High school basketball: Best team in all 50 states

Nationally-ranked Bishop Gorman, Centennial, Duncanville, Imhotep Charter, Roselle Catholic and Wheeler represent their states.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Nov 15, 2022, 1:00pm
The high school basketball season is already underway in parts of the country as teams begin to make their case for top billing in their respective states.

Identifying the top team in each state is the latest installment an extensive preseason guide to prepare fans for the upcoming season that includes the Preseason National Top 10, Preseason MaxPreps Top 25, Preseason Top 100, Preseason MaxPreps All-America teams and Underclassmen to Watch. Additionally we have published an extensive list of nearly 100 of the top events and tournaments around the country and plan to release a list of the top player in each state later this week.

From Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched coast-to-coast to find the best team from your state heading into the 2022-23 season.
Alabama — Grissom (Huntsville)
2021-22: 24-5
Breakdown: Return four starters from last season including top 150 Alabama commit R.J. Johnson. The Tigers are favorites to capture their first state title since 1999 and begin the season ranked No. 79 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 100.

2021-22: 23-6
Breakdown: After reaching the Class 3A state title game last season, the Grizzlies are favorites to capture the crown in 2022-23 behind returning all-state tournament selections Kellen Jedlicka and Luke Lentfer.

Arizona — Perry (Gilbert)
2021-22: 25-5
Breakdown: Top 25 Colorado commit Cody Williams and No. 3-ranked sophomore Koa Peat return to defend the first state championship in school history. The Pumas begin the season ranked No. 19 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

2021-22: 24-4
Breakdown: An experienced core has compiled a 46-8 record over the past two seasons and advanced to the state quarterfinals last season. Top 60 junior Dallas Thomas is the catalyst for No. 90 in the Preseason Top 100.

California — Centennial (Corona)
2021-22: 33-1, No. 2 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Defending CIF Open Division state champions begin the season ranked No. 2 led by seniors Jared McCain (Duke pledge), Devin Williams (UCLA) and Aaron McBride (Loyola Marymount).

2021-22: 26-2
Breakdown: Return four of their top five scorers from a team that reached the Class 5A state title game in 2021-22. Nick Randall, Colin Hayes, Domenic Leone and Ty Brown are among the top returners for a senior-laden roster.

Connecticut — Notre Dame (West Haven)
2021-22: 25-2
Breakdown: After losing by one point in the Division I state title game last season, 2021-22 all-state selections Mekhi Conner and Timaury Gay highlight a group returning for vengeance this season.

2021-22: 14-9
Breakdown: 2021-22 second team all-state selection Isaiah Hynson is expected to be the catalyst for the Sallies in 2022-23. They open up their campaign with a showdown against nationally ranked Neumann-Goretti.

District of Columbia — Sidwell Friends
2021-22: 29-2, No. 20 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Top 10 preseason team fell in the first round of the inaugural State Champions Invitational after capturing the DCSAA title last year. The Quakers return three of their top four contributors from 20221-22 in Caleb Williams, Cam Gillus and Jalen Rougier-Roane.

Florida — Columbus (Miami)
2021-22: 29-2, No. 18 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Begin the season ranked No. 8 after capturing the state title in Florida's highest classification last season behind 2021-22 MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year Cameron Boozer and first team Freshman All-America selection Cayden Boozer.

Georgia — Wheeler (Marietta)
2021-22: 25-5
Breakdown: Return to the Peach State's highest classification as favorites to capture the program's third state title in the past four seasons. Top-ranked senior prospect Isaiah Collier headlines the roster for the No. 7-ranked Wildcats.

Hawaii — Kailua (Hawaii)
2021-22: 14-4
Breakdown: Second team Division I all-state selection Jonny Philbrick and all-state honorable mention selection Noa Donnelly lead the charge for the Surfriders this season.

2021-22: 24-3
Breakdown: Top 100 junior Liam Campbell is the catalyst for the reigning Class 5A state champions. The Storm begin the season ranked No. 83 in the Preseason Top 100.

Illinois — St. Rita (Chicago)
2021-22: 23-12
Breakdown: No. 27-ranked team in the Preseason Top 100 features three top 85 junior prospects as James Brown and Illinois commit Morez Johnson are joined by Nojus Indrusaitis.

2021-22: 26-6
Breakdown: Top 10 Michigan State commit Xavier Booker, Jaron Tibbs and Jake Davis return to the starting rotation for the defending state champions in Indiana's highest classification. They begin the season ranked No. 22 in the nation.

