Five-Star Basketball - H.S. Power Rankings: Week 17: March 8, 2012

Brewster takes home the National Prep Championship, loses top spot

Let the debate for the No. 1 spot begin. Brewster took home the National Prep Championship honors last night but had a slip-up against Northfield Mount Hermon in the NESPSAC AAA finals. Is their one-loss season any worse than Oak Hill's undefeated mark? Brewster finishes with wins over two top-10 teams (No. 5 Hargrave and No. 9 Notre Dame Prep), No. 16 New Hampton, No. 19 Tilton and a handful of our bubble teams. Oak Hill has wins over No. 8 Paul VI, No. 13 La Lumiere, No. 15 Grace Prep and No. 22 Prestonwood Christian.

Paul VI and La Lumiere are still in action, if they continue to rise in the rankings, its going to be hard to not award Oak Hill with the final nod at No. 1.

Read below to see all the other moves in this week's rankings.

Rank	Prev
1	2	Oak Hill Academy 4-year traditional Mouth of Wilson, VA
Record: 44-0 Key Wins: Prestonwood Christian, Grace Prep, La Lumiere, Paul VI, Weekly Report: Their regular season is over and they are playing in China instead of the ESPN National High School Invitational. The lone question remains is their 44-0 record better than Brewster’s one-loss record over the top prep teams in the nation? Next Up: Season Complete
2	1	Brewster Academy 5th year/prep school Wolfeboro, NH
Record: 34-1 Key Wins: Tilton (x3), Notre Dame Prep (2x), New Hampton (2x), Hargrave Military Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon Key Loss: Northfield Mount Hermon Results: Beat Winchendon, 92-71, Lost to Northfield Mount Hermon, 87-83, Beat Massanutten Military Academy, 92-88, Beat Notre Dame Prep, 78-74, Beat Hargrave Military Academy 87-76 Weekly Report: The Bobcats took home National Prep Championship title last night with a win over a very impressive Hargrave Military Academy team. Jakarr Sampson was named tournament MVP. Now, if they just would have won their NEPSAC Class AAA Final matchup to Northfield Mount Hermon, there would be no question as to who is No, 1? Next Up: Season Complete
3	3	Findlay Prep 4-year non-traditional Henderson, NV
Record: 29-1 Key Wins: Simeon, Marcus, Bishop Gorman Key Losses: La Lumiere Weekly Report: Anthony Bennett and Brandon Ashley will compete in the McDonald’s All American game before the ESPN National High School Invitational. Next Up: 3/29-31 at the ESPN National High School Invitational
4	4	St. Anthony 4-year traditional Jersey City, NJ
Record: 28-0 Key Wins: Huntington Prep, St. Benedict’s Results: Beat Oratory Prep, 90-24, Beat Dwight-Englewood, 69-30 Weekly Report: A win over Hudson Catholic today in the Non-Public North B Finals would be one of the Friars most impressive wins of the season. The Hudson Catholic team features three players from Kyle Anderson’s travel program, the Playaz Basketball Club (Mike Young, Reggie Cameron, Kavon Stewart) Next Up: 3/8 vs. Hudson Catholic
5	14	Hargrave Military Academy 5th year/prep school Chatham, Virg.
Record: 36-1 Results: Lost to Brewster, 87-76, Beat New Hampton, 75-61, Beat Northfield Mount Hermon, 79-75 Weekly Report: Hargrave was one win away from an undefeated season and a good argument for the No. 1 spot. Last night, they nailed 10 1st half 3-pointers to put a scare into Brewster at the National Prep Championship. However, late game cramping really hindered Codi Miller-Mcintyre and their attack at the end of their loss to Brewster. Next Up: Season Complete
6	5	Huntington Prep 4-year non-traditional Huntington, WV
Record: 28-2 Key Losses: Tilton, St. Anthony Results: Beat Capital City International Prep, 108-71 Weekly Report: The Express are working with the state governing body so that they can enter the ESPN NHSI event but that looks unlikely. A two-loss season is nothing to be ashamed of. Next Up: Season Complete
7	6	Simeon Career Academy 4-year traditional Chicago, Ill.
