Preseason Team to Watch: Oak Hill Academy

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in some parts of the country. That means in less than a month the first National Prep Basketball Poll of the season will be released.

Over the last several weeks, PrepNation.com Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and I have been analyzing top teams and players, and collecting information from high school coaches across the country.

Today, we continue giving readers a sneak peak at the preseason rankings with the first of several "Team to Watch" capsules.

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Coach: Steve Smith (718-44, 23 years at Oak Hill)
2007-08 record: 34-4, No. 14 in final National Prep Poll
Top players: F Keith "Tiny" Gallon, Sr. (6-9); G Lamont "MoMo" Jones, Sr. (6-0); G Doran Lamb, Jr. (6-5); F Glen Bryant (6-7); G Pe'shon Howard, Jr. (6-3); G Byron Allen, Jr. (6-2); C Baye Moussa Keita, Jr. (6-10).
Team strength: Depth, four returning starters
Question mark: Inexperience at point, perimeter shooting
Outlook: No team in the nation comes close to matching the Warriors' 20 consecutive finishes in the national Top 25. But Oak Hill's No. 14 final ranking last year was its worst finish since 2003. It was also just the third time in 12 years that the Warriors lost four or more games. One of the reasons the Warriors took their lumps in 2007-08 (if you call losing four games taking lumps) was the number of young players who saw significant minutes. Four underclassmen started one or more games. The residual chemistry and experience gained in 2007-08 should pay off this season, as should an infusion of talent from a three heralded transfers. The Warriors should feature a strong inside game with the return of Gallon, a 290-pound space eater with surprising agility and soft hands. He figures to become Oak Hill's unprecedented 24th McDonald's All-American pick. Joining him in the paint will be Keita, a talented but raw native of Senegal. In the back court, a quartet of juniors will attempt to replace the 35-points per game production lost when national player of the year Brandon Jennings graduated. Much will be expected from Lamb, a transfer from Bishop Loughlin (N.Y.) who is rated the No. 2 shooting guard in the country for the Class of 2010 by Scout.com. Jones, another New York City native who is with his third school in three years, gives the Warriors another scorer at the two-guard position. Howard and Allen are expected to share duty at point guard. As usual, Oak Hill will challenge itself with a tough national schedule. The Warriors will travel to Hawaii for the Iolani Classic in addition to stand-alone matchups with several national powers including Chicago Whitney Young, Christ School (N.C.), St. Patrick (N.J.), and Montrose Christian (Md.). Oak Hill also expects to participate in a still-in-the-planning-stages national tournament that would be held the first week of April and involve top teams from around the country who do not participate in state playoffs.

Preseason Team to Watch: St. Patrick

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in some parts of the country. That means in less than a month the first National Prep Basketball Poll of the season will be released.

Over the last several weeks, PrepNation.com Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and I have been analyzing top teams and players, and collecting information from high school coaches across the country.

Today, we continue giving readers a sneak peak at the preseason rankings with the first of several "Team to Watch" capsules.

St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Coach: Kevin Boyle (432-125, 20 years at St. Patrick)
2007-08 record: 25-5 (lost in Non-Public Group B North Jersey final), No. 13 in final National Prep Poll
Top players: F Michael Gilchrist (6-6), So.; G Dexter Strickland, Sr. (6-2); F Paris Bennett, Sr. (6-6); G Kyrie Irving, Jr. (6-2); G Kevin Boyle Jr., Jr. (5-9); G Dean Kowalski, Sr. (5-9).
Team strength: Defense, guard play, chemistry
Question mark: Shooting consistency
Outlook: The preseason No. 1 team in New Jersey might be the Celtics, who were one of three teams from the state to finish last season ranked among the Top 15 in the nation. All of St. Patrick's losses in 2007-08 were to teams that spent time in the Top 25, including a 64-52 setback to eventual Prep Poll champion St. Anthony to close the season. This year's team will be guard-heavy, but highly athletic and very tough on defense. Four key contributors are back from last season along with a very talented transfer. Nationally, Gilchrist is a consensus top 5 player in the Class of 2011. He is a long and athletic, and plays aggressively on both ends of the court. Strickland, a North Carolina recruit, can play both guard sports and has a scorer's mentality. Bennett, headed to George Mason, has skills to play both inside and outside. Boyle considers Irving, a transfer from prep school Montclair Kimberly, the best junior in New Jersey. However, he must sit out 30 days to start the season before becoming eligible. As usual, St. Patrick will play a tough schedule that should futher solidify its spot near the top of the national rankings. The Celtics will play in the City of Palms Classic and Beach Ball Classic tournaments along with stand-alone dates versus nationally ranked teams Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln, St. Benedict's (N.J.), and Oak Hill Academy (Va.). 

