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One of the more interesting things to follow this season will be the trajectory and impact of the 2020 rookie class. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, first-year players have seen their time to prepare for the NBA level cut short. From the draft to training camps to preseason contests and to opening tip-off, rookies are looking at a months worth of time to get accustomed to the new level of play and their new teammates and coaching staffs.

In this piece, myself and Ronnie Flores do our best to predict which rookies will have an immediate and lasting impact throughout the 2020-21 NBA season.

Ronnie's Top Pick: Isaac Okoro | SG | 6-5 | 225 | Cavaliers

This former McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) product went a bit higher in the draft than we anticipated but with the makeup of Cleveland’s roster I expect him to have tremendous impact. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if he started at some point in the 2020-21 season.

Cleveland just needs a major upgrade defending the wing and perimeter and Okoro foots the bill with his size, core strength and activity level. His play is contagious and he’ll get starter type minutes if his shooting comes around. Cedi Osman just doesn’t defend well enough against the elites in the league to keep Okoro on the pine, while Dylan Windler is coming off an injury.

Windler shoots it well enough and will get opportunities, but Okoro will just create them with his approach. Point guard Sharife Cooper (a freshman at Auburn who may never play pending NCAA eligibility) got most of credit for the success of McEachern (the No. 2 team in the FAB 50 in 2018-19), but it’s apparent Okoro was a big reason why the team went 32-0 and is regarded as one of Georgia’s best ever.

Ronnie's Second Pick:  Isaiah Stewart | PF| 6-9 | 250 | Pistons

Isaiah Stewart

6'9"   -   C   -   2019

The Portland Trailblazers drafted him, but the 2020 All Pac-12 choice will learn the NBA ropes in Detroit. We don’t think it will take him long to get comfortable because of what he brings to the table physically and mentally. Stewart, simply put, is a man and he’s a load to move. Even though the game is so perimeter-oriented nowadays, there is still a spot for a big man that goes after every rebound and sets screens that foes feel. He is a total team-first player and will pick up on what the veterans teach him about the rigors of NBA post play quickly. Does Stewart need to get better offensively? Yes. Does he need to make defenders respect him more outside 8-10 feet from the basket? Of course. But I have a hunch he’s going to get an opportunity because the Pistons likely won’t be very good. And when Stewart does get the opportunity, he’ll be ready and will eventually be a solid contributor. Rebounding always translates and Stewart led the Pac-12 in total rebounds in his only season in college. Rebounds might not win rings for the Pistons, but they’ll win the Piston’s coaching staff over and get Stewart on the floor. 

Ronnie's Third Pick: Jahmius Ramsey | SG | 6-4 | 195 | Kings 

Nothing is guaranteed with NBA second round picks, and that is especially true with such a short turnaround between the draft and the start of the NBA season because of COVID-19. With that being said, it’s a terrific sign for Ramsey that the Kings signed him to a three-year rookie deal, with two of them guaranteed. Ramsey has first round talent with his ability to score and knock down the perimeter shot, which he did in his lone college season at a 42.6 percent clip from three-point range. He's quite versatile and is a capable defender, too. Yes, Ramsey is going to spend plenty of time in the G League, but he’ll be ready for his call-up because the Kings could move one of their guards before the trade deadline and already like what they see in the shard-shooter from Duncanville (Texas). It’s not going to be an easy season for second rounders by any means, but of the ones near the top of the second round we like Ramsey’s chances to make a lasting impression.

Devin's Top Pick: Deni Avdija | SF | 6-9 | 210 | Wizards

Many believed heading into the draft that Avdija was a top four to five talent, and while he slipped a little from that original prediction - going No. 9 to the Wizards - the early returns are looking really good for D.C. The 6-foot-9 wing had an impressive preseason debut, scoring 15 points on 6 of 6 shooting and 3-for-3 from three-point range. Avdija looked confident and comfortable on the floor with his new teammates and that feeling of poise likely stem from Avdija's extended time playing at the highest levels of the Euro League. Avdija fits in seamlessly with the Wizards roster and his combination of size, skill and offensive versatility should mesh nicely with Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura and Davis Bertans. Avdija flashed the ability to score from all three levels of the floor from the catch-and-shoot three to an off the bounce pull and even some back to the basket skill in the painted area which all bode well for his immediate and long-term NBA future.

