High school basketball: IMG Academy ascends to No. 1 spot in National Top 20

IMG Academy takes over the top spot in the National Top 20 for the first time since winning their only MaxPreps National Championship in 2019.

The Ascenders are the team to beat entering City of Palms Classic play where they could face multiple top 10 opponents, including a potential championship game tilt with No. 3 Montverde Academy. IMG Academy took down the Eagles 65-64 on a game-winning basket from Baylor signee Keyonte George last month, setting up a potential rematch for the top spot next week.

In the four-team Signature Series, No. 5 AZ Compass Prep and No. 7 Combine Academy are likely to meet in a Tuesday championship tilt prior to the main 16-team field's semifinal matchups.

The only newcomer in this week's rankings is Word of God Christian Academy, which debuts at No. 13 after picking up a pair of signature in-state victories. The Holy Rams have one loss on the year and could contend for a top 10 spot with strong performances in upcoming holiday events.

All eyes turn to the City of Palms Classic and Tarkanian Classic this week as holiday tournaments will shape the upcoming rankings set to release on Thursday, Dec. 23. 1. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Record: 6-1 | Last week: 2

Take over the top spot in the rankings for the first time since they won their only GEICO Nationals title in 2018-19. The Ascenders face Ballard (Louisville, Ky.) in their first round City of Palms Classic matchup.

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 3

Secured a huge NIBC victory over previously unbeaten La Lumiere 60-45 behind 18 points from Gradey Dick and 17 from Mark Mitchell. The Buffaloes travel to the Hoophall Central to take on Kenwood (Chicago) on Friday.

Lost their second buzzer-beater of the year, losing to the No. 1 team in MaxPreps Top 25 Rankings, Duncanville (Texas), 67-66 at Hoophall West. The Eagles responded with a 65-59 victory over No. 16 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) the following night. MVA is matched up against Berkmar in their first round City of Palms Classic contest.

Record: 14-0 | Last week: 5

Beat No. 9 Southern California Academy 65-52 over the weekend at the Norm Stewart Classic. The Lions travel to the Tarkanian Classic to face No. 11 Hillcrest Prep, Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) and No. 15 Central Point Christian.

Record: 12-1 | Last week: 8

Move back into the top five after picking up three blowout wins over quality opponents at Hoophall West, defeating Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) 81-47, Wasatch Academy 79-41 and No. 9 Oak Hill Academy 79-55. The Dragons head to the City of Palms Classic this week with a likely matchup with No. 7 Combine Academy looming.

Record: 8-1 | Last week: 4

Dropped their first loss of the season against No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy 60-45. The Lakers are now in a four-way tie with IMG Academy, Sunrise Christian Academy and Montverde Academy atop the NIBC standings.

Record: 9-1 | Last week: 15

After suffering their first loss of the season, the Goats responded with a pair of wins at the Battle in the Bluff defeating previous No. 6 Southern California Academy 67-58 and previous No. 7 Hillcrest Prep 79-69. Return to the top 10 ahead of their trip to the City of Palms Classic where they will play in the four-team signature series featuring No. 5 AZ Compass Prep.

Record: 7-2 | Last week: 6

Drop to 2-2 against National Top 20 opponents after a pair of losses to No. 4 Link Academy and  No. 7 Combine Academy at the Battle in the Bluff. The Rams own quality wins over No. 10 Prolific Prep, No. 14 Huntington Prep, Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) and The Burlington School (N.C.).

Record: 13-2 | Last week: 10

Wrapped up the weekend 3-0 after picking up an 84-74 victory over Donda Academy (Simi Valley, Calif.) led by Kansas signee MJ Rice (21), USC commit Tre White (19) and Jordan Pope (17).

Lost for the first time on the year against No. 7 Combine Academy 79-69 at the Battle in the Bluff. The Bruins were without highly regarded sophomore guard Malachi Palmer, sidelined with an injury.

Record: 4-0 | Last week: 12

Blew past their first four opponents by an average of 38.3 points. The Gray Bees have a pair of big games before the holiday, playing Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) on Saturday and Westtown (West Chester, Pa.) on Dec. 23.

13. Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.)
Record: 9-1 | Last week: Unranked

Picked up a pair of in-state victories over the weekend at the Good Guys Vs. Cancer Showcase, defeating The Burlington School (N.C.) 69-65 and Moravian Prep (Hudson, N.C.) 86-76. The Holy Rams saw five players crack double-digits in a balanced win over the previously unbeaten Moravian Prep.

Record: 3-3 | Last week: 17

Had the week off before traveling to the Queen City Holiday Classic to face Highlands (Marengo, Ohio) and Taft (Cincinnati) on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22.

Record: 10-2 | Last week: 19

Notched a signature SIAA win over previous No. 11 DME Academy 76-63 on Monday night. The White Tigers head to the Tarkanian Classic on Wednesday.

Record: 5-4 | Last week: 16

Lost both contests at Hoophall West, falling to AZ Compass Prep and Montverde Academy. The Tigers will need to bolster their resume at the Tarkanian Classic to remain in the National Top 20 next week.

Had their nine-game winning streak snapped by SIAA opponent No. 15 Central Pointe Christian Academy prior to their trip to North Carolina for the Phenom Hoops Holiday Classic. DME faces off against top Tar Heel state prep schools Moravian Prep and Liberty Heights (Charlotte) on Monday and Tuesday.

Dropped a pair of games since the last rankings, losing to Liberty Heights (Charlotte, N.C.) 71-59 and No. 18 West Oaks Academy 78-77.

Record: 5-5 | Last week: 18

The Lions have hit a rough patch, losing to five of their past six games against ranked opponents. They look to regroup this week against Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and York Prep (Rock Hill, S.C.).