16. (20) Sexton (Lansing, Mich.) (5-0)The Big Reds notched a pair of statement wins over state powers during the holidays. The most recent was an 80-71 win over two-time defending Class A state champ Kalamazoo Central on Friday night. Iowa signee
Anthony Clemmons scored 25 points in that contest. Sexton also beat preseason Class A No. 1 Romulus 70-62 prior to Christmas.
17. (11) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) (8-1)Mitty's perfect record was ruined by Windward in the quarterfinals of The Holiday Classic in San Diego. The next big game on the schedule is Jan. 16 vs. De La Salle (Concord).
18. (NR) Milton (Ga.) (9-4)A four-loss team in the rankings – especially this high – at this stage of the season is sure to raise some eyebrows. But the Eagles were forced to forfeit three early victories and just tore through the prestigious Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina. Milton beat Miami (Fla.) by 20 in the first round, Ballard (Louisville, Ky.) by 11 in the quarters, No. 25 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) by 21 in the semifinals and Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) by 28 in the championship game. Virginia-bound wing
Evan Nolte earned tournament MVP honors.
Imara Ready, Parkview
Photo by Keith Owens
The Patriots – winners of 19-straight dating back to last season – pulled off one of the bigger holiday shockers by going into Texas and capturing the Whataburger Tournament. The field was full of Lone Star State public school powers but it was a pair of out-of-state teams slugging it out in the final as Parkview beat King (Milwaukee, Wis.) 72-64. Junior guard
Imara Ready scored 32 points in the final and earned tournament MVP honors.
20. (19) Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (9-1)The Railsplitters had a nice run at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, Calif., before falling to No. 5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the final, 76-69. Lincoln beat Washington Class 4A contender Skyline (Sammamish) and two-time defending event champion Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) in pool play to reach the championship game.