Devin's Second Pick: Malachi Flynn | CG | 6-1 | 185 | Raptors

Flynn was one of college basketball's most dynamic scorers during his redshirt junior season at San Diego State. The 6-foot-1 combo guard is a crafty and confident scorer and playmaker off the bounce who has deep and consistent NBA range on his three point shot. Toronto is a great fit for Flynn as he can learn the ropes of the professional game from seasoned veteran Kyle Lowry and also model his game after one of the game's bright young guards in Fred Van Vleet. The purpose of this story is about the opportunity for immediate impact at the NBA level, and with Flynn's ability to play both on or off the ball as a creator and scorer, he should see plenty of action off the bench with the Raptors in his first season. In his first two preseason games, Flynn scored nine and 17 points, respectively, against the Hornets in just under 20 minutes of action in each contest.

Devin's Third Pick: Payton Pritchard | PG | 6-2 | 190 | Celtics

Payton Pritchard

6'0"   -   PG   -   2016

There are few players who were drafted to a better fit than Pritchard to the Celtics. The gritty floor general who spent four years running a high-level program at the University of Oregon brings that steadiness, toughness and high IQ feel for the game that will fit well with what Brad Stevens does in Boston. Pritchard is known for his tenaciousness on the defensive end and ability to create for others in both the transition and half-court settings while not turning the ball over - evidenced by his career 2.3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio in college - but his offensive repertoire often gets overlooked when breaking down his game. Pritchard averaged 20.5 points per game in his senior season for the Ducks and shot 41.5 percent from three and 82.1 percent from the free throw line. To me, Pritchard has the offensive maturity and competitiveness on the defensive end to be a viable back-up point guard from game one and beyond.

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We're thinking that, when we look back at this draft class a few years down the line, the most productive players might not be the ones who heard their names called early. Like what often happens in these drafts, we see a few guys taken in the late first round, and even into the second round, who could stick in the league for a long time.

In this piece, Ron and Dev give their three biggest surprises of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Ronnie's Surprises

Jalen Smith to Phoenix at No. 10

Jalen Smith

6'10"   -   PF   -   2018

Seems to be at big reach at this spot for the Suns. Many are not sure his talent level was top 10 worthy, and it doesn’t seem to fit in with the Suns’ current personnel. He skill set is more of a five than a four, and Jalen Smith (Maryland) hasn’t shown that he’s a true stretch four at this time. Plus, if he is more of a traditional pivot, this team already has DeAndre Ayton on its roster. Smith is a talented player, but doesn’t seem to be the wisest choice at this spot.?

Zeke Nnaji to Dener at No. 22

The Nuggets have a nice roster and what would seem to be a bright future with it, but unless they are looking far down the line with Zeke Nnaji (Arizona). He brings some athleticism that The Joker (Nikola Jokic) lacks, but isn’t very polished. If he can develop into a rim protector deserving a quality minutes, then Devour could be on to something, but if the franchise truly coveted this big man it would seem it could have picked him up lower in the draft.?

Teams That Didn’t See Value in Traditional Bigs

With a generational player like Steph Curry and with a healthy Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to complete the trio, it not hard to see why teams want to emulate what Golden State has done for the past decade. It got results, but there are only a few players with the talent level of Curry and Durant around. Most teams have proven it can’t win in that fashion, so it makes no to devalue quality big men. Even Obadiah Toppin is not a traditional big, but he still is a much better talent than the spot he got drafted at (No. 8). Players such as Vernon Carey Jr. (Duke) and Udoka Azubuike (Kansas) seemed to be afterthoughts to many GMs and draft analysts. Why? They can move and are big and physical and can make a difference on the right teams. There is still room in the game for a traditional back to the basket big man. That’s why we think Detroit gained great value at No. 16 with Isaiah Stewart (Washington). He’s physical, you have to account for him, has great character and you know what he’ll give you, which is 10 points, eight rebounds, quality fouls and a team-first approach. Many analysts pegged him to be much lower in the draft because he doesn’t fit the mold of a “modern” power forward, but we thought that was an excellent pick. Again, not many teams will be able to build their team as Golden State did in the 2010s.

Devin's Surprises

Immanuel Quickley jumps into first round

Many mock drafts, including ours, had the former Kentucky guard projected as a solid second round selection, but, as often happens in every NBA Draft, Immanuel Quickley made a huge impression on the New York as the Knicks took him with the 25th overall pick after swinging draft day trade to acquire more selections. The Knicks are looking to be in the thick of a rebuild and most franchises that go through that process put a big emphasis at the guard position and Quickley, when you watch his film and look at his numbers, fits the bill of an NBA-caliber guard. The rangy 6-foot-3 playmaker brings with him a ton of confidence, savvy, ball skills and shot making ability. Quickley averaged better than 16 points per game for the Wildcats during his sophomore season while shooting an impressive 42.8 percent from three-point range.

