Video: 2015-16 Basketball Early Contenders, presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and Under ArmourJason Hickman of MaxPreps breaks down high school basketball's national championship contenders.
When historians look back on this era of high school basketball, it will be difficult to ignore the dominance of two schools: defending national champion
Montverde Academy (Fla.) and
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).
Over the past five seasons, the two programs have combined for a record of 324-27 (.923 winning percentage) and four national titles.
With two of the high school game's biggest personalities (Montverde's Kevin Boyle and Oak Hill's Steve Smith) still hungry and attracting elite-level talent to their respective locales, don't expect a dip in 2015-16.
Both teams figure prominently into our look at high school basketball's elite heading into the 2015-16 season. Read on for a look at top teams, players and storylines on the hardwood this winter.
MaxPreps Preseason Basketball Early Contenders, Presented by Dick's Sporting Goods and Under Armour
The Super Heavyweights
Oak Hill Academy (Va.) is loaded with talent and has six players that stand 6-foot-6 or taller.
Photo by Randy Sartin
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)Full team previewHead coach: Steve Smith
2014-15 record: 47-1, No. 2 final national ranking
Star watch: Harry Giles (6-9, 225, Sr., PF)
Breakdown: Smith has coached 25 eventual NBA Draft picks at Oak Hill Academy but may have his best player ever in Giles — the No. 1 prospect nationally in the 2016 class
according to 247Sports. There are six other Warriors standing 6-foot-6 or taller and a talented junior duo in the backcourt in
Matt Coleman (6-1) and
Devontae Shuler (6-2).
Editor's Note: Shortly after the publication of this story, it was announced that Giles will miss the 2015-16 season with an ACL injury. Advanced Prep International (Dallas)Full team previewHead coach: Ray Forsett
2014-15 record: New program
Star watch: Terrance Ferguson (6-6, 185, Sr., SG)
Breakdown: After Prime Prep closed its doors, Forsett picked up the pieces and put together a monster at API. In addition to Alabama commitment Ferguson, the Bulldogs feature a pair of Top 10 2017 prospects in
Billy Preston (6-8, 220, PF) and
Trevon Duval (6-3, 175, PG).
Montverde Academy (Fla.)Full team previewHead coach: Kevin Boyle
2014-15 record: 31-1, No. 1 final national ranking
Star watch: Silvio de Sousa (6-8, 220, So., PF)
Breakdown: The defending national champs will be young but oozing with potential. Joining Angola native de Sousa in a towering rotation will be
Bruno Fernando (6-10, 220, Sr., F/C),
E.J. Montgomery (6-9, 210, So., PF),
Micah Potter (6-10, 235, Sr., F/C),
Simisola Shittu (6-8, 215, So., PF) and Canadian sensation
Rowan Barrett Jr. (6-6, 200, So., G/F).
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)Full team previewHead coach: Ty Nichols
2014-15 record: 26-4, Division V state champions
Star watch: Cody Riley (6-8, 240, Jr., PF)
Breakdown: Riley gets a lot of attention for his productivity and manchild physique, but Nichols would be quick to point out that he has plenty of help. Virtually everybody returns from a year ago, including Nevada commitment and USA Basketball gold medalist
Devearl Ramsey (5-10, 175, Sr., PG), electric
Remy Martin (5-11, 175, Jr., PG), defensive stopper
Adam Seiko (6-3, 200, Jr., G) and
Michael Feinberg (6-4, 190, So., G/F). The Trailblazers also get Top 50 prospect
Ira Lee (6-8, 235, Jr., PF) back after missing the 2014-15 season with an injury.
Will Make a Run
Garfield (Wash.) has authored back-to-back state championship seasons and returns five of its top six scores from last year.
Photo by Vince Miller
Frank Bennett II
2014-15 record: 25-4
Star watch: Jayson Tatum (6-8, 195, Sr., SG/SF)
Breakdown: The Red Devils won 15 in a row down the stretch last season but were stunned in the state playoffs. That should provide plenty of motivation for gifted Duke commitment Tatum and a very solid supporting cast.
Tyler Cook (6-7, 235, Sr., PF),
Will Gladson (6-8, 195, Sr., PF) and
Michael Lewis II (6-2, 175, Sr., SG) will all play Division I basketball.
