Preseason Teams to Watch: Montrose Christian

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in many 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 Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and Editor Jamie DeMoney 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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.)
Coach: Stu Vetter (764 wins in 32 seasons)
2007-08 record: 21-4 (East Coast No. 10 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: F/C Mouphtauo Yarou (6-9), Sr.; F Isaiah Armwood (6-7), Sr.; G Terrance Ross (6-5), Jr.; G Justin Anderson (6-5), Fr.; G Dominic Milburn (6-4), Sr.
Team strength: Athleticism, balance
Question mark: Inexperience at perimeter positions, chemistry, depth
Outlook: Vetter, a two-time national coach of the year whose teams have finished regionally ranked or better in six straight seasons, expects this year's team to be one of the best he's ever had. Vetter says the roster includes four players capable of developing into NBA players. That group includes Villanova recruit Yarou, a native of Benin in West Africa who joined the team midway through last season. Vetter says Yarou is the best big man he's coached since current NBA player Linus Kleiza. Yarou is a hard worker, and, for an import, has a surprisingly good feel for the game. Armwood, who has also pledged to play at Villanova, is the team's only returning starter. He can jump out of the gym and should put up big numbers this season after being hampered by injuries a year ago. A pair of very talented newcomers will be counted on to lead the Mustangs' backcourt. Ross is a transfer from Portland Jefferson, where he led the Democrats to a state championship and was named Oregon 5A player of the year. Anderson, a native of Spotsylvania, Va., is getting early consideration as the nation's top-ranked player in the Class of 2012. He is the complete package, according to Vetter: He is athletic, shoots and handles the ball well, and is a good rebounder. Montrose Christian could further bolster its national ranking resume with a strong showing against a tough national schedule. The Mustangs will compete in Iolani Classic in Hawaii and face nationally ranked Oak Hill (Va.) at the end of the season. Vetter also expects to compete in the yet-to-be-finalized national prep tournament that would be held in early April in Washington, D.C.

Preseason Teams to Watch: Fairfax

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in many 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 Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and Editor Jamie DeMoney 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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Fairfax (Los Angeles)
Coach: Harvey Kitani (563-181, 28 years at Fairfax)
2007-08 record: 27-6, LA City Section runner-up (West Coast No. 8 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: C/F Renardo Sidney (6-9), Sr; F/G Solomon Hill (6-6), Sr.); G Lance Bailey (6-3), Sr.; G Jordan Weathers (6-2), Jr.
Team strength: Top three players return, led by ultra talented Sidney
Question mark: Can young players step up
Outlook: The Lions have the pieces in place to make a strong run at their fourth section title and third state championship under Kitani. The team's top three scorers are back, including McDonald's All-American shoe-in candidate Sidney. Last year, the Mississippi native averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists in his first season at Fairfax (he also played his sophomore season in the Los Angeles area at Artesia HS). Sidney has an NBA body coupled with a full assortment of inside and outside skills. Hill averaged 16 points, eight rebounds, and three assists as a junior. He is an explosive athlete who is committed to play at Arizona. Bailey, who averaged 10 points and six rebounds, is a terrific outside shooter. Weathers, who scored nine points per game off the bench as a sophomore, is poised for a breakout season as a scorer. Fairfax usually plays a very demanding schedule, and this year will be no different. In addition to facing league rival Westchester twice, the Lions also will play San Diego HS (on ESPN2). The Lions' out-of-state games are just as tough. Over the holidays, Fairfax will make back-to-back trips to the Iolani Classic in Hawaii and the Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon. In February, Fairfax will take on nationally ranked Chicago Whitney Young at the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei High School.

Preseason Teams to Watch: Hopkins

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in many 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 Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and Editor Jamie DeMoney 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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)
Coach: Ken Novak Jr. (449-71, 19 years at Hopkins; 567-118 in 26 years overall)
2007-08 record: 27-2 (Midlands No. 3 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: F Royce White (6-7), Sr.; G/F Ray Cowels (6-4), Sr.; G/F Trent Lockett (6-4), Sr.); PF Mike Broghammer (6-8), Sr.; G Marcus Williams (6-0), Sr.
Team strength: Experience, size, depth, balance
Question mark: Chemistry, staying unselfish
Outlook: Novak has led Hopkins to three state championships since 2002, but this year's team promises to be his best yet. The Royals return four starters who are Division I prospects and added arguably the top player in the state during the offseason. That transfer is White, a University of Minnesota recruit who played his junior season at Minneapolis De La Salle. He is highly skilled, athletic, and a great rebounder. He averaged more than 20 points per game last season. Broghammer, who is committed to Notre Dame, gives the Royals a hard-working, tough inside presence. He averaged 11 points and seven rebounds as a junior. Cowels (Santa Clara) and Lockett (Arizona St.) are a pair of wings who are athletic and capable of scoring points in bunches. They averaged 17 points and 15 points, respectively, per game last season. Point guard Williams contributed seven points and five assists. The top games on the Royals' schedule include a February trip to New York City to play PSAL power Brooklyn Jefferson along with a game against an opponent to be determined at the Timberwolves Shootout January 3 at the Target Center.

