High school basketball: Best team in all 50 states

Nationally-ranked Columbus, Long Island Lutheran, Paul VI, Harvard-Westlake, John Marshall and Don Bosco Prep represent their states.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Nov 20, 2023, 11:30am
The high school basketball season is already underway in many 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 final installment of an extensive preseason guide to prepare fans for the upcoming season that includes the National Top 10, MaxPreps Top 25, top 100, MaxPreps All-America teams and our list of the top player in all 50 states. Additionally we have published an extensive list of nearly 100 of the top events and tournament around the country and plan to update the first set of regular season rankings next 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 2023-24 season. The list only includes teams that compete for a state championship.
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
Alabama – Hoover
2022-23: 31-4, No. 64 in final rankings
Defending Class 7A state champions return three starters from last season led by a pair of all-state selections in junior guard Salim London and junior center DeWayne Brown. Hoover starts the year ranked No. 34 nationally.

2022-23: 24-5, unranked
Defending Class 4A state champions are favorites to repeat behind top returner Akeem Sulaiman.

Arizona – Perry (Gilbert)
2022-23: 30-1, No. 12 in final rankings
Two-time defending state champions return eight key contributors and three starters from last season in No. 4-ranked junior prospect Koa Peat, senior guard Barron Silsby and junior wing D'Andre Harrison.

2022-23: 27-7, unranked
Begin the season ranked in the top 40 nationally as top 25 sophomore J.J. Andrews and three-star Louisiana Tech commit Landren Blocker return to lead the defending Class 4A state champions.

2022-23: 33-2, No. 6 in final rankings
Defending Open Division state champions have an opportunity to repeat behind four-star USC commit Trent Perry, four-star Harvard pledge Robert Hinton and top 60 junior prospect Nikolas Khamenia.

2022-23: 13-11, unranked
Coming off a tough season that saw them close with four consecutive losses, the Grizzlies are expected to return their entire roster including top 100 Colorado signee Andrew Crawford and senior Charlie Spann.

Connecticut – Conard (West Hartford)
2022-23: 13-9, unranked
Following a trip to the second round of the Division II state tournament last season, the Red Wolves are expected to be strong contenders in the Nutmeg State this season led by senior Riley Fox.

2022-23: 15-7, Unranked
Defending state champions are expected to be the team to beat again in the Blue Hen State behind top returners Isaiah Hynson, Kareem Thomas, Justin Hinds and Robbie Johnson.

District of Columbia – Sidwell Friends
2022-23: 29-4, No. 16 in final rankings
Defending State Champions Invitational winner returns four of their top five contributors from last season guided by Georgetown commit Caleb Williams. They begin the season ranked No. 7 in the nation.

Florida – Columbus (Miami)
2022-23: 26-4, No. 8 in final rankings
Begin the season as the team to beat in high school basketball behind Cameron Boozer and a strong supporting cast. The Explorers boast one of the toughest schedules in the nation.

2022-23: 24-6, No. 65 in final rankings
The Rams defeated No. 9 McEachern 79-62 in their season opener.

2022-23: 32-11, unranked
Two-time defending Division II state champions return three all-state selections in Pupu Sepulona, Jordan Posiulai and Shancin Revuelto.

2022-23: 21-6, unranked
After winning a state title in their first year of existence in 2022, the Storm were upset in the first round of the state tournament last season. Owyhee returns four starters headlined by three-star USC signee Liam Campbell.

Illinois – Metamora
2022-23: 34-2, No. 44 in final rankings
Following a streak of 32 consecutive wins to close out the 2022-23 season, the defending Class 3A state champions begin the season ranked No. 16 nationally bolstered by the off-season addition of top 75 Iowa commit Cooper Koch.

Indiana – Kokomo
2022-23: 24-5, No. 79 in final rankings
After reaching the state title game last season, the Wildkats are among the favorites to capture the Class 4A state crown and begin the season ranked just outside the MaxPreps Top 25 behind five-star Kansas signee Flory Bidunga.

