Expect the next two weeks to be a defining period in the season with numerous highly-anticipated matchups between National Top 10 opponents.
The Hoophall Classic marks a major opportunity for ranked teams to bolster their resumes as No. 1
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), No. 2
Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), No. 3
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), No. 5
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), No. 6
Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah), No. 8
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) and No. 10
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) are all making the trip to Springfield, Mass., over the holiday weekend.
No. 9
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) is headed to another Springfield – the one in Missouri – to participate in the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions field.
No. 2 Brewster Academy looks to make their claim for the top spot this weekend when they face No. 1 IMG Academy at Spalding Hoophall Classic. (Photo: Brian Bautista)
National Top 10 basketball rankings
Record: 13-2 | Last week: 1
Knocked off St. Mary's (Orchard Lake, Mich.) 67-62 in a game that saw Arkansas signee
Darius Acuff return to his home state. The five-star guard didn't disappoint, producing a team-high 35 points in the win. The Ascenders take on No. 8 Wasatch Academy on Friday before battling No. 2 Brewster Academy on Saturday at the Hoophall Classic.
Record: 15-2 | Last week: 3
Took down host La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 61-51 at the La Porte Invitational paced by 16 points, four assists and three steals from three-star Stanford commit
Ebuka Okorie. The Bobcats face No. 1 IMG Academy on Saturday before matching up against No. 10 Oak Hill Academy on Sunday at the Hoophall Classic.
Record: 11-2 | Last week: 4
Secured a big win over No. 4 CIA Bella Vista 56-52 at the La Porte Invitational guided by 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists from five-star junior
Kayden Allen. A busy weekend awaits the Eagles at the Hoophall Classic as they take on No. 10 Oak Hill Academy on Friday, No. 6 Utah Prep on Sunday and AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) on Monday.
Record: 13-3 | Last week: 6
Although the Bears dropped their first Nike EYBL Scholastic game of the season against No. 3 Montverde Academy at the La Porte Invitational, wins over No. 9 Link Academy, AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) and La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) bolster their standing since the last rankings update.
Record: 18-3 | Last week: 5
Five-star Kansas signee
Darryn Peterson went off for 39 points, nine rebounds and five assists in an 89-81 victory over DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.) before dropping 38 points and 12 rebounds the following night in a 65-63 triumph over Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).
Record: 16-4 | Last week: 7
Top-ranked BYU signee
A.J. Dybantsa went off for 41 points, eight rebounds and four assists in a 97-71 victory over Western Reserve Academy (Hudson, Ohio) at the Iverson Blackout Classic. Following the win, Utah Prep announced a mid-season coaching change as Keith Smart will take over for the remainder of the season.
Record: 20-3 | Last week: 8
The upstart Texas program has an 18-day layoff before taking on No. 1 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Jan. 23. SMU signees
Jermaine O'Neal Jr. (15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds) and
Jaden Toombs (14.7 points, 10.1 rebounds) are leading the way for Dynamic Prep this season.
Record: 13-4 | Last week: 10
Split a pair of Nike EYBL Scholastic contests at Hoophall West, losing to AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) 60-53 before responding with a 70-55 victory against No. 9 Link Academy paced by 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds from five-star Houston signee
Isiah Harwell.
Record: 10-4 | Last week: 2
Followed up a big win over MaxPreps Top 25 No. 2 Columbus (Miami, Fla.) with two consecutive losses to No. 4 CIA Bella Vista and No. 8 Wasatch Academy at Hoophall West. The Lions look to bounce back this week by capturing the title at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions.
Record: 14-2 | Last week: 9
Following a 26-day layoff after finishing third at the 'Iolani Classic, the Warriors return to the hardwood this weekend against No. 3 Montverde Academy on Friday and No. 2 Brewster Academy on Sunday at the Hoophall Classic.
