Clarity could be coming in the debate surrounding the No. 1 spot in the National Top 20 basketball rankings. Numerous rankings-shaping matchups go down in this week in NIBC play and the following weekend at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
No. 6 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) hosts a three-day weekend of NIBC action from Jan. 6-8 with showdowns that include No. 3 Montverde Academy (Fla.) battling No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), as well as the hosts taking on No. 7 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. No. 13 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah).
There's a logjam atop the NIBC standings as Sunrise Christian Academy, IMG Academy, Montverde Academy and La Lumiere all sit at 3-1 in conference play.
The only unbeaten team in the National Top 20, No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), won the Les Schwab Invitational over the weekend to move to 21-0. But the Lions have a tough upcoming stretch with a potential path to the top spot if the wins continue to pile up. They travel to Hoophall South this weekend to battle Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) and Carver Collegiate Academy (New Orleans).
Preseason No. 1 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) also has its eyes on returning to the top of the rankings. The Dragons posted a pair of 30-point blowouts at Slam Dunk to the Beach in Delaware and have huge games against IMG Academy and La Lumiere at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
AZ Compass Prep celebrates City of Palms Classic Signature Series title.
File Photo by Pete Wright
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 1
Return to action this weekend for the first time since Dec. 17, facing No. 3 Montverde Academy, No. 13 Wasatch Academy and Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.) in NIBC play. The Buffaloes have an opportunity to avenge their only loss of the season against Montverde Academy.
Record: 9-2 | Last week: 2
This weekend's NIBC games will be a warm up for a pair of showdowns at the Spalding Hoophall Classic against AZ Compass Prep and Montverde Academy.
Record: 9-2 | Last week: 3
The Eagles face five top 10 teams in their next six contests as they battle No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy on Thursday, No. 6 La Lumiere on Saturday and No. 2 IMG Academy on Jan. 17. Montverde also faces a pair of MaxPreps Top 25 teams — No. 1 Camden (N.J.) on Jan. 13 and No. 9 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) on Jan. 15.
Record: 21-0 | Last week: 4
Captured the Les Schwab Invitational title with wins over Tigard (Ore.) 80-45, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) 70-43, Barlow (Gresham, Ore.) 84-51 and Tualatin (Ore.) 83-60. Five-star Arkansas signee
Jordan Walsh was the tournament MVP after averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 steals and 2.5 assists. Four-star Michigan signee
Tarris Reed Jr. was also named to the all-tournament team after chipping in 12 points and 6.5 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per contest.
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 5
Notched a pair of emphatic victories at Slam Dunk to the Beach, defeating Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.) 78-40 behind 15 points from
Kylan Boswell and
Joshua Ola-Joseph before a 75-45 win over Westtown (West Chester, Pa.) led by a game-high 19 points from UCLA signee
Dylan Andrews.
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 6
This weekend's NIBC host has an opportunity to strengthen its resume with games against Oak Hill Academy and Montverde Academy. The Lakers sit in a four-way tie atop the NIBC standings at 3-1.
Record: 13-6 | Last week: 7
The Warriors have a pair of ranked teams on the schedule this weekend in Wasatch Academy and La Lumiere.
Record: 12-2 | Last week: 9
Picked up three wins over quality Tar Heel State opponents to capture the John Wall Holiday Invitational championship, defeating Winston-Salem Christian (Winston-Salem) 70-56, Moravian Prep (Hudson) 61-56 and No. 10 Word of God 70-52. Five-star Oregon signee
Dior Johnson was impressive in his debut with the Rams, averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals over three games.
Record: 17-2 | Last week: 10
Earned the Chick-fil-A Classic National Division title with wins over Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.) 63-42, Liberty Heights (Charlotte, N.C.) 72-62 and Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) 71-44. The Crew followed up their holiday tournament championship with an impressive 76-63 win over MaxPreps Top 25 No. 21 Newton (Covington, Ga.) in the Big South Shootout.
Record: 14-3 | Last week: 17
A runner-up finish at the John Wall Holiday Invitational included an 82-67 win over Chambers (Charlotte, N.C.) and 83-79 victory over previous No. 8 Combine Academy before falling 70-52 to Southern California Academy. The Holy Rams also beat post-grad program Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 71-63 in a showcase game behind 23 points from under-the-radar junior
Freddie Dilione.
Record: 11-3 | Last week: 8
Split a pair of games at the John Wall Holiday Invitational, taking down Virginia Episcopal (Lynchburg, Va.) 69-56 before falling to No. 10 Word of God Christian Academy in an overtime thriller. The Goats have played against four ranked opponents in their previous six games, with a 2-2 record including wins over No. 8 Southern California Academy and No. 13 Hillcrest Prep.
Record: 14-1 | Last week: 11
COVID concerns knocked Hillcrest out of the Chick-fil-A Classic.
Record: 10-4 | Last week: 13
With a 1-3 record in NIBC play, the Tigers face their toughest weekend of games this season with Oak Hill Academy, Sunrise Christian Academy and IMG Academy on the slate.
Record: 7-1 | Last week: 14
The Gray Bees have had some time to regroup following their first loss of the season Dec. 23 to Westtown.
Record: 9-2 | Last week: 15
Face Minnesota Prep (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.) over the weekend at Mustang Madness.
Record: 15-3 | Last week: 16
Also headed to Mustang Madness to take on Elevation Prep (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Prolific Prep in Grind Session play. The White Tigers are a strong contender to compete for the SIAA title this season.
Record: 6-5 | Last week: 12
Went 1-2 at the Chick-fil-A Classic, losing 80-62 to Liberty Heights (Charlotte, N.C.) and 74-59 to St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) before beating Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.) 72-62. Senior guard
Seth Hubbard went off for 36 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in Huntington Prep's loss to Liberty Heights.
Record: 12-4 | Last week: 19
Return to the court to face Downey Christian (Orlando, Fla.) next week after an extended holiday break. DME Academy lost three consecutive games prior to its 74-34 victory over Caldwell Academy (Greensboro, N.C.) on Dec. 22.
Record: 6-4 | Last week: 20
Secured a 51-45 in-state victory over Don Bosco Prep over the weekend at the New Year's Jump Off event. The Celtics have notable upcoming games looming, including a matchup with Wasatch Academy at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
20. The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.)Record: 11-5 |
Last week: NR
SIAA contender defeated King (Tampa, Fla.) 89-50 at the Florida Get Down Holiday Showcase on New Year's Day.
