National Preseason High School Top 100- Part Four: 11-25
by Alex Schwartz
The college basketball season kicked off for a few teams on Monday evening and the high school basketball season is right around the corner. Thus, it is time for Northstar
Basketball to release its preseason rankings of the top 100 high school teams in America.
The top 100 list will be released in five segments, plus a comprehensive list at the end with some notes on the rankings. For each team, I will provide an overview of the squad. With each segment, the size of the overview will increase and be filled with more information.
The rankings include both public and private schools, but not prep schools. For these purposes, prep schools are defined as schools that have fifth-year players and/or post-grads, plus all NEPSAC schools. Thus, teams such as Christ School (NC), New Hampton (NH), Notre Dame Prep (MA), St. Mark's (MA), and Vermont Academy (VT) are ineligible.
Without further ado, here is the fourth segment of Northstar Basketball's National Preseason High School Top 100. This segment will include the teams ranked 11 through 25. Segment one (teams 76-100) can be seen by clicking Here,segment two (51-75) can be seen by clicking Here and segment three (25-50) can be seen by clicking Here.
11. Grace Prep (TX)- The boys from the Houston area just barely missed out on the top 10, but have a great deal of talent in the fold and are more than capable of knocking off some higher ranked teams. Baylor-bound center Isaiah Austin is ranked amongst the top 10 seniors in the nation and is a skilled 7-footer who can hurt a defense in many ways. Sophomore superstar Emmanuel Mudiay is arguably the best point guard in the nation regardless of class and the skilled athlete can both score and distribute. The elite inside-outside tandem is joined by a pair of big-time junior transfers in Karviar Shepard and Jordan Mickey, both of whom are also major pieces for the Lone Star State team. Oklahoma-bound senior guard Jelon Hornbeak is another quality player who can fill it up, while junior Pat Birt provides evn more depth in the backcourt.
12. DeMatha (MD)- One of the most storied high school basketball programs in America, DeMatha loses just one key player from last year's team and is filled with talent from top to bottom. The headliners of the bunch are Syracuse-bound wing Jerami Grant, fellow senior James Robinson, a Pitt commitment, and junior big man BeeJay Anya. Grant is a long, athletic versatile wing with basketball in his blood, while Robinson is a floor general who flat out wins basketball games and Anya is a ridiculously long defensive presence. Talented junior combo guard Jairus Lyles is the team's other star player, but he is is not the only standout on the roster. Maryland's top team also features Kelvin Howard, Jaelin Grant and Binghamton-pledge Marcellous Bell.
13. Montrose Christian (MD)- The defending ESPN Rise National High School Invitational champion, Montrose finished the 2010-11 season ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation. While the leader of that team, Tyrone Johnson, has graduated and gone off to Villanova, five-star 2012 wing Justin Anderson will step in and fill that void. The Virginia-commit is a vocal presence on the court, has an endless motor, locks up on defense and his 3-point stroke continues to improve. Stu Vetter's squad picked up a couple of major transfers in the offseason in talented junior wing Ishmail Wainright from Missouri as well as Canadian lead guard Kevin Zabo, a high-level 2014 prospect. The other three key players for Kevin Durant's alma mater are Michael Carrera, Kevin Larsen and Gavin Peppers.
14. Mater Dei (CA)- The Monarchs finished last season as the No. 2 team in the Golden State and they open 2011-12 as the best of the bunch. Despite losing a couple players to transfer, Gary McKnight still has an ultra-talented team that also has superb depth. The top players will be a pair of seniors in UNLV-bound Katin Reinhardt, a silky smooth shaprshooter who can also make plays off the bounce, and Colorado-commit Xavier Johnson, an athletic, skilled forward. Stanley Johnson is among the very best wings in the sophomore class and will carry a big load as well while Elijah Brown, the son of Lakers head coach Mike Brown, is a quality junior transfer who can score the ball. Eli Stalzer, Jordan Strawberry and Mario Soto are nice supporting players.
