High school basketball: What would the national rankings look like without academy and independent programs?

DeMatha top our look at high school basketball's best programs that compete for a state championship.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Feb 19, 2021, 10:00am
As the high school basketball landscape continues to change, academies, prep schools and independent programs increasingly dominate the the MaxPreps Top 25. In an effort to give a little love to the game's "traditional" powers, we are serving up rankings featuring only teams that:

(1) Play for a state title.
(2) Belong to a recognized state governing body.
(3) Do not have multiple varsity teams or a post-graduate program.

In addition to the teams listed below, other programs that would have been considered if not for delayed or canceled winter sports seasons include four teams ranked in our preseason MaxPreps Top 25: No. 6 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), No. 7 Coronado (Henderson, Nev.), No. 16 O'Dea (Seattle) and No. 20 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.).

Read on for a complete look at our  "Traditional Top 25" featuring teams from 16 states. Texas stands out as a hot spot for high school hoops this season with six teams in the rankings.
Even without current Michigan freshman star Hunter Dickinson, DeMatha continues to win big under head coach Mike Jones (center, kneeling).
Even without current Michigan freshman star Hunter Dickinson, DeMatha continues to win big under head coach Mike Jones (center, kneeling).
File photo by Mike Braca
Traditional Top 25

Record: 9-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 5
Despite having their season shortened to just nine games this year, the Stags established themselves as the best traditional school in the country behind a talented and deep rotation.

Record: 6-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 6
Top-ranked sophomore prospect D.J. Wagner pumped in a season-high 30 points in the Panthers 84-59 victory over Camden Catholic (Camden).

Record: 6-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 7
Defeated previously-unbeaten Philadelphia Catholic League foe Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) 79-69 behind a team-high 20 points from Connecticut commit Rahsool Diggins.

Record: 16-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: 8
Oklahoma commit C.J. Noland has been the catalyst for the Indians this year, averaging 19 points per contest and surpassing 1,500 career points.

Record: 22-1 | MaxPreps Top 25: 9
The Panthers have a strong chance to defend their 2018-19 state crown, entering postseason play with a balanced offensive attack led by Sam Houston State pledge Damon Nicholas Jr. (17.7 points), SMU signee Zhuric Phelps (15.3 points), Alabama State commit Juan Reyna (14.3 points) and sophomore Ronald Holland (13.9 points).

Record: 23-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: 10
On a quest for their first state crown since 2012, the Eagles rattled off 21 consecutive wins to close out regular season play.

Record: 9-1 | MaxPreps Top 25: 11
Top-ranked senior Chet Holmgren posted 26 points and 20 rebounds in an 80-43 victory over Blake (Minneapolis).

Record: 0-0 I MaxPreps Top 25: 13
Regular season play should begin Feb. 26 against Portledge (Locust Valley).

Record: 21-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 14
Friday action against Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.) closes out the regular season. Junior guard Fletcher Loyer (24.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists) and senior Illinois signee Luke Goode (20,6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists) have established themselves as the top tandem in the Hoosier State.

Record: 19-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 17
After 11 losses in 2019-20, the Purple Wave closed out an unbeaten regular season with a 59-46 triumph over St. Benedict at Auburndale (Cordova).

Record: 20-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: 19
University of Nebraska-Omaha pledge Frankie Fidler (21.4 points), Wisconsin signee Chucky Hepburn (15.6 points), sophomore Josiah Dotzler (12.4 points) and junior William Kyle (10 points) lead a balanced attack.

Record: 22-1 | MaxPreps Top 25: 18
Defeated KIPP Atlanta Collegiate (Atlanta) 68-31 Thursday night to advance to the Region 6-AA title game. The Knights face Lovett (Atlanta) in tonight's championship game.

Record: 7-4 | MaxPreps Top 25: 20
Five-star senior prospect Trevor Keels averaged approximately 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game during an impressive senior campaign.

Record: 0-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 21
Season expected the begin this month.

Record: 21-3 | MaxPreps Top 25: 22
Closed out regular season play with a 61-43 victory over Newton (Covington) behind 14 points and 15 rebounds from four-star junior Chauncey Wiggins.

Record: 23-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 23
Opened FHSAA Class 2A state tournament play with an 81-21 triumph over Covenant Christian (Palm Bay) Thursday night.

Record: 21-1 | MaxPreps Top 25: 24
Five-star junior Cason Wallace (19.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists) and four-star junior Rylan Griffen (22.1 points) have been the catalysts for an Eagles team that enters state tournament play on a 19 game win streak.

Record: 19-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: 25
Under the radar senior guard Jordan Roberts has put together a tremendous campaign, averaging 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per contest.

Record: 19-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Secured a season-defining victory over No. 20 Millard North 76-75 Thursday night behind 22 points and five rebounds from Luke Jungers. Both the Junior Jays' losses came against No. 12 Bellevue West.

Record: 21-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: 16
One of the top one-two punches in high school basketball, five-star wing Hunter Sallis (22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists) and under the radar senior Saint Thomas (22.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists) have both played at extremely high clips this year.

Record: 15-3 | MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Closed out regular season play with a 77-69 victory over Arlington. Former NBA champion Mike Miller has put together an impressive first year as head coach.

Record: 24-1 | MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Finished regular season play with 21 consecutive victories following a Nov. 25 loss to No. 5 Duncanville.

Record: 3-0 | Last week: NR
Northwestern pledge Julian Roper poured in 29 points in a 65-52 triumph over Grand Blanc Tuesday night.

Record: 17-2 | MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Ohio State pledge Malaki Branham is averaging 23.3 points per contest for the Fighting Irish.

Record: 7-0 | MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Picked up an impressive 81-60 victory over Zebulon B. Vance (Charlotte) Thursday night behind 22 points and 12 rebounds from junior forward Jeremy Gregory.

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