
T.J. Haws earned tournament MVP honors after helping Lone Peak capture Utah's 5A title.
File photo by David Argyle
21. (NR) New Hanover (Wilmington, N.C.) (29-1)The Wildcats punched their ticket to the NCHSAA Class 4-A final with a dominating, 81-48 win over Hoke County (Raeford). New Hanover – featuring six players averaging between 14 and 8 points per game this season – take on West Charlotte for the title Saturday.
22. (NR) Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) (22-3)In terms of a national resume, a couple of in-state losses were troubling for a team that was expected to dominate Utah this season en route to back-to-back titles. But the Knights put to rest any question about who the top team in the state was Saturday in a 68-38 win over Brighton to take home the 5A crown. Lone Peak led by as many as 41 in the third quarter. It's tough to question the school's national legitimacy with wins over teams that are still playing in the postseason from Illinois, Louisiana and New York.
23. (NR) St. Augustine (New Orleans) (36-3)The Purple Knights have bounced in and out of the Xcellent 25 several times this season. They will play Peabody (Alexandria) for the 4A state title next weekend. St. Augustine owns wins over teams from seven states outside of Louisiana, including a December triumph over No. 9 Prestonwood Christian.
24. (25) Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) (25-1)The Royals have won 21 in a row entering section tournament play.
25. (NR) Germantown (Wis.) (24-0)This might be overdue. The Warhawks are averaging over 80 points per game this season and have at least a couple of future Division I players in senior guard
Zak Showalter – one of the most unappreciated talents in America – and 6-foot-9 junior
Luke Fischer, and Indiana verbal. Zak's sophomore brother Jake is also a major contributor. They take on Hamilton (Milwaukee) in sectional semifinal action Thursday.
Dropped out: No. 7 last week
Ridgeway (Memphis, Tenn.); No. 20
Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.); No. 21
Olympic (Charlotte, N.C.); No. 22
Westbury Christian (Houston)