Holiday tournaments had a major impact on this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings as the City of Palms Classic, 'Iolani Classic and Tarkanian Classic took center stage prior to Christmas.
Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) remains No. 1 despite suffering a closely-contested loss to National Top 10 No. 1
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) in the City of Palms Classic semifinals. The Panthers showed their ability to compete with any team in America and displayed depth and versatility in Fort Myers.
The holiday tournament parade continues this week. The Arby's Classic, Beach Ball Classic, Chick-fil-A Classic, Classic at Damien, John Wall Holiday Classic, Jordan Holiday Classic, Les Schwab Invitational, The Holiday Classic and Whataburger Invitational are among the biggest events to keep an eye on.
Los Angeles-area program St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy won the Tarkanian Classic before Christmas, helping it earn a spot in this week's MaxPreps Top 25. The Warriors have won 30 of their last 32 games dating back to last season. (Photo: Jann Hendry)
Record: 8-1 | Last week: 1
Despite the loss to Montverde Academy, the Panthers picked up wins over IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) at the City of Palms Classic.
Record: 12-0 | Last week: 2
After outscoring their first dozen opponents by an average of 34.8 points per contest, the Wolverines travel to the Les Schwab Invitational this week where they open against Liberty (Hillsboro, Ore.) tonight.
Record: 10-0 | Last week: 3
Face Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh, Pa.) in the opening round at the Chick-fil-A Classic tomorrow. A title game meeting with No. 7 John Marshall could materialize.
Record: 4-1 | Last week: 4
Five-star Rutgers commit
Dylan Harper established himself as a front-runner for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors, averaging 30.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest at the City of Palms. The Ironmen went
3-1 in Fort Myers with victories over No. 14 Columbus, No. 17 McEachern
and IMG Academy.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 7
The Eagles are headed to Arkansas for the King Cotton Classic, where they open today against a top 50 opponent in St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.).
Record: 6-2 | Last week: 8
Compete in the John Wall Holiday Invitational this week. Four-star junior
Sadiq White Jr. has been the catalyst for the Mustangs this season, averaging 17.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 blocks per outing.
Record: 7-1 | Last week: 10
Tip off Chick-fil-A Classic action with an opening-round matchup against Lancaster tomorrow. The defending tournament champions are averaging 79.9 points per contest this season.
Record: 17-0 | Last week: 11
The Tigers are certain to face some challenges this week in the 66th annual Whataburger Invitational where they open against Coppell tomorrow. Villanova signee
Josiah Moseley is averaging 22.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 12
Ascend into the top 10 due to a strong start to the season that includes a victory over IMG Academy. The Bulls have a tough upcoming schedule that includes a showdown with No. 11 Sidwell Friends on Jan. 6.
Record: 6-2 | Last week: 5
The Crusaders remain in the top 10 despite losses to IMG Academy and Montverde Academy at the City of Palms Classic.
Record: 5-2
| Last week: 14
A pair of big-time contests await the Quakers this week as they take on St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) tonight at the Governor's Challenge before facing Link Academy at the John Holiday Classic on Friday.
Record: 16-1 | Last week: 15
Claimed the Ocean Beach Classic title with victories over Muscle Shoals 50-38 in the semifinals and Enterprise 59-39 in the championship game. The Panthers look to win another holiday tournament this week as they host the 41st annual Huntsville City Classic.
13. Columbus (Miami, Fla.)Record: 6-4 | Last week: 6
After starting the season at No. 1 in the preseason rankings, the Explorers have struggled to click early in the season. Columbus went 1-2 at the City of Palms Classic with losses to Link Academy and No. 4 Don Bosco Prep.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 14
Won their 40th consecutive game with an 84-72 victory over Chambers (Charlotte) at the Phenom Holiday Classic paced by 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists from under-the-radar senior
Desmond Kent Jr. The Vikings compete in the Mount Pleasant Holiday Classic this week where they are unlikely to be challenged.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 17
The Redbirds face Marquette University (Milwaukee) tomorrow and Homestead (Mequon) on Friday at the Rick Majerus WBY Shootout.
Record: 6-0 | Last week: 20
Established themselves as the team to beat in the Keystone State early in the season behind the strong play of four-star Connecticut signee
Ahmad Nowell who tallied 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a 72-65 win over Archbishop Wood (Warminster) last week. The Panthers compete in a strong field at the Arby's Classic this week.
Record: 8-3
| Last week: 25
Following an opening-round loss to No. 4 Don Bosco Prep, the Indians had a strong showing at the City of Palms Classic. with victories over Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Cannon (Concord, N.C.) and No. 19 North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, N.C.) for the consolation title. Five-star Rutgers signee
Ace Bailey was dominant, averaging 31.3 points and 15.3 rebounds per contest in Fort Myers.
Record: 6-0 | Last week: 19
Opened the 58th annual Tournament of Champions with a 58-53 victory over Okay in their first-round contest led by 18 points from Wyoming signee
Dylan Warlick. The Huskies look to capture the title in the eight-team field that includes notable Sooner State programs Dale and Owasso.
Record: 10-2
| Last week: 16
Finished their trip to the City of Palms Classic with a 2-2 record, notching victories over Richmond Heights (Ohio) and Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.) but losing to Link Academy 67-59 and No. 17 McEachern. Five-star Duke signee
Isaiah Evans averaged 24.8 points per contest in the tournament.
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 21
Open the Allen Holiday Tournament with a first-round matchup against defending Class 6A state champion Lake Highlands (Dallas) today. The Cavaliers' lone loss this season came on a buzzer-beating half-court shot against No. 8 Stony Point.
Record: 11-0 | Last week: 22
Take on Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta) tonight in the first round of the Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic. With a win, the Cougars are likely to face No. 24 Oak Ridge in the title game of the four-team bracket tomorrow night.
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 23
Outside of an 83-81 victory over Totino-Grace, the Trojans have outscored their other six opponents by an average of 33.7 points per contest to start the campaign. Four-star Creighton signee
Jackson McAndrew leads three players averaging double-figures with 23.3 points per outing.
Record: 16-0 | Last week: 24
The Panthers take on Birdville (North Richland Hills) in the first round of the Whataburger Invitational tomorrow.
Record: 10-2 | Last week: NR
Return to the MaxPreps Top 25 after capturing the 'Iolani Classic title with victories over Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.), DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 86-68 in the title game. The Pioneers are likely to face No. 21 Alexander on Friday in the Tournament of Champions Holiday Classic.
Record: 8-1 | Last week: NR
The Warriors knocked off teams from Arizona, Nevada and Utah en route to the Tarkanian Classic title. The program's lone loss came by one point against No. 2 Harvard-Westlake.
