Video: Top 25 high school basketball rankings
More than half the top teams are already in action.
The 2019-20 high school basketball season has commenced as 13 of the Top 25 schools have seen on-court action.
Since our preseason rankings were released in early November two Top 25
teams fell victim to an early season upset — No. 9 Oak Hill
Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) lost Combine Academy
(Lincolnton, N.C.) and preseason No. 25 Greensboro Day fell to
Durham Academy (Durham, N.C.).
Golden State powers No. 3 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and No. 4 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) got off to hot starts, however both were tested Saturday.
Prolific Prep escaped with a 66-63 win over Dream City Christian on an incredible half-court, buzzer-beater after a missed free throw gave them a long rebound and a chance. Meanwhile, Sierra Canyon fell behind Cathedral Catholic (San
Diego) 12-0 early before battling back for a hard-fought 59-46
victory.
Defending state champion No. 11 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) was also tested Saturday as Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) held reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Sharife Cooper (Auburn commit) to 13 points (11 in fourth) in the 56-46 Indians win.
Morgan Park proved worthy of its preseason Top 25 ranking in a monster showdown against Whitney Young, taking down state title contender 61-59 in a thrilling back-and-forth opener.
This week will be a measuring stick for a handful of Top 25 programs as holiday events take center stage this weekend, headlined by the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings
Prolific Prep is off to a 9-0 start, including a Saturday win on a half-court, buzzer-beater.
Photo by Todd Shurtleff
Eagles open their season with a pair of showdowns against Texas state title contenders against Duncanville (Texas) on Nov. 29 and Yates (Houston) on Nov. 30 at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
The defending national champions opened with a dominant 76-43 victory over Central Pointe Christian. Next up: a trip to the National Hoopfest with games against No. 8 Paul VI and No. 20 Sunrise Christian Academy on Dec. 7 and 8, respectively.
3. (3) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 3-0Started their season with three wins over San Diego area contenders, headlined by a 59-46 victory over Cathedral Catholic. The Trailblazers face a test this week against Duncanville on Nov. 30 at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
Picked up a dramatic 66-63 win over Dream City Christian Texas Tech commit
Nimari Burnett's half-court buzzer-beater in the Duel in the Desert title game. The Crew faces Lancaster (Texas) on Nov. 29 and St. Mark's (Dallas) on Nov. 30 at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest.
This talented group wasn't challenged in their first three contests, but faces two tough tests in the Tar Heel State following Thanksgiving against preseason Top 100 programs Word of God on Nov. 29 and Combine Academy on Nov 30 at the Hoops and Dreams Classic.
Opens the season this week with a Nov. 30 showdown against Mount St Joseph (Baltimore).
Travel to face WCAC foe Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C) on Nov. 29.
9. (10) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), 4-0
Kicked off their season with four wins, defeating Minnesota Prep Academy (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) 82-68 in their most recent outing. The Lakers return to the court Dec. 6.
10. (11) Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 0-0
The eight-time defending state champions begin their season Dec. 6 with Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).
11. (12) McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 4-0The Indians extended their win streak to 36 games with a tightly contested 56-46 win over Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) that was tied headed into the fourth quarter. They face another test Nov. 29 against Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.).
12. (13) Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), 0-0
Begins the season at East Side (Newark, N.J.) on Dec. 13.
The three-time defending state champions begin Dec. 5 against Monticello (Minn.).
Open the season Nov. 29 against Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) and Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.) on Nov. 30.
17. (18) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 0-0
Starts the year Nov. 30 against San Marcos (Santa Barbara).
Picked up a quality win over the weekend, knocking off Teays Valley Christian (Scott Depot, W.Va.) 64-59. The Hawks travel to the Lighthouse Classic on Nov. 29 for an opening round game against Orangeville Prep (Canada).
19. (19) Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), 2-0Nearly slipped up in their opener, taking down Pacifica Christian (Newport Beach) in an 83-77 thriller. The Eagles compete in the Battlezone tournament this week.
After outscoring their opponents by 48.5 points per game through their first two contests, the Buffaloes take on a pair of Lone Star State contenders at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, drawing Yates (Houston) on Nov. 29 and Westlake (Austin, Texas) on Nov. 30.
21. (23) Morgan Park (Chicago), 1-0Knocked off Whitney Young 61-59 in their highly anticipated season opener on Monday night behind 19 points and 11 rebounds from incoming transfer
Brandon Weston. This unit will be very dangerous when they jell.
22. (22) O'Dea (Seattle), 0-0
Defending WIAA Class 3A state champions start Dec. 6 against Chief Sealth (Seattle).
23. (24) Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix), 7-0This group has outscored their first seven opponents by 43.6 points per contest, averaging 106 points per game to boot. A pair of ranked opponents awaits this group at Hoophall West, with No. 4 Prolific Prep on Dec. 5 and No. 18 Hamilton Height Christian Academy on Dec. 7.
24. (9) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 10-1
After a stunning 76-74 overtime loss to Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.), the Warriors fall 15 spots from their lofty preseason ranking. The perennial basketball powerhouse look to get back on track after Thanksgiving break.
Battled back from a late deficit to escape with an 81-80 win over Milton (Ga.) on Monday night behind 32 points and a game-winning free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining from their standout guard
Deivon Smith (Mississippi State commit).
Next Five
Dropped out: Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.)