Iowa — Waukee
2021-22: 13-12
Breakdown: The return of five-star Iowa State commit Omaha Biliew bolsters the Warriors roster in a major way. Waukee is looking for its second state title in the past three seasons and begins the year ranked No. 98.

2021-22: 21-4
Breakdown: 2021-22 Class 6A state player of the year Grant Stubblefield looks to lead the program to its first state title since 2019 and sixth state title since 2013.

2021-22: 37-1, No. 16 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: After capturing the school's first state title since 1951, the Cardinals begin the season ranked No. 16 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. They return each of their top three scorers from last season in Morehead State pledge Jerone Morton, Sam Parrish and Trent Edwards.

Louisiana — Newman (New Orleans)
2021-22: 28-5
Breakdown: The Greenies begin the season ranked No. 70 in the Preseason Top 100 after losing just one key contributor from last season. Chris Lockett Jr, Canin Jefferson and Todd Jones are the top returners for the defending state champions.

Maine — Brewer
2021-22: 19-3
Breakdown: Return each of their top two scorers and five of their top seven from a team that reached the Class A state semifinals last season. Seniors Brady Saunders and Brock Flagg each averaged 13.9 or more points in 2021-22.

2021-22: 21-7
Breakdown: Former St. Stephen's & St. Agnes coach Mike Jones takes over the reigns of a program that has a rich history of tradition. The Stags begin the season ranked No. 32 in the Preseason Top 100 behind an experienced core.

Massachusetts — Malden Catholic (Malden)
2021-22: 23-2
Breakdown: Following a run to the school's first ever state championship last season, all-state selection Jahmari Hamilton-Brown looks to guide the Lancers to a repeat.

2021-22: 15-7
Breakdown: Bring back four senior starters as Louisville commit Curtis Williams, Wisconsin commit Johnathan Blackwell, Toledo commit Xavier Thomas and grid-hoops standout Henry Garrity return for the No. 41-ranked team in preseason poll.

2021-22: 26-6
Breakdown: Top 50 senior and Ohio State commit Taison Chatman along with Thomas Humphries and Patrick Bath anchor a talented cast. Begin the season ranked No. 28 in the nation after capturing the Class AAA state crown last year.

Mississippi — Tupelo
2021-22: 25-4
Breakdown: Proved themselves worthy of the top spot out of the Magnolia State after knocking off out-of-state power Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) in an early season tilt.

Missouri — Vashon (St. Louis)
2021-22: 27-4
Breakdown: Although the Wolverines begin the season ranked just outside the MaxPreps Top 25 at No. 26, an ambitious schedule gives the experienced group the ability to ascend quickly.

2021-22: 26-1
Breakdown: Reigning Class A state champions carry momentum into the 2022-23 season after 18 consecutive wins to close out last year. Senior Dougie Peoples returns after scoring 37 points and hitting a game-winning 30-foot shot at the buzzer of the state title game last season.

2021-22: 25-4
Breakdown: Return the majority of their roster from a team that reached the Class A state title game. Three-star Creighton commit Josiah Dotzler, Jaden Jackson and Jacob Arop are the top returners for the No. 46-ranked team in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 100.

2021-22: 30-1, No. 23 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: No. 11-ranked team in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 tied the national record with nine straight state titles before falling to Liberty in the title game last year. The Gaels bring back a trio of top 50 prospects in Ohio State pledge Juni Mobley, Jase Richardson and Christopher Nwuli.

New Hampshire — Trinity (Manchester)
2021-22: 19-1
Breakdown: First team all-state selection Tyler Bike and honorable mention all-state selection Mark Nyomah are the top returners for the reigning Division I state champions.

2021-22: 29-2, No. 4 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Defending New Jersey Tournament of Champions winner begins the season ranked No. 1 nationally behind dynamic duo of Duke commit MacKenzie Mgbako and North Carolina pledge Simeon Wilcher.

New Mexico — La Cueva (Albuquerque)
2021-22: 24-4
Breakdown: Bring back five of their top six contributors from last season highlighted by their top scorer Exodus Ayers. The Bears advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2021-22.

2021-22: 26-3, No. 7 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Open the season ranked No. 9 in the MaxPreps Top 25 led by 2021-22 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year Ian Jackson and top 150 juniors Adam Nije and Elijah Moore.