15. Milton (GA)- Despite losing three top 80 seniors (Shannon Scott, Dai-Jon Parker and Julian Royal), Milton enters the season as the top ranked team in Georgia after ending at No. 2 last year and top 10 overall. The Eagles feature three players in the top 110 of the 2012 class in Georgia-bound point guard Charles Mann, shooting guard Shaq Johnson, who is headed to Auburn, and Virginia-bound small forward Evan Nolte. Mann has good size and knows how to run the show, Johnson is a freak athlete with an improving J and Nolte is a long wing who is superb from beyond the 3-point line. Long, athletic combo forward Tevin Glass is another skilled senior coach David Boyd has to work with, while Morris Lewis and Jayln Patterson are quality underclassmen.
16. Fort Bend Bush (TX)- Led by five-star center Cameron Ridley, a beast down low who will attend the University of Texas, Bush is one of the best of the many Texas teams that fill this list. Ridley is still developing, but he has great size, a nice motor and is capable of dominating games by himself. However, Bush has another standout down low in the form of fellow senior Aaron Durley, who recently pledged to Marquette. The imposing 6'10 twin towers will very difficult just about any high school team to contain, but they certainly do have help. Kelly Oubre, Jr., a sophomore wing with nice length and some good upside, impressed on the AAU circuit this summer. The other important cogs for the boys from the Lone Star State are Shawndre Jones, Ryan Williams and Glenn Andrews.
17. Hamilton Southeastern (IN)- Unlike most of the other teams in the top 25, HSE does not have particularly great depth. What the top ranked team in the state of Indiana does have is a five-star senior wing who can take over a game as well as a couple other smart, talented players in the backcourt. Gary Harris, athletic, skilled and possessing a superb all-around game, is a top 20 player in the class of 2012 and he just seems to keep improving. Zak Irvin, a junior guard who is going to play for the University of Michigan, is more than capable of filling it up and will ensure than Harris does not have to shoulder too much of the load. Although Jacobby Bledsoe might get overlooked sometimes next to his high-major teammates, the senior is a quality player who is also certainly able to go off for a big game.
18. Yates (TX)- Almost every key player from the 2009-10 mythical national title team is gone, but Yates still does have some quality guys on the roster and their frenzied style of play is extremely difficult to deal with. The Lions will be carried by a couple of 2012 wing players in Clyde Santee and recent Oregon commitment Damyean Dotson. Santee actually was utilized on that 09-10 team and he has continued to improve to the point where he is now the main go-to guy. A long wing with good athleticism who can connect from beyond the arc, Santee is a good fit for Greg Wise's offense, while Dotson is also an athletic player who can score. Tre Bennett is another member of the Lions will be counted upon to put the ball in the cup. The team does have nice depth as Melvin Swift, Maurice Letcher-Ellis, Darrion Martin, JC Washington, or Joseph Anderson can step up on a given night.
19. Prestonwood Christian (TX)- The second consecutive team in the rankings hailing from Texas with the Lions nickname, Prestonwood has a roster than includes the best high school basketball player in the nation in 6'8 manchild Julius Randle, a bruising junior power forward with a terrific blend of skill, size and strength. The superstar Texan is going to be relied upon to carry the Lions for the most part, and he is indeed capable of doing so, but he is certainly not alone. Kansas-pledge Zach Peters is a hard playing senior big man who can produce around the basket. Mickey Mitchell is regarded as one of the very best freshman in the United States and is a terrific athlete. Marquan Botley is an undersized yet talented point guard who can distribute and score, while Austin Rettig is a nice option too.
20. Romulus (MI)- This team continues to win and win despite not always having elite talent, but this year Romulus has a superb quartet leading the way and could surprise some people. Ray Lee, the top ranked uncommitted point guard in the senior class, is a big lead guard who is effective both scoring the basketball and distributing it. He was originally expected to attend Huntington Prep (WV) this year, but returned to Romulus due to an early disciplinary issue. EC Matthews is a talented junior who has a nice all-around skill set and can produce for the Eagles. Rugged post player Raheem Johnson could be a nice low post scoring threat, while standout guard Wes Clark is the other vital member of the team.
