by Alex Schwartz

First I released my National Preseason High School Top 100 and then I recently put out my New Jersey Preseason High School Top 20. Now it is time to continue the state rankings and publish my Pennsylvania Preseason High School Elite 11. Prep schools—those with fifth year players—such as Academy of the New Church, Friends Central, Germantown Academy, Hill School, Phelps School, and Rise Academy are ineligible for the rankings. Now, check out Northstar Basketball's list of the top ten teams in the Keystone State, with a blurb on each one:

1. Neumann-Goretti: Ranked #41 in the nation by Northstar Basketball, the Saints return all but one key player from last year's Catholic League title winning squad. Led by four seniors who have signed with Division I schools in Tony Chennault '10 (Wake Forest), Tyreek Duren '10 (La Salle), Danny Stewart '10 (Rider), and Mustafa Jones '10 (Hartford) along with Lamin Fulton '11, Derrick Stewart '12, and John Davis '13, Neumann-Goretti will look to win the state title it fell short of last year.

2. Penn Wood: Checking in at #67 in the nation rankings, the defending PIAA Class AAAA state champion returns the majority of its members from that outstanding group and adds a few other talented ballers. Shawn Oakman '11, Tyree Johnson '10, and Aaron Brown '11 will lead the way for the state's top public school, and they will get help from Darian Barnes '11, Zaahir Allen '10, Dequan Pelzer '10, and William Brown '10.

3. Imhotep Charter: Andre Noble's team lost a number of key players from last year's PIAA Class AA state championship team, but there is a lot of talent still on the roster and a few other players also join the fold. Ameen Tanksley '11, Earl Brown '11, Brandon Austin '13, and Rasheed Jordan '13 will replace the departed seniors, while George Washington-commit Erik Copes '11, David Appolon '11, and Terrell Johnson '11 are back for another run.

4. Roman Catholic: Just when it looked like the Cahilites would be falling back down to the pack, a flurry of newcomers came to the school over the summer, and led by Tulane-signee Rakeem Brookins '10, Roman will contend for the top spot in the state. Brookins and fellow returnees Boston University-signee Anthony Mayo '10, Kevin Regan '10, and Dennis Regan '11 are joined by impact transfers Junior Fortunat '11, Daiquan Walker '12, Montana Mayfield '12 and talented freshman Britton Lee '13 for a deep and skilled team.

5. Plymouth-Whitemarsh: A big-time duo leads the way for P-W, but there are some other key role players on this team that made the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals last year that should not be overlooked. St. Joseph's-signee CJ Aiken '10 and Jaylen Bond '11 are the biggest names and the go-to players, but Whis Grant '10 and Sam Pygatt '11 are talented as well and will have to step up in the backcourt.

6. Archbishop Carroll: This team shocked the Pennsylvania basketball world last year when it pulled a shocking upset in the PIAA Class AAA state playoffs and defeated Neumann-Goretti en route to winning the state crown. The two best players from that squad are back in talented guards Juan'ya Green '11 and Rider-signee DJ Irving '10.

7. Westtown School: This bunch played together a lot over the summer and that should really help them, as they are probably the best Independents School team in the Keystone State. Brown-pledge Dockery Walker '10, Bryant-signee Matthew Lee '10, and Daniel Ochefu '12 form a terrific trio that will lead this team to some success that many may not foresee.

8. Strawberry Mansion: This team always seems to have a lot of talent, and this year will be no different, yet it will be a big-time duo that will lead the way for the group. DJ Newbill '10 and Khyree Wooten '12 are talented players who can both really score the basketball, and if some others step up, Strawberry Mansion could turn into a major force.

9. Chester: Maurice Nelson '11 seems to play better in high school ball than he does on the AAU circuit, and that bodes well for this team as the younger brother of Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson will be counted on to carry the squad. He will get help from players such as Rondee Jefferson '13 and Darius Robinson '13 along with other skilled players in this top-notch program.

10. Girard College: The defending PIAA Class A champions will be a heavy favorite to repeat and make it back-to-back state crowns as the top two ballers are both back in the fold. Pitt-bound John Johnson '11 and Torrell Candelaria '10 will be the main men for this squad, which could use a big man to step up.

11. John Bartram: It's going to be mainly a one man show for this Philadelphia public school, but in order to stay at this spot, another player or two will need to step up. Virginia Tech-signee Tyrone Garland '10 is a big-time scorer and he will need to fill it up for John Bartram this season.