Top 25 high school basketball rankings

High school basketball's postseason is officially in full swing.

Over half (13) of the teams included in this week's Xcellent 25 already have a playoff win under their belt. Five others will join the fray in the coming days.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), ranked No. 24 last week, is the most prominent program to fall victim to a major playoff upset. Bishop Manogue (Reno) dropped the Gaels in Nevada's Class 4A state semifinals, opening the door for Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas) to capture that crown.

For a look at playoff scenarios nationwide, visit MaxPreps.com's version of Bracketville.



Read on for a complete look at this week's Xcellent 25.

Xcellent 25 High School Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard

1. (No. 1 last week) St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) (24-0)
The Celtics captured their fourth-consecutive Union County Tournament title on Saturday night with 70-58 win over Linden. Western Kentucky signee Derrick Gordon posted a game-high 20 points as St. Patrick won its 29th game in a row overall dating back to last season. Head coach Kevin Boyle's squad will receive a bye in the first round of New Jersey's Non-Public North B playoffs, which begin Wednesday.

2. (2) St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) (25-0)
Following lopsided victories over St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City), Passaic County Tech (Wayne) and Medford Tech (Medford) last week, the Friars are set to face Morris Catholic (Denville) in the first round of the aforementioned Non-Public North B playoffs.

3. (3) Milton (Ga.) (26-2)
Julian Royal scored 22 points to lead a 68-49 win over Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) in the first round of Georgia's Class AAAAA state tournament Saturday night. Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) will be the opponent Wednesday in second-round action.

4. (4) Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) (33-1)
The Marauders survived an early showdown in Texas' Class 5A state playoffs Saturday night, knocking off perennial power Duncanville 56-50. The junior trio of Phil Forte (20 points), Marcus Smart (12 points, 12 rebounds) and Nick Banyard combined for 44 points. Marcus will play Lewisville in the regional quarterfinals Wednesday.



5. (5) Norcom (Portsmouth, Va.) (26-1)
The Group AAA state championship in Virginia may have been played Saturday as Norcom knocked off previously-unbeaten Kellam (Virginia Beach) 54-53 in regional semifinal play. The Greyhounds, who were led by Virginia Tech signee Dorian Finney-Smith with 14 points and 12 rebounds against Kellam, lock it up with Phoebus (Hampton) in the regional final.

6. (6) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) (27-1)
Ryan Anderson continued his All-American senior season in the Southern Section Division 1-AA quarterfinals last week with 25 points and 14 rebounds as Poly defeated Montebello 74-65. The Jackrabbits actually trailed at halftime but rallied to set up a big game with Etiwanda in the semifinals.

7. (7) Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.) (27-1)
The Hornets are through to the San Diego Section Division II semfinals after beating Steele Canyon (Spring Valley) 83-29 and Monte Vista (Spring Valley) 82-40 last week. Lincoln could face Arizona commitment Angelo Chol and Hoover (San Diego) in the finals for the second-straight season.

8. (8) Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.) (27-0)
The Redwings stamped their second-consecutive undefeated run through the East Suburban Catholic Conference on Wednesday by beating St. Viator (Arlington Heights) 61-39. Benet Academy will open Illinois' Class 4A state tournament Wednesday against the winner of Plainfield East and Geneva.

9. (9) Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) (26-0)
Despite 40 points, eight rebounds and six assists from national player of the year candidate Bradley Beal, Chaminade got all it could handle from Webster Groves Saturday night in an 80-76 win in the Class 5 District 3 championship game. Marquette (Chesterfield) is up next for the Flyers in sectional play.

10. (10) Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) (22-1)
The Mustangs closed out their regular season slate with a 60-53 win over St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.). Junior Justin Anderson scored 18 points in that contest to lead Montrose, which should be on its way to the National High School Invitational in late March.



11. (11) Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kan.) (20-0)
The Falcons begin their quest for a state championship three-peat this week after beating Wichita East 76-63 Thursday night to finish the regular season 20-0. Wichita Heights has won 39 games in a row.