21. Travis (TX)- The second team in the top 60 that is lead by twin junior guards, the Tigers will go as far as Andrew and Aaron Harrison can take them. Both standing 6'5 and ranked among the top six players in the class of 2013, the twins are elite players. Andrew is probably the best point guard in the country regardless of class, as he combines superb athletic ability with a nice feel for the game, good size and a quality skill set. Aaron is an elite scorer who can drop major numbers on any given night and is a threat both beyond the 3-point line and when attacking the basket off the bounce. Although it is primarily about the Harrisons, Christian Crockett is there to take away some of the burden from the stud juniors.
22. La Lumiere (IN)- A burgeoning power on a national level, La Lumiere was boosted by a trio of talented transfers over the summer to go along with returning star Hanner Perea, an Indiana commitment. Perea is a chiseled power forward with exceptional athleticism and a developing skill set. Purdue-commit Jay Simpson joins him to form an imposing frontline that will be tough to contain and it will only get harder when 7-foot New Mexico-pledge Obij Aget joins them on the court. Simpon was one key transfer, while the others were fellow future Boilermaker Raphael Davis and sophomore point guard Johnnie Vassar. Davis is wired to score the ball while Vassar has a game beyond his years and knows how to run an offense. Antionio Drummond and Tony Rocha are the other two players the defense must keep an eye on.
23. West Charlotte (NC)- This team is still probably a year away from reaching its peak, but that does not mean that 2011-12 cannot be a special season for the West Charlotte boys. The centerpiece of the team is Kennedy Meeks, a bruising junior center with a huge frame that he knows how to use to his advantage. Meeks is nimble for his size and does a nice job of producing at both ends of the floor. Mark Blackmon is not only the leader of the offense at the point guard spot, but also the top senior on the roster. Trey Foster is a sophomore guard who can flat out score the ball, but he is also adept at getting others involved. Jakeem Yates is a rugged four man who will compliment his classmate Meeks well around the basket. Mike Brown, Julius Hamilton and Austin Harris round out the top members of the deep Tar Heel State squad.
24. Olympic (NC)- The similarities between Olympic and West Charlotte, ranked one spot higher, are quite striking. Both are from North Carolina, both are being overlooked a bit, both are probably a year away from their full potential and both are quite talented. The unquestioned star for the squad is junior guard Allerik Freeman, a natural two guard who can also play the point. Freeman is a big-time talent, one of the top 25 in the junior class. Clemson-bound senior big man Joshua Smith is a load down low and he is quite productive. BJ Gladden, a transfer, is an athletic wing with some major upside who should add a new element to the game for the Trojans. John Brown is another nice option for the team, while there is also quality depth with Travis Morgan, Austin Dasent, Trey Mitchell, and D'Reice Parks on the roster.
25. Paul VI (VA)- This looks like it is the best team that Glenn Farello has had during his time at the Old Dominion State school. There is a nice mix of seniors and underclassmen as well as quality depth the coach has at his disposal. Versatile junior guard Stanford Robinson is capable of producing in many different ways at both ends of the floor and is a key cog for Paul VI. George Mason-bound sharpshooter Patrick Holloway is very tough to contain when he gets hot. Fairfield-bound senior Coleman Johnson and Cornell-pledge Tim Higgins, a junior, form a superb frontcourt. Mike Cunningham is a diminutive floor general with quickness who can produce, Navy-bound Tilman Dunbar is a solid, heady guard and Jamal Robinson is a nice piece too. Freshman standout Marcus Derrickson could have an impact too, while Marcus Adkinson provides backcourt depth if needed.
