High school basketball rankings: Archbishop Stepinac opens at No. 1 in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Sierra Canyon, Columbus and Wheeler among contenders to challenge head coach Patrick Massaroni's Crusaders this season.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Nov 4, 2025, 11:00am
The No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings belongs to Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.). Headlined by senior Jasiah Jervis and twin 7-footers Adonis and Darius Ratliff, the Crusaders captured their third-straight Class AA City championship and finished the 2024-25 campaign ranked No. 24 with a record of 26-4.

The Ratliff twins recently committed to USC and both players were featured on the list of top 10 centers in 2025-26 while Michigan State pledge Jervis was featured on the list of top 10 shooting guards.

Stepinac brings back 11 players from last season, including returning starters Hassan Koureissi (Fordham commit) and Dylan Perry (Monmouth). Senior guards Jack Coco and Ameer Smith along with top 100 junior Josh Rivera provide depth for head coach Patrick Massaroni's Crusaders.

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), Columbus (Miami, Fla.) and Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), who all finished ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 last season, are among other programs with eyes on winning a national title.

The MaxPreps Top 25 is limited to schools that compete for a state championship sanctioned by a NFHS-recognized governing body. Post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion.

Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25. Click on school names for in-depth previews of each team.
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
2024-25: 26-4, No. 24 in final MaxPreps Top 25
Breakdown: After starting 5-3 last season, the Crusaders won 21 of their final 22 games. Stepinac is 44-2 against New York opponents over the past two years.

2024-25: 27-7, No. 29
Breakdown: Defending Division I state champions have their eyes set on an even bigger prize this season as the Trailblazers look to capture their first Open Division state title since 2019. Top 20 senior Maximo Adams headlines a lineup that is loaded with talented newcomers including No. 3-ranked senior Brandon McCoy, three-star senior Brannon Martinsen, top 40 junior Josh Lowery and top 100 sophomore J.J. Sati-Grier.

2024-25: 30-3, No. 1
Breakdown: Defending national champions and four-time defending state champions look to go for an unprecedented five state championships in a row. Returning starters include top 10 senior Caleb Gaskins and three-star Memphis commit Cello Jackson. They are joined by four-star Florida Atlantic commit Felipe Quinones, 7-foot-1 junior Akol Nyok and promising freshman Caydin Gaskins.

2024-25: 29-3, No. 7
Breakdown: After capturing the program's fourth state championship since 2020 and 10th overall, the Wildcats are again the team to beat in the Peach State behind top 30 Connecticut commit Colben Landrew, top 50 junior Kevin Savage and senior guards Amare James and Lamarrion Lewis. Three-star Mississippi pledge Jaron Saulsberry is the top newcomer for the defending Class AAAAAA state champions.

2024-25: 14-10, unranked
Breakdown: Although the Crimson Wave are coming off an average season that saw them finish just four games above .500, head coach Ty White takes over at his alma mater after a success stint at John Marshall (Richmond, Va.) that saw him win seven state titles. Petersburg will be a tough out this season behind top 30 Oklahoma State commit Latrell Allmond, three-star Mississippi State pledge Ladarius Givan, top 60 sophomore Kelvin Anderson and promising freshman King Bacot.

2024-25: 27-6, No. 10
Breakdown: A model of consistency out of the DMV, the Panthers look for their fifth consecutive finish in the top 10 of the MaxPreps Top 25. MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Jordan Smith will again be the catalyst for the WCAC powerhouse while other key returners include senior guard Lawrence Brown and junior forward Matthew Mena. Paul VI has won back-to-back WCAC titles and five since 2012. Junior newcomers Braydon Young and Brian Mitchell Jr. are expected to round out the starting five.

7. Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.)
2024-25: 20-8, unranked
Breakdown: Despite the departure of their coach, the Tigers have a potent lineup with top five sophomore prospect Adan Diggs and top 40 senior Cameron Holmes forming a dynamic one-two punch. Other key pieces in the rotation include junior guards Gabe Coronado and Adrian Higuera, junior forward D.J. Spencer and top 40 sophomore Trey McKinney.

2024-25: 22-1, No. 5
Breakdown: Key returners include four-star Florida State commit Collin Paul, top 20 junior prospect Cayden Daughtry and senior guard K.J. Francis. Senior forward Aiden Bolden, U19 Chinese National Team member Jacob Zhu and junior forward Jadus Sorhaindo are transfers to watch.

2024-25: 21-9, unranked
Breakdown: Return the bulk of their production from last season headlined by top 30 junior Darius Wabbington, three-star Colorado commit Rider Portela and three-star junior Delton Prescott who each averaged 12.7 or more points per contest in 2024-25. Seniors Cristian Simmons and Nash Parmley are expected to round out the starting five for a squad that has reached the Open Division state championship game before falling short in back-to-back seasons.

2024-25: 30-2, No. 18
Breakdown: Defending Class 6A state champions return five of their top six scorers from last season as American commit Drake Sandi, juniors Kellson Sandi, Clarence Westbrook Jr. and Nate Accius and senior Zane Elliott are expected to form the starting rotation in 2025-26. Key additions to the roster include senior guard Mason Mallory and sophomore wing Carter Florient. 

2024-25: 31-3, No. 3
Breakdown: Although the Wolverines fell short of capturing their third consecutive Open Division state championship last season, the resume was still impressive enough to earn them a top-six national finish for the third year in a row. An experienced returning group features seniors Dominique Bentho, Georgia State commit Amir Jones, four-star Texas commit Joe Sterling and Barron Linnekens along with junior guards Cole Holden and Pierce Thompson.

