Video: Preseason Top 25 high school basketball rankings Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2018-19 season.
The 2018-19 high school basketball season has an abundance of talent across the nation. This season, more than ever, many of the top programs across high school hoops meet head-to-head in the regular season to sort out the Top 25 Rankings.
Nine matchups between Preseason Top 10 opponents will take place throughout the 2018-19 season, with the first regular season meeting between Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy leading the way.
Here are the Top 25 high school basketball games this season.
Details: Feb. 2, 2019 — ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (Tampa, Fla.)
Preview: The Eagles and Warriors begin the season atop the national rankings at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The two perennial powerhouses meet for their first regular-season showdown, with Montverde holding a 3-0 edge in the all-time series.
Montverde Academy
Photo by Andrew Bershaw
Details: Jan. 20, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: Both teams are incredibly loaded this season, with IMG Academy hungry to establish itself as a perennial powerhouse. A primetime win on ESPN over one of the most highly regarded programs in high school basketball history would go a long way for the Ascenders programs.
Details: Jan. 21, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: Monster Monday at the Spalding Hoophall Classic never seems to disappoint, pitting the West Coast's No. 1 team against the East Coast's No. 1. Both should be battle tested at this point, and, if both are still unbeaten, it could become a match-up of the top two teams in the nation.
Details: Dec. 7, 2018 — ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (Hyattsville, Md.)
Preview: The ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest hosts the first meeting between Top 10 teams in 2018-19. The Eagles take on a very dangerous Sunrise Christian squad that proved themselves an incredibly tough opponent last season with massive wins over Oak Hill Academy, Findlay Prep and La Lumiere.
Details: Dec. 8, 2018 — ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (Hyattsville, Md.)
Preview: In a monumental early season matchup, the Ascenders travel to Maryland to take on the Stags. An ultra-talented DeMatha team returns all five starters, giving it two major advantages — chemistry and home-court advantage. IMG Academy may still be figuring things out, but it also may feature the most talented starting five in high school basketball.
Details: Jan. 21, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: The weight of this game will depend heavily on how Federal Way fares at the Tarkanian Classic, as an undefeated Federal Way team at this point of the season would mean a certain Top 10 ranking. While Ranney will have some stiff early competition, look for this game to be a crucial game for the national rankings.
Details: Feb. 10, 2019 (Hyattsville, Md.)
Preview: This game may very well be the deciding factor for the regular season WCAC crown. An experienced DeMatha team looks to capture its fifth WCAC regular season title in the last six seasons, while Paul VI looks to defend its regular season WCAC title, going unbeaten in regular-season conference play last season.
Details: Jan. 5, 2019 — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Preview: Two of the top public schools in the nation face off at the Cancer Research Classic in early January. The top 10 matchup features a plethora of high-major talent with two experienced teams coming into 2018-19 with extremely lofty expectations.
Details: Feb. 2, 2019 — Battle of the Valleys (Norwalk, Calif.)
Preview: Two favorites to capture the CIF Open Division state title face off in the early February showdown. This could give us a preview of the postseason with an experienced Sierra Canyon facing off against the highly touted Mobley brothers and Co.
Details: Dec. 15, 2018 — ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (Waxahachie, Texas)
Preview: The top team from the Lone Star State faces off against an ultra-experienced DeMatha squad returning all five starters. This game is crucial for Guyer as a win would boost its national resume.
No. 1 Montverde Academy vs. No. 10 Imhotep Charter
Details: Jan. 19, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: Revenge might be the theme as Imhotep Charter handed Montverde a loss on its home court two years ago. This game could be an extremely close contest as the Imhotep Charter defense could give the Eagles offense problems.
Details: Jan. 5, 2019 — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Preview: The Lakers look to upend the defending national champions in an early January battle. Although the two could face off in the 'Iolani Classic a few weeks prior, this matchup will prove to be crucial for a La Lumiere team looking to establish itself on the same level as perennial powers Montverde and Oak Hill.