Garfield (Seattle)Full team previewHead coach: Ed Haskins
2014-15 record: 27-2, Class 3A state champions, No. 17 final national ranking
Star watch: Jaylen Nowell (6-5, 185, Jr., SG)
Breakdown: On paper, could be best roster in state history. Garfield has authored back-to-back state championship seasons and returns five of its top six scorers from 2014-15. Plus, the Bulldogs welcome in a pair of Top 100 national transfers in
Daejon Davis (6-4, 190, Jr., SG) and
J'Raan Brooks (6-8, 225, So., PF/C).
Chino Hills (Calif.)Full team previewHead coach: Steve Baik
2014-15 record: 17-15 (record includes nine forfeit losses)
Star watch: Lonzo Ball (6-6, 190, Sr., PG)
Breakdown: Based on reports out of Southern California this fall, the Huskies might even belong in the "Super Heavyweight" classification. Don't miss the greatest show in high school basketball this season as brothers Lonzo,
LiAngelo and
LaMelo Ball — all committed to UCLA — aim to lead Chino Hills to a national title.
Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.)Full team previewHead coach: Arkell Bruce
2014-15 record: 31-3, No. 4 final national ranking
Star watch: Miles Bridges (6-7, 225, Sr., SF)
Breakdown: A recent blowout scrimmage loss to Oak Hill Academy was a bit of a red flag, but Bruce is still pulling together a lot of new parts. It's difficult to envision a team featuring Bridges and Indiana commitment
Curtis Jones (6-3, 175, Sr., SG) losing too many games this season. The roster features players from Belgium, Cameroon, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Serbia and Turkey.
Oldsmar Christian (Fla.)Full team previewHead coach: Jordan Fair
2014-15 record: 26-4
Star watch: Eric Hester (6-3, 175, Sr., PG/SG)
Breakdown: Fair has taken a school that was completely unknown nationally to a prominent spot in just a few years. Hester and
Dontay Bassett (6-8, 185, Sr., PF) are both committed to the Florida Gators.
Troy Baxter (6-8, 190, Sr., PF), a South Florida commitment, is a third Top 100-caliber prospect on the roster.
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)Full team previewHead coach: Shane Heirman
2014-15 record: 20-2
Star watch: Brian Bowen (6-7, 185, Jr., SF)
Breakdown: Heirman can comfortably go eight or nine deep and has an imposing group of bigs.
James Banks (6-10, 230, Sr., C),
Algevon Eichelberger (6-7, 230, Sr., PF),
Joey St. Pierre (6-8, 245, Jr., PF/C) and
Jeremiah Tilmon (6-10, 225, Jr., PF/C) will be a matchup nightmare. Bown and Tilmon are both Top 25 prospects in the 2017 class.
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)Full team previewHead coach: Chris McNesby
2014-15 record: 29-2, Class AAAA state champions, No. 18 final national ranking
Star watch: Tony Carr (6-4, 200, Sr., PG)
Breakdown: Current teammates Carr,
Nazeer Bostick (6-5, 185, Sr., SF) and
Lamar Stevens (6-7, 215, Sr., SF) will also team up at the next level for Penn State. McNesby has been the head coach at his alma mater since 2008.
Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.)Full team previewHead coach: Brian Clifton
2014-15 record: 29-3
Star watch: Rawle Alkins (6-4, 200, Sr., SG)
Breakdown: WOG's outlook changed dramatically late in the summer when Alkins — New York City's Player of the Year last season — transferred in. Alaskan transfer
Brandon Huffman (6-9, 220, Sr., PF/C),
Jaylen Fornes (6-3, 185, Sr., SG) and
Jalen Harris (6-1, 175, Sr., PG) give John Wall's old school additional weapons.
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)Full team previewHead coach: Mike Jones
2014-15 record: 33-4, No. 19 final national ranking
Star watch: Markelle Fultz (6-5, 200, Sr., SG/SF)
Breakdown: Fultz was one of the special stories of the 2014-15 season, going from DeMatha junior varsity as a sophomore to Washington Catholic Athletic Conference MVP. Sharpshooter
Nate Darling (6-3, 180, Sr., SG) and athletic wing
D.J. Harvey (6-6, 210, Jr., SF) are also game-changers that keyed last year's 33-win campaign.
Don't Count Out
Findlay Prep (Nev.) has only two seniors on its roster but still has 10 future Division 1 signees.
