MaxPreps Top 25 national high school boys basketball rankings

21. (NR) Atascocita (Humble, Texas), 7-0
Not a program on our radar going into the season, the Eagles have made an early-season statement by winning the McDonald's Texas Invitational and knocking off defending state champ North Shore (Houston).

22. (NR) Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.), 3-0
There was some preseason talk of the Falcons — not No. 17 Wheeler — being Georgia's best squad in 2014-15. That narrative won't die after Pebblebrook's 3-0 start that included final margins of 27, 37 and 30 points, respectively.

23. (NR) Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.), 5-0
The Jaguars beat Velma Jackson (Camden, Miss.) over the weekend at the Lighthouse Classic. Why is that big? Velma Jackson beat Malik Newman and Callaway (Jackson, Miss.), who beat six-time defending Georgia state champ Miller Grove (Lithonia). Transitive property in play — it's early folks, that's all we've got.

24. (NR) Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas), 5-0
The Lions will have the opportunity to prove they belong later this month with trips to the Jerry Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas and the MaxPreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, Calif.

25. (NR) Sagemont (Weston, Fla.), 5-0
Did we grossly overlook Sagemont for the second year in a row? The Lions went 33-1 and captured Florida's 3A state title in 2013-14 but didn't jump on to the national radar until late in the season. After impressive wins over Norland (Miami), Victory Rock Prep (Bradenton) and St. Petersburg, we're getting on the bandwagon early this winter.

Special consideration: Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) deserves a mention after a big weekend at the Bluegrass Showcase in Kentucky. The Fighting Pharaohs notched a 20-point win over then-No. 9 Arlington Country Day on Friday night and followed by beating Thon Maker and Orangeville Prep of Canada on Saturday. QEA also played No. 2 Oak Hill Academy tough in its season opener. So why didn't the Tar Heel State squad earn a spot in the Top 25? Losses to Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.) and aforementioned St. Louis Christian Academy keep head coach Isaac Pitts and crew out of the rankings ... for now.

Dropped out: No. 9 Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.), No. 20 Chaminade (St. Louis), No. 23 North Shore (Houston), No. 24 North Little Rock (Ark.), No. 25 Oldsmar Christian (Fla.)