High school basketball rankings: Montverde Academy reclaims top spot in National Top 10

By Jordan Divens Dec 14, 2022, 10:15am

St. Benedict's Prep, DME Academy make season debuts after 7-0, 11-3 starts.

The National Top 10 basketball rankings saw its biggest shake-up of the season to this point as each of the top two spots in the rankings see new teams and two teams drop out after suffering a pair of losses over the weekend.

Three-time defending national champion Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) reclaims the top spot in the national rankings after securing blowout wins over Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) 64-41 and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 78-51 at the Bob Kirk Invitational. The Eagles take over the top spot from previously top-ranked AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), which fell to the new No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 67-61 at Hoophall West.

Southern California Academy (Castaic, Calif.) and Oak Hill Academy each dropped out of the rankings after a pair of lopsided losses over the weekend give each team four defeats on the season. Southern California Academy lost to Winston-Salem Christian (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 63-49 and Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 71-49, while Oak Hill Academy fell to No. 1 Montverde Academy 78-51 and No. 8 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 69-52.

Replacing the teams who dropped out were No. 9 St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) and No. 10 DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.). Both teams have plenty to prove as they enter the national rankings for the first time this season.



The NIBC continues to dominate the National Top 10 as the conference features six teams in the rankings and own each of the top two spots.
Kansas pledge Chris Johnson (1) and Montverde Academy reclaim the top spot in the National Top 10. (Photo: Terry Cullop)
Kansas pledge Chris Johnson (1) and Montverde Academy reclaim the top spot in the National Top 10. (Photo: Terry Cullop)
1. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 6-1 | Last week: 2
Since dropping their season opener to No. 5 AZ Compass Prep 65-54, the Eagles have picked up a pair of wins over ranked opponents, defeating No. 4 IMG Academy 80-55 and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 10 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 56-51.

Record: 4-1| Last week: 7
After knocking off previously top-ranked AZ Compass Prep 67-61 and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 11 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 68-62 at Hoophall West, the Ascenders jump five spot in the rankings due to a 3-1 record against nationally ranked opponents.

Record: 9-0 | Last week: 3
After numerous lopsided wins to begin the season, the Lions' schedule begins to ramp up a bit this week with a showdown against Southern California Academy (Castaic, Calif.) on Thursday at the Norm Stewart Classic before traveling to the City of Palms Classic to compete in the four-team Signature Series.

Record: 10-0 | Last week: 4
Following a 10-day layoff, the Crew compete in the Tarkanian Classic where they take on Dynamic Prep (Dallas) on Friday.

Record: 9-2 | Last week: 1
Split a pair of games at Hoophall West, defeating No. 7 Wasatch Academy 60-46 to avenge its loss eight days prior and falling to No. 2 IMG Academy 67-61. The Dragons have gone 2-2 since picking up signature wins over No. 1 Montverde Academy and No. 6 Sunrise Christian Academy.

Record: 7-2 | Last week: 6
Notched NIBC wins over Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.) 79-69 and No. 8 La Lumiere 58-56 at the Bob Kirk Invitational. The Buffaloes travel to the Bahamas to compete in the Hoopfest in Paradise this weekend, facing Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) on Friday and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 1 Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) on Saturday.



Record: 6-3 | Last week: 5
Dropped both contests at Hoophall West, falling to No. 5 AZ Compass Prep 60-46 and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 11 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 63-55. The Tigers look to rebound with contests against Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) on Friday and No. 10 St. Benedict's Prep on Saturday.

Record: 6-3 | Last week: 8
Moved to 2-2 in NIBC play over the weekend, losing to No. 6 Sunrise Christian Academy 58-56 before blowing past Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 69-52 at the Bob Kirk Invitational.

Record: 7-0 | Last week: NR
The Gray Bees own the longest win streak of any team eligible for the National Top 10 as they have won 24 games dating back to last season. That streak will be tested this week in a matchup with No. 5 Wasatch Academy on Saturday.

Record: 11-3 | Last week: NR
Slightly edged out The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.) for the final spot in the National Top 10 due to a 77-68 head-to-head victory back on Nov. 8. DME Academy sits atop the SIAA standings to this point in the year.