Jalyn Patterson and Montverde Academy have risen above the crowd to establish themselves as a clear No. 1 heading into 2014.
Photo by Jim Redman
Xcellent 25 National Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
1. (No. 1 last week) Montverde Academy (Fla.), 13-0Langston Wertz of the Charlotte Observer was all over the Wild Wings Cafe Hoops Classic, a powerhouse first-year tournament. The Eagles tore through the field, beating No. 12 Northside Christian Academy by 23 in the final. Games against St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) and Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) are ahead at this weekend's Cancer Research Classic.
2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 14-0The Monarchs were dominant in four outings at the Orange Holiday Classic, winning by an average margin of 39 points per game. Mater Dei won't take the floor again until next Wednesday in a Trinity League opener against Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.).
3. (3) Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 8-1After a post-Christmas break, the Panthers will be back in action Thursday night for a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference showdown with Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.).
4. (4) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 19-1The Warriors are in the midst of an extended break. Winners of 17 in a row, Oak Hill returns next Friday against Mt. Zion Academy (Raleigh, N.C.).
5. (5) White Station (Memphis, Tenn.), 10-0Several tough local tests are ahead before White Station's big opportunity at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions later this month. No. 1 Montverde Academy and No. 3 Paul VI will join the Spartans for that event in Springfield, Mo.
