Country Day hoops team ranked No. 9 in country by USA Today
Top 25 high school boys basketball teams:
1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-1)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: Loaded. With their lineup nearly intact and a year older, the Monarchs will have a chance to repeat as the state Division II champion. The addition of transfer G Tyler Lamb gives a little more juice to a lineup that has brothers Travis and David Wear, two post players who have signed with North Carolina, standout junior G Gary Franklin, who has committed to Southern California, and versatile F Andy Brown, a Stanford recruit. Mater Dei has a schedule that includes No. 6 St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.), No. 17 Whitney Young (Chicago) and The City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Opens: Dec. 1, Loara Tournament.
2. Duncanville, Texas (35-2)
Returning players: Two. Outlook: The Panthers have five starters who could be big-time contributors at Division I colleges, including three seniors that signed last week. F Roger Franklin (14 ppg, 8 rpg) and G Reger Dowell are going to Oklahoma State and G Shawn Williams (17 ppg, 9 rpg) is headed to Texas. C Perry Jones and F Julian Washburn, both juniors, give Duncanville plenty of height. Tough games include No. 12 Oak Hill, No. 3 Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.), No. 25 LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.) and Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.). Next: Tuesday vs. Plano.
3. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (30-4)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: If All-USA G Lance Stephenson (23.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) can stay healthy, the Railsplitters could “three-peat”
as the state Federation 2A champion. C James Padgett (9.0 ppg and 9.3 rpg) and G Darwin Ellis (12.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) return. The schedule includes a tough game at No. 2 Duncanville, Texas, the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass., The City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., No. 5 St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.), Prime Time Shootout vs. Paterson Catholic and No. 15 Westchester (Los Angeles) and at No. 6 St. Benedict’s Prep. Opens: Dec. 2 vs. Grady (Brooklyn).
4. Findlay College Prep, Henderson, Nev. (32-1)
Returning starters: One. Outlook: This year’s team doesn’t feature any post-graduate players but has a schedule composed mostly of difficult tournaments. The team is led by Texas signee G Avery Bradley (26.7 ppg, 7 rpg), who was the MVP of the Nike Global Challenge; G D.J. Richardson (20 ppg, 3 apg), an Illinois recruit; F Carlos Lopez (8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a UNLV commit; and junior PG Cory Joseph from Canada (18 ppg, 6 apg). Next: Saturday vs. St. Andrew’s (Middletown, Del.) at Fowler, Mich.
5. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (25-5)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Celtics return North Carolina-bound G Dexter Strickland, George Mason signee F Paris Bennett, G Kevin Boyle Jr. (the coach’s son) and sophomore F Michael Gilchrist. They also added talented transfer G Kyrie Irving from Montclair Kimberly. Irving had 48-point and 47-point games last season. Opponents include No. 3 Lincoln, No. 6 St. Benedict’s Prep and No. 12 Oak Hill (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). Opens: Dec. 20 in The City of Palms Classic vs. either No. 8 Word of God (Raleigh) or American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).
6. St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, N.J. (24-1)
Returning starters: Two. Outlook: Junior F Tristan Thompson and G Tamir Jackson, a Rice signee, are the only returning starters. There’s plenty of talent, including Pittsburgh signee F Lamar Patterson, sophomore PG Myck Kabongo and F Gil Biruta, a starter on the Lithuanian junior national team. Opponents include No. 17 Whitney Young (Chicago), No. 7 Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), No. 5 St. Patrick and Rice (New York). Opens: Dec. 1 vs. Edison Academy (Edison).
7. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (30-3)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: F Richard Howell, a North Carolina State signee, and Wake Forest signee G Ari Stewart, are the top returnees from a state runner-up team. By the time the playoffs roll around, the Wildcats will be tested as they play Dominguez (Compton, Calif.), No. 6 St. Benedict’s Prep and Callaway (Jackson, Miss.). Opens: Dec. 2 vs. Coolidge (Washington D.C.).
8. Word of God Academy, Raleigh, N.C. (30-3)
Returning starters: Two. Outlook: The Rams return PG John Wall, the No. 1 recruit in the country according to Rivals.com, and F Calvin Leslie, a shot blocker with a nice touch around the basket. They also landed talented transfer G Bishop Daniels from Leesville. The schedule includes the Glaxo Smith Kline tournament, The City of Palms Classic and two games against in-state power Ravenscroft. Opens: Dec. 3 vs. St. Davids School (Raleigh).
9. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Mich. (21-5)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Yellowjackets are big with 6-foot-11 senior C DaShonte Riley (10 rpg), 6-8 senior F Donnavan Kirk (11 ppg, 7 rpg), 6-6 G Jordan Dumars (9 ppg, 4 rpg) and plenty of size off the bench. Besides Dumars, the son of Pistons GM Joe Dumars, the Jackets gained a transfer with NBA bloodlines in G Ray McCallum Jr. Tough games include Saginaw Arthur Hill and Bloomington (Ind.) South. Opens: Dec. 12 vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer.
10. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (21-4)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Mustangs are led by two Villanova signees, 6-10 C Mouphtaou Yarou and 6-8 F Isaiah Armwood. Other key players include F Dadrian Collins and G Dominic Milburn. The schedule includes the Iolani Classic in Honolulu, the Flying to the Hoop Classic, the Primetime Shootout, No. 12 Oak Hill Academy and T.C. Williams (Alexandria, Va.). Opens: Dec. 2 vs. Jericho Christian (Landover).
11. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (28-4)
Returning starters: Two. Outlook: The Spartans have eight seniors returning. The top newcomer is Georgetown-bound Hollis Thompson, a 6-7 transfer from Loyola. The combination of Thompson and 6-7 senior Jefferson Powers, a Denver signee, gives De La Salle some punch underneath. California-bound G Brandon Smith is another key returnee. The team also will benefit from 6-7 F Zach Payne and 6-4 G Max Pitts, both of whom missed their junior years with injuries. Big games include No. 24 McClymonds (Oakland) and Dominguez (Compton). Opens: Tuesday vs. Pittsburg.
12. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (34-4)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: The Warriors lost All-USA G Brandon Jennings to graduation, but may be deeper because of New York transfers PG Lamont Jones and G Doron Lamb. C Keith “Tiny”
Gallon, F Glenn Bryant and G PeShon Howard are the top returnees. The schedule includes games against two Chicago teams, No. 17 Whitney Young and Simeon, plus South Atlanta (Atlanta), No. 2 Duncanville and Christ School (Arden, N.C.). Opens: Wednesday vs. Laurinburg Institute (Laurinburg, N.C.).
13. Fairfax, Los Angeles (27-6)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Lions have two Top 50 seniors coming back in C Renardo Sidney (23.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg) and F Solomon Hill (18.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg), plus All-City G Lance Bailey (9.0 ppg, 7 rpg) and G Jordan Weathers (7.5 ppg). Besides typically tough city foes Taft and No. 15 Westchester, Fairfax will play No. 1 Mater Dei, No. 17 Whitney Young and in the Iolani Classic in Honolulu and the Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro, Ore. Opens: Dec. 12 at Hamilton (Los Angeles).
14. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (32-0)
Returning starters: One. Outlook: The Friars, who finished No. 1 in last season’s Super 25, have to rebuild behind their only returning starter, G Dominic Cheek (15 ppg, 7 rpg). F Derrick Williams (20 ppg, 15 rpg), a transfer from Life Academy (Burlington), will help. Two other transfers with talent are 6-8 F Ashton Pankey from Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood, N.Y.) and 6-7 F Devon Collier from All Hallows (Bronx, N.Y.). The Friars’ schedule includes Putnam City (Oklahoma City), No. 17 Whitney Young and Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn, Pa.). Opens: Dec. 19 vs. Create Charter (Jersey City).
15. Westchester, Los Angeles (29-5)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: Junior G Jordan Mayes, junior F Dwayne Polee, a Southern California recruit, and senior G Dominique O’Connor give the Comets a solid nucleus. The schedule includes No. 3 Lincoln, No. 13 Fairfax and Olympia (Orlando). Opens: Dec. 1 at Westchester Tip-Off Classic.
16. Montverde Academy, Montverde, Fla. (24-6)
Returning starters: One. Outlook: The Eagles have three Division I recruits, including the lone returning starter, 7-0 C Ruslan Pateev, an Arizona State signee. G James Bell committed to Villanova, 6-10 F Rob Chubb signed with Auburn and 6-8 F Nick Diatta is headed to Towson. The national schedule includes The City of Palms Classic and the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Opens: Monday vs. Life Academy (Kissimmee).
17. Whitney Young, Chicago (27-6)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Dolphins are led by Purdue signee F Anthony Johnson, along with Michael Jordan’s youngest son, G Marcus Jordan (11 ppg, 6 rpg) and G Chris Colvin (14 ppg). C Stan Brown, a 6-8 senior, and 6-6 sophomore F Sam Thompson are solid underneath. Their schedule may be the toughest of any public school in the country, including games against No. 1 Mater Dei, No. 6 St. Benedict’s Prep, No. 12 Oak Hill Academy, No. 13 Fairfax and No. 14 St. Anthony. Opens: Dec. 6 vs. St. Benedict’s Prep in the Marshall County Hoopfest (Benton, Ky.).
18. Mount Vernon, N.Y. (23-4)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: The Knights have already won their biggest battle - getting funding for the season. With 11 returning players, Mount Vernon should improve from its state semifinal team. Senior Sherrod Wright, G Jabarie Hinds and G Jordan Lessane are the top returning starters. The Knights will play No. 16 Montverde Academy, St. Raymond (Bronx, N.Y.) and at the Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro, Ore. Opens: Dec. 16 vs. Roosevelt (Yonkers).
