Will IMG Academy repeat as National Champion or will someone new step up?
The high school basketball landscape is always hard to define before the transfer season gets underway during the offseason.
In 2019-20, expect each of the past two defending
GEICO Nationals champions to be strong contenders to capture another
national title with a strong returning core of elite prospects.
While plenty is certain to change over the summer, here is an early look
at what the 2019-20 preseason top 25 MaxPreps boys basketball rankings
will look like.
Video: Top 5 basketball teams for 2020See the front-runners heading into next basketball season.
With the class of 2020
widely regarded as one of the deepest and most talented classes in
recent memory, the 2019-20 season of high school hoops should be a
highly competitive with plenty of fireworks along the way.
Last year, we pegged 16 of the final top 25 of 2018-19 in our Way-Too-Early rankings back in May, providing strong insight to the coming year of high school hoops.
Way-Too-Early Top 25 high school basketball rankings for 2019-20
See video above for Top 5 teams.
6. Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)2018-19 Resume: (26-1) No. 9 in final Top 100, WIAA-WI Division 2 state champions.
Nicolet captured its first state championship this season behind an epic title game performance from
Jalen Johnson, the Wisconsin Associated Press Player of the Year who finished with 20 points and 20 rebounds. The Knights expect to return four of their top five scorers in
Jamari Sibley,
James Graham,
Kobe Johnson and Johnson.
8. Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W. Va.)2018-19 Resume: (21-4) No. 42 in final Top 100.
On paper, Huntington Prep may have the most complete returning lineup heading into the offseason — projected returners
Dudley Blackwell,
Jaemyn Brakefield,
A.J. Hoggard,
Zach Loveday,
Josh Primo and
JT Thor all are in the mix for starting rotation spots next season.
9. La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)2018-19 Resume: (30-1) No. 3 in final Top 100, GEICO Nationals finalist.
Although
they return just one starter from last year's GEICO Nationals runner-up
finish, the Lakers have established themselves as one of the premier
programs in high school basketball. La Lumiere brings back
Wendell Green Jr.,
Kamari Lands and
Desmond Polk with plenty of summer movement certain to ensue.
12. Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)2018-19 Resume: (35-2) No. 29 in final Top 100, LHSAA Division I state champions.
13. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)2018-19 Resume: (26-4) No. 14 in final Top 100, GEICO Nationals participant.
Wasatch Academy has become one of the top independent programs in high school hoops, qualify for GEICO Nationals in three of the past four seasons. Expect the Tigers to roll out another strong lineup next season as
Mady Sissoko,
Caleb Lohner,
Mike Saunders and
Richie Saunders should be back.
14. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)2018-19 Resume: (33-5) No. 10 in final Top 100, WCAC regular season co-champions.
The
Stags have finished in the Top 10 in back-to-back seasons as the
WCAC powerhouse continues to produce elite talent from the DMV area.
Next season should be no different with the core of
Hunter Dickinson,
Earl Timberlake Jr. and
Paul Smith returning.
15. Duncanville (Texas)2018-19 Resume: (32-7) No. 24 in final Top 100, UIL Class 6A state champions.
Although
Duncanville loses its top scorer, the defending state champions have four of the top five scorers next season as
Micah Peavy,
Ja’Bryant Hill,
Derek Luna and
Damon Nicholas Jr.
are expected to lead the way. The Panthers should have a strong chance to
repeat after finishing 2018-19 on a 25-game winning streak.
2018-19 Resume: (25-2) No. 17 in final Top 100, New York Federation Class AA TOC winner.
Long Island Lutheran distanced itself from the rest of the state in 2018-19, capturing its eighth New York Federation state championship — two more than any other school. The Crusaders have an excellent opportunity to repeat with a strong returning core of
Andre Curbelo,
Jalen Celestine,
Zed Key, Paul Jordan and Drissa Traore.
17. Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)2018-19 Resume: (19-6) No. 93 in final Top 100.
Perennial power Findlay Prep missed GEICO Nationals this season for the first time in program history, lacking the quality wins necessary for an invitation. Next year look for the Pilots to recover strong and pick up a few pieces to go along with a strong core of
Keon Edwards, Dior Johnson,
Blaise Beauchamp,
Zachary Clemence and
Taryn Todd.
18. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)2018-19 Resume: (28-9) No. 60 in final Top 100, WCAC tournament champions.
The Eagles are always contenders in the fiercely competitive WCAC, producing a wealth of division I talent from the DMV area. A strong core will return as
Terrance Williams,
Myles Stute,
Malcolm Dread,
Carlos Hubb and
Chuck Harris are expected to be key contributors next season.
19. Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.)2018-19 Resume: (30-5) No. 81 in final Top 100, NCISAA Class 4A state champions.
After wrapping up the program's third consecutive state championship — and 11th overall — the Bengals are expected to return the majority of their production from their championship team. The prestigious Tar Heel State program returns Virginia commit
Carson McCorkle, along with
Cam Hayes,
Josh Taylor and
Cason Pierce among others.
20. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)2018-19 Resume: (26-5) No. 50 in final Top 100, PIAA Class 6A state quarterfinalist.
The Cahillites season ended in disappointment with their quest
for back-to-back state titles falling short in the state quarterfinals.
Although the Catholic League powerhouse loses their leading scorer, a
strong core of
Lynn Greer,
Jalen Duren and
Justice Williams are expected to return.
21. Norcross (Ga.)2018-19 Resume: (22-9) No. 55 in final Top 100, GHSA Class AAAAAAA state semifinalist.
Norcross had a disappointing finishing to the season after starting in the preseason Top 25. The Blue Devils return a strong core of
Brandon Boston,
Jaden Harris and
Caleb Murphy, and they're expected to land a few impact transfers over the summer.
22. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)2018-19 Resume: (37-7) No. 54 in final Top 100, Baltimore Catholic League tournament, regular season champions.
The top three scorers return from last season's Baltimore Catholic League regular season and tournament champions. The Panther bring back
Adrian "Ace" Baldwin,
Jamal West and
Jordan Toles who will lead the charge for a group with high expectations in 2019-20.
23. Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)2018-19 Resume: (22-6) No. 15 in final Top 100, GEICO Nationals participant.
After receiving their first GEICO Nationals invitation, the Buffaloes will need a strong crop of transfers this offseason to surround key returner
N'Faly Dante.
24. Morgan Park (Chicago)2018-19 Resume: (29-5) No. 92 in final Top 100, IHSA Class 3A sectional finalist.
After a 3-3 start, the Mustangs hit their stride going 25-2 the remainder of the season. Morgan Park returns
Adam Miller,
Marcus Watson Jr. and
Isaiah Burrell to guide a talented group in search of its third state title in the last four seasons.
2018-19 Resume: (27-5) No. 13 in final Top 100, FHSA Class 5A state champions.
Coming off the most successful two-year stretch in school history, the back-to-back state champions look to qualify for their third consecutive GEICO Nationals behind a strong potential returning core of
Scottie Barnes,
Jace Howard,
Jett Howard and
Roger McFarlane.
,
La Crosse Central (La Crosse, Wis.),
O'Dea (Seattle),
Vashon (St. Louis),
Whitney Young (Chicago)