2024-25: 34-2, No. 34
Breakdown: Reigning Division II Class AA state champions bring back four starters from last season and add all-state selection and Virginia-Wise commit Brayden Hazelbaker along with all-district pick Ethan Woolard. The four returners to the starting five include seniors Wilson Luton, South Dakota State commit Cameron Swearengen, Rice commit Alex Leeth and Alabama-Huntsville pledge Owen Lentz.

2024-25: 26-7, No. 39
Breakdown: The Braves were No. 1 the Way-Too-Early MaxPreps Top 25 in the spring, however the transfers of No. 2-ranked senior Brandon McCoy and top 20 Oregon commit Tajh Ariza have tamed expectations for the Braves. The senior-laden group remains among the top contenders for the Open Division state championship led by five-star senior Christian Collins, 7-foot senior Howie Wu, senior wing Dominic Perfetti and senior guards Max Ellis and Gavin Dean-Moss.

2024-25: 26-6, No. 70
Breakdown: Came up shy of capturing their first state title last season, losing on a buzzer-beating layup to Calvary Christian Academy. Despite graduating their top scorer from last season, an experienced group returns five of its top six contributors as junior guard Aaron Britt, top 60 junior wing Jomar Bernard, top 100 LSU pledge Herly Brutus, Air Force commit Ethan Bevis and senior guard Jared Thompson are expected to comprise the starting five.

2024-25: 28-4, No. 48
Breakdown: Following a run to the program's third state title in the past five seasons, the Trojans return each of their top three scorers from last season as four-star Iowa State commit Christian Wiggins, three-star Minnesota commit Nolen Anderson and Duluth pledge Isaac Olmstead will lead the charge again this season. Seniors Brady Lam and Tommy Shunmugavelu will man the post.

2024-25: 25-5, No. 76
Breakdown: A two-point upset loss to Deer Creek in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament put a halt to the Rams' repeat bid last season. Top 60 Oklahoma State commit Jalen Montonati will again be the go-to guy while fellow returning senior starters Julius Wilson and three-star Oral Roberts pledge Boden Williams are expected to see elevated roles.

17. Timpview (Provo, Utah)
2024-25: 20-6, unranked
Breakdown: Despite losing to eventual state champion Olympus in the Class 5A state semifinals, the Thunderbirds notched numerous big-time victories last season including upsetting a Harvard-Westlake squad that finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation. Timpview returns all five starters as BYU commits Dean Rueckert and Will Openshaw are the centerpieces with Mason Ford, Lincoln Holcombe and Jackson Palmer rounding out the starting five again.

2024-25: 24-9
Breakdown: A youthful group showed promise at times last season, but a five-game slide mid-way through the season put a damper on their resume. Four starters return for the Panthers as Southeastern Missouri University commit Axton Perry, top 60 junior Dylan Jones, top 10 sophomore D.J. Okoth and sophomore guard Braylon Williams will join senior guard Sydney Thompson in the rotation.

2024-25: 14-15
Breakdown: The Mustangs couldn't overcome an 0-9 start to the season in 2024-25 despite a talented young roster. Although they struggled a year ago, it is hard to ignore a loaded rotation that features top 20 senior Qayden Samuels, three-star senior Kirby Duran, top 130 Indiana commit Prince Moody and top 40 junior Brandon Woodard. Jahmai Drayton, a 6-11 center, and sophomore guard Terry Brooks are the top newcomers for a team looking to capture its first WCAC title since 1995.

2024-25: 28-2, No. 41
Breakdown: Two-time defending Division 1 state champions are equipped to continue their dominance behind the Knueppel family as top 120 junior Kager Knueppel and top 60 sophomore Kinston Knueppel join fellow key returners Riley Walz and Northern Iowa commit Zavier Zens. Also an offensive tackle on the football field, the addition of Jamail Sewell will provide a post presence this season. 

2024-25: 33-6
Breakdown: In search of its first state championship, Seven Lakes brings back four starters from a group that advanced to the Conference 6A Division 1 state quarterfinals before falling to eventual runner-up Bellaire. Seniors Jose Martins and Sean Mwesigwa along with juniors Dean Spencer and top 110 prospect Isaiah Santos return to the starting five while three-star UTSA commit Nasir Price will be a welcome addition.

2024-25: 29-2, No. 69
Breakdown: After reaching the Class AAAA state championship game for the first time since 2021 last season, the Raiders look to get over the hump and capture their first state crown since 2018 with returning starters Dre Frierson-Hollie, four-star Nebraska commit Ty Schlagel and St. Thomas commit JoJo Mitchell. Transfer Isaac Feller is also expected to be a key cog.

2024-25: 28-8, No. 11
Breakdown: Following a run to the Open Division state semifinals last season, Matt Sargeant's group look to regroup from the last minute withdrawal of their star player Stokes. Three of five starters for the Knights in San Diego State commit Zach White, top 50 junior NaVorro Bowman Jr. and three-star junior Josiah Nance.

2024-25: 27-3
Breakdown: Following a run to the school's first state championship last season, the Huskies look to repeat with four starters returning and a few impact transfers joining the fold. Newcomers K.J. Avery and junior wing Peyton Miamba are expected to join returners Ethan Roseman, Notre Dame commit Nick Shrewsberry and junior guard Elijah King in the starting rotation.

2024-25: 27-4, No. 92
Breakdown: Begin the season as the favorite to represent Northern California in the Open Division state championship game behind returning starters Leon Powe, three-star Stanford commit Elias Obenyah, Carlton Perrilliat and Isaiah Davis. Head coach Bill Mellis guided the program to its lone state championship in 2009 when Salesian defeated Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) by one point in the Division IV title game.

Related Content