Five-Star Basketball - H.S. Power Rankings: Week 12: February 1, 2012

Shake-up in the DMV changes the Power Rankings.

Most of our Power Rankings squads remained unscathed this past week - unless you play in the DMV area. Paul VI enters the mix this week after using a buzzer beater to knock off DeMatha, then four days later earned a W over Gonzaga College. Gonzaga College, who has been without the services of Nate Britt due to strained calf, also lost to St. John's. That leaves Montrose Christian, who were upset by Coolidge. All the upsets led to Gonzaga College and Montrose dropping, Paul VI jumping into the rankings and DeMatha falling completely out.

Rank	Prev
1	1	Brewster Academy 5th year/prep school Wolfeboro, NH
Record: 19-0 Key Wins: Tilton (x2), Notre Dame Prep, New Hampton, South Kent Results: Beat Bridgton, 81-60; beat South Kent, 106-92 Weekly Report: First, T.J. Warren put up 29 points to lead Brewster past Bridgton Academy, then the Bobcats had no problem taking care of Ricardo Ledo and South Kent to stay unbeaten. Next Up: 2/1 vs. Putnam Science Academy
2	2	Oak Hill Academy 4-year traditional Mouth of Wilson, VA
Record: 32-0 Key Wins: Prestonwood Christian, Grace Prep, La Lumiere Results: Beat Blue Ridge, 91-64; beat Imani Christian, 86-54 Weekly Report: With two more wins this week, only one big challenge stands in the way of Oak Hill and an undefeated season — a matchup tonight with Arlington Country Day. If the Warriors can win that game, perfection would be well within reach. Next Up: 2/1 vs. Arlington Country Day
3	3	Findlay Prep 4-year non-traditional Henderson, NV
Record: 21-1 Key Wins: Simeon, Marcus, Bishop Gorman Key Losses: La Lumiere Results: Beat Impact Academy, 113-75; beat La Jolla, 103-85 Weekly Report: Sure Brandon Ashley’s stat line of 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks against La Jolla was impressive. But earlier in the week, Winston Shepard had a triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in Findlay’s win over Impact Academy. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Foothill
4	4	Tilton School 5th year/prep school Tilton, NH
Record: 19-3 Key Wins: Notre Dame Prep, New Hampton, Huntington Prep Key Losses: South Kent Results: Beat Lawrence Academy, 58-39; beat Holderness, 77-56 Weekly Report: Iowa State-bound Georges Niang poured on 31 points and Nerlens Noel had 13 points and 13 rebounds as Tilton pulled away from Holderness in the second half last week. The Rams have now won five straight. Next Up: 2/1 vs. Phillips Academy Andover
5	5	St. Anthony 4-year traditional Jersey City, NJ
Record: 14-0 Key Wins: St. Benedict’s, Miller Grove Results: Beat Newark Tech, 65-48 Weekly Report: The SNY Invitational was cancelled but the Friars still have tough local talent forthcoming. Plainfield next Tuesday and a matchup with PSAL power Lincoln later in February. Next Up: 2/1 at Ridgewood
6	6	Huntington Prep 4-year non-traditional Huntington, WV
Record: 16-1 Key Losses: Tilton Results: Beat Flora McDonald, 78-55; beat Lakewood St. Edward, 60-55 Weekly Report: Huntington Prep avoided having to play three games in three days when their matchup with Shenandoah Valley Christian was cancelled. They were still able to win back to back though, crushing Flora McDonald, then slipping past Lakewood St. Edward. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Christian Faith
7	7	Grace Prep 4-year traditional Arlington, TX
Record: 20-2 Key Wins: Prestonwood Christian, Montverde, Mater Dei Key Losses: Oak Hill, Prestonwood Christian Academy Results: Beat Pantego Christian, 74-37, Beat Forth Worth Christian, 90-53 Weekly Report: The Lions had two decisive wins this past week and should continue to do so for the remainder of the season. Any slip-ups will result in a drop in the rankings. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Midland Christian
8	8	Simeon Career Academy 4-year traditional Chicago, Ill.