2022-23: 17-5, unranked
Defending Class 4A state champions have high expectations coming into the season behind a trio of talent juniors in Curtis Stinson, Xzavion Robinson and Trevin Jirak.

2022-23: 21-4, unranked
Defending Class 6A state champions look to capture the program's seventh state championship this season behind seniors Joey Matteoni and Jake Fritz.

2022-23: 28-6, unranked
Four-star junior Malachi Moreno is the centerpiece for a group that returns all five starters and will be among the favorites to capture the KHSAA Sweet 16 state title. They begin the season ranked No. 33 nationally.

Louisiana – Newman (New Orleans)
2022-23: 32-6, No. 95 in final rankings
Two-time defending Division III state champions are the team to beat in the Bayou State guided by three-star senior Todd Jones, sophomore guard Randy Livingston Jr. and top 60 junior Christopher Cenac.

Maine – Ellsworth
2022-23: 20-2, unranked
Following a trip to the Class B state semifinals, the Eagles look to capture their first state title since 1966 led by all-state guard Chance Mercier.

Maryland – Bullis (Potomac)
2022-23: 26-5, unranked
One of the top-ranked teams from the DMV area, the Bulldogs begin the season ranked No. 37 with a talented roster led by Holy Cross signee Tyler Boston, Old Dominion signee Caden Diggs and top 150 junior Eric Reibe.

Massachusetts – North (Worcester)
2022-23: 24-2, unranked
After capturing the program's first state championship last season, expectations remain high for the Polar Bears led by reigning MaxPreps Massachusetts Player of the Year Tahlan Pettway.

2022-23: 15-11, unranked
After reaching the Division I state semifinals last season, the Eaglets begin the season ranked No. 47 nationally as they return all major production from last season led by top 20 junior Trey McKenney.

2022-23: 24-8, unranked
Two-time defending Class 3A state champions begin the year ranked No. 35 nationally as they return two highly-regarded prospects to lead the way in Miami signee Isaiah Johnson-Arigu and top 40 sophmore Dothan Ijadimbola.

Mississippi – Yazoo City
2022-23: 30-5, unranked
Defending Class 4A state champions have started off their 2023-24 campaign strong with five wins by an average margin of victory of 19 points.

2022-23: 28-4, unranked
Defending Class 5A state champions begin the year ranked No. 31 nationally as they return each of their top seven scorers from last season on a senior-laden roster guided by guard Clayton Jackson and forward Nashawn Davis.

2022-23: 25-1, unranked
Defending Class B state champions return a strong core from last season led by returning all-state selections Reynolds Johnson and Ethan Stack.

2022-23: 29-0, No. 14 in final rankings
Defending Class A state champions bring back a strong core from last season centered around South Dakota State commit Jaden Jackson. The Thunderbirds begin the season ranked No. 57 nationally.

2022-23: 20-8, unranked
Return their top two scorers from last season and add four-star San Diego State Pharaoh Compton into the fold this season.

New Hampshire - Bedford
2022-23: 20-1, unranked
Defending Division I state champions return first team Division I all-state selection Luke Soden and honorable mention all-state selection Brady O'Connell.

2022-23: 26-3, No. 30 in final rankings
The Ironmen begin the season ranked No. 6 in the MaxPreps Top 25 as they return three of their top four contributors from last season led by No. 2-ranked Class of 2024 prospect Dylan Harper.

2022-23: 29-1, No. 43 in final rankings
Defending Class 5A state champions return a pair of starters from last season including dominant junior big man Kenyon Aguino. The Hawks begin the season ranked No. 82 nationally.

2022-23: 22-3, No. 3 in final rankings
After a second-place finish in the NIBC, the Crusaders begin the season ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps Top 25 behind a loaded roster led by reigning NIBC Player of the Year V.J. Edgecombe.

