Rainier Beach, shown here following a win at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in January, captured its third state title in a row and eighth since 1988 over the weekend.
Photo by Mike Braca
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
1. (No. 1 last week) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 31-0The first half of Mater Dei's daunting postseason quest is in the books after beating Chino Hills 48-44 for the Southern Section Open Division title Saturday night.
Stanley Johnson put up 28 points to lead the Monarchs to their 35th win in a row. State tournament play begins Friday against 28-3 St. Augustine (San Diego) and star guard Trey Kell.
2. (2) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 25-0 *Regular season complete. Expected to participate in Dick's Sporting Goods High School National Tournament in April.
3. (3) Rainier Beach (Seattle), 29-0A late bucket by senior
Dujaun Piper lifted the Vikings past Eastside Catholic (Sammamish) 47-45 on Saturday night in the Class 3A state championship game. It was Rainier Beach's third state title in a row and eighth since 1988. The Seattle powerhouse will be part of the field at Dick's National's.
4. (4) Sagemont (Weston, Fla.), 33-0Class 3A state champions. Eligible to participate in Dick's Nationals.
5. (5) Northside Christian Academy (Charlotte, N.C.), 28-1NCISAA Class 2A state champions. Sources indicate Knights will be part of the field at Dick's Nationals.