12. (12) Lakeview Centennial (Garland, Texas) (33-1)
The Patriots opened the Class 5A state playoffs with wins over Lake Highlands (Dallas) 98-74 and Bryan 78-70 to set up a regional quarterfinal contest against Harker Heights. Centennial guards Chris Jones and Toddrick Gotcher combined for 45 points against Bryan, but opposing guard J-Mychal Reese countered with a 40-point performance of his own to keep the Vikings close.

13. (13) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (27-2)
The Monarchs will have their hands full Tuesday in the Southern Section Division 1-AA semifinals against 26-3 Centennial (Corona). Mater Dei set up that game by blasting Eisenhower (Rialto) in the quarters 82-62 behind 28 points and 13 rebounds from junior superstar Xavier Johnson.

14. (14) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (27-3)
The Warriors are headed to the National High School Invitational after beating Milestone Prep (Raleigh, N.C.) 109-48 Saturday night in the regular-season finale. Duke signee Quinn Cook recorded an incredible 23-point, 20-assist double-double. Cook averaged 20.0 points and 10.3 assists on the season for Oak Hill, according to head coach Steve Smith's Twitter page.

15. (15) Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) (30-1)
Victor Adams scored 20 points and Jacoby Brissett flirted with a quadruple-double (17 points, nine rebounds, nine steals and seven assists) as Dwyer lit up Palm Bay (Melbourne) 91-55 in a Class 5A regional final. The Panthers are averaging 83.3 points per game in the postseason and are winning by an average margin of 29 points. Fort Walton Beach awaits in the state semifinals set for Friday.

16. (16) Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) (27-1)
The Wolverines bounced back impressively from a loss to Southwest DeKalb (Decatur) last week, hammering Cedar Shoals (Athens) 101-52 in the opening round of Georgia's Class AAAA state tournament. Miller Grove takes on Sequoyah (Canton) in the second round Wednesday.



17. (17) Simeon (Chicago, Ill.) (23-2)
Did not play last week. The Wolverines meet the winner of Urban Prep (Chicago) and Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale) on Wednesday in regional quarterfinal action.

18. (18) Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) (23-0)
The Lions opened the postseason with a 69-45 win over Xavier (Cedar Rapids) behind 22 points from junior North Carolina commitment Marcus Paige. North Scott (Eldridge) is up next Tuesday in a substate final.

19. (19) Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) (24-1)
The Royals are closing the regular season strong, blowing out Wayzata (Plymouth) 87-57 behind 26 points from Marvin Singleton and Minnetonka 91-44, getting 24 from University of Minnesota-bound guard Joe Coleman. Edina (Edina), who played Hopkins to within six points in early February, will serve as the defending state champs' final playoff tune-up.

20. (20) Munster (Munster, Ind.) (20-0)
Ricky Carbajal and Brian Stolarz combined for 45 points as the Mustangs jumped to a 23-5 first-quarter lead against Riley (South Bend) and held on for an 81-74 win in their only action of the week.

21. (21) Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.) (26-2)
The Toreadors are taking no prisoners in the Los Angeles City Section's Division I playoffs, beating Hollywood (Los Angeles), Cleveland (Reseda) and Palisades (Pacific Palisades) by an average margin of 43.3 points per game. Defending state champion Westchester (Los Angeles) will offer a much more formidable challenge Saturday in the finals.

22. (22) Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.) (22-2)
The Apaches won the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association tournament over the weekend, beating Oldsmar Christian (Oldsmar) in the final 54-50. Six-foot-eight sophomore Junior Etou led ACD against Oldsmar with a team-high 13 points. The Apaches should be in line for a trip to the National High School Invitational at the end of March.



23. (23) Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) (28-3)
The Pilots beat Impact Academy of Nevada twice last week, topping the 100-point mark in both contests. The two-time defending National High School Invitational champions have played teams from 15 different states this season.

24. (25) Estacado (Lubbock, Texas) (33-1)
The Matadors opened the Texas Class 3A state tournament in impressive fashion, drubbing Monahans 79-24 as senior point guard Kevin Wagner pumped in a game-high 18 points. Estacado allowed just four points in the second half en route to facing Seminole in the area round Wednesday.

25. (25) Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (25-2)
The Railsplitters did not play last week.