Photo by Jann Hendry
Dave Boff
2014-15 record: 28-4, NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner, No. 20 final national ranking
Star watch: Nazreon Reid (6-9, 220, So., PF/C)
Breakdown: Replacing Isaiah Briscoe will be a challenge, but there is perhaps more young talent than ever at Roselle Catholic. Joining top-10 2018 prospect Reid will be
Nate Pierre-Louis (6-1, 160, Jr., PG),
Andre Rafus (6-7, 185, Jr., SF) and
Leondre Washington (6-0, 165, Jr., PG).
Matt Bullock (6-4, 220, Sr., SF), a target of several Northeast Division I programs, will add a veteran presence.
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)Full team previewHead coach: Bob Hurley
2014-15 record: 28-2
Star watch: Jagan Mosely (6-3, 205, Sr., SG)
Breakdown: Hurley may have his best team since 2011-12 when the Friars went 32-0 and won the national title. Guard play should be a strength with Georgetown commitment Mosely,
R.J. Cole (5-8, 145, Jr., PG),
Shyquan Gibbs (6-0, 150, G) and
Asante Gist (5-11, 170, Sr., PG).
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)Full team previewHead coach: Gary McKnight
2014-15 record: 29-5
Star watch: M.J. Cage (6-9, 240, Sr., PF/C)
Breakdown: Sierra Canyon and Chino Hills are stealing some of the headlines in Southern California but don't count out McKnight's Monarchs. Seven players return with significant experience and transfers
Spencer Freedman (6-0, 160, So., PG) and
Justice Sueing (6-7, 200, Jr., SF) will have a major impact.
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)Full team previewHead coach: Luke Barnwell
2014-15 record: 19-4
Star watch: Isiah Jasey (6-8, 220, Jr., PF)
Breakdown: Barnwell has a lot of new parts to put together, but if he can get things to click — watch out. The roster has been bolstered in recent weeks with the addition of talented transfers Kameron McGusty (6-5, 175, Sr., SG) of Texas and
Lindy Waters III (6-5, 180, Jr., SG) from Oklahoma.
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)Full team previewHead coach: Andy Johnson
2014-15 record: 29-3, No. 6 final national ranking
Star watch: Markus Howard (5-11, 165, Jr., PG/SG)
Breakdown: This seems low for the Pilots, but there are more questions and less experience (just two seniors) on the roster than in past years. But don't shed any tears for Johnson, who still has 10 future Division I signees to work with. Howard averaged over 30 points per game as a sophomore in Arizona.
Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)Full team previewHead coach: Carl Arrigale
2014-15 record: 30-2, Class AAA state champions
Star watch: Quade Green (5-11, 170, Jr., PG)
Breakdown: The Saints return 10 players from last year's state championship run and will be hungry to regain city supremacy from Roman Catholic. In addition to Green,
Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (6-8, 200, Jr., F),
Vaughn Covington (5-11, 160, Sr., G) and
Zane Martin (6-2, 185, Sr., G) will be major pieces of the puzzle.
Dark HorsesHigh Point Christian Academy (N.C.)Full team previewHead coach: Brandon Clifford
2014-15 record: 19-14
Star watch: Edrice "Bam" Adebayo (6-9, 250, Sr., PF/C)
Breakdown: Watch out if the integration of Adebayo goes well. "Bam" averaged over 32 points and 20 rebounds per game as a junior at tiny Northside (Pinetown, N.C.) before making the jump to HPCA over the summer.
Amidou Bamba (6-7, 235, Sr., PF),
Ty Graves (5-11, 175, Sr., PG) and
Ben Robertson (6-5, 195, Sr., SG) give Clifford three other Division I-bound talents in the senior class.
The Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.)Full team previewHead coach: Chris Chavannes
2014-15 record: 18-6
Star watch: Nick Richards (6-10, 220, Jr., C)
Breakdown: The Celtics have
Bul Ajang (6-9, 220, Jr., C) and
Buay Koka (6-10, 215, Jr., C) to go along with Richards, a Top 25 prospect in the 2017 class. Rhode Island commitment
Cyril Langevine (6-7, 225, Sr., F) adds even more size and Harvard pledge
Bryce Aiken (6-0, 160, Sr., PG) will lead the backcourt.