Record: 29-1 Key Wins: Whitney Young, Miller Grove, Southwind Results: Beat Chicago Vocational, 54-30, Beat Whitney Young, 52-42 Weekly Report: The Wolvernines are looking for their third straight Class 4A state title. They inched one game closer with a semifinal win over Jahlil Okafor, Paul White and Whitney Young. Next Up: TBA - Class 4A Final
8	7	Paul VI 4-year traditional Fairfax, Va.
Record: 32-2 Key Wins: Gonzaga College, DeMatha (3x) Key Losses: Oak Hill Results: Beat Potomac School, 81-48, Beat Blue Ridge, 68-49, Beat Episcopal 62-61 Weekly Report: The season continues to add on the accolades for Paul VI. Patrick Holloway scored 18 points in the Virginia state final against Episcopal this past week. They will be competing in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational starting next week. Next Up: 3/15 vs. Bishop Walsh
9	13	Notre Dame Prep 5th year/prep school Fitchburg, MA
Record: 20-7 Key Wins: St. Thomas More (2x), New Hampton Key Loss: Tilton, Results: Beat St. Thomas More, 80-76, Lost to Brewster, 78-74 Weekly Report: The Crusaders came together at the end of the season with the presence of Steven Adams. They proved to be one of the best teams in the nation but couldn’t take down a completely stacked Brewster team at the National Prep Championship. Next Up: Season Complete
10	8	Marcus 4-year traditional Flower Mound, TX
Record: 37-2 Key Wins: Montrose Christian Key Losses: Findlay Results: Beat North Crowley, 66-55, Beat South Grand Prairie, 39-38 Weekly Report: Next on the road to a state title is a semifinal matchup with Texas-bound Prince Ibeh and Naaman Forest on Friday. They could end up seeing top ranked juniors Aaron and Andrew Harrison in the state final. Next Up: 3/9 vs. Naaman Forest
11	9	Mater Dei High School 4-year traditional Santa Ana, CA
Record: 30-2 Key Wins: Bishop Gorman, Lincoln (N.Y.) Key Losses: Grace Prep, Gill St. Bernard’s Results: Beat Long Beach Poly, 62-59, Beat Crescenta Valley, 66-47 Weekly Report: Xavier Johnson isn’t tried to end his season anytime soon. His 19 points and 20 rebounds over Long Beach Poly inches them closer to a CIF title. Next Up: 3/10 vs. Mission Viejo
12	11	La Lumiere School 4-year traditional La Porte, Ind.
Record: 25-2 Key Wins: Findlay Key Loss: Oak Hill, Elgin Weekly Report: The Lakers seem like a logical choice for the ESPN NHSI seeing as though they are the only team to beat No. 3 Findlay Prep. Nothing has been confirmed yet though.
13	12	St. Benedict's 4-year traditional Newark, NJ
Record: 30-1 Key Losses: St. Anthony Results: Beat Life Center Academy, 82-45 Weekly Report: Even with the regular season over, the Gray Bees are starving for competition. They will be playing in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational (that also features Paul VI & DeMatha) and the ESPN NHSI at the end of the month. Next Up: 3/8 vs. Mont Clare Academy
14	15	Montrose Christian 4-year traditional Rockville, MD
Record: 20-2 Key Losses: Marcus, Coolidge Weekly Report: The Mustangs are in sore need of some signature wins as teams wrap up their season. Their chance will come at the ESPN NHSI where Montverde, Findlay and St. Benedict’s are all believed to be in the mix. Next Up: 3/29-31 at ESPN NHSI
15	16	Grace Prep 4-year traditional Arlington, TX
Record: 27-4 Key Wins: Prestonwood Christian, Montverde, Mater Dei Key Losses: Oak Hill, Prestonwood Christian Academy, Trinity Christian, Kimball Results: Beat Westbury Christian, 77-54, Beat San Antonio Christian, 81-64 Weekly Report: The Lions are TAPPS Class 4A state champs again after its 23-point victory over L.J. Rose and Westbury Christian. Underclassmen Jordan Mickey and Emmanuel Mudiay combined for 41 points in the final. Next Up: Season Complete
16	22	New Hampton 5th year/prep school New Hampton, NH
