Thursday, October 11, 2007

Time to update HS rankings already...

There have already been many changes among some of the country's top HS Hoop Programs, and the season hasn't even began yet. From Terrence Jennings leaving Mt Zion for Notre Dame Prep, to the recent transfer of Willie Warren from Oak Hill back home to TX...

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Above pic is of Montrose Christians Terrell Vinson and Isaiah Armwood, two of the top forwards in the 2009 Class

Cross Country Hoop’s Top HS teams Nationally, pre-season...

1. St. Anthony's, Jersey City NJ (Mike Rosario, Dominique Cheek, Jio Fontan, Tyshawn Taylor, Travon Woodall)
St Anthony's returns virtually EVERYONE from last years 28-1 team, meaning they have the chemistry to have similar success this year. Mike Rosario, who is headed to Rutgers, is one of the premier shooters on the East Coast, and can get buckets with the best of them. His supporting cast rounding out their starting 5 will all play high major hoops as well...

2. St. Benedicts, Newark NJ (Samardo Samuels, Greg Enchinique, Tamir Jackson, Tristan Thompson)
St. Benedicts strength is in their frontcourt. Samardo Samuels is one of the most imposing figures on the low block on the High School level. He's headed to Louisville next year, and should see immediate minutes. 6'9" PF Tristan Thompson is easily among the top 10 players nationally in the class of 2010. He's the next in a long line of Canadian imports (Via Ro Russell's Grassroots Canada) to bring their game to the US.

3. American Christian, Aston PA (Tyreke Evans, Jerimiah Kelly, Lamont Jones)
Led by Tyreke Evans with the additions of Jerimiah Kelly and Lamont Jones, American Christian will definitely be one of the top teams playing on the High School level this season. They will be tough to beat, and entertaining to watch. As has been said over and over, Tyreke Evans may be the best SG in this class nationally.

4. Montrose Christian, Rockville MD (Tristan Spurlock, Isaiah Armwood, Terrell Vinson)
They boast 3 top 50 talents from the 2009 class in 6'9" Isaiah Armwood, 6'7" Terrell Vinson, and 6'6" Tristan Spurlock, as well as two near 7' Footers in Temadayo Odebayo and Brian O'Kam on the low block. When you can throw a group with that size and talent on the floor it could get scary for rival squads. They are talented enough to contend for the top spot.

5. South Kent Academy, South Kent CT (Isaiah Thomas, Maurice Creek, Christian Morris, Jin Soo Kim, Assane Sene, Dion Waiters)
With one of the nationss best scorers and most exciting playmakers in Washington bound Isaiah Thomas and one of the most intimidating inside presences in Rutgers bound Christian "Beast" Morris, look for South Kent to be among the nations top 10 teams all season long. They've added stud Jr Guard Maurice Creek, top notch 2010 guard Dion Waiters (Syracuse Commitment), and an athletic 7' Footer from Africa in Assane Sene.

6. St. Patricks, Elizabeth NJ (Quintrell Thomas, Dexter Strickland)
Dexter Strickland has waited patiently to get his time in the spotlight, and this is his team for the next 2 years. After playing Tito Jackson to All American Corey Fisher for the last 2 years, it's Dexter's turn to run the show for the always talented St. Patricks squad. He will have help down low from talented big man Quintrell Thomas.

7. American Heritage, Plantation FL (Eloy Vargas, Kenny Boynton)
Led by one of the nations best scorers regardless of class in Kenny Boynton and one of the most versatile bigs in the country in Eloy Vargas, American Heritage will be extremely fun to watch this season. They're 2 stars hail from not only one of the country's best Travel Teams (Team Breakdown), but they were also members of this year's Elite 24! Look for big things this season from thsi duo.