Preseason Teams to Watch: Wheeler

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in many 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 Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and Editor Jamie DeMoney 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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
Coach: Doug Lipscomb (405-80, 16 years at Wheeler)
2007-08 record: 30-3, Class 5A runner-up (No. 21 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: F Richard Howell (6-8), Sr.; F Ari Stewart (6-7), Sr.; G Tahj Tate (6-3), Sr.; G Phil Taylor (5-10), Jr.
Team strength: Experience and maturity
Question mark: Depth
Outlook: With four talented starters returning from last year's second-place squad, the Wildcats have to be considered a heavy favorite to win their fourth state championship since 2002. Wheeler, which lost only to nationally ranked Norcross, Duncanville (Texas) and emerging prep power Findlay Prep (Nevada), was led in scoring last season by Howell, a North Carolina St. recruit. The versatile power forward averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds per game. Stewart, a superb athlete who has committed to Wake Forest, chipped in 16 points and eight rebounds per contest. Tate is a highly skilled 2-guard poised for a breakout senior season. The point guard duties will go mostly to Taylor, who is a shooting threat from beyond the 3-point arc. Wheeler is one of several nationally ranked squads participating in the the City of Palms Classic (where the outcome could go a long way toward deciding this year's Prep Poll champion). In addition, the Wildcats will compete in the Beach Ball Classic, the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, Mass., and also are scheduled to take on Southern California power Compton Dominguez.

Preseason Teams to Watch: Brooklyn Lincoln

We are less than a month away from the start of high school basketball season in many 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 Basketball Contributor Jeremy Plowman and Editor Jamie DeMoney 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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Coach: Dwayne Morton (record unavailable, 13 years at Lincoln)
2007-08 record: 28-4, Federation AA state champion (No. 6 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: SG Lance Stephenson (6-5), Sr.; PG Darwin Ellis (5-8), Sr.; PF James Padgett (6-8), Sr.; PG Shaquille Stokes (6-0), So.
Team strength: Experienced senior class
Question mark: Inexperience outside of senior class
Outlook: Come March, perhaps no team in the country has played better basketball than the Railsplitters the last two seasons. Led by super blue chipper Stephenson, Lincoln has captured back-to-back state Federation AA titles and three consecutive city titles. Identified as a phenom as early as his 8th grade year, Stephenson is a very explosive and emotional (sometimes to his detriment) player. As a junior, he averaged 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game and was named player of the year by the New York Daily News for the second consecutive year. However, the same newspaper has reported that Stephenson might face school discipline (or worse) after allegedly groping a fellow student. Without question, Stephenson's availability to the team will determine the success of Lincoln's season. The point guard duties will be shared by returning starter Ellis, who averaged 14 points, four assists, and three steals, and St. Patrick (N.J.) transfer Stokes. Padgett, a Maryland recruit who averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds, gives Lincoln a tough and physical inside presence to complement its dynamic backcourt. The Railsplitters will play a grueling schedule that includes a trip to the City of Palms Classic (where the outcome could go a long way toward deciding this year's Prep Poll champion) plus at least three ESPN games versus national powers Putnam City (Okla.), LeFlore (Ala.), and St. Patrick (N.J.). In addition, Lincoln is scheduled to play possible preseason No. 1 Duncanville (Texas) December 13 at Texas Christian University.

Preseason Teams to Watch: Mater Dei

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 (which will be released November 3) with another "Team to Watch" capsule.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Coach: Gary McKnight (797-74, 26 years at Mater Dei)
2007-08 record: 35-1, Division II state champion (No. 10 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: F David Wear (6-10), Sr.; F Travis Wear (6-10), Sr.; PG Gary Franklin (6-3), Jr; G Tyler Lamb (6-5), Sr.; F Andy Brown (6-8), Sr.
Team strength: Size, experience
Question mark: Depth
Outlook: There might not be a better starting five in the country than the one that will take the court for the Monarchs this season. Each starter has committed to or is being courted by major Division I basketball programs, including the Wear twins, who ended their recruitment midway through last season with a pledge to play at North Carolina. The duo are almost identical on the court with each possessing a high level of skill and very good low post moves. David averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds last season while Travis contributed 16 points and 10 boards per game. Brown, who has offers from Stanford and Arizona, is an excellent wing player who can really defend and crash the boards. As a junior, he averaged 14 points and six rebounds. Mater Dei's outlook at guard improved vastly when Lamb, a UCLA pledge, enrolled at the school in September. As a sophomore, he averaged 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists playing at Colony (Ontario, Calif.). The point guard position is in good hands with emerging junior Franklin running the show. He is a good outside shooter and might actually transition into a 2-guard in college. The Monarchs' schedule is top-notch, including an appearance at the City of Palms Classic (where the outcome could go a long way toward deciding this year's Prep Poll champion) as well as matchups against nationally ranked Whitney Young (Chicago) and St. Benedict's (N.J.).

Week 10 National Prep Football Poll released

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A nationally televised 65-10 rout of then-regionally ranked Deerfield Beach last Friday night left no doubt that St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) would remain ranked No. 1 in this week's National Prep Football Poll. The impressive victory over the Bucks, shown to the nation on CBS College Sports, avenged the Raiders' only loss of last season.

Meanwhile, there were three teams that moved into the Top 25 this week. No. 19 Allen (Texas) is back in the national rankings after hammering then-regionally ranked Plano, 56-23 . . . At No. 20 is Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.), which beat state-ranked Valley Christian over the weekend, 27-16, is emerging as the top California team located north of Los Angeles . . . For the first time since 2001, a Utah team is nationally ranked. Two-time defending 4A champion Timpview is No. 25 after extending its state-record winning streak to 31 games with a 54-12 blowout of Springville.