The Metro Classic takes center stage for a defining weekend of play as each of the top five ranked teams in the National Top 20 are in action at the Toms River, N.J. tournament.
A battle between the top two teams headlines the event at No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy battles No. 2 IMG Academy on Saturday night. The Buffaloes beat the Ascenders 68-62 on Dec. 2.
Other action at the Metro Classic include battles between No. 2 IMG Academy and No. 5 La Lumiere on Thursday, No. 4 Montverde Academy and No. 5 La Lumiere on Friday and No. 8 Oak Hill Academy against MaxPreps Top 25 No. 8 Roselle Catholic on Saturday.
Last week, Montverde Academy captured its own tournament title to bolster its national resume with a 79-76 championship game victory in overtime over MaxPreps Top 25 No. 3 Calvary Christian Academy. Kentucky signee
Skyy Clark hit the game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to give the Eagles the event title.
The regular season winds down for many of the top teams in this week's National Top 20, as the field for GEICO Nationals is set to be released on March 16. Each of the top eight teams are expected to be eligible for this year's field.
Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy
Photo by Pete Wright
Record: 18-1 | Last week: 1
The Buffaloes face Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) on Thursday and No. 2 IMG Academy on Saturday in a pair of highly anticipated showdowns at the Metro Classic. They've notched four home wins by an average of 34.8 points per contest and sit tied atop the NIBC standings at 7-1.
Record: 19-2 | Last week: 2
The Ascenders has a slate of loaded weekend of games against three National Top 20 opponents, including No. 5 La Lumiere on Thursday, No. 19 Patrick School on Friday and No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy on Sunday. The Ascenders also are 7-1 in NIBC play.
Record: 26-0 | Last week: 3
The Lions face five ranked opponents over a treacherous path to end the season. They draw No. 19 Patrick School on Saturday at the Metro Classic before taking on No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy on Feb. 11 and No. 11 Wasatch Academy on Feb. 12 at the Heartland Hoops Classic. The first-year program wraps up regular season play at the Top Gun Classic against No. 7 AZ Compass Prep on March 12 and No. 9 Southern California Academy on March 13.
Record: 16-4 | Last week: 4
Notched three quality victories, defeating Kimball (Dallas) 91-70, American Fork (Utah) 87-63 and Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 79-76 to win the Montverde Academy Invitational. Skyy Clark was named tournament MVP while Texas signee
Dillon Mitchell and Duke signee
Dariq Whitehead were named to the all-tournament team.
Record: 13-3 | Last week: 5
A daunting weekend of games awaits with No. 2 IMG Academy on Thursday, No. 4 Montverde Academy on Friday and Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone, N.J.) on Saturday at the Metro Classic. The Lakers need strong contributions from their loaded backcourt featuring Notre Dame signee
J.J. Starling, Michigan State commit
Jeremy Fears and four-star junior
Aden Holloway.
Record: 21-3 | Last week: 6
The Crew return to the court Feb. 12 to face No. 12 St. Benedict's Prep after an extended absence following their win over No. 7 AZ Compass Prep at the Crush in the Valley. They had two players selected to the McDonald's All-American Game in UCLA signee
Adem Bona and Kansas signee
M.J. Rice.
Record: 20-3 | Last week: 7
Following a week off, the Dragons return to action this weekend against Vertical Academy (Charlotte, N.C.) on Feb. 5 and Moravian Prep (Hudson, N.C.) on Feb. 6 at the Court XIV Classic. This group needs a strong finish to earn its second consecutive GEICO Nationals bid.
Record: 23-7 | Last week: 8
Duke pledge
Christian Reeves finished with seven points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in the Warriors' 72-71 victory over The Burlington School (Burlington, N.C.) on Monday. The perennial national power faces No. 11 Wasatch Academy on Friday and MaxPreps Top 25 No. 8 Roselle Catholic on Saturday at the Metro Classic.
Record: 16-3 | Last week: 9
Had a pair of players selected for the Iverson Classic as Michigan State signee
Jaxon Kohler and Oregon signee
Dior Johnson earned invitations to the all-American game in late April.
Record: 13-4 | Last week: 10
The Goats take on Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) on Saturday and Vertical Academy (Charlotte, N.C.) on Sunday at the Court XIV Classic.
Record: 12-8 | Last week: 11
The Tigers face MaxPreps Top 25 No. 19 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Thursday, No. 8 Oak Hill Academy on Friday and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) on Saturday at the Metro Classic.
Record: 15-1 | Last week: 13
Three-star junior
Ty-Laur Johnson exploded for 30 points, 10 assists and 10 steals in the Gray Bees' 88-54 victory over St. Joseph (Metuchen). A Feb. 12 showdown against their only ranked opponent this season looms large against No. 6 Prolific Prep.
Record: 19-4 | Last week: 14
Despite a loss to No. 18 The Rock 81-80, the White Tigers remain the top-ranked team in the SIAA at 7-1. Three games remain in regular season play, beginning with a contest against Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville).
Record: 13-3 | Last week: 15
Secured three SIAA wins last week, defeating Downey Christian (Orlando) 94-68, Life Christian Academy (Kissimmee) 99-90 and Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) 77-58. The Flames have another big-time league showdown Tuesday against No. 20 DME Academy.
Record: 19-5 | Last week: 17
Avenged an early season loss to Liberty Heights (Charlotte) with a 96-79 victory over the weekend. The Holy Rams have an impressive national resume, but bad losses to Gaston Christian (Gastonia, N.C.), North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) hold this unit back.
Record: 21-3 | Last week: 16
The Bruins have a talent-rich roster, but an 0-3 record against ranked
opponents puts a damper on their national resume. It will be difficult
for this group to move up the rankings without a quality win.
Record: 17-6 | Last week: 18
Secured a big-time SIAA victory over No. 13 Central Pointe Christian Academy 81-80 to move to 7-1 in league play. Junior
Dallas Jones led the way with 23 points and six rebounds in the win.
Record: 20-2 | Last week: NR
Jump into the rankings for the first time this season following an impressive 76-67 victory over previous No. 12 Patrick School over the weekend. The Eagles losses are to No. 12 St. Benedict's Prep and Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone).
Record: 12-7
| Last week: 12
Following
a pair of quality wins, the Celtics took a significant step backward last
week with a pair of upset losses against Trenton Catholic Academy
(Trenton) 48-44 and Pioneer Academy (Wayne) 76-67.
Record: 15-8 | Last week: 20
Suffered a setback against Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) 64-58 before rebounding with a 70-47 win over Life Christian Academy (Kissimmee). Host No. 14 West Oaks on Tuesday in a big-time SIAA showdown.
