Best high school basketball team from all 50 states

Sierra Canyon, AZ Compass Prep, Montverde, Milton, DeMatha, Camden and Duncanville head list of impressive squads.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
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Nov 16, 2021, 1:30pm
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.

Examining the top team in each state follows an extensive preseason guide to prepare fans for the upcoming season that includes the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings and National Top 20 rankings, the Preseason MaxPreps All-America teams and Underclassman to Watch. Additionally, we've published an extensive list of over 80 of the top events and tournaments around the country along with preseason Top 25 rankings for California, Texas, Georgia and Florida.

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 2021-22 season.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Alabama — Oak Mountain (Birmingham)
Despite losing their top two scorers, a strong returning core makes this group favorites to repeat as Class 7A state champions after capturing the program's first state crown in 2021.

Graduates one player from last year's Class 3A state runner-up team. Third team all-state selections J.D McGee and Matt Sanders headline an experienced core.

Began the season ranked No. 1 in the National Top 20 for the first time behind five-star juniors Kylan Boswell and Mookie Cook along with senior Auburn commit Chance Westry.

Arkansas — North Little Rock
Reigning 6A state champions are favorites to capture the program's 16th state championship behind five-star seniors Arkansas signee Nick Smith and Oregon signee Kel'el Ware.

Trailblazers begin the season at No. 1 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings behind reigning California Player of the Year Amari Bailey, four-star junior Bronny James, four-star Nebraska commit Ramel Lloyd Jr. and an elite crop of incoming transfers led by USC pledge Kijani Wright and five-star sophomore Isaiah Elohim.

Upstart first-year program features one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in high school basketball with highly-regarded juniors Baye Fall and Assane Diop.

Reigning Connecticut Player of the Year Donovan Clingan returns after averaging 27.3 points, 17.2 rebounds, 5.8 blocks and 3.1 assists to lead the Rams to their first Central Connecticut Conference championship since 2003.

Delaware — Seaford
The Bluejays return their entire roster from a team that finished 12-3 last season. They are led by second team all-state selection Brent Ricketts.

District of Columbia — Gonzaga
Begin the season ranked just outside the MaxPreps Top 25 with a roster highlighted by George Mason pledge Devin Dinkins and Northeastern commit Jared Turner.

Two-time reigning MaxPreps National Champions have won 49 of their last 50 games and come into the season with seven five-star prospects, led by top 5 senior prospect Dariq Whitehead.

Georgia — Milton
Reigning AAAAAAA champions enter the season No. 2 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 led by Ohio State commit Bruce Thornton, five-star junior Kanaan Carlyle and reigning MaxPreps Athlete of the Year Lebbeus Overton.

The high school basketball season was canceled due to the pandemic last season so it may come as a surprise that a team who finished 0-16 in 2019-20 takes the top spot, but sophomore Aaron Claytor and freshman J.J. Mandaquit give the Raiders their first pair of Division I prospects since 2004.

After advancing to the state championship game for the first time in 19 years, the Timberwolves are the team to beat led by returning all-state selections Blake Buchanan and Kolton Mitchell.

Miami-bound forward A.J. Casey leads a strong returning cast that brings back three starters to face a daunting schedule that includes trips to the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.

After struggling to string together wins against a tough NIBC schedule last season, the Lakers hope to turn it around behind top 50 guard prospects J.J. Starling and Jeremy Fears.

After leading Waukee to its first state title last season, the state's top-ranked junior prospect Pryce Sandfort looks to lead the first-year school to a similar fate.

Kansas commit Gradey Dick is the only returning starter but the Buffaloes rebuilt their roster in the offseason headlined by the addition of five-star senior Mark Mitchell.

The Bruins return four of their top five scorers from a team that went 21-3 and reached the state semifinals.

Defending Class 4A state champions are favorites to repeat behind a strong core led by impact seniors Solomon Washington and Dorian Finister.

Maine — South Portland
An experienced group are favorites to capture the program's first state championship since 1992 and 11th overall behind seniors Mayen Ayuel and Owen Maloney.

First-year head coach Pete Strickland is the program's thirdsince Morgan Wootten's hiring in 1956. The Stags come in at No. 3 nationally led by Virginia Tech pledge Rodney Rice and Xavier commit Tyrell Ward.

Massachusetts — Andover
The Warriors are led by 6-9 senior center Aidan Cammann, who looks to build on an unbeaten record last season.

Key transfer Javaughn Hannah joins returning guards Kareem Rozier and Jack Crighton on a senior-laden roster coming off a 15-1 season.

Minnesota — Totino-Grace (Fridley)
The Eagles return each of their top three scorers from last season in senior Iowa State signee Demarion Watson, top 30 junior prospect Taison Chatman and C.J. O'Hara. Three-star junior forward Patrick Bath is also expected to step into a larger role this season.