Note- photo is of Katin Reinhardt and is from http://www.maxpreps.com/national/national.htm
Note- ESPN, MaxPreps and Rivals used as sources for information
The college basketball season kicked off for a few teams on Monday evening and the high school basketball season is right around the corner. Thus, it is time for Northstar
Basketball to release its preseason rankings of the top 100 high school teams in America.The top 100 list will be released in five segments, plus a comprehensive list at the end with some notes on the rankings. For each team, I will provide an overview of the squad. With each segment, the size of the overview will increase and be filled with more information.
The rankings include both public and private schools, but not prep schools. For these purposes, prep schools are defined as schools that have fifth-year players and/or post-grads, plus all NEPSAC schools. Thus, teams such as Christ School (NC), New Hampton (NH), Notre Dame Prep (MA), St. Mark's (MA), and Vermont Academy (VT) are ineligible.
Without further ado, here is the fourth segment of Northstar Basketball's National Preseason High School Top 100. This segment will include the teams ranked 11 through 25. Segment one (teams 76-100) can be seen by clicking Here,segment two (51-75) can be seen by clicking Here and segment three (25-50) can be seen by clicking Here.
11. Grace Prep (TX)- The boys from the Houston area just barely missed out on the top 10, but have a great deal of talent in the fold and are more than capable of knocking off some higher ranked teams. Baylor-bound center Isaiah Austin is ranked amongst the top 10 seniors in the nation and is a skilled 7-footer who can hurt a defense in many ways. Sophomore superstar Emmanuel Mudiay is arguably the best point guard in the nation regardless of class and the skilled athlete can both score and distribute. The elite inside-outside tandem is joined by a pair of big-time junior transfers in Karviar Shepard and Jordan Mickey, both of whom are also major pieces for the Lone Star State team. Oklahoma-bound senior guard Jelon Hornbeak is another quality player who can fill it up, while junior Pat Birt provides evn more depth in the backcourt.
12. DeMatha (MD)- One of the most storied high school basketball programs in America, DeMatha loses just one key player from last year's team and is filled with talent from top to bottom. The headliners of the bunch are Syracuse-bound wing Jerami Grant, fellow senior James Robinson, a Pitt commitment, and junior big man BeeJay Anya. Grant is a long, athletic versatile wing with basketball in his blood, while Robinson is a floor general who flat out wins basketball games and Anya is a ridiculously long defensive presence. Talented junior combo guard Jairus Lyles is the team's other star player, but he is is not the only standout on the roster. Maryland's top team also features Kelvin Howard, Jaelin Grant and Binghamton-pledge Marcellous Bell.
13. Montrose Christian (MD)- The defending ESPN Rise National High School Invitational champion, Montrose finished the 2010-11 season ranked as the No. 3 team in the nation. While the leader of that team, Tyrone Johnson, has graduated and gone off to Villanova, five-star 2012 wing Justin Anderson will step in and fill that void. The Virginia-commit is a vocal presence on the court, has an endless motor, locks up on defense and his 3-point stroke continues to improve. Stu Vetter's squad picked up a couple of major transfers in the offseason in talented junior wing Ishmail Wainright from Missouri as well as Canadian lead guard Kevin Zabo, a high-level 2014 prospect. The other three key players for Kevin Durant's alma mater are Michael Carrera, Kevin Larsen and Gavin Peppers.
14. Mater Dei (CA)- The Monarchs finished last season as the No. 2 team in the Golden State and they open 2011-12 as the best of the bunch. Despite losing a couple players to transfer, Gary McKnight still has an ultra-talented team that also has superb depth. The top players will be a pair of seniors in UNLV-bound Katin Reinhardt, a silky smooth shaprshooter who can also make plays off the bounce, and Colorado-commit Xavier Johnson, an athletic, skilled forward. Stanley Johnson is among the very best wings in the sophomore class and will carry a big load as well while Elijah Brown, the son of Lakers head coach Mike Brown, is a quality junior transfer who can score the ball. Eli Stalzer, Jordan Strawberry and Mario Soto are nice supporting players.
