Video: Top 25 boys basketball rankings See how two weekend tournament helped shape this week's rankings.
Two major events shaped the second regular season MaxPreps Xcellent 25 High School Boys Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard as the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest and Hoophall West took center stage.
Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas), Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.) and Warren Central (Indianapolis) all make their debut in the 2018-19 rankings after strong starts to the season.
Falling from the Top 25 this week were No. 13 Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.), No. 18 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.), No. 19 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and No. 22 Pinnacle (Phoenix), which lost twice last week.
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.) had strong showings at the ARS/National Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest over the weekend and appear to be a step ahead of the field with their elite talent and depth. Both teams overcame double-digit, first-half deficits to quality WCAC competition, but rebounded and showed why they are the top two teams in high school basketball.
The Eagles did it with their suffocating defense in the second half of both of their games over the weekend. They outscored Sunrise Christian by 22 points in the second half after implementing a stifling full-court press. Against a scrappy, well-coached Paul VI bunch that battled until the final whistle Montverde used a 20-0 run to take command.
IMG Academy looks to be on par with the Eagles in the talent department with four 5-star prospects in its their starting rotation. What could be the best Ascenders team in program history made two major statements over the weekend and proved they are very serious GEICO Nationals contenders. The Sunshine State powerhouse was able to take down a physical Wilson (Washington, D.C.) team before turning around and knocking off the host, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) in an intense road environment.
As the Top 25 picture slowly begins to take shape, the next few weeks will be a great indication of who the top teams in the nation are with a loaded holiday tournament slate ready to unfold.
MaxPreps Xcellent
25 High School Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National
Guard
Rancho Christian jumps into this week's Top 10 after wins over Simeon (Chicago) and Pinnacle (Phoenix).
Photo by Kevin Abele
The Eagles had two impressive wins at the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest using suffocating second half defensive efforts in both. Montverde Academy pulled away in the third quarter to take down previous No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy 68-41. They followed that up with a gritty 57-50 comeback win over previous No. 11 Paul VI.
The Ascenders jump the Warriors after two quality wins at the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. IMG overcame an early deficit, taking down previous No. 6 DeMatha 75-68 and a very scrappy Wilson (Washington, D.C.) 74-53, showing a lot of grit in both impressive victories.
The Warriors defeated Ridge View (S.C.) 86-58 and Liberty Heights (N.C.) 85-51 in two dominant wins at the Bojangles Bash. They have two tune-up games on the slate this week before heading to the City of Palms Classic next week.
The
Trailblazers picked up four wins against in-state teams with winning records last week, notching quality wins over Carmillo 90-59 and Centennial 83-67. Sierra Canyon has the week off before heading to Hawaii and the 'Iolani Classic to face a field that includes No. 1 Montverde Academy and No. 6 La Lumiere.
The
Sharks won two games in convincing fashion last week. They take on Westminster Academy on Dec. 13 before traveling to the City of Palms Classic to face No. 17 Vashon in their first-round pairing.
The Lakers picked up a quality win over Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) 62-48 over the weekend. They will take the week off before heading to the 'Iolani Classic where potential meetings with No. 4 Sierra Canyon and No. 1 Montverde Academy loom.
After a week off, the Indians take on North Cobb and Wheeler before heading to the City of Palms Classic. Last season McEachern went 3-1 in the prestigious event — taking home a third place finish.
The Panthers open their highly anticipated 2018-19 season Dec. 11 with Philly's Constitution.
The Stags fell 75-68 to IMG Academy in their first game of the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest despite leading by as many as 12 points in the first half. They rebounded nicely as they took down defending state champions, Roman Catholic, 70-61 in the final game of the event.
The Eagles were impressive in two big wins at Hoophall West. They knocked off Simeon (Chicago) 78-59 and previous No. 22 Pinnacle 89-79. The Eagles take on
Boogie Ellis and Mission Bay on Dec. 14 before heading to the Tarkanian Classic.
The Maroons have been dominant early in the season, winning by an average of over 22 points per contest. Ohio State pledge
E.J. Liddell has led the way averaging 27.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per outing.
The Panthers were one of the most impressive teams of the weekend at the
ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest, knocking off Nicolet (Glendale, Wisc.) 80-69 and losing a hard fought contest to No. 1 Montverde Academy
(Montverde, Fla.) 57-50.
The Tigers were impressive in the Great Western Shootout, knocking off South County (Lorton, Va.), Richland (Wash.) and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) by an average of 27 points per contest.
The
Pilots have yet to face a real challenge early in the season, outscoring opponents by an average of 39.7 points per contest.
Ranney School begins its 2018-19 journey next week when they take on Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) on Dec. 16.
The Eagles have opened the season with four convincing wins, led by
Jaden McDaniels and a high-octane offense that averages just under 89 points per game.
The Wolverines have one more tune-up game this week against Roosevelt (St. Louis) before their big first round
showdown with No. 5 University at the City of Palms Classic.
The Wolves are off to a hot start in the Lone Star State with signature victories over Guyer, North Crowley (Fort Worth) and Northwest (Justin).
The Vikings opened the season strong with three decisive wins over Evergreen State foes. The Vikings face West Seattle (Seattle) and Ballard (Seattle) this week before a big time showdown with O'Dea (Seattle) on Dec. 18.
The
Cougars have looked to be the top team in the Tar Heel State early with their only real challenge in a win over Lakeside (Evans, Ga.). They will be tested early in the Emerald Coast 16 Holiday Classic next week as they take on Lanier (Montgomery, Ala.) in their opening game on Dec. 20.
The Pioneers have another strong team this season as they jump into the Top 25 for the first time in 2018-19. Despite losing a lot of talent from last year's state championship run, Oak Ridge has been dominant early in the season.
The Buffaloes suffered a tough 68-41 defeat at the hands of No. 1 Montverde Academy at the ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest. Quality wins in November keep this quality squad in the rankings.
The Cardinals played well through their first five games picking up a signature win over Olive Branch (Miss.) along the way. They take on a handful of in-state opponents before heading to the Beach Ball Classic following Christmas.
The
Lions open their 2018-19 campaign this week, facing Trenton
Catholic Academy (Trenton, N.J.) on Dec. 14.
The defending IHSAA Class 4A state champions make their debut in the Xcellent 25, having won 35 consecutive games dating back to the start of last season.