Atascocita (Humble, Texas)Full team previewHead coach: David Martinez
2014-15 record: 35-2
Star watch: Carsen Edwards (5-10, 165, Sr., PG)
Breakdown: Purdue landed a gem in Edwards, who averaged over 23 points per game as a junior. The future Boilermaker has help in Florida International commitment
Greg Shead (5-11, 170, Sr., G),
Jerris Harris (6-2, 165, Sr., G) and
Fabian White (6-7, 210, Jr., F).
J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, Ala.)Full team previewHead coach: Jack Doss
2014-15 record: 32-4, Class 5A state champions
Star watch: John Petty (6-6, 190, Jr., SF)
Breakdown: Kentucky is among the programs to extend an early offer to Petty, who was a first team all-state pick as a sophomore. Samford commitment
Justin Hopkins (6-4, 210, Sr., SF) can play virtually any position on the floor. Doss has won nearly 750 games and eight state titles during his Hall of Fame career.
Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.)Full preview Nov. 25Head coach: Isaac Pitts
2014-15 record: 21-5
Star watch: DaShawn Corprew (6-4, 195, Sr., SG/SF)
Breakdown: The Fighting Pharaohs have been knocking on the door for the last half-decade. Could this be the year things fall their way for a trip to Dick's Nationals? In addition to Corprew, the roster features three developmental national team players from France.
Apple Valley (Minn.)Head coach: Zach Goring
2014-15 record: 30-2, Class 4A state champions
Star watch: Gary Trent Jr. (6-4, 190, Jr., SG)
Breakdown: No
other program in the country can claim to have two members of USA
Basketball's developmental national team on the roster. That's the
situation at Apple Valley where Trent Jr. and
Tre Jones (6-2, 170, So., PG) hope to lead the Eagles to another state title. Big man
Brock Bertram (6-11, 250, Sr., C) is also back for the suburban Minneapolis school.
On The Radar60 more teams to keep an eye on in 2015-16
Alabama: Spain Park (Hoover)Arizona: Corona del Sol (Tempe)Arkansas: BentonvilleCalifornia: Centennial (Corona),
Moreau Catholic (Hayward)Colorado: Overland (Aurora)Connecticut: Sacred Heart (Waterbury)District of Columbia: WoodsonFlorida: Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville),
Bartow,
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach),
The First Academy (Orlando),
Norland (Miami),
Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville),
Providence (Jacksonville, Fla.)Georgia: Greenforest (Decatur),
Jonesboro,
Miller Grove (Lithonia),
Norcross,
Pace Academy (Atlanta),
Shiloh (Snellville),
St. Francis (Alpharetta),
Wheeler (Marietta)Illinois: Althoff Catholic (Belleville),
Morgan Park (Chicago),
Simeon (Chicago)Indiana: Southport (Indianapolis)Iowa: Iowa City West (Iowa City)Louisiana: Natchitoches Central (Natchitoches),
Scotlandville (Baton Rouge)Maryland: Bishop McNamara (Forestville)Michigan: University of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit)Minnesota: Champlin Park (Champlin)Missouri: Father Tolton (Columbia)Nevada: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)New Jersey: Seton Hall Prep (West Orange),
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark),
St. Joseph (Metuchen)New York: Shenendehowa (Clifton Park)North Carolina: Greensboro Day,
Providence Day (Charlotte),
Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.)Ohio: St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron),
Westerville South (Westerville)Oklahoma: MustangOregon: West LinnPennsylvania: WesttownSouth Carolina: Hammond (Columbia),
Legacy Charter (Greenville)Tennessee: Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga)Texas: DeSoto,
Lancaster,
MacArthur (Irving),
Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas)Utah: Lone Peak (Highland)Virginia: Henrico (Richmond),
Paul VI (Fairfax)Washington: Rainier Beach (Seattle),
Seattle PrepWisconsin: Stevens PointPast MaxPreps National Champions2015 – Montverde Academy
2014 – Mater Dei
2013 – Lone Peak, Montverde Academy *
2012 – St. Anthony, Oak Hill Academy *
2011 – St. Anthony
2010 –
Yates (Houston)2009 – Findlay Prep
* During the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, MaxPreps used a separate set of rankings for independent schools and basketball-centric academy programs but returned to an "all-comers" format prior to the 2013-14 season.
