Junior All-American candidate Nigel Williams-Goss and No. 2 Findlay Prep are expected to return to the National High School Invitational for the fourth year in a row.
Photo by Jann Hendry
The regular season is complete for every school in this week's Academy Top 10 presented by the Army National Guard.
But expect at least five of the teams listed below to continue their seasons at the ESPNHS National High School Invitational, scheduled for March 29-31 at Georgetown Prep in North Bethesda, Md.
No. 2
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), No. 3
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), No. 6
Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) and No. 7
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) are all in, according to sources.
With a win over Findlay Prep on its resume and a growing national reputation, No. 5
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) would seem to be a natural pick. But the Lakers are ranked in borderline territory at No. 29 in ESPN's Powerade Fab 50 (part of the selection criteria).
No. 1
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) is headed to China this week and is not expected to participate. No. 4
Huntington Prep (W.Va.) isn't recognized by the governing body in its home state, a prerequisite for inclusion. Express head coach Rob Fulford is petitioning to change that but suggested he may be fighting an uphill battle.
That leaves two, maybe three spots to fill.
No. 8
Ravenscroft (Raleigh, N.C.) has been contacted and is on the radar. According to head coach Kyle Linsted of No. 9
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), his program has been informed it is out of the running.
Florida Class 7A state champ
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament champion
John Carroll (Bel Air), Baltimore Catholic League champ
Mount St. Joseph and the winner of New York City's Public Schools Athletic League Class AA final could all be in the mix.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has sent state champions to the NSHI each of the past two seasons. Ely has an impressive resume and is ranked No. 20 in the Fab 50. John Carroll represented the MIAA in the event last year, as did
Boys & Girls (Brooklyn) in the case of the PSAL.
Official announcements are expected in the next 10 days.
Read on for a complete look at the final Academy Top 10 rankings of the regular season.
Academy Top 10 Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard1. (No. 1 last week) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (44-0)Regular season complete. The Warriors depart today for a tour of China.
2. (2) Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) (29-1)Regular season complete.
3. (3) St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) (28-1)Regular season complete.
4. (4) Huntington Prep (W.Va.) (28-2)Regular season complete.
5. (5) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) (25-2)Regular season complete.
6. (6) Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) (20-2)Regular season complete.
7. (7) Montverde Academy (Fla.) (21-3)Regular season complete.
8. (8) Ravenscroft (Raleigh, N.C.) (31-3)Season complete. NCISAA Class 3A state champions
9. (9) Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) (24-4)Regular season complete.
10. (10) Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) (21-3)Regular season complete.
