One new team enters as City of Palms, other tournaments likely to shake things up next week.
Think of this week's rankings as the calm before the
storm. Although there were plenty of close contests, one ranked team
lost last week, meaning one new face enters this week's Top 25 High School Boys Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
Despite
not losing, Warren Central (Indianapolis) missed the cut after Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) knocked off Imhotep Charter
(Philadelphia) 82-69 to move into the national rankings for the first
time this year.
Although it's early, this week will be one of the most influential for shaping the national rankings this season. Eight of the top 10 teams will compete in challenging holiday tournaments with the City of Palms Classic, 'Iolani Classic and Tarkanian Classic taking center stage.
Read on for a complete look at this week's high school basketball Top 25.
The defending national champions had the week off after picking up a pair of quality wins at the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. The Eagles open the 'Iolani Classic with Campbell on Wednesday before likely facing No. 6 La Lumiere in the semifinals and potentially No. 4 Sierra Canyon in what would be a massive title-game showdown.
The Ascenders have reeled off four consecutive quality victories heading into the City of Palms Classic. The battle-tested group knocked off DeSoto 66-61 and Waxahachie 74-59 over the weekend. IMG Academy opens City of Palms with Gray Collegiate, with a potential showdown against No. 3 Oak Hill Academy possible in the event's title game.
Set to participate at City of Palms for the second time, the perennial national powerhouse opens with Riverview Sarasota (Sarasota, Fla.) before likely facing off against Olive Branch (Miss.) in the second round. The Warriors' high octane attack is averaging 92.8 points per contest.
The defending CIF Open Division state champions travel to the 'Iolani Classic this week, likely to face Pleasant Grove in the quarterfinals, Oak Ridge or Westchester in the semifinals and No. 1 Montverde Academy or No. 6 La Lumiere in the finals of an extremely challenging week of hoops.
To defend their City of Palms title, the Sharks will likely have to defeat four nationally ranked foes along the way. Opening with No. 16 Vashon, the Sharks would likely take on No. 23 Imhotep Charter in their quarterfinal showdown if they can get past the ultra-tough Missouri squad.
The Lakers travel to the 'Iolani Classic this week with a potential semifinal tilt with No. 1 Montverde Academy on the horizon. After the loaded event in Hawaii, the Lakers head to South Dakota to take on No. 13 Findlay Prep in the opening round of the Hoop City Classic.
The Indians picked up a signature win over Wheeler (Marietta) 77-62 over the weekend. They open the City of Palms Classic with Miami Christian (Miami). A potential quarterfinal showdown with No. 11 Paul VI (Farifax, Va.) looms with No. 2 IMG Academy likely awaiting the winner in a semifinal game with massive national implications.
The Stags notched another signature early season win over the weekend, battling back from down 11 in the second half to take down Lone Star State contender Guyer (Denton, Texas) 60-53. The Stags have a quiet week ahead of them, with just one game vs. Bishop Ireton on Friday.
The Eagles took home a tight win over the weekend, holding off San Diego's Mission Bay 75-70. Rancho Christian opens the Tarkanian Classic Platinum Bracket with Constitution (Philadelphia), with a potential semifinal showdown with No. 15 Federal Way (Wash.) looming large.
The Maroons won a pair of close ones over the weekend, taking down East St. Louis (Ill.) 54-50 and Christian Brothers (St. Louis) 64-56.
E.J. Liddell continued his dominance, scoring 25 points in each.
This week will be crucial, opening the City of Palms Classic with Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.). An opening-round win would likely mean a quarterfinal showdown with No. 7 McEachern in an extremely difficult stretch of games in the Sunshine State.
The Tigers face off against West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.) in the opening round of the Emerald Coast 16. An event title would likely catapult this group into the top 10 with a ton of shake-ups expected before next week's rankings.
Competing in the Tarkanian Classic National Bracket, The Pilots play The Edge School (Canada) on Wednesday. Set to face a challenging field, the basketball powerhouse is likely to see its first real test of the season after outscoring their opponents by 35 points per contest thus far.
Garden State contender opened the season with two strong showings. Villanova pledge
Bryan Antoine now has 1,880 career points, moving him into the Top 10 on the Garden State all-time scoring list after averaging 34.5 points per game through his first two contests of the year.
The Eagles travel to the Tarkanian Classic, opening their Platinum Bracket play Wednesday with Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.). They'll have to take down four quality opponents to take home the Tarkanian Classic title, but a title would easily skyrocket into the Top 10.
An upset win over No. 5 University in the opener would likely mean a quarterfinal showdown with No. 23 Imhotep Charter. The Wolverines may be a dark horse to make a run in the prestigious event, but with such a tough road an event title is improbable.
While this group wasn't expected to be the team to beat out from the Lone Star State in the preseason, the Wolves continue to pull out big wins. They notched another signature victory last week, knocking off previously unbeaten Dallas Jesuit (Dallas) 68-66 in overtime.
After five double-digit victories to begin the season, The Vikings meet on O'Dea (Seattle) on Tuesday in an early season showdown of the top contenders for the WIAA Class 3A crown.
This talented group will be tested early in the Emerald Coast 16 Holiday Classic
as the Cougars take on Lanier (Montgomery, Ala.) in Thursday's first round.
The Pioneers travel to the 'Iolani Classic this week where a quarterfinal match-up with unbeaten Westchester almost certainly awaits on Thursday. If the Pioneers are able to advance to the semifinals, a showdown with No. 4 Sierra Canyon likely will follow.
The Buffaloes picked up a third quality win over a Lone Star State opponent, taking down South Garland (Garland, Texas) 65-50 over the weekend at the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. Sunrise Christian has now taken down three of the top contenders for the UIL Texas 6A state title (Duncanville, Guyer and South Garland).
The defending PIAA 6A state champions made an early season statement with a massive win over previous No. 8 Imhotep Charter 82-69. The Cahillites now appear to be the team to beat out of the Keystone State early on.
23. (8) Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 3-1After a heart-breaking early season loss to Roman Catholic over the weekend, the Panthers drop 15 spots heading into the City of Palms. Imhotep Charter needs to rebounds quickly as Osceola (Kissimmee, Fla.) awaits on Tuesday in the City of Palms opener.
Outscoring their opponents by just under 27 points per game, the Cardinals face three in-state opponents this week before heading to the Beach Ball Classic after Christmas.
The defending New Jersey tournament of champions winner opened the season with two convincing wins. The Lions look like strong contenders to go back-to-back this season.
Dropped Out: No. 25 Warren Central (Indianapolis)
E.J. Liddell, Belleville West
Photo by Jimmy Simmons