Mississippi — Brandon
An experienced group has started off the season strong with a 5-0 record behind seniors Terrell Dixon (18 points per game), Ledarion Perkins (11.4) and Isaiah Morey (9.8).

First-year program has the talent to establish itself as a contender for a GEICO Nationals berth this season. Highly-ranked prospects include Omaha Biliew, Julian Phillips and Jordan Walsh.

Montana — Lodge Grass
Back-to-back Class B state champions return all-state selections Damon Gros Ventre, D.C. Stewart, Jadence Archita and Ty Moccasin.

Despite losing their top two scorers from last season, the Thunderbirds are favorites to capture their sixth state championship behind their top returning contributors Josiah Dotzler and William Kyle.

Debuted at No. 6 nationally last season before the Nevada became one of two state associations to cancel the season due to COVID-19. The Gaels' goal is breaking the national record with a 10th consecutive state championship this year.

New Hampshire — Lebanon
Although the Raiders need to replace the production of first team all-state selection Calvin Bates, fellow all-state picks Jackson Stone and Braeden Falzarano are expected to step into larger roles for a team that went unbeaten last year.

New Jersey — Camden
Riding a 38-game win streak dating back to early in the 2019-20 season, Camden is led by top-ranked Class of 2023 prospect D.J. Wagner. The reigning MaxPreps Sophomore of the Year is joined by five-star 7-footer Aaron Bradshaw.

New Mexico — Las Cruces
The Bulldawgs return each of their top seven scorers from last season, headlined by reigning MaxPreps New Mexico Player of the Year William Benjamin.

The Crusaders were able to play three game last season due to COVID but return a balanced and talented group looking to remain near the top of the rankings behind Jayden Reid, Jayden Pierre and Jaxon Koroll.

North Carolina — Greensboro Day (Greensboro)
Massive early season upset victory over National Top 20 preseason No. 4 Oak Hill Academy makes the Bengals the team to beat in the Tar Heel State.

North Dakota — Enderlin
Reigning MaxPreps North Dakota Player of the Year Joe Hurlburt is the player to watch for the Eagles. Hurlburt has amassed 1,609 points and 1,134 rebounds in 97 career games entering his senior year.

Ohio — Centerville
The defending Division I state champions return four starters led by three-star junior Gabe Cupps.

Oklahoma — Union (Tulsa)
Quickly rising junior Trent Pierce and promising sophomore Chris Mason are names to watch for this group.

Oregon — Grant (Portland)
Following a 13-3 finish last season, the Generals will be a tough out in the Beaver State this season behind three of the states top prospects, Adrian Mosley, Max Von Arx and Vashon Hardges.

Coming off an unbeaten season cut short because of the pandemic, the Panthers are in search of their eighth state championship since 2009 behind a deep lineup that includes five-star junior Justin Edwards and highly regarded sophomore Ahmad Nowell.

Returning all-state selections Raphael Awa and Dimetri Iafrate make the Rams the team to beat.

The Lions struggled in NIBC play last season, going 1-6 at the St. James NIBC Invitational. This season, the youthful group has depth at every position and debuted at No. 18 in the National Top 20.

South Dakota — DeSmet
Favorites to repeat as Class B state champions behind returning all-state selections Kalen Garry and Rett Osthus.

Begins the season ranked No. 22 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 Rankings, returning four starters including reigning MaxPreps Tennessee Player of the Year B.J. Edwards and top 100 junior Blue Cain.

Texas — Duncanville
Anthony Black has been ruled ineligible by the UIL for now, but the Panthers are still loaded — led by a frontcourt of five-star senior Ron Holland and four-star junior Cameron Barnes. They begin the season ranked fifth in the nation.

The Tigers lost six of their top seven scorers from last season but saw a strong influx of talent surround top 100 senior Roddy Gayle.

Although reigning MaxPreps Vermont Player of the Year Michel Ndayishimiye graduated, second team all-state selection Sharif Sharif looks to guide this group to its third straight state crown.

Despite suffering an early season loss to Greensboro Day, the Warriors have high expectations behind five-star prospects Chris Livingston and Caleb Foster. Head coach Steve Smith sits third on the all-time wins list with over 1,200 wins.

Washington — Auburn
Followed an unbeaten 15-0 campaign last season with a title at the Rotary Fall League title after defeating Garfield (Seattle) 80-52 in the championship game to finish 13-0 in preseason play.

West Virginia — Huntington Prep (Huntington)
Once a perennial powerhouse, expectations are for Huntington Prep to re-establish itself on the national hoops scene after a one-year hiatus.

Red Raiders return all five starters from last season, headlined by Devon Fielding, Noah Compan and Porter Pretasky.

After advancing to the state championship game last season, all-state selections Mckale Holte and Deegan Williams headline a talented group.

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