The unexpected results continued to roll in last week as the MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings see three new teams enter the mix.
Postseason action ramps up this week as 11 of the teams featured in the national rankings have already completed regular season play while 11 others wrap up regular season action in the coming days.
Five-star Duke signee Nikolas Khamenia helped No. 2 Harvard-Westlake earn the top seed in California's Southern Section Open Division playoffs. (PHOTO: Kevin Ballton)
Record: 22-3 | Last week: 1
Begin their quest for a fourth consecutive state championship with a first-round state tournament showdown against Doral Academy (Doral) tomorrow night. The Explorers hope to become the first team to win four straight state titles in Florida's highest classification.
Record: 27-1 | Last week: 2
After capturing the Mission League tournament championship with a 67-64 win over Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), the Wolverines enter Southern Section Open Division pool play as the top seed in the 10-team field.
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 4
Tip off Class 3A state tournament action with a showdown against Avon Park tomorrow night. The Eagles are in search of their first state championship since going back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.
Record: 23-3 | Last week: 3
Despite losing for the first time in WCAC play over the weekend in a stunning 63-60 setback against Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), the Eagles drop just one spot in the rankings with a strong national resume that includes wins over No. 7 Roosevelt, No. 15 Paul VI and No. 18 DeMatha.
Record: 31-0 | Last week: 5
Following a nine-day layoff, the Buccaneers start their quest for a third consecutive state championship with a first-round state tournament matchup against Albertville on Monday. Hoover has won 41 consecutive games dating back to last season.
Record: 28-2 | Last week: 6
Close out regular season play tomorrow with a contest against Warren (San Antonio). The Bears are 26-0 against in-state opponents this year with an average margin of victory of over 40 points per contest.
Record: 27-2 | Last week: 7
Enter Southern Section Open Division pool play as the No. 2 seed after going unbeaten against California opponents this season. The Mustangs face Heritage Christian (Northridge) tomorrow.
Record: 21-2 | Last week: 8
Finish regular season play tomorrow with a contest against Chandler before beginning their quest for a fourth consecutive state championship. Corona del Sol was the last Arizona program to win four in a row in the state's highest classification from 2012-15.
Record: 29-1 | Last week: 9
One game remains in regular season action as the Eagles face Plano tonight. Allen has won 11 consecutive games by 20 or more points since a 60-52 victory over No. 24 Lake Ridge on Dec. 28.
Record: 20-0 | Last week: 10
Overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to knock off Westfield 67-64 led by 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds from four-star sophomore
Jason Gardner. The Tigers have four games left in the regular season schedule before beginning their Class 4A repeat bid.
Record: 23-2 | Last week: 12
Heading into the AAAAAAA state playoffs, the Rams have won 44 in a row against in-state opponents dating back to the start of last season.
Record: 17-2 | Last week: 11
Although the Justices lost an overtime thriller to National Top 10 No. 6 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 66-63 over the weekend, they fall just one spot in the rankings due to a strong resume that includes a title at the John Wall Holiday Invitational.
Record: 22-3 | Last week: 13
Concluded the regular season with a 68-55 victory over Etowah (Woodstock) paced by a team-high 21 points from junior wing
Amare James. The Wildcats look to capture their fourth state title in the past six seasons.
Record: 27-1 | Last week: 14
Complete the regular season with a matchup against Arroyo Grande tonight. The Knights are a serious contender to capture the Open Division title this season behind the state's all-time leading scorer
Tounde Yessoufou.
Record: 20-5 | Last week: 16
Secured a big conference victory over Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) 52-41 led by a game-high 18 points from five-star junior
Jordan Smith. The Panthers close out the regular season with three games this week.
Record: 24-4 | Last week: 18
Expected to enter the postseason fully healthy, the Braves are the No. 3 seed in Southern Section Open Division pool play. First up is Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) on Friday.
Record: 22-0 | Last week: 17
Junior guard
Dionte Neal continued his tremendous season in three lopsided wins last week, averaging 22.0 points, 9.7 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.3 rebounds per contest.
Record: 20-5 | Last week: 20
Avenged one of their four conference losses last week, knocking off Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) 67-58 paced by 26 points, four rebounds and three assists from junior guard
Ashton Meeks. A showdown with No. 4 Gonzaga looms Monday to conclude their regular season slate.
Record: 20-3 | Last week: 23
Close out the regular season slate with a showdown at St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows) tonight. The Crusaders have won 15-straight games and have not lost a game against a New York opponent this season.
Record: 25-1 | Last week: 24
Defeated Lane Tech (Chicago) 65-62 in the Chicago Public League quarterfinals behind 23 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds from top 25 sophomore
Devin Cleveland. The Broncos take on Whitney Young (Chicago) in the CPL final four.
Record: 19-1 | Last week: 21
Narrowly escaped with a 58-52 overtime victory against Pembroke Hills (Kansas City) to remain unbeaten against in-state opponents. The Northmen have six games remaining on their schedule.
Record: 31-5 | Last week: 22
Five-star senior
Nate Ament went off for a game-high 39 points in an 80-77 victory over Mt. Zion Prep Academy (Lanham, Md.). The Hawks complete regular season action tonight with a contest against Prince George's Christian Academy (Landover, Md.).
Record: 31-1 | Last week: NR
Although a one-point loss to Bob Jones (Madison) on Dec. 27 knocked them out of the MaxPreps Top 25, the Panthers return to the rankings ahead of their first round Class 7A state tournament matchup with Vestavia Hills on Monday.
Record: 31-2 | Last week: NR
Enter the MaxPreps Top 25 for the first time this season ahead of their final game of the regular season against Boswell tonight. Senior forward
Eze Nwakamma has been the catalyst this season for the Eagles, averaging 15.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
Record: 23-2 | Last week: NR
Following a one-week hiatus from the rankings, the Greenies are back ahead of the NCISAA Class 4A state tournament.