Record: 19-1 Key Wins: Whitney Young, Miller Grove, Southwind Results: Beat Bogan, 68-57; beat Harlan, 81-59 Weekly Report: Simeon raced out to a 34-12 lead on Bogan last week, but saw it slip away thanks to what head coach Robert Smith called the lack of a killer instinct. The Wolverines responded though by crushing Harlan a couple days later. Next Up: 2/18 vs. De LaSalle
9	11	Marcus 4-year traditional Flower Mound, TX
Record: 29-2 Key Wins: Montrose Christian Key Losses: Findlay Results: Beat Plano West, 63-42; beat Plano, 65-35, Beat Allen, 62-36 Weekly Report: Against Plano, Marcus scored the first 19 points of the game and didn’t give in offensively until losing the shutout early in the second quarter. Because of that and Montrose Christian’s loss, they move up this week. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Lewisville
10	12	Mater Dei High School 4-year traditional Santa Ana, CA
Record: 19-2 Key Wins: Bishop Gorman, Lincoln (N.Y.) Key Losses: Grace Prep, Gill St. Bernard’s Results: Beat Santa Margarita, 82-36; beat St. John Bosco, 86-71 Weekly Report: Katin Reinhardt drained five threes in the first quarter to quiet a hostile crowd of almost 1,500 at St. John Bosco this week. Mater Dei has now won six straight, dating back to Jan. 11. Next Up: 2/1 vs. Orange Lutheran
11	13	La Lumiere School 4-year traditional La Porte, Ind.
Record: 18-2 Key Wins: Findlay Results: Beat Traders Point Christian, 65-49 Weekly Report: The Lakers win over Findlay keeps looking better week by week – as long as they don’t do any losing on their end. Next Up: 2/4 vs. Detroit Country Day
12	14	St. Benedict's 4-year traditional Newark, NJ
Record: 20-1 Key Losses: St. Anthony Results: Beat Blair Academy, 66-64, Beat Constitution, 83-60 Weekly Report: The Gray Bees escaped a close one against Blair Academy before blowing out Constitution. Will need to avoid any upsets to continue its rise in the rankings. Next Up: 2/1 at Lawrenceville School
13	16	Notre Dame Prep 5th year/prep school Fitchburg, MA
Record: 14-6 Key Wins: St. Thomas More, New Hampton Key Loss: Tilton Results: Beat Winchendon, 89-78, Beat Massanutten Military Academy, 75-56 Weekly Report: Since Steven Adams has joined the team, Notre Dame Prep has only lost one game — a close decision to Tilton. Their future opponents better be wary. Next Up: 2/2 vs. Wilbraham & Monson
14	9	Gonzaga College 4-year traditional Washington, D.C.
Record: 19-2 Key Wins: DeMatha, Riverside, Patterson, Neumann-Goretti, Whitney Young Key Loss: Paul VI, St. John’s Results: Beat Bishop McNamara, 67-61, Lost to St. John’s, 56-54, Lost to Paul VI, 66-53 Weekly Report: The Eagles have finally started to feel the loss of Nate Britt (bruised calf) and have lost two of their last three. At full health, still could be the best team in the DMV area. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Archbishop Carroll
15	17	Hargrave Military Academy 5th year/prep school Chatham, Virg.
