Following the release of our Preseason National Top 10 last month, early season heavyweight clashes identify a new team as the team to beat this season as AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) takes over the top spot in decisive fashion.
The Dragons clearly established themselves as the No. 1 team in the first regular season update after knocking off previous No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 65-54 and previous No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) 53-47 on consecutive nights at the 5 For the Fight Hoopfest.
The wins marked AZ Compass Prep's first two games in the NIBC conference after being announced as a new member prior to the season.
Two new teams make their debuts in this week's national rankings, as No. 8 Skill Factory (Atlanta.) and No. 10 Southern California Academy (Castaic, Calif.) replace preseason No. 7 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) and No. 10 West Oaks Academy (Orlando, Fla.).
Plenty of movement is expected within the rankings over the next week as the Sunshine Classic and Air Captial Hoopfest host numerous big-time NIBC matchups this weekend including No. 2 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) vs. No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and No. 1 AZ Compass Prep vs. No. 6 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah).
Five-star junior Vyctorious Miller (5) and AZ Compass Prep take over the top spot in the rankings. (Photo: Terry Cullop)
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 3
Takes over the top spot after knocking off the top two teams in the preseason rankings. The Dragons look to move to 4-0 in NIBC play this weekend with showdowns against No. 6 Wasatch Academy on Thursday and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) on Friday at the Air Capital Hoopfest.
Record: 1-1 | Last week: 1
Three-time defending national champions were knocked from the top spot after losing their season opener to AZ Compass Prep 65-54 at the 5 For The Fight Hoopfest. The Eagles bounced back with a 85-42 victory over Pleasant Grove (Utah) the following night paced by 17 points in 13 minutes of action from five-star Oregon signee
Kwame Evans.
Record: 5-0 | Last week: 4
Top 20 Baylor pledge
Ja'Kobe Walter surpassed 2,000 career points early in the season as the Lions have five lopsided victories to begin the campaign. A showdown against Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Friday at the Marshall County Hoopfest could be their first test of the season.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 5
The Ascenders begin NIBC play this weekend with a showdown against No. 2 Montverde Academy on Thursday and La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) on Saturday at the Sunshine Classic.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 6
Notched a pair of quality wins at the Holiday Hoopsgiving, defeating No. 10 Southern California Academy 72-42 and taking down Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 66-52. Four-star Xavier commit
Trey Green averaged 21.5 points over the weekend, while highly regarded freshman prospect
Tyran Stokes had 20 points and nine rebounds against Southern California Academy.
Record: 4-0 | Last week: 8
The Tigers have looked impressive early in the season, including blowing past McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 60-36 and Greenforest (Decatur, Ga.) at Holiday Hoopsgiving. Showdowns with No. 1 AZ Compass Prep on Thursday and No. 9 Oak Hill Academy on Friday await at the Air Capital Classic.
Record: 2-2 | Last week: 2
A tough start to the season saw the Buffaloes suffer back-to-back defeats at the 5 For the Flight Classic Hoopfest, falling to American Fork (Utah) 56-55 in a stunning upset and losing to No. 1 AZ Compass Prep 53-47. The defending NIBC champions look to return to form this weekend against Oak Hill Academy and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) at the Air Capital Hoopfest.
Record: 8-1 | Last week: NR
Despite suffering their first loss of the season against Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) 65-46, this group picked up quality wins over previous No. 7 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.) and Huntington Prep (W. Va.).
Record: 9-0 | Last week: 9
Nearly stumbled twice early in the season against lesser opponents, slipping past Keystone Prep (Pa.) 60-59 and Sabach Christian Academy (Md.) 68-64. The Warriors open NIBC play with showdowns against No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy on Thursday and No. 6 Wasatch Academy on Friday at the Air Capital Hoopfest.
Record: 4-1 | Last week: NR
Split a pair of games over the weekend at Holiday Hoopsgiving, getting blown out 72-42 by No. 5 Prolific Prep before responding with a 53-43 victory over Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.). Five-star Texas signee
A.J. Johnson led the way with 16 points in the win over Carmel Christian.
