The National Top 10 continues to take form as another weekend of NIBC play helped define the pecking order ahead of three major holiday events — the Spalding Hoophall Classic, Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
The Spalding Hoophall Classic takes center stage this weekend in Springfield, Mass., as headlining matchups include No. 3
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) vs. No. 7
La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) on Saturday, No. 2
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) vs.
Westtown (West Chester, Pa.) on Sunday and Montverde Academy vs. No. 4
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) along with No. 5
AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) vs. No. 6
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Monday.
The Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. hosts an eight-team field featuring No. 1
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) and Sunrise Christian Academy. The two prep powerhouses are on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning they're likely to meet in Saturday's tournament championship game.
The headlining showdown at the Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational in Dayton, Ohio is La Lumiere versus No. 8
Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) on Monday. Huntington Prep looks to continue its ascension up the rankings while making its case for an invitation to GEICO Nationals this season.
Check back after the jam-packed weekend of high school basketball action for the updated National Top 10 heading into the stretch run.
Montverde Academy forward Derik Queen had a monster weekend in NIBC play, including going for 34 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Sunrise Christian Academy. (Photo: Brian Bautista)
Record: 15-0 | Last week: 1
Competes in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions this week, taking on St. Rita (Chicago) in the first round on Thursday before drawing either Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) or Bartlett (Tenn.) on Friday.
Record: 19-0 | Last week: 2
Defeated Central Pointe Christian (Kissimmee, Fla.) 82-72 led by 25 points, four rebounds and three assists from Auburn signee
Aden Holloway and took down Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.) behind 23 points and 10 rebounds from Holloway and 18 points and 14 rebounds from Baylor commit
Yves Missi.
Record: 11-2 | Last week: 3
Sits atop the NIBC standings after knocking off No. 4 Sunrise Christian Academy 66-62 paced by 34 points and 11 rebounds from five-star junior
Derik Queen. The Eagles escaped with a 66-61 overtime victory over No. 9 Wasatch Academy led by 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists from Queen.
Record: 10-3 | Last week: 4
Split a pair of contests against ranked opponents at the La Porte Invitational, falling to No. 3 Montverde Academy 66-62 before taking down No. 6 IMG Academy 77-61. Five-star senior
Matas Buzelis averaged 21 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks across their two games.
Record: 12-3 | Last week: 5
Bounced back from a loss to Red Rock Academy (Las Vegas) with a pair of close wins in NIBC play. The Dragons took down Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.) 75-64 led by 25 points from Missouri signee
Trent Pierce and defeating Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 61-56 in overtime led by 16 points from Saint Mary's commit
Jordan Ross.
Record: 8-4 | Last week: 6
The Ascenders have hit a rough patch and are 1-3 in their last four games including splitting a pair of NIBC contests over the weekend. IMG Academy defeated Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 67-58 led by 17 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists from Georgia Tech signee
Blue Cain before falling to No. 4 Sunrise Christian Academy 77-61 despite receiving 17 points, four rebounds and four steals from four-star junior
Khani Rooths.
Record: 9-4 | Last week: 7
Went 1-1 in NIBC play over the weekend, defeating No. 9 Wasatch Academy 54-51 behind 14 points and nine rebounds from Marquette commit
Zaide Lowery before losing to MaxPreps Top 25 No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 66-63 despite 21 points from Wisconsin signee
Gus Yalden.
Record: 11-5
| Last week: 9
The talented group has an opportunity to bolster their national resume this weekend at the Flyin' to the Hoop Invitational, facing St. Ignatius (Cleveland) on Sunday and No. 7 La Lumiere on Monday.
Record: 8-6 | Last week: 8
Following a strong start, the Tigers have struggled recently losing three straight and five of their last seven contests. Wasatch Academy fell 54-51 to No. 7 La Lumiere and 66-61 to No. 3 Montverde Academy in overtime at the La Porte Invitational over the weekend.
Record: 14-4 | Last week: 10
Moved to 6-0 in SIAA play with an 86-53 victory over Downey Christian (Orlando, Fla.), led by 17 points from
Baraka Okojie. DME Academy takes on Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.) on Saturday and PHH Prep (Phoenix) on Sunday in Grind Session play this weekend.
