| 1. HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY (VA.) |
| Record: | 6-0 |
| Comments: | It didn't take long for Kevin Keatts & Co. to move into the top spot. Norman Plummer (Dayton) put up 27 and 10 in a win over St. Thomas More while Florida State-bound guard Isaiah Swann added 24 points. Lorenzo Wade (Louisville) has been steady - and Darian Townes (Arkansas) gives the team a shot-blocker in the middle. |
| 2. NOTRE DAME PREP (MASS.) |
| Record: | 9-0 |
| Comments: | You gotta give these guys their props because no one thought they'd get out of the gates this quick. Three wins at the War on the Shore, including a big overtime victory over IMG. Unsigned guard Kojo Mensah had 32 in the win and Cameron Tyler added 25. Two other players who've stepped up are Jamual Warren and Josh Jackson. |
| 3. WINCHENDON SCHOOL (MASS.) |
| Record: | 4-1 |
| Comments: | What if? That's what these guys are saying because if Robert McKIver doesn't dislocate his ankle, the Winch may have gotten past Fork Union. Stuard Baldonado led Mike Byrnes' squad with 21 points and 11 boards as they bounced back with a win over Laurinburg. McKIver should be back in six weeks or so. |
| 4. CHAMPLAIN ST. LAMBERT (CANADA) |
| Record: | 8-3 |
| Comments: | John DeAngelas did a terrific job with his troops in Delaware. A tight loss to Hargrave was followed by a big win over St. Thomas More. His guards struggled against Hargrave, but Pierre-Marie Altidor-Cespedes responded with 21 points and junior Maurice Joseph hit the game-winner against STM. |
| 5. BREWSTER ACADEMY (N.H.) |
| Record: | 2-0 |
| Comments: | This year's edition is far better than last year's because of depth and chemistry. Credit coach Jason Smith - and also returnees Joel Smith (Washington) and Deion James. Adrian Joseph (Virginia) averaged 21 points and 8.5 boards in wins over National Christian and Our Savior. Cedrick Middleton averaged 19 ppg. |
| 6. ST. THOMAS MORE (CONN.) |
| Record: | 2-2 |
| Comments: | Jere Quinn doesn't have the talent that most of these guys have, but he can flat-out coach. Don't let the record fool you - STM lost close games to Hargrave and Champlain. Sophomore forward Rob Thomas is an emerging star - he put up 29 against Hargrave and 19 and 11 against Champlain. Big win over Laurinburg. |
| 7. LAURINBURG (N.C.) |
| Record: | 7-2 |
| Comments: | It's tough to stay on top - just ask Chris Chaney & Co. They were upset by St. Thomas More and Winchendon after beating Bridgton. Sorely missed C.J. Anderson and Joe McCray (Nebraska), but one guy who came up big is Longar Longar (Oklahoma). Cincinnati-bound Vincent Banks struggled at the point. |
| 8. BRIDGTON ACADEMY (MAINE) |
| Record: | 2-1 |
| Comments: | Not much of a difference between No. 2 and No. 10, but a loss to Laurinburg puts Whit Lesure's club at No. 8. Robert Vaden (Indiana) struggled against Laurinburg, but bounced back with 31 in a win over IMG and 28 in a victory over Life Center. Rahshon Clark (Iowa) had 30 and 13 against IMG. |
| 9. SOUTH KENT (CONN.) |
| Record: | 7-2 |
| Comments: | Dorell Wright may be the best player in the preps, but these guys are still learning to play with one another. Jack McClinton (Siena) is a big-time steal who had 35 against Blair. Cheyenne Moore (Clemson) struggled and Raphael Chillious' suffered a tough loss to National Christian which sent them down a few spots. |
| 10. FORK UNION (VA.) |
| Record: | 5-1 |
| Comments: | Fletcher Arritt's team got knocked off by South Kent in its first game in Delaware, but bounced back in a win over Winchendon. Unsigned forward J.R. Hairston played well, averaging 15.5 points and 8.5 boards - and Akeem Hemingway had 23 in the victory over Winchendon. |
Others to Watch:
IMG (Fla.); Blair Academy (N.J.); Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.); New Hampton (N.H.); Lawrenceville (N.J.); Philadelphia Lutheran (Pa.); Trinity Pawling (N.Y.); TAPS (Toronto, Canada); Maine Central Institute (Maine); Hun (N.J.); Worcester Academy (Mass.); Coastal Christian (Va.); Lawrence Academy (Mass.); Prince Avenue Prep (S.C.); Peddie (N.J.); Hill (Pa.): Holderness (N.H.); New Creations (Ind.)