Details: Jan. 21, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: The Matadors travel cross country to take on a top tier WCAC
program at the Spalding Hoophall Classic on Monster Monday. If Shadow
Mountain is able to complete the "Springfield Double" winning the Bass
Pro tournament of champions and their game against Paul VI — look for
them to rise into the Top 5.
Shadow Mountain coach Mike Bibby
File photo by Steven Ryan
Details: Dec. 8, 2018 — Hoophall West (Phoenix)
Preview: This big-time, early season matchup features a Bullpups squad coming off an undefeated season eager to take on their first big national challenge of the year. The seven-time defending state champions, Bishop Gorman, will again be loaded this season as well. This will be a crucial game for early season positioning.
No. 7 Sunrise Christian vs. No. 10 Imhotep Charter
Details: Jan. 4, 2019 — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Preview: A contrast of styles makes this game an intriguing Top 10 matchup in early January. Sunrise Christian hopes to take advantage of its height mismatch down low, while Imhotep Charter will press the issue on defense behind its guard-dominated roster.
Details: Jan. 19, 2019 — Big City Showdown (Las Vegas)
Preview: One of the biggest national rivalries in high school basketball will write another chapter in a battle for bragging rights in the Silver State. This will be a pivotal game for both teams jockeying for position in the national rankings.
Details: Nov. 24, 2018 — Lighthouse Classic (Corinth, Miss.)
Preview: This early season battle will be a determining factor in our first regular season rankings with both teams being fringe Top 25 teams.
Details: Jan. 30, 2019 — Jersey Shore Challenge (Middletown, N.J.)
Preview: The two favorites for the New Jersey tournament of champions title face off in a late January battle for Garden State supremacy. The winner will likely be the favorite to capture the state championship.
Details: Jan. 5, 2019 — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Preview: In a matchup of two extremely experienced groups, DeMatha meets Georgia powerhouse Norcross in Saturday's signature Spalding Hoophall Classic showdown.
No. 7 Sunrise Christian vs. No. 16 Findlay Prep
Details: Jan. 5, 2019 — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Preview: Findlay Prep looks for revenge against a highly ranked Sunrise Christian Academy after being upset by the Kansas power last season. Although it appears to be a down year for the Pilots, this signature win would go along way for their GEICO Nationals resume.
No. 8 La Lumiere vs. No. 6 DeMatha Catholic
Details: Jan. 21, 2019 — Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.)
Preview: La Lumiere is a bit of newcomer to the nation scene, establishing themselves as a mainstay in the top 25 over the last five seasons. DeMatha Catholic has one of the richest history in high school hoops. Something has to give in this monster Monday showdown.
Details: Dec. 14, 2018 — ARS/Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest (Waxahachie, Texas)
Preview: The Colonels look to make an early season statement with a signature victory over a Top 10 opponent. While the Lone Star State power isn't the favorites to capture the 6A state crown, South Garland is a close second and could surpass Guyer with a signature win here.
No. 8 La Lumiere vs. No. 16 Findlay Prep
Details: Dec. 28. 2018 — Hoop City Classic (Mitchell and Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Preview: Two of the top basketball academies in the country battle in South Dakota in late December. Formerly known as the Mike Miller Classic, the Hoop City Classic features a number of strong matchups headlined by the Lakers vs. the Pilots.
No. 12 Guyer vs. No. 20 Bishop Gorman
Details: Dec. 7, 2018 — Hoophall West (Phoenix)
Preview: Both favored to win state titles, the early season battle will give us a good idea of where these teams are at in early December.
Details: Nov. 24, 2018 — Thanksgiving Hoopfest (Duncanville, Texas)
Preview: Vashon is right outside the preseason Top 25. A win over a talented Lone Star State program in late November would likely catapult the Missouri powerhouse into the national rankings in our first regular season rankings.
Bishop Gorman after its seventh-straight state title.
File photo by Ed Anderson
