Video: Hamilton Heights Christian Academy photo shootHawks ready to embark on season they hope ends in New York City.
Preseason Independent Top 10 presented by the Army National Guard
Head coach: Zach Ferrell (87-16 career record, fourth year)
2015-16 record: 27-3, No. 19 final national ranking
Enrollment: 280
Heading into the 2016-17 season, MaxPreps elected to split its high school basketball rankings between teams that play for state championships as part of a recognized governing body (High School Top 25) and teams that don't (Independent Top 10).
Upstart Hamilton Heights Christian Academy is the perfect example of why the decision was made – and it's not a bad thing for the independents.
Head coach Zach Ferrell
Photo by Andy Mitchell
HHCA's 11-player roster includes six players from Canada, two from Mali and one from Nigeria. These aren't random foreign exchange students just showing up on campus in Chattanooga. Six of those foreign-born student-athletes stand 6-foot-6 or taller.
Pointing that out is not condemning the practice. Head coach Zach Ferrell and the school are providing a life-changing opportunity for international basketball hopefuls to showcase and develop their talent. It makes the high school basketball scene in the United States that much more competitive and diverse.
The United Nations approach to basketball is paying off for Ferrell and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. The Hawks went 27-3 a year ago, beating teams from 12 states and taking eventual Dick's Nationals champ Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) to the wire in December.
Four players from that team signed with Division I college programs, including 6-11 Mississippi State freshman Abdul Ado.
HHCA capped the season with a signature 73-44 win over Mountain Misssion (Grundy, Va.) in the NACA national tournament.
View gallery of Hamilton Heights Christian Christian Academy preseason photo shoot
With one of the nation's best backcourts and plenty of size and length in the paint, the Hawks hope to take the next step and end the 2016-17 season in New York City for Dick's Nationals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Forward Issa Samake
Photo by Andy Mitchell
(6-5, Sr., G) … Committed to Virginia Tech
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6-5, Sr., G) … Commitment to Kentucky looks imminent
Jason Jitoboh (6-9, So., C) … Sister Jessica is a 6-foot-2 post for HHCA Lady Hawks
Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Photo by Andy Mitchell
(6-1, Sr., G) … Chattanooga native adds experience in backcourt
Issa Samake (6-7, So., F) … Native of Mali with Iowa State offer
Therren Shelton-Szmidt (6-5, Sr., G) … Could add to eight Division I offers this winter
KEY DATESNov. 18 – vs.
Charlotte Basketball Academy (Henderson, N.C.) @ Hawks' Havoc
Nov. 19 – vs.
The Rock (Gainesville, Fla.) @ Hawks' Havoc
Dec. 1 – vs.
Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)Dec. 2 – vs.
Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.) @ Marshall County Hoopfest
Dec. 21-23 – Chick-fil-A Classic
Dec. 27-29 – Brogdon Phenom Hoops Classic
Jan. 4 – vs.
Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.)Jan. 13 – vs.
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) @ Flyin' to the Hoop
Jan. 15-16 – Music City Classic
The 2016-17 Hamilton Heights Christian Academy squad.
Photo by Andy Mitchell
