Shabazz Muhammad (center in gray and white) of No. 10 Bishop Gorman was the center of attention at the Nike Extravaganza over the weekend in Santa Ana, Calif.
Photo by Louis Lopez
The Nike Extravaganza provided tests for three members of this week's Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard over the weekend.
The 17th annual event is held at one of high school basketball's premier facilities – the Meruelo Athletic Center – on the campus of
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). The host Monarchs capped a stretch of four games in eight days with wins over St. John Bosco (Bellflower) and La Verne Lutheran, remaining at No. 7 in this week's rankings.
"We had a tired group of guys. We played really well through it today," Mater Dei head coach Gary McKnight said after beating La Verne Lutheran on Saturday. "I don't think we were the sharpest we have been but I don't think it was because of effort."
National Player of the Year candidate
Shabazz Muhammad and
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) played in the featured contest Saturday night against Whitney Young (Chicago). It was all Gaels as Muhammad poured in 41 points to help the program reach the 20-win plateau for the fifth-straight season under head coach Grant Rice.
Bishop Gorman climbs two spots to No. 10 this week.
Also improving its stock was
Long Beach Poly, who stifled Arizona-bound guard Gabe York and Orange Lutheran in a 67-45 win. The Jackrabbits have a certifiable star in
Roschon Prince and a solid supporting cast that includes 6-foot-8
Jordan Bell and tough guards like
Chris Croom,
Reuben Strickland and
Joshua Munzon.
Read on for a complete look at this week's rankings.
Xcellent 25 High School Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard1. (No. 1 last week) St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) (16-0)The Friars won three games last week by an average of 32.6 points per outing. St. Anthony's toughest test of the season will come Saturday at the PrimeTime Shootout against Huntington Prep (W.Va.).
2. (3) Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) (29-2)Since an upset loss to Richland (North Richland Hills) in late December, the Marauders are 12-0 and allowing just 41.2 points per game.
3. (4) Milton (Ga.) (19-4)The Eagles had a light week, beating North Forsyth (Cumming) 83-35. According to head coach David Boyd, Auburn-bound
Shaquille Johnson had seven dunks in the first half of that contest.
4. (5) Simeon (Chicago) (20-1)Did not play last week.
5. (6) Chester (Pa.) (19-0)The Clippers put up 32 points in the fourth quarter against rival Penn Wood (Lansdowne) to run away with an 80-57 win Thursday.
