Preseason Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings: No. 13 Shadow Mountain

Matadors look to earn bid to third consecutive GEICO Nationals in what may be head coach Mike Bibby's final year.

Preseason Top 25 Basketball Rankings 47,581 views 4:03

Video: Preseason Top 25 Basketball Rankings
Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2018-19 season.

No. 13 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix)

Head Coach: Mike Bibby

Last Season: 25-2 (AIA Class 4A state champions, GECIO National participant)

Head coach Mike Bibby

File photo by Steven Ryan

Players to Watch:

Jovan Blacksher (6-foot-1, Sr., G) — Committed to Grand Canyon

Davon Cobbs (6-4, Jr., G)

Devontes Cobbs (6-2, Fr., G)

Jaelen House (6-2, Sr., G) — Committed to Arizona State

Kyle Johnson (6-4, So., F)

Shemar Morrow (6-4, Jr., F)

Jalen Williams (6-4, Sr., G)

Key Games/Events:
Nov. 30 - vs. Pinnacle (Phoenix)
Dec. 7 - vs. St. Mary's (Phoenix) - Hoophall West (Phoenix)

Dec. 8 - vs. Simeon (Chicago) - Hoophall West

Dec. 26-29 - Torrey Pines Holiday Classic (San Diego)

Jan. 17-19 - Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)

Jan. 21 - vs. Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)

Guard Jaelen House

File photo by Jim Willittes

Season Preview:

A number of former NBA stars have made a name for themselves in the high school ranks lately, with Penny Hardaway being the most recent success story after securing the job at Memphis.

Other than Hardaway, Mike Bibby may be the most successful former NBA star to put his stamp on the high school game as a coach, with rumors that this may be his last season with the Matadors.

If this is Bibby's last season with the Arizona powerhouse, look for it to be a good one.

Shadow Mountain has gone 79-8 since Bibby took over in 2015-16, winning the state title all three years.

The Matadors return their top two producers from last season with House and Blacksher leading an impressive rotation that wreaks havoc on opponents defensively.

Shadow Mountain averaged just over 23 steals per game last season, while totaling just under 90 points per contest in one of the most exciting systems to watch in the nation.

Look for that high-octane offense to win a fourth consecutive state championship this season and push for their third consecutive GEICO Nationals berth.