwame Evans and Montverde Academy move into the No. 2 spot in National Top 10. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
Recent McDonald's All-American selection Kwame Evans and Montverde Academy move into the No. 2 spot in National Top 10. (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
1. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.)
Record: 20-0 | Last week: 1
Notched victories over Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) 62-54 and Oak Cliff Faith Family (Dallas) 70-40 over the weekend at the Quincy Shootout. The Lions have outscored their opponents by an average of 23.1 points this season. They head into contests with No. 7 Dream City Christian on Friday and Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.) on Saturday at the Duel in the Desert.



Record: 16-2 | Last week: 3
Blew past Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.) 89-40 led by 16 points from five-star sophomore Cooper Flagg and defeated Calvary Christian Calvary (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 97-51 behind 20 points from Duke signee Sean Stewart and 19 points from Flagg. The Eagles open Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament play against Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Thursday.

Record: 22-1 | Last week: 2
Suffered their first loss of the season against No. 7 Dream City Christian 90-87 despite 32 points and nine rebounds from Auburn signee Aden Holloway prior to defeating Veritas Prep (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.) 76-66 paced by 16 points and seven rebounds from Holloway and 15 points and nine rebounds from Baylor commit Yves Missi. The Crew are 1-1 against currently ranked opponents this season.

Record: 12-5 | Last week: 4
Four of the Buffaloes five losses came against National Top 10 opponents, with losses against No. 1 Link Academy, No. 2 Montverde Academy (twice) and No. 6 AZ Compass Prep. Sunrise Christian Academy also has three wins over ranked opponents, defeating No. 5 IMG Academy, No. 9 La Lumiere and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 25 Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.).

Record: 13-4 | Last week: 5
Defeated Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 61-39 prior to knocking off Riviera Prep (Miami) 56-52 guided by 14 points apiece from Maryland signee Jamie Kaiser and Georgia Tech signee Blue Cain. The Ascenders sit second in the NIBC standings at 6-2.

Record: 15-4 | Last week: 6
Take on a pair of Grind Session opponents at the Duel in the Desert this weekend after rebounding from their loss to No. 5 IMG Academy with a victory over Inglewood College Prep. The Dragons saw Oregon signee Mookie Cook selected to the McDonald's All-American Game.

Record: 22-3 | Last week: 8
Following a signature victory over previously unbeaten No. 3 Prolific Prep 90-87, Dream City Christian stunted the upward rankings mobility with a loss to Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.) 80-63. Sophomore big man Alejandro Aviles led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds in the win over Prolific Prep.



Record: 18-4 | Last week: 7
Escaped with a 79-76 victory over Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) to move to 8-0 in Sunshine Independent Athletic Association play. DME Academy has won seven consecutive contests since being blown out 89-57 by No. 3 Prolific Prep on Dec. 19.

Record: 9-6 | Last week: 9
The Lakers appear to be on the outside for a GEICO Nationals berth with an 0-4 record against nationally ranked opponents. La Lumiere sits at 3-4 in NIBC play.

Record: 14-3 | Last week: NR
The Gray Bees are 0-1 against nationally ranked opponents against a lackluster schedule, but defeated Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.) 84-81 and Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone, N.J.) 64-52.