Across the PrepNation: Weekend Rewind 10-13-2008

Some regional news, notes and rankings that just missed the cut when compiling this week's National Prep Football Poll.

Week 8 National Prep Football Poll Reax

1. St. Thomas Aquinas 55, Cooper City 0: Raiders now sufficiently warmed up for Deerfield Beach showdown

2. Byrnes 39, Spartanburg 3: Rebels avoid letdown 

3. Euless Trinity 35, Colleyville Heritage 28: Trojans get it done against high-power Heritage offense

4. Lowndes 14, Valdosta 7: Vikings survive another high-intensity slugmatch 

5. South Panola 31, Columbus 0: 82 and counting, with no end in sight

6. Corona Centennial 38, Roosevelt 7: Huskies figure to cruise through league slate

7. Armwood 45, Tampa Tech 6: Hawks allow just second TD of year

8. Gateway 30, McDowell 18: Gators pass first tough test of season

9. Oscar Smith 55, King's Fork 0: Another mismatch for the Tigers

10. Long Beach Poly 12, No. 18 St. Bonaventure 7: Dominant D and ball control wins again for Jackrabbits 

11. North Shore 66, Port Arthur Memorial 7: 'Stangs score three straight non-offensive TDs in first quarter 

12. Bastrop 46, Franklin Parish 6: 49 straight on-field wins 

13. Glenville 56, Collinwood 0: Another week, another easy Senate League win

14. Skyline 42, Eastlake 0: Zero offensive TDs allowed this season

15. Louisville St. Xavier 63, Butler 0: Tigers could have won 163-0

16. Camden County 42, Groves 21: 'Cats' D uncharacteristically gives up 3 TDs

17. Lakeland 15, Lake Gibson 14: Third straight nailbiter for 'Naughts 

18. St. Bonaventure 7, No. 10 Poly 12: Seraphs just miss statement victory 

19.  St. Ignatius 50, LaSalle 0: Wildcats clicking on all 8 as defending Prep Poll champ St. X awaits

20. Quince Orchard 47, Whitman 6: Defending 4A champ rolls again

21. Good Counsel 42, O'Connell 14: Falcons still soaring after DeMatha win

22. Stone Bridge 38, Langley 0: First time Bulldogs fail to score 42 or more

23. Carmel 35, Terre Haute North 7: Greyhounds clinch share of first league crown since 2000

24. Maryville 30, West 7: Only led 9-7 after 3 quarters 

25. Maine South 30, Glenbrook South 27: Hawks beat previously unbeaten foe

REGIONAL RUNDOWNS

NORTHEAST

The region's longest winning streak still belongs to Wayne Hills (N.J.). Senior QB Mike Quinn passed for a school-record 326 yards with four touchdowns as the Patriots rolled Old Tappan, 48-7, for their 45th straight victory . . . Haverford School in suburban Philadelphia broke a 17-game losing streak to Inter-Academic League rival Penn Charter. The Fords opened a 26-7 halftime lead and held on to defeat the Quakers, 32-22 . . . Long Island power Floyd (N.Y.) extended its state-best winning streak to 38 with a 34-0 shutout of Brentwood. It was win No. 100 for Colonials coach Paul Longo, who is 100-29 in 14 seasons at Floyd. 

