A total of 50 teams (one from each state) will earn an automatic bid by being the highest-ranked team from their respective states, according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The remaining 14 bids will be determined by MaxPreps' Selection Committee after consulting both the Freeman Rankings and the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard.Here's a look at the seven new teams who are primed for a run at MaxMadness glory:North (Phoenix, Ariz.)The Mustangs were Arizona's top team regardless of classification and proved it by beating Chavez (Laveen, Ariz.) 71-66 in the 5A-I title game. Daniel Bejarano was an absolute marksman from 3-point range, as he shot a blistering 40 percent from downtown. Committed to Arizona, Bejerano scored 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds against Chavez.Projected seed: 10North beat some good Arizona teams this year and has a track record of success. Still, the Mustangs remain unproven against top teams from other states.
Winter Park (Fla.)Led by National Junior of the Year candidate Austin Rivers, Winter Park capped off an outstanding season with a 6A championship, beating Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) 76-57.The Wildcats have quite an impressive resume, featuring victories over St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.), Kentwood (Covington, Wash.), and Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.). Rivers averaged 23.9 points per game, while Brett Comer and Robert Lavoglio each averaged 12.Projected seed: 4 Winter Park could be a threat to win it all, but with five losses, they are certainly beatable. The key is to contain Rivers, which is much easier said than done.