Record: 26-9 Key Wins: St. Thomas More, Tilton (2x), Northfield Mount Hermon Key Losses: St. Thomas More, Brewster (x2), Hargrave, Notre Dame Prep Results: Beat South Kent, 70-69, Loss to St. Thomas More, 67-66, Beat Tilton, 58-56, Lost to Hargrave Military, 76-61 Weekly Report: The Huskies proved that it one of the best in the New England Prep region with two wins over Tilton. However, its losses to Brewster and Hargrave show they’re just a level behind. Next Up: Season Complete
17	18	Chester 4-year traditional Chester, Pa.
Record: 27-0 Results: Beat Lower Merion, 61-53 Weekly Report: The Clippers are ready to defend their state title with a matchup against J.P. McCaskey this Saturday. Next Up: 3/10 vs. 1st round state playoffs J.P. McCaskey
18	17	Montverde Academy 4-year traditional Montverde, FL
Record: 21-3 Key Losses: Grace Prep, Hagerty, Ridgeway Weekly Report: Montverde has been on a break for awhile but they will kick into action later this month at the ESPN NHSI. Next Up: Season Complete
19	10	Tilton School 5th year/prep school Tilton, NH
Record: 27-7 Key Wins: Notre Dame Prep, New Hampton, Huntington Prep, Key Losses: South Kent, New Hampton (2x), Brewster (3x), St. Mark’s, Results: Beat Vermont Academy, 59-54, Beat Wilbraham & Monson, 68-51, Lost to St. Mark’s, 59-53, Lost to New Hampton, 57-55 Weekly Report: The Rams didn’t exactly end the season the way they would have like to. A 2-point loss to New Hampton in the first round of the National Prep Championship coupled with a NEPSAC AA Final loss to Kaleb Tarczewski and St. Mark’s puts a real damper on the season. The impact of Wayne Selden’s loss was has been evident for some time now. Next Up: Season Complete
20	19	Milton 4-year traditional Milton, Ga
Record: 24-4 Key Wins: Bishop Gorman, Lone Peak Key Losses: Tift County Results: Beat Shiloh, 72-52, Beat North Gwinnett, 80-58 Weekly Report: Things won’t be easy for the Eagles heading into the stretch run of the 5A state championships. Charles Mann has been suspended after picking two technical in their victory of North Gwinnett. Next Up: 3/8 vs. Harrison
21	20	Bishop Gorman 4-year traditional Las Vegas, NV
Record: 28-4 Key Wins: DeMatha, Whitney Young (2x), Miller Grove Key Losses: Prestonwood Christian, Mater Dei, Findlay Prep, Milton Weekly Report: The Gaels season is over but we do expect standout swingman Shabazz Muhammad to be in contention for a number of post season awards. Next Up: Season Complete
22	21	Prestonwood Christian Academy 4-year traditional Plano, TX
Record: 27-4 Key Wins: Grace Prep, Bishop Gorman Results: Beat St. Thomas Catholic, 51-39, Beat John Paul II, 72-46 Weekly Report: Not a bad run for the Lions that finishes with a state championship. The team featuring several underclassmen including Julius Randle and Mickey Mitchell should be a top 10 team going into next season. Next Up: Season Complete
23	23	Columbia 4-year traditional Decatur, GA
Record: 27-1 Results: Beat Dalton, 71-54, Beat Carrollton, 51-30 Weekly Report: The Eagle’s are on pace to win its third straight class 3A crown. Next Up: 3/9 vs. Eagle’s Landing
24	24	DeMatha Catholic 4-year traditional Hyattsville, MD
Record: 27-5 Key Wins: Neumann-Goretti, Gonzaga (x2) Key Losses: Paul VI (x3), Gonzaga, Bishop Gorman Weekly Report: The Stags might get another shot at Paul VI at the Alhambra Catholic Invitational next week. St. Benedict’s is also in the field. Next Up: 3/15 vs. Benedictine College Prep
25		Fort Bend Travis 4-year traditional Richmond, TX
Record: 35-3 Key Wins: Yates Key Loss: Grace Prep, Sunrise Christian Academy, Fort Bend Willowridge Results: Beat Cypress Springs, 92-58, Beat Fort Bend Hightower, 57-34 Weekly Report: Fort Bend Travis has gone on a spree since entering the playoffs and could be the scariest team in Texas. If everything goes right, they might be seeing Marcus for the state title. Next Up: 3/9 vs. Warren
Best of the Rest Northfield Mount Hermon, St. Thomas More (Oakdale, CT), St. Mark's, St. Augustine (New Orleans, LA), Southwind (Memphis, TN), Priviso East (Maywood, Ill.), Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.), Dunbar (Dayton, Ohio), Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)