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Wayne Hills (N.J.), McKeesport (Pa.), Floyd (N.Y.), Dartmouth (Mass.), Ansonia (Conn.)

EAST COAST
Regionally ranked Independence (N.C.) routed Ardrey Kell, 42-14, while racking up more than 500 yards of total offense. It was the third game the Patriots played in the span of only eight days due to a previous weather postponement . . . Mount Hope (W.Va.) RB Da'Von Marion had 338 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in his team's 44-0 rout of Valley . . . Defending Maryland 2A champ River Hill continues to make its case for a regional ranking despite not playing a top-level schedule. The Hawks blasted Reservoir, 55-0, on Friday to improve to 6-0 this season. Led by Wake Forest-bound RB Mike Campanaro, River Hill has defeated opponents by a combined 319-22 this season and an amazing 870-43 combined during its 20-game winning streak the last two seasons. 

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: River Hill (Md.), South Charleston (W.Va.), Oakton (Va.), Westfield (Va.), Loyola (Md.) 

SOUTHEAST

A new Broward County (Fla.) single-game rushing record was set by Frainy Alfrena of Sheridan Hills HS. The senior RB gained 405 yards on only 15 carries and scored five touchdowns in a 41-13 rout of Highlands Christian . . . Senior RB Washaun Ealey of Emanuel County Institute (Ga.) had 315 rushing yards and four touchdowns in his team's 49-22 defeat of Treutlen. The University of Georgia commit now has 110 career touchdowns, just one short of a new state record . . . Patrick Black of Forest Hill (Miss.) was a force to be reckoned with in his team's 40-6 blowout of Fort Gibson. The senior LB was all over the field, blocking two punts and forcing one fumble while recording 15 total tackles including two for losses and one sack. 

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Wayne County (Miss.), Newnan (Ga.), Prattville (Ala.), Madison County (Fla.), Chamberlain (Fla.) 

MIDWEST

Junior RB Mike Mansnerus of Avon Lake (Ohio) posted his second straight game with over 300 yards rushing in a 36-25 defeat of Berea. Mansnerus had a school-record 369 yards on 23 carries with four touchdowns. The week before, Mansnerus had 306 rushing yards in a 34-30 victory against Midpark . . . Detroit Cody improved to 7-0 on the season with a dominating defensive effort in its 15-0 shutout of Central. The Comets held Central to minus-39 total yards and scored one defensive touchdown . . .  Genesee (Mich.) blew past Burton Bentley by the eye-popping score of 77-40. According to the Flint Journal, it is the most combined points ever scored in a high school football game in Genesee County. It was the fourth most points scored in a regulation game in state history. 

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Pickerington Central (Ohio), Bolingbrook (Ill.), Trinity (Ky.), Coldwater (Ohio), Muskegon (Mich.) 

MIDLANDS
Legendary coach Jack Johnson won his 300th game in 36 years at Great Falls (Mont.) CM Russell with a 28-14 defeat of Bozeman. Johnson is 300-89 at CMR and 322-96-1 overall, putting him in the top 10 active winningest coaches in the nation . . . The first major snowstorm of the season could not slow down senior RB Tom Early of Natrona County (Casper, Wyo.), who had 327 rushing yards in a 55-12 blowout of Riverton. Earl had four first-half touchdowns, all on runs of 30 yards or more . . . Regionally ranked Columbine (Colo.) improved to 7-0 on the season with a 35-34 defeat of Bear Creek, which started the season ranked No. 72 in the PrepNation 101 preseason rankings. The two teams combined to score touchdowns on each of the first 10 drives of the game.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Olathe East (Kan.), Mullen (Colo.), Alta (Utah), Johnston (Iowa), Bettendorf (Iowa)