19. Bloomington South, Bloomington, Ind. (19-2)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: Top returnees include G Jordan Hulls (16 ppg), an Indiana recruit, G Spencer Turner (10 ppg), C Chaz Cooper and Dee Davis (12 ppg). More is expected from 6-8 F Erik Fromm. The schedule includes No. 9 Detroit Country Day and Lawrence Central (Indianapolis). Opens: Nov. 29 at Seymour.
20. Arlington Country Day, Jacksonville (26-6)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: The Apaches are looking to win a fifth consecutive state 2A title behind three Division I players, Kansas State signees 6-10 F Wally Judge and G Rodney McGruder and Florida International signee G Emari Bailey. The schedule includes Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) and No. 25 LeFlore (Mobile, Ala.). Opens: Nov. 28 in Raines Tip-Off (Jacksonville).
21. Franklin, Seattle (24-3)
Returning starters: Five. Outlook: The Quakers drop from Class 4A to 3A but return a strong nucleus, led by Louisville signee G Peyton Siva (19.1 ppg), Eastern Washington signee G Chris Holmes (15.6 ppg) and Pacific signee Sterling Carter (12.0 ppg). Juniors F Freddy Wilson and G Anrio Adams also return. Tough opponents include Rainier Beach (Seattle) and Garfield (Seattle). Opens: Dec. 9 vs. Bishop Blanchet (Seattle).
22. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (27-2)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: Royce White, a 6-7 senior forward who transferred from De La Salle (Minneapolis) and recently signed with Minnesota, makes the Royals a likely favorite. They have several other possible Division I players in G/F Ray Cowels, a Santa Clara signee, Arizona State recruit G/F Trent Lockett, Notre Dame recruit Mike Broghammer and G Marcus Williams. Opens: Dec. 9 at Patrick Henry (Minneapolis).
23. Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa, Okla. (24-5)
Returning starters: Four. Outlook: The defending state champions should contend again, led by junior C Cameron Downing (17 ppg, 16 rpg) and senior F Dominick Cornelius (13 ppg, 9 rpg). Senior G Brian DeBose (7 ppg, 5 apg) gives the Chargers some stability. Tough games include Booker T. Washington (Tulsa), Union (Tulsa) and Putnam City (Oklahoma City). Opens: Wednesday vs. Tulsa Noah Homeschool.
24. McClymonds, Oakland, Calif. (32-0)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: While the Warriors lost G Frank Otis to graduation and have a new coach in Brandon Brooks, they return senior F Damon Powell and G Will Cherry, two key players from last season’s Division I state championship team. The schedule includes games against No. 11 De La Salle and the Bishop Gorman Holiday Classic in Las Vegas. Opens: Nov. 29 vs. SanLeandro.
25. LeFlore, Mobile, Ala. (30-3)
Returning starters: Three. Outlook: Start with 6-9 DeMarcus Cousins (19 ppg, 10 rpg), one of the top recruits in the country. The Rattlers also can rely on guards J.J. Watkins and D.J. Woods. Alabama at Birmingham recruit F Kenari Nettles gives LeFlore size inside at 6-8. The Rattlers schedule includes No. 2 Duncanville and No. 20 Arlington Country Day. Opens: Saturday at Citronelle.
Regional rankings
East
1. Lincoln, Brooklyn, N.Y. (30-4)
2. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, N.J. (25-5)
3. St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, N.J. (24-1)
4. Montrose Christian, Rockville, Md. (21-4)
5. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (32-0)
6. Mount Vernon, N.Y. (23-4)
7. Rice, Manhattan, N.Y. (24-4)
8. Christ the King, Queens, N.Y. (25-6)
9. Penn Wood, Lansdowne, Pa. (23-9)
10. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (19-6)
South
1. Duncanville, Texas (35-2)
2. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (30-3)
3. Word of God Academy, Raleigh, N.C. (30-3)
4. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (34-4)
5. Montverde Academy, Montverde, Fla. (24-6)
6. Arlington Country Day, Jacksonville, Fla. (26-6)
7. LeFlore, Mobile, Ala. (30-3)
8. Christ School, Arden, N.C. (34-2)
9. South Atlanta, Atlanta (27-3)
10. White Station, Memphis, Tenn. (25-13)
Midwest
1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Mich. (21-5)
2. Whitney Young, Chicago (27-6)
3. Bloomington South, Bloomington, Ind. (19-2)
4. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (27-2)
5. Tulsa Memorial, Tulsa, Okla. (24-5)
6. Princeton, Cincinnati (18-6)
7. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (18-5)
8. Saginaw, Mich. (27-1)
9. Putnam City, Oklahoma City (25-2)
10. Simeon, Chicago (29-4)
West
1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-1)
2. Findlay College Prep, Henderson, Nev. (32-1)
3. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (28-4)
4. Fairfax, Los Angeles (27-6)
5. Westchester, Los Angeles (29-5)
6. Franklin, Seattle (24-3)
7. McClymonds, Oakland, Calif. (32-0)
8. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (23-2)
9. Rainier Beach, Seattle (28-1)
10. Dominguez, Compton, Calif. (32-3)