Record: 23-0 Results: Beat Massanutten Military Academy, 86-83, Beat Univ. of Charleston, 131-63 Weekly Report: The Chatham, VA squad just keeps rolling. Next Up: 1/27 vs. Body of Christ
16	10	Montrose Christian 4-year traditional Rockville, MD
Record: 15-2 Key Losses: Marcus, Coolidge Results: Lost to Coolidge, 51-49; beat Chapelgate Christian Academy, 67-31; beat Chavez, 73-36 Weekly Report: Montrose Christian drops a bit after being upset by Coolidge early last week. They came back strong however, by downing Chapelgate Christian by 36. Next Up: 2/4 vs. Our Savior New American
17	18	Montverde Academy 4-year traditional Montverde, FL
Record: 19-3 Key Losses: Grace Prep, Hagerty, Ridgeway Results: Beat Florida A&M, 50-45; beat Roman Catholic, 78-61; beat Orlando Christian Prep, 49-40 Weekly Report: Montverde won its own invitational this week with three wins in three days. In the championship game, Florida-bound Michael Frazier knocked down four threes in the first six minutes for 12 of his game-high 16 points. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Lake Wales
18	19	Milton 4-year traditional Milton, Ga
Record: 19-4 Key Wins: Bishop Gorman, Lone Peak Key Losses: Tift County Results: Beat Centennial, 93-61; beat Wheeler, 65-60; beat North Forsyth, 85-83 Weekly Report: A week after breaking into the power rankings, Milton wins three times, including two close ones on the road. Next Up: 2/7 vs. Alpharetta
19	20	Wichita Heights 4-year traditional Wichita Heights, KS
Record: 13-0 Results: Beat Kapaun Mt. Carmel, 55-32, Beat Southeast, 82-52 Weekly Report: The Falcons remain undefeated and are flirting with another unblemished season. The Kansas Jayhawks got themselves a winner in Perry Ellis. Next Up: 2/7 vs. West
20	21	Chester 4-year traditional Chester, Pa.
Record: 18-0 Results: Beat Academy Park, 57-40; beat Interboro, 78-40 Weekly Report: It’s getting harder and harder to ignore the team from Chester, Pa. Two more wins this week keep the Clippers’ undefeated season alive with just four to play. Next Up: 2/2 vs. Penn Wood
21	22	New Hampton 5th year/prep school New Hampton, NH
Record: 17-4 Key Wins: St. Thomas More Key Losses: St. Thomas More, Brewster, Bridgton, Notre Dame Prep Results: Beat Winchendon School, 75-64; beat Northfield Mount Hermon, 87-66; beat Holderness School, 75-41 Weekly Report: The Huskies are on a five game winning streak and have won 13 of their last 15 games. Not bad, especially when you consider those two losses were to Brewster and Notre Dame Prep. Need to avenge their early season loss to Bridgton today. Next Up: 2/1 at Bridgton Academy
22	23	Southwind 4-year traditional Memphis, Tenn
Record: 22-2 Key Wins: Ridgeway Key Losses: Arlington Country Day, Simeon Results: Beat Wooddale, 69-45; beat Houston, 80-47 Weekly Report: Three out of Southwind’s final four games are on the road, but the Jaguars got that stretch off to a good start with a blowout win over Houston last night. Next Up: 2/3 vs. Kirby
23	24	Prestonwood Christian Academy 4-year traditional Plano, TX
Record: 19-4 Key Wins: Grace Prep, Westbury Christian, Bishop Gorman Results: Beat Trinity Christian, 74-45, Beat Liberty Christian, 51-46 Weekly Report: The Lions should remain undefeated as Julius Randle continues to impress. Next Up: 2/3 at Nolan Catholic
24	25	Bishop Gorman 4-year traditional Las Vegas, NV
Record: 16-4 Key Wins: DeMatha, Whitney Young, Miller Grove Key Losses: Prestonwood Christian, Milton, Mater Dei, Findlay Prep Results: Beat Durango, 99-75; beat Spring Valley, 93-59 Weekly Report: After losing to Findlay Prep a few weeks back, Bishop Gorman has now won three straight. Another challenge is ahead this week though as Shabazz Muhammad and the Gaels face Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young. Next Up: 2/1 vs. Western
25		Paul VI 4-year traditional Fairfax, Va.
Record: 19-2 Key Wins: DeMatha, Gonzaga College, Key Losses: Oak Hill Results: Beat Bishop McNamara, 77-67; beat DeMatha, 64-62; beat Gonzaga College, 66-53 Weekly Report: How do you crack the Power Rankings? You beat DeMatha and knock them out of the mix. Then, four days later, you take out Gonzaga College too just for good measure. Stanford Robinson and Patrick Holloway can hold the claim as the best duo in the WCAC conference … for now. Next Up: 2/3 at Bishop O’Connell
Best of the Rest St. Augustine (New Orleans, LA), Ridgeway (Memphis, TN), Columbia (Decatur, GA), Olympic (Charlotte, NC), Gil St. Bernard's (Glastone, NJ), St. Thomas More (Oakdale, CT),