by Alex Schwartz

The high school basketball season has nearly reached its conclusion. McDonald's All-American Game practices are underway in Chicago and the state tournaments seem to be over in each and every state. All that remains in terms of high school ball is the third annual ESPN Rise National High School Invitational. The event features eight of the top teams in the land to compete for what is supposed to be a national championship. However, some state athletics governing bodies do not let their members compete and thus many top teams—mythical national champion St. Anthony's (NJ) included—are not involved.

Although some big-time teams will be missing, there is still a fantastic field in place and it will help determine the final high school rankings of the 2010-11 season. Seven of the schools listed below, including four of the top 11, will be participating. The bracket for the event cane be found by clicking Here. Besides those seven teams in the NHSI, every other school mentioned below has completed its season. Have a look below at the current top 25 rankings entering the final few games of the high school season.  The top 15 teams remain in the same order from the last poll.

Rank. School (State), Last Poll
-an asterisk before a school name indicates that the team finished its season undefeated
-teams that are underlined are those that won state titles in their classification (note that some teams are not in state athletic associations and do not compete for titles)
-teams in italics are competing in the ESPN Rise NHSI

1. *St. Anthony's (NJ), 1
2. Miller Grove (GA), 2
3. St. Patrick's (NJ), 3
4. IC Norcom (VA), 4
5. Montrose Christian (MD), 5
6. Wichita Heights (KS), 6
7. Marcus (TX), 7
8. Findlay Prep (NV), 8
9. Dwyer (FL), 9
10. Milton (GA), 10
11. Oak Hill Academy (VA), 11
12. Benet Academy (IL), 12
13. Simeon (IL), 13
14. Long Beach Poly (CA), 14
15. Mater Dei (CA), 15
16. Arlington Country Day (FL), 17
17. Chester (PA), 23
18. Hopkins (MN), 20
19. Lakeview Centennial (TX), 21
20. Kimball (TX), 22
21. Lincoln (CA), 19
22. North Central (IN), 16
23. Winter Park (FL), 24
24. *Linn-Mar (IA), HM
25. Lincoln (NY), 25

Honorable Mentions: Bloomington South (IN), Boys & Girls (NY), Chaminade (MO), Eastern (KY), Estacado (TX), Huntington Prep (WV), La Salle (OH), Lincoln (TX), Montverde Academy (FL), Pike (IN), United Faith Christian Academy (NC), Westbury Christian (TX)

New to Poll: Linn-Mar (IA)

Out of Poll: Eastern (KY)

Note- MaxPreps and Hoopniks used as sources for information