For the fourth time this season, a new team takes over the top spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings as
Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) becomes the team to beat following a run to the City of Palms Classic title.
The Panthers captured the championship in a loaded 16-team field that featured nine of the top 16 teams in this week's national rankings, while seeing just one game decided by less than 10 points.
Holiday tournaments will continue to shape the national rankings after Christmas as the Beach Ball Classic, Classic at Damien, Classic at Tennessee high school, Holiday Classic, John Wall Holiday Invitational, Jordan Holiday Classic and Les Schwab Invitational take center stage.
Top five senior Jordan Smith celebrates with teammates after guiding Paul VI to its first City of Palms Classic title. (FILE PHOTO: Francis Fedor)
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 2
Knocked off three consecutive nationally-ranked opponents to capture the City of Palms Classic title, knocking off No. 4 Calvary Christian Academy 71-54, No. 2 Principia 78-68 and No. 8 Archbishop Stepinac 57-53.
Jordan Smith took home tournament MVP after averaging 31.3 points per contest.
Record: 6-1 | Last week: NR
Picked up a pair of victories over opponents ranked in the top five, knocking off previous No. 1 Wheeler 69-63 and previous No. 4 Columbus 74-62 along with No. 11 Bartlett 53-52 in the third place game. The Panthers lone loss came against top-ranked Paul VI in the semifinals. Top 100 Wake Forest signee
Quentin Coleman averaged 22.8 points per game to earn all-tournament honors.
Record: 5-0 | Last week: 5
Top-ranked senior
Tyran Stokes erupted for 50 points and 11 rebounds in a 100-72 victory over Seattle Prep (Seattle) while freshman
J.J. Crawford added 23. The Vikings travel to the Les Schwab Invitational after Christmas.
Record: 10-1 | Last week: 10
Finished in fifth place at the City of Palms Classic after picking up wins over No. 5 Wheeler 69-60, No. 16 Petersburg (Va.) 72-67 and Owasso 62-52 with their lone loss coming against top-ranked Paul VI. Top 20 junior
Cayden Daughtry averaged 24.5 points per game to earn all-tournament honors.
Record: 9-2 | Last week: 1
Finished with a 2-2 record at the City of Palms Classic, taking down No. 14 The Villages Charter 57-52 and No. 19 Bishop McNamara 78-74 while losing to No. 2 Principia 69-63 and No. 4 Calvary Christian Academy 69-60. Top 25 Connecticut signee
Colben Landrew averaged 23.8 points per game to earn all-tournament honors.
Record: 9-2 | Last week: 4
Despite losing in the first round against No. 2 Principia, the Explorers rebounded with three straight wins to capture the City of Palms Classic consolation championship. Columbus defeated previous No. 8 St. John Bosco 73-50, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) 80-51 and Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 75-58. Five-star Miami signee
Caleb Gaskins averaged 24.3 points per outing to earn all-tournament honors.
Record: 8-1 | Last week: 9
Blew past Crean Lutheran (Irvine) 69-40 paced by 17 points from top 25 North Carolina commit
Maximo Adams and top 60 sophomore
Jordan Mize. The Trailblazers travel to the Les Schwab Invitational after Christmas to join a strong field that includes No. 3 Rainier Beach and No. 6 Columbus.
Record: 6-3 | Last week: NR
Rebounded from a tough loss to No. 20 St. Frances Academy in their season opener by advancing to the City of Palms Classic title game with wins over No. 11 Bartlett 76-66, No. 14 The Villages Charter 66-57 and Sarasota (Fla.) 89-62. Three-star Fordham signee
Hassan Koureissi averaged 19.5 points per contest to earn all-tournament honors.
Record: 12-1 | Last week: 11
Captured the 'Iolani Classic title with wins over Brentwood School (Los Angeles, Calif.) 75-60, 'Iolani (Honolulu, Hawaii) 66-38, Bolingbrook (Ill.) 67-57 and Owyhee (Meridian, Idaho) 65-53 in the title game. Top 10 sophomore
Adan Diggs earned tournament MVP honors after pouring in 24 points in the championship.
Record: 17-0 | Last week: 12
Notched a big in-state win over Jordan (Fulshear) 85-71 behind 25 points from three-star UTSA commit
Nasir Price and 24 points from three-star junior
Isaiah Santos. The Spartans compete in the VYPE Holiday Invitational from Dec. 29-30.
