Looking into the crystal ball toward the 2022-23 high school basketball season, familiar names will be in the mix once again for the top spot in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. We sized up the contenders with a way-too-early top 25 that features defending national champion
Duncanville (Texas) staying at No. 1 and
Centennial (Corona, Calif.) taking claim of the No. 2 spot.
Duncanville looks to continue a dominant stretch that includes a 125-14 record over the last four seasons and three consecutive titles in the Lone Star State's highest classification.
Centennial is an early favorite to repeat as CIF Open Division state champion after winning 30 consecutive games to end the 2021-22 campaign behind three returning starters.
See our entire way-too-early top 25 below.
Senior C.J. Ford (3) rejoices with his teammates and coaches after Duncanville captures its third consecutive UIL Class 6A state title.
File Photo by Robbie Rakestraw
2021-22 record: 35-1, No. 1 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: After capturing the program's first national title in 2021-22, the Panthers look to go back-to-back behind MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Holland. Duncanville will be seeking a fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship.
2021-22 record: 33-1, No. 2 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: While the Huskies need to find a way to replace the contributions of MaxPreps California Player of the Year Donovan Dent, a strong core centered around five-star Duke commit McCain should give this team a chance to capture consecutive CIF Open Division state titles.
2021-22 record: 29-2, No. 4 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Closed out the 2021-22 campaign with a victory over Camden in the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title game. The Lions expect to return the bulk of their squad from last season led by five-star North Carolina commit Wilcher.
2021-22 record: 31-2, No. 9 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Camden has national title aspirations next season fueled by top-ranked Class of 2023 prospect Wagner, who will enter his senior campaign with 1,477 career points.
2021-22 record: 31-5, No. 10 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Although they lose their leader in McDaniel (Michigan signee), the Panthers will be formidable again next season behind a youthful core that is expected to return and defend its WCAC championship.
2021-22 record: 29-4, No. 11 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: With its top three contributors returning from last season headlined by five-star wing Edwards, the Panthers are going to be a formidable out next season after capturing the program's eighth state championship since 2009 in March.
2021-22 record: 30-1, No. 23 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Class of 2024 prospects Mobley Jr. and Richardson should have the Gaels in a position to compete for a spot in the State Champions Invitational next season.
2021-22 record: 26-3, No. 7 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: The Cardinals are expected to again be led by a talented backcourt headlined by No. 2 ranked Class of 2024 prospect Jackson next season.
2021-22 record: 29-2, No. 18 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Notable losses: None
Outlook: Burst into the national rankings in 2021-22 after capturing the Class 7A state title behind the tremendous play of the Boozer twins. Cameron was named MaxPreps National Freshman Player of the Year and Cayden was a first team MaxPreps Freshman All-America selection.
2021-22 record: 26-5
Outlook: A disappointing end to the 2021-22 season saw the Trailblazers finish just outside the final MaxPreps Top 25 rankings after falling to Centennial in the CIF Open Division state semifinals. Look for Sierra Canyon to reload around five-stars Elohim and Flowers along with four-star James.
2021-22 record: 24-6
Outlook: After bowing out to the eventual state champion Norcross in the Class AAAAAAA state semifinals, the Rams have the returning personnel to get over the hump next season headlined by a pair of four-star guards in Connecticut commit Castle and Indiana pledge Newton.
2021-22 record: 20-7
Outlook: If everyone returns next season, the Knights are a lock for a lofty preseason rankings behind top-ranked Class of 2024 prospect Cunningham and five-star Class of 2023 Duke commit Mgbako. Class of 2025 guard Mauro also showed promise during his freshman campaign.
2021-22 record: 29-2, No. 20 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Following a berth in the inaugural State Champions Invitational, the Quakers have high expectations for next season as they return three of their top four scorers led by Class of 2024 forward Williams.
2021-22 record: 23-4
Outlook: The Saints are overwhelming favorites to repeat as Philadelphia Catholic League and Class 4A state champions behind MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Robert Wright III.
2021-22 record: (26-7)
Outlook: Following an unexpected run to the Class AAAAAAA state title and an invitational to the inaugural State Champions Invitational, the Blue Devils look to carry the momentum into next season behind third team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection Johnson.
2021-22 record: 37-1, No. 16 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Captured the program's second KHSAA Sweet 16 state title and first since 1951 last season after going unbeaten against in-state opponents. The Cardinals have an opportunity to duplicate their success next season as they return each of their top three scorers from 2021-22 headlined by Morton.
2021-22 record: 26-2, No. 3 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook:
The defending State Champions Invitational winner and two-time
defending state champions lose four of their top six scorers from
last season, but are expected to return an elite backcourt of Allen and Cherenfant. If the Eagles are able to build around their
guard duo, expect them to be back in the national rankings next season.
2021-22 record: 29-3
Notable losses: None
Outlook: Put themselves on the map in 2021-22 with a run to the Class AAAAAA state championship behind MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention selection Frankquon Sherman. The Warriors are expected to return each of their top six scorers.
2021-22 record: 36-3, No. 17 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook: Although replacing the production of four-star Houston signee Arceneaux will be difficult, the two-time defending Class 5A state champions return five of their top six contributors from last season including MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention selection Yates.
2021-22 record: 30-6
Outlook: The Crusaders are expected to return nearly everyone, including each of their top four scorers from their run to the CIF Open Division state title game. Second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Phillips is the catalyst.
2021-22 record: 26-4, No. 13 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Outlook:
Despite losing two of their top three scorers to graduation,
the Crusaders have a talented returning group that is headlined by third team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection Fland and third team MaxPreps Freshman All-America selection
prospect Carbuccia.
2021-22 record: 26-6
Outlook: Reigning Class 4A state champions lose their leading scorer from last season in Comer, but return a strong core that includes four of the top six scorers. If the Fighting Irish see increased production from Booker, Davis and Tibbs, they could be a dark horse to finish in the top 10 next season.
2021-22 record: 19-8
Outlook: Expect to see a significantly different roster for the Crusaders next season as they look to ramp up their rotation for the rigors of NIBC play. Although Long Island Lutheran is joining the NIBC, it is still expected to compete for a state championship in New York.
2021-22 record: 25-1
Outlook: While the Bulldogs have questions in the backcourt after losing nearly all their production to graduation, an imposing returning frontcourt of Stewart and McCullum are expected to make this group contenders for the Class 3A state title after falling short in 2021-22.
2021-22 record: 25-9
Outlook: Although losing Pettigrew (Nevada signee) will be a major blow, promising Class of 2025 guard Heard has the potential to fill his shoes next season alongside Ames, a top 50 Class of 2023 prospect.