North Carolina — Myers Park (Charlotte)
2021-22: 17-9
Breakdown: Top 100 prospects Bishop Boswell and Sir Mohammed highlight a talented team expected to bring back each of its top five contributors. Myers Park begins the campaign ranked No. 29 in the Preseason Top 100.

North Dakota — Century (Bismarck)
2021-22: 18-6
Breakdown: 2021-22 first team all-state selection Anthony Doppler and second team all-state selection Isaiah Schafer are the top returners for the Patriots.

2021-22: 25-2, No. 22 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Reigning Division I state champions begin the season ranked No. 23 in the nation with three returning starters in top 50 Ohio State commit Devin Royal, Gavin Headings and Juwan Turner.

Oklahoma — Del City
2021-22: 24-4
Breakdown: Begin the season ranked No. 47 in the Preseason Top 100 after advancing to the Class 5A state title game last year. The Eagles look to capture their second state title in the past three seasons behind top 50 Oklahoma State commit Brandon Garrison.

Oregon — West Linn
2021-22: 23-4
Breakdown: Top 60 Oregon commit Jackson Shelstad will again be the catalyst for a program in search of its first state title since 2016 and sixth overall.

2021-22: 29-4, No. 11 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Ranked No. 5 in the nation to start the season behind a roster loaded with talent led by the No. 3-ranked senior prospect Justin Edwards. Rahmir Barno, Ahmad Nowell and Makye Taylor are other top returners.

2021-22: 18-8
Breakdown: 2021-22 all-state selection Eze Wali is the top returner for a group that captured the program's 20th state title in improbable fashion last season

2021-22: 23-4
Breakdown: Top 50 sophomore Treyvon Maddox joins a roster that returns six of its top eight scorers from a run to the Class AA state title last season.

2021-22: 26-0
Breakdown: Return each of their top five contributors from an unbeaten run to the Class A state title last season. Isaac Bruns, Randy Rosenquist and Jaxson Wingert are the top returning starters respectively.

Tennessee — Bartlett
2021-22: 33-7
Breakdown: Start the season ranked just outside the top 50 nationally at No. 52 in the Preseason Top 100. The Panthers have high expectations this year with a lengthy front line that is highlighted by Javar Daniel, Matthew Stokes and Christian Alston.

Texas — Duncanville
2021-22: 35-1, No. 1 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Reigning national champions begin the season at No. 2 in the preseason rankings behind a strong returning cast led by 2021-22 MaxPreps Junior of the Year Ronald Holland. UIL sanctions loom over the program as head coach David Peavy is suspended for the season.

2021-22: 19-7
Breakdown: Return three of their top five contributors from a team that advanced to the Class 6A state title game last season. Senior guard Max Toombs will again be the catalyst after leading the team in scoring in 2021-22.

2021-22: 22-4
Breakdown: Sharif Sharif, Mo Kanneh and Drew Bessette form a strong core for the 18-time state champions. The Green Knights own a remarkable 149-64 record in state tournament history with 34 title game appearances.

2021-22: 31-5, No. 10 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: Favorites to capture back-to-back WCAC titles for the first time in school history behind top 100 prospects Isaiah Abraham, Duke pledge Darren Harris, Maryland commit DeShawn Harris-Smith and Patrick Ngongba begin the season ranked No. 4.

2021-22: 27-3
Breakdown: Defending Class 4A state champions begin the season ranked No. 48 in the country behind a strong returning rotation headlined by five-star junior Zoom Diallo and last year's state title game hero Tyce Paulsen.

West Virginia — Shady Spring
2021-22: 25-2
Breakdown: Advanced to the Class AAA state title game last season before losing by one point. First team all-state selections Braden Chapman and Cole Chapman return alongside second team all-state selection Jaedan Holstein.

Wisconsin — Pewaukee
2021-22: 27-3
Breakdown: Top 40 Iowa State commit Milan Momcilovic and top 100 junior Nick Janowski look to anchor a group that lost a number of key pieces to graduation from its Division 2 state title run. The Pirates begin the year ranked No. 45.

Wyoming — East (Cheyenne)
2021-22: 22-6
Breakdown: Advanced to the Class 4A state title game last season before losing to Thunder Basin for the third time on the campaign. Returning all-state selections Drew Jackson and Garet Schlabs look to guide the program to its first state title since 2006.

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