Video: Evan Mobley highlights
See the Class of 2020 No. 1 prospect in action for No. 18 Rancho Christian.
The unpredictable 2019-20 high school basketball season continued to surprise as previous No. 2 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and No. 3 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) each lost for the first time this season.
The Trailblazers fell 85-81 in overtime to No. 18 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) in the championship game of the Classic at Damien.
Sierra Canyon drops six spots in this week's rankings, though a daunting January schedule gives the talented group every opportunity to regain its lofty position, beginning this week with showdowns against No. 12 Patrick School and Minnehaha Academy.
No. 3 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) remains at No. 3 despite the 70-64 Slam Dunk to the Beach loss to No. 16 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.). The Panthers benefit from a huge win over No. 4 IMG Academy along with two other top five teams dropping this week.
No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) put together one of the most dominant performances of the high school basketball season, stifling Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) in a 77-32 title game triumph at the John Wall Holiday Invitational.
Five new faces enter this week's rankings as No. 17 Archbishop Stepinac, No. 18 Rancho Christian, No. 20 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 25 Duncanville (Texas) rejoin the top 25, while No. 19 St. John's (Washington, D.C.) jumps into the national rankings for the first time.
The Cadets enter after an impressive 11-0 start, including a tremendous showing at the Beach Ball Classic. They knocked off Morgan Park (Chicago), Poly (Baltimore) and previous No. 15 Long Island Lutheran en route to the title game showdown with No. 15 Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) on Tuesday night.
No. 20 Mater Dei earns a spot back in the national rankings after capturing the Les Schwab Invitational title, picking up quality wins over previous No. 25 Norcross (Ga.) and No. 22 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.). The Monarchs spent one week outside the top 25.
Another action-packed week of high school basketball lies ahead as the Cancer Research Classic is the event to watch this weekend with headlining matchups including No. 3 Paul VI vs. No. 12 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) and No. 5 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) vs. No. 6 La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) among others.
RJ Davis, Archbishop Stepinac
Photo by Jim Redman
1. (Last week 1) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 13-0
Captured the John Wall Holiday Invitational, defeating previous No. 4 Patrick School 77-32 in a dominant title game showing. The Eagles face Olive Branch (Miss.) and Wooddale (Memphis) in the National Hoopfest this weekend.
After capturing
the City of Palms Signature Series crown, the Hawks slipped by Minnesota Prep (Minneapolis, Minn.) 57-54. They take on Arlington (Tenn.) and Crestwood Prep (Canada) at the National Hoopfest.
Despite suffering their first loss, a 70-64 defeat to No. 16 Archbishop Stepinac, the Panthers remain at No. 3 behind the strength of their early season victory over No. 4 IMG Academy.
After their run to the City of Palms Classic title game, the Ascenders had the week off before traveling to the National Hoopfest to do battle with Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) and Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.).
A challenging weekend lies ahead for this group as they take on No. 6 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) and Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) at the Cancer Research Classic.
6. (8) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.), 8-1
The Lakers have a pair of tough national showdowns this weekends at the Cancer Research Classic, facing Sunrise Christian Academy and Roman Catholic (Philadelphia).
The Crew have an opportunity to avenge their short-handed loss to No. 6 La Lumiere in mid-January at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
8. (2) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 14-1Ziaire Williams had 28 points in his Trailblazers debut, but they drop their first contest of the season — an 85-81 overtime loss in the Classic at Damien title game to No. 18 Rancho Christian.
9. (10) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 21-1
Warriors have an extended break for the holidays, returning to the court Jan. 10 to face Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) in the Rock the Ribbon Classic.
The Rams notched a pair of quality wins at the Wheeler Tournament of Champions Classic, knocking off Lithonia 87-66 and Pebblebrook (Mableton) 78-71. The top-ranked Peach State team hosts unbeaten Shiloh on Jan. 3.
11. (12) Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), 15-1
A trip to the Cancer Research Classic awaits this talented unit with resume-bolstering opportunities against No. 3 Paul VI and Roman Catholic (Philadelphia).
12. (4) Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.), 5-1Reached John Wall Holiday Invitational title game before being blown out 77-32 by the top-ranked Eagles. The Celtics struggled against a pair of local North Carolina opponents, escaping with an 83-76 overtime victory over Farmville Central (Farmville, N.C.) in the semifinals. They take on No. 8 Sierra Canyon on Jan. 3.
Captured DeMatha Christmas Tournament crown, knocking off St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Alexandria, Va.) 72-63 in the title game. The Stags travel to the Cancer Research Classic, facing No. 20 Mater Dei on Jan. 4.
14. (14) Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), 3-1
Picked up a pair of quality wins at Slam Dunk to the Beach, downing Sanford (Hockessin, Del.) 52-36 and First Love Christian Academy (Washington, Pa.) 65-58.
Face off against No. 20 St. John's on Tuesday in the Beach Ball Classic title game with an opportunity for another resume-boosting win prior to the new year.
Continue to ascend in the rankings after following up Tarkanian Classic title with another crown at the King Cotton Classic in Arkansas. The Huskies defeated University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 64-53 in the championship showdown.
17. (NR) Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), 6-2Following a 2-2 finish at the City of Palms Classic, the Crusaders notched their biggest win of the season 70-64 over No. 3 Paul VI at the Slam Dunk to the Beach.
After dropping two games early in the year, the Eagles have won 11 consecutive games including a signature victory over previous No. 2 Sierra Canyon 85-81 in the Classic at Damien title tilt.
Overlooked in many preseason polls, the Cadets enter the rankings after notching three impressive wins at the Beach Ball Classic. They upended Morgan Park (Chicago) 65-60, Poly (Baltimore) 62-56 and previous No. 15 Long Island Lutheran 53-51 to reach Tuesday's championship contest against No. 15 Dorman.
Rebounded from a pair of losses at the Tarkanian Classic by capturing the Les Schwab Invitational championship, knocking off previous No. 25 Norcross (Ga.) 63-45 and No. 22 Eastside Catholic 70-58 in the semifinals and title game, respectively. The Monarchs travel to the Cancer Research Classic this week facing No. 13 DeMatha on Jan. 4.
Took a well deserved week off after finishing in third place at the City of Palms Classic. The Eagles return to action on Jan. 3 to face Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.).
22. (22) Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 7-1
Although
the Crusaders fell just shy of capturing the Les Schwab Invitational
title, they picked up a signature win over previous No. 17 Bishop Gorman
62-59 in the quarterfinal round.
Four in-state opponents remain before their Jan. 11 showdown with No. 4 IMG Academy at the Ascender Classic.
After a week off, the Red Raiders return to the hardwood Jan. 2 to face Aquinas (La Crosse, Wisc.).
25. (NR) Duncanville (Texas), 13-2The top-ranked team from the Lone Star State continues to roll after a pair of early season losses to No. 1 Montverde Academy and No. 8 Sierra Canyon.
Dropped Out: Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.), Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.), Norcross (Ga.)
