Montverde Academy, IMG Academy and Sierra Canyon headline preseason high school basketball rankings watch list

Three schools appear to be in a league of their own this season.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Oct 10, 2019, 10:00am
Video: Sierra Canyon is loaded
California program hopes to compete for state, national titles in 2019-20.

After a wild offseason, the 2019-20 high school basketball season is a month away from tipping off in some parts of the country.

Our preseason Top 25 will drop Nov. 5 with three teams expected to compete for the top spot – IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) and Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), who all reloaded in a major way in the offseason.

IMG and Montverde could face off up to four times, with the earliest possible meeting in December for a potential City of Palms championship game showdown.

Sierra Canyon will be tested as well this season with a loaded schedule highlighted by games against Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis), Patrick School (Hillside, N.J), Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) and Duncanville (Texas).

Read on for a sneak preview at the teams with the best opportunity to make a run at No. 1 during the 2019-20 season.
Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
File photo by Steven Ryan
Top Contenders

IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Last season: No. 1 in final Top 100, 29-1, GEICO Nationals champions
2019-20 outlook: The defending national champions return one starter, however an influx of elite transfers set the Ascenders up well to defend their first GEICO Nationals title. IMG Academy will be led by Mark Williams, Jalen Johnson, Matthew Murrell, Jaden Springer and Moussa Diabate and others this year.

Last season: No. 4 in final Top 100, 22-3, GEICO Nationals semifinalist
2019-20 outlook: The Eagles appear to have all the talent needed to capture their record fifth GEICO Nationals championship this season behind a strong returning core and elite newcomers. Montverde Academy features impact players Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Day'Ron Sharpe, Moses Moody and Langston Love  along with a deep rotation.

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Last season: No. 6 in final Top 100, 32-3, CIF Open Division state champions
2019-20 outlook: The two-time defending CIF Open Division state champions are going to be a media destination this season with an incredible transfer season that has them in prime position for a national title run. Terren Frank, Ziaire Williams, Shy Odom, Brandon Boston, Jr. and Amari Bailey will lead the charge this year, along with highly touted incoming freshman Bronny James.

Others to Watch

Last season: No. 21 in final Top 100, 28-5, GEICO Nationals participant
2019-20 outlook: The Gaels go for their ninth consecutive state championship this season, with the bigger picture being a return to New York for GEICO Nationals. Bishop Gorman returns four starters as Zaon Collins, Will McClendon, Noah Taitz and Mwani Wilkinson look to lead the Nevada powerhouse to new heights.

Last season: No. 10 in final Top 100, 33-5, WCAC regular season and Alhambra Catholic Invitational champions
2019-20 outlook: The Stags have been a model of rankings consistency over the past two seasons, finishing in the Top 10 nationally in back-to-back seasons. Look for much of the same this season as DeMatha rallies behind by returning starters Hunter Dickinson and Earl Timberlake Jr. with key addition Jordan Hawkins also playing a crucial role.

Last season: No. 61 in final Top 100, 35-6
2019-20 outlook: Hillcrest Prep is expected to have a monster year after a successful offseason in terms of talent acquisition. The Bruins will feature a lineup that includes Michael Foster Jr., Kyree Walker, Dalen Terry, Donovan Johnson, Sadraque Nganga and Keon Edwards with a deep bench to boot.

Last season: No. 42 in final Top 100, 21-4
2019-20 outlook: The Mountain State basketball powerhouse has an embarrassment of riches on a team hungry to receive an invitation back to GEICO Nationals for the first time since 2014-15. Key pieces include Isaiah Cottrell, Jaemyn Brakefield, AJ Hoggard, Dudley Blackwell and Zach Loveday among others.

Last season: No. 12 in final Top 100, 31-5, GEICO Nationals semifinalist
2019-20 outlook: The Warriors return their leading scorer from last year as Cam Thomas will again be the catalyst on the offensive end. Look for key additions Khalen Robinson, Darius Maddox, Jamari Sibley and Bradley Ezewiro to round out the starting rotation.

Last season: Unranked in final Top 100, 17-10, Non-Public North B tournament semifinalist
2019-20 outlook: It appears the Patrick School is back, ready to make an impact on the national hoops scene again this season. The Celtics will likely begin the season in the Top 10 after gaining the services of Jonathan Kuminga, Noah Farrakhan, Bretner Mutombo and Adama Sanogo, among others.

Last season: No. 52 in final Top 100, 27-9, WCAC regular season co-champions
2019-20 outlook: After losing their top two weapons to injury last season, the Panthers are expected to be full strength to begin 2019-20. With a healthy roster, Paul VI will challenge for their third consecutive WCAC regular season title. Jeremy Roach, Knasir McDaniel, Josiah Freeman, Trevor Keels and Avery Ford will play crucial roles to PVI's success this year.

Last season: No. 65 in final Top 100, 29-7
2019-20 outlook: Prolific Prep is expected to have its best year in program history with a preseason Top 10 ranking imminent. Impact transfers Jalen Green and Frank Anselem join returning starters Nimari Burnett and Coleman Hawkins to form an impressive core.

Preseason Basketball Content:
Oct. 29 — Top 10 big men
Oct. 30 — Top 10 wings
Oct. 31 — Top 10 guards
Nov. 5 — Preseason Top 25 rankings
Nov. 13 — Preseason Top 100 rankings
Nov. 19 — Tournaments and events to watch
Nov. 20 — Best team in all 50 states
Nov. 21 — MaxPreps National Player of the Year Watch List
Nov. 27 — Toughest schedules

Related Content