8. The Patterson School, Lenoir NC (Courtney Fortson, Nate Miles, Varez Ward, Will Brown, Isaiah Rusher, Freddy Aspirilla)
As usual the Patterson School is stocked heavy with D-1 talent. Courtney Fortson and Nate Miles will be the guys with the ball in their hands making things happen in the backcourt, with Rusher, Brown, and Aspirilla manning the low blocks. Their entire starting 5 will be playing D-1 ball next season.

9. Fairfax, Los Angeles CA (Renardo Sidney)
Fairfax was already a talented team, but with the addition of Renardo Sidney, the nations top Jr, they are even more talented. Renardo is the 6'10" do everything man child, whose ready to bring home his 2nd state title albeit with a new school/team. As many of you know he can shoot the rock like a Wing, dominate the block whenever he wants, and handle the rock on the break. There's not much he can't do.

10. St Edward, Lakewood OH (Delvon Roe, PeShon Howard)
With one of the countries top PF's in Michigan State bound Delvon Roe and one of the top SG's in the 2010 class nationally in Pe'Shon Howard, St Edwards should have one of the best inside out combo's around.

11. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson VA (Brandon Jennings, Keith Gallon, Malik Story)
Although they lost their starting SG Willie Warren, I still expect Oak Hill to be a scary team. Brandon Jennings can take things over and put this team on his back whenever he wants, and he will be called to do so this season, especially with the surprising loss/transfer of Willie Warren. Malik Story will need to step up his contribution and will be looked to score much more. The BIG question surrounding their success this season will be their frontcourt...

12. Wheeler, Marietta GA (Dequan Jones, Ari Stewart, Richard Howell, Phil Taylor)
They lost a McDonalds All American PF in 6'9" JJ Hickson to NC State, but Wheeler is still the avorite for the State Championship and it's possible they'll be even better than they were last year. They are athletic enough to play with anyone, and talented enough to beat anyone. With arguably the nations most athletic swing man in Miami bound Sr Dequan "DJ" Jones, and with two of the class of 2009's top forward prospects Ari Stewart, and Richard Howell, Wheeler will be extremely tough to beat and a highlight reel waiting to happen. Watch for the emergence of 2010 PG Phil Taylor into a National Name.

13. Mater Dei, Santa Ana CA (Travis Wear, David Wear)
With the 6'10" Wear twins (Travis & David Wear) patrolling the lane, Mater Dei will be one of the West Coast's best teams.

14. Montverde Academy, Montverde FL (Dashan Harris, Steve Tcheingang, Marcus Capers)
After an undefeated season in 06/07, Montverde returns a solid group of players looking to try to repeat their success in 07/08. Even though they lost Solomon Alibi, their anchor in the post, they still have Texas A&M pledge Dashan Harris one of the top 10 PG’s Nationally. They also bring in recent Vanderbilt commit Steve Tcheingang, and also have the services of recent Wash State commit Marcus Capers. Look for them to be very competitive.

15. Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham VA (Demarquis Bost, Eshaunte Jones, Chris Braswell, Roscoe Davis)

16. Lincoln, Brooklyn NY (Lance Stephenson, Darwin Ellis, James Padgett, Justin Green) Lance Stephenson!

17. Campbell Hall, North Hollywood CA (Jrue Holiday) Jrue Holiday!

18. Dunwoody, Dunwoody GA (Chris Singleton, Delwan Graham, Pierre Jordan)

19. Notre Dame Prep, Fitchburg MA (Terrence Jennings, Troy Guillenwater)

20. Rice, New York NY (Kemba Walker, Durand Scott)

21. Findlay Prep, Las Vegas NV (DeAndre Liggins, Clarence Trent)

22. Norcross, Norcross GA (Al Farouq Aminu, Taariq Muhammed)

23. Dominguez HS, Compton CA (Jordan Hamilton, Aaron Moore)

24. White Station HS, Memphis TN (Joe Jackson, Ferrokhan Hall)

25. Bishop O'Connell, Arlington VA (Kendall Marshall, Frank Ben-Eze)

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