Record: 8-2 | Last week: 14
Advanced to the City of Palms Classic semifinals before falling to No. 2 Principia 53-52 and No. 8 Archbishop Stepinac 76-66. The Panthers defeated Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) 71-57 and No. 16 Petersburg 63-44 to advance to the semifinals. Top 60 junior
Dylan Jones led the way, averaging 18.3 points per outing.
Record: 9-1 | Last week: 6
Following a strong start to the season, the Knights suffered a stunning upset at the Hoopfest in Paradise, falling to Milton (Ga.) 75-66. O'Connell looks to bounce back this week at The Classic at Tennessee High School.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 17
Secured a quality in-state victory against Totino-Grace (Fridley) 88-65 guided by 27 points from Duluth commit
Isaac Olmstead and 23 from three-star Minnesota pledge
Nolen Anderson.
Record: 8-3 | Last week: 16
Took down previous No. 8 St. John Bosco 65-59 in the first round of the City of Palms Classic before suffering back-to-back losses against No. 5 Wheeler and No. 8 Archbishop Stepinac. The Buffalo look to bounce back strong this week when they host the Battle at the Villages.
Record: 6-0 | Last week: 20
Three-star Northern Iowa commit
Zavier Zens tallied 35 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals to navigate the Vikings to a 92-71 triumph against Waukesha South (Waukesha). Wisconsin Lutheran heads to the Beach Ball Classic following Christmas.
Record: 4-2 | Last week: 3
The Crimson Wave had a tough showing at the City of Palms Classic after winning their opening game 70-60 over Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.); falling to No. 4 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 72-67 and No. 11 Bartlett (Tenn.) 63-44. Despite his team's struggles, top 40 Oklahoma State signee
Latrell Allmond averaged 22.3 points and eight rebounds a game.
Record: 11-2 | Last week: NR
Although the Sea Hawks have suffered a pair of losses to lesser opponents, a run to the Tarkanian Classic title bolsters their resume in a major way. Redondo Union took down Rangeview (Aurora, Col.) 65-60, Orem (Utah) 70-63, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) 78-68 and No. 18 Timpview 70-56 in the title game. Senior guard
Chace Holley powered the charge with 20 points and five assists in the title game.
Record: 11-1 | Last week: 22
Advanced to the Tarkanian Classic championship game before falling to No. 17 Redondo Union 70-56. The Thunderbirds notched wins over Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) 85-76, Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 67-56 and No. 21 Santa Margarita 61-59 en route to the title game.
Record: 6-4 | Last week: 7
Although the Mustangs are the only team with four losses in the national rankings, a brutal early-season schedule is hard to punish. McNamara went 1-2 at the City of Palms Classic, with a win over Garfield Heights (Ohio) 79-59 and losses to No. 5 Wheeler and Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.).
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 21
Struggled to a pair of single-digit wins against lesser opponents, beating Hamilton Southeastern 68-62 before escaping with a 64-62 win over Shortridge (Indianapolis). Head coach Garrett Winegar became the all-time wins leader in school history with a record of 115-24 with the Tigers.
Record: 14-2 | Last week: 19
Had a strong showing at the Tarkanian Classic, going 3-1 with wins over Basha (Ariz.) 59-58, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 86-79 in double-overtime and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) 75-67. Their lone loss came in the semifinals against No. 18 Timpview.
Record: 5-1 | Last week: 23
Following an 11-day layoff from action, the Stags return to the court to face Windward (Los Angeles, Calif.) at the Holiday Classic the day after Christmas.
Record: 13-1 | Last week: 24
Only loss of the season came against No. 22 DeMatha in a game they were in control throughout. The Cougars have won nine straight since their setback.
Record: 6-0 | Last week: NR
Following a nine-day hiatus, the Pride returned to the floor yesterday, knocking off Monterey Trail (Elk Grove, Calif.) 80-53. Salesian heads to the Classic at Damien the day after Christmas for a first round contest against La Mirada (Calif.).
Record: 18-1 | Last week: NR
The Bengals have outscored their opponents by over 28 points per contest this season and have won 17 straight games since a loss to Gaston Christian (Gastonia, N.C.) in the second game of the year. They travel to the John Wall Holiday Invitational the day after Christmas.
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