Shaqquan Aaron and Rainier Beach head to the Spalding Hoophall Classic for a Saturday matchup with hot Bishop O'Connell.
Photo by Brian Murphy
It's a huge week ahead for the Eagles. First up is the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. Montverde Academy opens the eight-team bracket with Village Christian (Sun Valley, Calif.) and could meet No. 4 White Station or No. 11 Paul VI in the final. Then the nation's top-ranked team will head to Springfield, Mass., for a date with No. 8 Curie next Monday at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.
2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 16-0The Monarchs will join Montverde Academy in Monday action at the Hoophall Classic with a showdown against Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia). But first the Monarchs will have to get past dangerous St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in Trinity League play Wednesday.
3. (4) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 21-1Last season at the Hoophall Classic the Warriors were trounced by Jabari Parker and Simeon (Chicago). Oak Hill Academy will take a crack at another Windy City powerhouse at this year's event in No. 23 Whitney Young.
4. (5) White Station (Memphis, Tenn.), 12-0All-American candidate
LeRon Black put up 32 points and 13 rebounds in a Saturday night win over rival Ridgeway (Memphis). After a Monday game with Melrose (Memphis), White Station will head to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
5. (6) Rainier Beach (Seattle), 11-0Head coach Mike Bethea's Vikings are averaging more than 95 points per game this season. Beach will need an impressive performance Saturday at the Hoophall Classic against red-hot Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) if it harbors hope to make a run at the No. 1 ranking.