15. Milton (GA)- Despite losing three top 80 seniors (Shannon Scott, Dai-Jon Parker and Julian Royal), Milton enters the season as the top ranked team in Georgia after ending at No. 2 last year and top 10 overall. The Eagles feature three players in the top 110 of the 2012 class in Georgia-bound point guard Charles Mann, shooting guard Shaq Johnson, who is headed to Auburn, and Virginia-bound small forward Evan Nolte. Mann has good size and knows how to run the show, Johnson is a freak athlete with an improving J and Nolte is a long wing who is superb from beyond the 3-point line. Long, athletic combo forward Tevin Glass is another skilled senior coach David Boyd has to work with, while Morris Lewis and Jayln Patterson are quality underclassmen.
16. Fort Bend Bush (TX)- Led by five-star center Cameron Ridley, a beast down low who will attend the University of Texas, Bush is one of the best of the many Texas teams that fill this list. Ridley is still developing, but he has great size, a nice motor and is capable of dominating games by himself. However, Bush has another standout down low in the form of fellow senior Aaron Durley, who recently pledged to Marquette. The imposing 6'10 twin towers will very difficult just about any high school team to contain, but they certainly do have help. Kelly Oubre, Jr., a sophomore wing with nice length and some good upside, impressed on the AAU circuit this summer. The other important cogs for the boys from the Lone Star State are Shawndre Jones, Ryan Williams and Glenn Andrews.
17. Hamilton Southeastern (IN)- Unlike most of the other teams in the top 25, HSE does not have particularly great depth. What the top ranked team in the state of Indiana does have is a five-star senior wing who can take over a game as well as a couple other smart, talented players in the backcourt. Gary Harris, athletic, skilled and possessing a superb all-around game, is a top 20 player in the class of 2012 and he just seems to keep improving. Zak Irvin, a junior guard who is going to play for the University of Michigan, is more than capable of filling it up and will ensure than Harris does not have to shoulder too much of the load. Although Jacobby Bledsoe might get overlooked sometimes next to his high-major teammates, the senior is a quality player who is also certainly able to go off for a big game.
18. Yates (TX)- Almost every key player from the 2009-10 mythical national title team is gone, but Yates still does have some quality guys on the roster and their frenzied style of play is extremely difficult to deal with. The Lions will be carried by a couple of 2012 wing players in Clyde Santee and recent Oregon commitment Damyean Dotson. Santee actually was utilized on that 09-10 team and he has continued to improve to the point where he is now the main go-to guy. A long wing with good athleticism who can connect from beyond the arc, Santee is a good fit for Greg Wise's offense, while Dotson is also an athletic player who can score. Tre Bennett is another member of the Lions will be counted upon to put the ball in the cup. The team does have nice depth as Melvin Swift, Maurice Letcher-Ellis, Darrion Martin, JC Washington, or Joseph Anderson can step up on a given night.
19. Prestonwood Christian (TX)- The second consecutive team in the rankings hailing from Texas with the Lions nickname, Prestonwood has a roster than includes the best high school basketball player in the nation in 6'8 manchild Julius Randle, a bruising junior power forward with a terrific blend of skill, size and strength. The superstar Texan is going to be relied upon to carry the Lions for the most part, and he is indeed capable of doing so, but he is certainly not alone. Kansas-pledge Zach Peters is a hard playing senior big man who can produce around the basket. Mickey Mitchell is regarded as one of the very best freshman in the United States and is a terrific athlete. Marquan Botley is an undersized yet talented point guard who can distribute and score, while Austin Rettig is a nice option too.
20. Romulus (MI)- This team continues to win and win despite not always having elite talent, but this year Romulus has a superb quartet leading the way and could surprise some people. Ray Lee, the top ranked uncommitted point guard in the senior class, is a big lead guard who is effective both scoring the basketball and distributing it. He was originally expected to attend Huntington Prep (WV) this year, but returned to Romulus due to an early disciplinary issue. EC Matthews is a talented junior who has a nice all-around skill set and can produce for the Eagles. Rugged post player Raheem Johnson could be a nice low post scoring threat, while standout guard Wes Clark is the other vital member of the team.
