Virginia powerhouse nabs top spot in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball preseason rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – The month of November can mean only one thing: the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball preseason rankings.

Topping the rankings is Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), a legendary program with all the components to win the national championship. Several teams will have input over the next five months. In fact, the top-six all have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament in March. Remember, the final is slated for Madison Square Garden in New York on April 4.

So, may the fun begin!

The Elite 25 rankings will marinate for the next six weeks. Makes no sense to come back with a new set until the holiday tournaments play out. It should be a crazy  irst two months to the season. I’ll be at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., to witness another crazy-good field, including several ranked teams and players. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys Basketball Preseason Rankings

(Records from the 2013-14 season)

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (41-4)

Main men: 6-10 Daniel Giddens, Sr.; 6-6 Dwayne Bacon, Sr.; 5-10 Terrence Phillips, Sr.

The Rub: Finally, coach Steve Smith has a team that features depth across the lineup. The Warriors have length, ball-handers and scorers of the basketball. That means the Warriors are in line to win their first-ever Dick’s Nationals championship after falling in last year’s final. Giddens (an Ohio State recruit) averaged a double-double as a junior; a pair of juniors, 7-0 Rodney Miller and 6-9 Khadim Sy, return; Bacon (Florida State) is a proven scorer; and 6-7 junior transfer Joe Hampton (Penn State verbal) adds bulk. Another challenging schedule will have the Warriors aiming high, with trips to Hawaii, Missouri, California, Kentucky, Tennessee and Massachusetts highlighting their treks.

2. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (28-0)*

Main men: 7-4 Jean Marc Koumadjie, Sr.; 6-9 Ben Simmons, Sr.; 7-0 Doral Moore, Sr.

The Rub: The Eagles are loaded with long bigs Simmons (LSU), Koumadjie (Florida State), Moore (Wake Forest) and 6-8 Noah Dickerson (Florida). Developing a backcourt is paramount if the Eagles look to make it three straight Dick’s Nationals titles.

3. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (31-5)

Main men: 6-8 Horace Spencer III, Sr.; 6-4 Allonzo Trier, Sr.

The Rub: The Pilots average size is 6-7 and four players return from a roster that usually turns over with transfers. First-year coach Andy Johnson will rely on seniors Spencer III (Auburn) and transfer Trier (Arizona) and 6-8 junior Justin Jackson (UNLV verbal). Junior PG Derryck Thornton Jr. is the team’s facilitator. Circle Jan. 28 on your calendar when the Pilots play No. 7 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in the Big City Showcase.

4. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (23-3)

Main men: 6-4 Jalen Coleman, Sr.; 6-11 Isaac Humphries, Jr.

The Rub: Coleman is headed to Illinois and Aussie important Humphries is a budding NBA player. Six-three sophomore Tyler Plummer is a special transfer and 6-9 Alex Olesinski adds depth up front. Coach Shane Heirman takes over for Alan Huss, who departed for the University of New Mexico. The Lakers are in good hands.

5. Our Savior New American, Centereach, N.Y. (28-3)

Main men: 6-9 Cheick Diallo, Sr.; 6-5 Damon Wilson, Sr.

The Rub: The recipe for success is simple—schedule strong games with elite level players. PF Diallo (18 ppg, 11 rpg, 4 bpg) is a McDonald’s All-American, who will sign late and is the reigning New York Gatorade state player of the year. Wilson (6 apg) signed with Pittsburgh and orchestrates the offense that features four returning starters. Keep an eye on 6-10, 235-pound freshman man-child Mamadou Doucoure is the program’s next star.

6. Huntington (W.Va.) Prep (28-5)

Main men: 6-11 Thomas Bryant, Sr.; 6-10 Levi Cook, Sr.; 6-8 Ted Kapita, Sr.

The Rub: Coach Arkell Bruce inherits a program from Rob Fulford, who bolted for the University of Missouri. Bryant, Cook (West Virginia) and Kapita form one of the nation’s top frontlines but the backcourt must still deliver the ball. Newcomer G Ronshad Allen-Shabazz (Appalachian State) is nice addition.

7. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (30-3)

Main men: 6-11 Chase Jeter, Sr.; 7-0 Stephen Zimmerman, Sr.