SOUTHWEST

No. 11 Houston North Shore won its state-record 74th consecutive regular season game with a 66-7 blowout of Port Arthur Memorial. The Mustangs put the game away early scoring an incredible three defensive touchdowns in the first quarter. It was the second straight game that North Shore scored three touchdowns on defense . . . Talk about a paradigm shift. Take a look at the Oklahoma state 6A rankings so far this season. For more than a decade, no team other than Jenks or Tulsa Union had ever held down the No. 1 spot in the polls. Then came the 2008 season. Both Union and Jenks have been No. 1 this year -- but for only one week apiece. Midwest City is ranked No. 1 in the new Daily Oklahoman poll -- becoming the fifth different team to hold the spot through only six weeks this season. (The other two were Broken Arrow and Norman North) . . . Las Vegas returned two fumbles for touchdowns during a span of 60 seconds, and those defensive scores proved to be the difference in a 28-21 defeat of Basic. 

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Permian (Texas), Lake Travis (Texas), Bentonville (Ark.), Tulsa Union (Okla.), Longview (Texas)

WEST COAST

Defending Oregon 6A champion Sheldon lost its first conference game in eight seasons. The Irish were beaten 42-41 in triple-overtime by Grants Pass, breaking a run of 57 straight Southwest Conference wins . . . It's only mid-October, but the Alaska state championship matchups are already set. Defending large-school champ Juneau-Douglas (6-4) will return to the final after upsetting Anchorage South (9-1), 28-27. The Crimson Bears will face Service (7-3), which upset North Pole (8-1), 27-12, in the other semifinal. The small-school division final will match Kodiak (6-3) against Soldotna (9-0), which extended its winning streak to 28 games . . . Despite his team's 19-13 loss to Kodiak in the small-school semifinals, Albert Gerke of Barrow broke the small schools single-season state record for passing yardage. Gerke had 163 yards in the defeat, giving him 1,806 for the season.

Five teams knocking on the regional rankings door: Lake Oswego (Ore.), Servite (Calif.), Huntington Beach Edison (Calif.), De La Salle (Calif.), Valley Christian (Calif.)

Week 9 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After a week that saw only one out of 70 nationally or regionally ranked teams lose to an unranked opponent, there is just one new entry into the National Prep Football Poll.

Greater Catholic League power Cincinnati Elder enters this week's national rankings at No. 20. It is the first Top 25 appearance for the Panthers since the end of the 2003 season when they won their second straight Division I state title.

Elder has outscored opponents 230-74 since its only loss of the season, a 35-24 setback to national No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas in Week 2.

Across the PrepNation: The defense rests

A trio of scoreboard operators and defensive coordinators were sweating it on what was already an unseasonably warm mid-October Friday night in the Eastern half of the country. 

In at least three games, the winning team scored 80 or more points. 

In Columbus, Ohio, Beechcroft annihilated league rival Centennial by a whopping 96-0. The Cougars had 55 points in the first quarter, which ties for the fourth highest single-quarter total in history, according to the National High School Sports Record Book. As a team, Beechcroft ran for 462 yards on 24 carries (19.2 average). 

At the home of the defending 3A state champion, Naples (Fla.) scored a 91-0 shutout of Estero. The Golden Eagles had 70 in the first quarter, tying for the seventh most points scored in a half. It was Estero's 18th straight loss, all but one by 27 points or more. Naples had 437 rushing yards despite playing without injured leading rusher and Division I recruit Greg Pratt. 

In Longmeadow, Mass., the defending Central/Western Mass Division I champion Lancers thrilled their home crowd with an 80-55 shootout victory against previously unbeaten Minnechaug. The victory also extended Longmeadow’s state-best win streak to 42. The Lancers had 649 rushing  yards including 315 from Alex Scyocurka, who ran for five touchdowns. 

11-man national records for most points scored (through 2006 season, according to the National High School Sports Record Book)

In a season (13 or more games)

903 -- Albemarle (N.C.), 2001 (16 games0

In a game (one team)

256 -- Haven (Kan.) vs. Sylvia, 1927

In a half (one team)

86 -- Lincoln Prep (Kansas City, Mo.) vs. Northeast, 1985

In a quarter (one team)

66 -- Prescott (Ariz.) vs. Kingman, 1925