21. Travis (TX)- The second team in the top 60 that is lead by twin junior guards, the Tigers will go as far as Andrew and Aaron Harrison can take them. Both standing 6'5 and ranked among the top six players in the class of 2013, the twins are elite players. Andrew is probably the best point guard in the country regardless of class, as he combines superb athletic ability with a nice feel for the game, good size and a quality skill set. Aaron is an elite scorer who can drop major numbers on any given night and is a threat both beyond the 3-point line and when attacking the basket off the bounce. Although it is primarily about the Harrisons, Christian Crockett is there to take away some of the burden from the stud juniors.
22. La Lumiere (IN)- A burgeoning power on a national level, La Lumiere was boosted by a trio of talented transfers over the summer to go along with returning star Hanner Perea, an Indiana commitment. Perea is a chiseled power forward with exceptional athleticism and a developing skill set. Purdue-commit Jay Simpson joins him to form an imposing frontline that will be tough to contain and it will only get harder when 7-foot New Mexico-pledge Obij Aget joins them on the court. Simpon was one key transfer, while the others were fellow future Boilermaker Raphael Davis and sophomore point guard Johnnie Vassar. Davis is wired to score the ball while Vassar has a game beyond his years and knows how to run an offense. Antionio Drummond and Tony Rocha are the other two players the defense must keep an eye on.
23. West Charlotte (NC)- This team is still probably a year away from reaching its peak, but that does not mean that 2011-12 cannot be a special season for the West Charlotte boys. The centerpiece of the team is Kennedy Meeks, a bruising junior center with a huge frame that he knows how to use to his advantage. Meeks is nimble for his size and does a nice job of producing at both ends of the floor. Mark Blackmon is not only the leader of the offense at the point guard spot, but also the top senior on the roster. Trey Foster is a sophomore guard who can flat out score the ball, but he is also adept at getting others involved. Jakeem Yates is a rugged four man who will compliment his classmate Meeks well around the basket. Mike Brown, Julius Hamilton and Austin Harris round out the top members of the deep Tar Heel State squad.
24. Olympic (NC)- The similarities between Olympic and West Charlotte, ranked one spot higher, are quite striking. Both are from North Carolina, both are being overlooked a bit, both are probably a year away from their full potential and both are quite talented. The unquestioned star for the squad is junior guard Allerik Freeman, a natural two guard who can also play the point. Freeman is a big-time talent, one of the top 25 in the junior class. Clemson-bound senior big man Joshua Smith is a load down low and he is quite productive. BJ Gladden, a transfer, is an athletic wing with some major upside who should add a new element to the game for the Trojans. John Brown is another nice option for the team, while there is also quality depth with Travis Morgan, Austin Dasent, Trey Mitchell, and D'Reice Parks on the roster.
25. Paul VI (VA)- This looks like it is the best team that Glenn Farello has had during his time at the Old Dominion State school. There is a nice mix of seniors and underclassmen as well as quality depth the coach has at his disposal. Versatile junior guard Stanford Robinson is capable of producing in many different ways at both ends of the floor and is a key cog for Paul VI. George Mason-bound sharpshooter Patrick Holloway is very tough to contain when he gets hot. Fairfield-bound senior Coleman Johnson and Cornell-pledge Tim Higgins, a junior, form a superb frontcourt. Mike Cunningham is a diminutive floor general with quickness who can produce, Navy-bound Tilman Dunbar is a solid, heady guard and Jamal Robinson is a nice piece too. Freshman standout Marcus Derrickson could have an impact too, while Marcus Adkinson provides backcourt depth if needed.
Note- photo is of Katin Reinhardt and is from http://www.maxpreps.com/national/national.htm
Note- ESPN, MaxPreps and Rivals used as sources for information



Comments