The Rub: With twin towers Jeter (Duke) and Zimmerman (undecided) casting big shadows, the Gaels won’t back down. Neither will 6-11 junior Zach Collins, who will complement the senior bigs. Junior PG Julian Payton (his father is Gary Payton) and 6-5 Nick Blair are dependable players for the Nevada Division I depending champions.

8. Plano West, Plano, Texas (22-7)

Main men: 6-7 D.J. Hogg, Sr.; 6-9 Tyler Davis, Sr.; 6-8 Mickey Mitchell, Sr.

The Rub: The Wolves lost in the Class 5A Region II quarterfinals but with Davis and Hogg (both headed to Texas A&M) and Mitchell (Ohio State) in the fold, a trip to Austin (state finals) is the last step. Soso Jamabo (also a mega football recruit) and sophomore Chris Giles are the guards.

9. Arlington Country Day, Jacksonville, Fla. (30-5)

Main men: 6-8 Tulio Da Silva, Sr.; 6-11 Yankuba Sima, Sr.

The Rub: The Apaches have two regulars back and healthy influx of transfer. Da Silva (South Florida) and Sima (from Spain) are key additions. At 6-7, junior Mario Kegler is drawing interest from the high majors. Coach Rex Morgan needs 23 victories to join the 500-win club but with a highly competitive national schedule and the SIAA on the verge of becoming an elite league, the Apaches won’t have many breathers.

10. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (21-10)

Main man: 6-4 Isaiah Briscoe, Sr.

The Rub: The two-time defending Non-Public B titleholders return all five starters, with PG Briscoe (Kentucky recruit) leading the way. At 6-9, South Carolina-bound Chris Silva (9.5 ppg. 8.5 rpg, 3 bpg) is presence in the paint and 6-8 F Pierre Sarr (Monmouth) is developing. G Asante Gist (13.4 ppg) is an elite junior and classmate Matt Bullock has several mid-majors intrigued. A loaded schedule will have the Lions on the run.

11. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (28-5)

Main man: 6-7 Jaylen Brown, Sr.

The Rub: The Wildcats were denied a sixth state title last March and their best player transferred. But don’t shed tears for coach Doug Lipscomb, who will build around Brown (23 ppg, 8 rpg), a major recruit, and several transfers led by 6-4 Shembari Phillips (a Tennessee signee).

12. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (29-4)

Main man: 6-7 Cody Riley, Soph.

The Rub: This is a green program, meaning the Trailblazers are new to the national loop and have a youthful look that keep them in the limelight for the near future. At 5-9, junior Devearl Ramsey is the quarterback, with five sophomores on board. Freshman Cassius Stanley is the program’s next special player.

13. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (31-6)

Main man: 6-4 Franklin Howard, Sr.

The Rub: The Panthers won three postseason titles—WCAC, Virginia Independent and Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. Coach Glenn Farello will feature the Syracuse-bound Howard and 6-7 junior transfer V.J. King, junior 6-8 Corey Manigault and sophomores Aaron Thompson and Chyree Walker.

14. Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland, Calif. (28-5)

Main man: 6-11 Ivan Rabb, Sr.

The Rub: The Dragons will go as far as Rabb, a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game and double-double machine, will carry them. Boise State-commit PG Paris Austin is another potent scorer who will take the pressure off Rabb.

15. Simeon, Chicago (23-4)

Main men: 6-7 Ed Morrow, Sr.; 6-7 D.J. Williams, Sr.

The Rub: There’s a Big Ten favor on the Wolverines’ roster, where Morrow (Nebraska), Williams (Illinois) and 6-5 transfer F Isaiah Moss (Iowa) will play their college ball in the Midwest. Junior wing Zach Norvell is young talent. Another top-notch schedule will fuel a serious run at the Illinois Class 4A crown.

16. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (23-7)

Main man: 6-4 Malik Beasley, Sr.

The Rub: The defending Class 1A Private state champions could be Georgia’s best team buoyed by the backcourt of Beasley (Florida State) and 6-5 junior Kobi Simmons. Add 6-7 Kaiser Gates (Xavier) and developing 6-8 post Josh Coleman (Coastal Carolina) and the Knights are major player and will play in the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Florida.

17. Wesleyan Christian School, High Point, N.C. (25-9)

Main man: 6-9 Harry Giles, Jr.

The Rub: The North Carolina Independent Class 3A champions feature the junior triumvirate of Giles, 6-0 Brandon Childress and 6-2 Kwe Parker—all ranked in the Top 75 of their class.

18. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-0)

Main men: 6-4 Rex Pflueger, Sr.; 6-9 Michael Cage Jr., Jr.

The Rub: The reigning Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions feature the three-man nucleus of sharpshooter Pflueger (Notre Dame signee), Cage Jr. (his father played in the NBA) and 6-1 sophomore Jaylen Hands. Coach Gary McKnight, 995-85, will win his 1,000^th game sometime in December. He’s already bagged 11 state titles but adding a 12^th this season might be a stretch but never count out the Monarchs.

19. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (22-8)

Main men: 6-5 Eli Cain, Sr.; 6-3 Kamar McKnight, Sr.

The Rub: The Gray Bees should rebound from a up-and-down year. The backcourt of Delaware-bound Cain and McKnight will lead a young frontline featuring several Canadian imports.

20. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, Pa. (23-5)

Main men: 6-7 Derrick Jones, Sr.; 6-9 Ernest Aflakpui, Sr.

The Rub: This is the year coach Paul Romanczuk’s club should bag the elusive Class AAA title with the UNLV-bound Jones as the front court stud. Aflakpui (Temple signee) is a defensive terror.

20. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (29-4)

Main man: 6-2 Sedrick Barefield, Sr.

The Rub: The Huskies advanced to the CIF Division I final but there’s plenty of talent back headed by the speedy SMU-bound Barfield (17.4 ppg, 4.4 apg), 6-3 junior Jordan Griffin (9.5 ppg) and 6-4 Khalil Ahmad (7.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg).

21. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (29-6)

Main men: 6-7 Jaelin Grant, Sr.; 6-6 D.J. Harvey, Sr.

The Rub: The Stags will lean on the nucleus of Harvey, Grant, 6-2 PG Terrell Allen (Drexel), 6-8 Thomas Bruce (Binghamton) and 5-10 elite junior Alani Moore, who has programs in the ACC, Big East and Big Ten chasing after his services

22. Trinity, Louisville, Ky. (31-6)

Main man: 6-9 Raymond Spalding, Sr.

The Rub: The Shamrocks fell one game short of a state championship, but with Spalding, a Louisville recruit, and the addition of 6-3 transfer DeAngelo West (22 ppg) the one-two punch will provide the knockout.

23. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (32-2)

Main man: 6-1 Jalen Brunson, Sr.

The Rub: The backcourt of Brunson (Villanova) and 6-4 Connor Cashaw (Rice) form one of Illinois’ top backcourts.

24. Chaminade, St. Louis, Mo. (21-2)

Main man: 6-8 Jayson Tatum, 6-8, Jr.

The Rub: Tatum (26 ppg, 11 rpg) is a double-double machine and one of the nation’s top juniors. The Red Devils have an adventuresome schedule that should prepare them for a long run in the Class 5 playoffs.

25. St. Rita, Chicago (21-8)

Main man: 6-6 Charles Matthews, Sr.

The Rub: The Mustangs are the favorite—along with De La Salle and St. Joseph—to capture the ultra-competitive Chicago Catholic League title with Matthews, a Kentucky recruit, as the go-to player. Matthews is a consensus Top 25 player and will likely land in the McDonald’s All-American Game in his hometown.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (25-6)

2. John Carroll School, Bel Air, Md. (25-15)

3. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (12-17)

4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-5)

5. Wings Academy, Bronx, N.Y. (24-4)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midlands

1. Wayne, Huber Heights, Ohio (21-5)

2. Arthur Hill, Saginaw, Mich. (15-5)

3. Morgan Park, Chicago (24-6)

4. Dominican, Whitefish Bay, Wis. (25-3)

5. Villa Angela-St. Joseph, Cleveland (22-8)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

South

1. Hamilton, Memphis (23-7)

2. Prestonwood Christian, Plano, Texas (33-4)

3. Riverside Academy, Reserve, La. (33-3)

4. DeSoto, Texas (

5. Callaway, Jackson, Miss. (32-1)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Etiwanda, Calif. (27-5)

2. Chino Hills, Calif. (29-6)

3. Corona del Sol, Tempe, Ariz. (33-1)

4. Rainier Beach, Seattle (29-1)

5. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (23-3)

Geography: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

* Includes a forfeit victory

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December until the conclusion of the high school season. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released April 6, 2015. Follow him on Twitter: @clawlor.