North Carolina – Myers Park (Charlotte)
2022-23: 28-4, No. 21 in final rankings
Despite a season-opening loss to Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.), the Mustangs remain the favorites to capture the Class 4A state crown this season.

North Dakota – Central Cass (Casselton)
2022-23: 26-0, unranked
Defending Class B state champions return three starters from last season's unbeaten squad as seniors Eli Buhr, Cole Holzer and Carter Vrchota are the catalysts.

2022-23: 29-0, No. 25 in final rankings
Two-time defending Division IV state champions bring a 49-game win streak into the season and begin the year ranked No. 10 in the MaxPreps Top 25 as they return all five starters and add top 40 sophomore prospect T.J. Crumble.

2022-23: 26-2, No. 42 in final rankings
Defending Class 6A state champions look to become the fourth team from the Sooner State to finish the season ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 behind their catalyst Wyoming commit Dylan Warlick.

Oregon – Tualatin
2022-23: 24-5, No. 52 in final rankings
Two-time defending Class 6A state champions are led by three-star Colorado State signee Jaden Steppe, who contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Timberwolves' title game victory.

2022-23: 31-1, No. 48 in final rankings
Heavy favorite to repeat as Class 4A state champions returns four starters headlined by three-star Pittsburgh commit Brandin Cummings and five-star junior Meleek Thomas. They begin the year ranked No. 20 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Rhode Island – Barrington
2022-23: 19-9, unranked
Led by the state's top returning individual talent in Matthew Raffa, the Eagles are favorites to capture their first state title in program history after advancing to the state quarterfinals last season.

South Carolina – Lexington
2022-23: 20-7, unranked
Begin the season ranked No. 81 nationally as the Wildcats return four starters headlined by top 40 Texas signee Cam Scott and three-star senior Jaxon Prunty.

2022-23: 26-0, No. 100 in final rankings
Two-time defending Class 4A state champions enter the season with the nation's longest winning streak at 53 consecutive victories. The Panthers sit just 11 wins shy of the all-time state record set by Armour from 1978-80.

2022-23: 30-3, No. 51 in final rankings
Defending Division II-AA state champions begin the season ranked No. 93 nationally as they return a pair of starters in three-star Vanderbilt signee Tyler Tanner and highly-regarded football prospect George MacIntyre.

2022-23: 32-3, No. 28 in final rankings
Two-time defending Class 4A state champions begin the year ranked No. 25 in the MaxPreps Top 25 powered by three-star Colorado commit Doryan Onwuchekwa.

2022-23: 25-3, No. 33 in final rankings
A strong mixture of returning talent and key additions give this group the ability to outplay their preseason ranking of No. 23 in the MaxPreps Top 25 behind reigning MaxPreps Utah Player of the Year Brody Kozlowski.

2022-23: 17-4, unranked
First team all-state selection Drew Bessette looks to guide the the successful Green Mountain State program to their ninth state championship since 2007.

Virginia – Paul VI (Chantilly)
2022-23: 31-4, No. 9 in final rankings
Two-time defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season champions begin the season ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 behind four-star Duke commits Patrick Ngongba and Darren Harris.

2022-23: 20-10, unranked
Following their Metro League championship last season, the Crusaders begin the year ranked No. 75 nationally behind top 100 Virginia commit Jacob Cofie.

West Virginia – Morgantown
2022-23: 26-2, unranked
Defending Class 4A state champions are favorites to repeat behind first team all-state selection Sharron Young.

Wisconsin – De Pere
2022-23: 30-0, No. 26 in final rankings
Following their first state title run since 1934, the Thunderbirds begin the season ranked No. 22 in the MaxPreps Top 25 with three returning starters including Northern Iowa commit Will Hornseth and Wisconsin commit John Kinziger.

Wyoming – Riverton
2022-23: 21-6, unranked
Class 3A All-State selections Parker Paxton and Darrick DeVries return looking to guide the Wolverines to their first state title since 2017.

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