Nico Mannion's Draft Night Fall

Nico Mannion

6'3"   -   CG   -   2019

A lot of draft pundits considered Nico Mannion a sure-fire one-and-done lottery pick when he reclassified up a class and announced his commitment to Arizona, but draft night told a different story that might've stung the talented point guard in that moment, but could pay off for him in the long-term based on where he's heading. Golden State selected Mannion with the 48th overall pick in what could be one of the better fits for any player in the 2020 draft when it comes to style of play. Mannion's high basketball IQ, vision, court awareness and all-around feel for the game will be crucial to him getting some rookie playing time with the Warriors. The question marks with Mannion that gave some teams a cause for pause were his three-point shooting consistency and defensive capabilities when it comes to guarding the point guard position at the NBA level. There's no better place to address those two things than with a Golden State franchise looking to get back into the NBA Finals conversation.

Golden State Goes Big at No. 2 Despite Thompson Injury

Some of the biggest news on draft day had nothing to do with the draft itself, but instead an injury to one of the NBA's brightest stars. Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson suffered an achilles injury during a workout and will miss the entire 2020-21 NBA season. With that news breaking shortly before the first pick was announced, my head started churning out scenarios of what Golden State could do with its second pick to make up for the loss of the sharpshooting Thompson. My mind immediately jumped to either a trade to get an established NBA shooter or go the upside route and select LaMelo Ball at No. 2. The Warriors did neither of those things (and maybe that's why I'm not in an NBA front office) and made the safe pick of taking Memphis big man James Wiseman. While Golden State definitely needed to add an impact big man to its roster, and Wiseman fits in great with their style and roster, the basketball junkie in me really wanted to see a Stephen Curry/LaMelo Ball backcourt.

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The 2018-19 All-American Elite Team, now published for the 25th consecutive season and on the www.ebooksnet.com platform for the fifth time, includes 41 of the nation’s best seniors, led by Mr. Basketball USA Isaiah Stewart of FAB 50 No. 3 La Lumiere (La Porte, La.).

Seventeen seniors and three juniors, including first five selection Sharife Cooper of FAB 50 No. 2 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), headline the 20-player overall first team.

A 30-player second team includes 24 additional seniors. Four talented juniors join one special sophomore and one outstanding freshman on the second team, as all underclassmen are eligible for selection. Last year’s Mr. Basketball USA, R.J. Barrett of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), re-classified up to the 2018 class after earning national sophomore player of the year honors in 2017.

This year’s 20-man first team includes two players who re-classified up from the 2020 class early in the school year: first five selection Anthony Edwards of Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta) and Nico Mannion of Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.). The second team includes another All-American honoree that re-classed up after the season ended: combo guard R.J. Hampton of Little Elm (Texas).

In the 25 seasons of publishing annual All-American teams (and on the retroactive teams dating back to the 1954-55 season), no freshman has ever made the first team.

Our national coach of the year is Carl Kremer of Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio). He guided the Fighting Crusaders to back-to-back OHSAA Division I titles and a 49-game winning streak entering 2019-2020. In 2018, Moeller finished No. 16 in the FAB 50 and with that club graduating a strong senior class, the Fighting Crusaders exceeded expectations this season, finishing 29-0 and No. 7 in the FAB 50. Along the way, Moeller became the first unbeaten OHSAA D1 state champ since 1995 and Kremer won his fifth state title as coach.

Kremer, whose overall record now stands at 575-157, tied the reported state record with his fifth coaching state title at one program, which was first accomplished by Middletown’s Paul Walker and later Dru Joyce of St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio). Under Kremer’s leadership, Moeller also won state titles in 1999, 2003, and 2007. He’s the first coach from Ohio to earn national acclaim on our all-time list dating back to the 1969-70 season.

National Grassroots Editor Ronnie Flores selects this performance-based All-American team with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists. It is chosen after the conclusion of the season, which makes the Elite All-American team more reflective of players who made state championship runs. This honors squad has been chosen in its current format since the 1994-95 season and is powered by www.ebooksnet.com for the fifth consecutive season. This team is chosen regardless of class and is not exclusive or preferential for seniors named to the Ballislife All-American Game. To check out who has played in the Ballislife All-American Game the past nine years, please visit ballislifeallamerican.com. To view archived All-American teams published under this format, please visit GrassrootsHoops.net.

2018-19 All-American First Team

First Five

G — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 6-0 Jr.
His father and travel ball coach Omar Cooper told Ballislife, “things will be different this year,” with regards to the Indians’ quest for their first GHSA state title. Dad ended up being right on the money, as McEachern had a storybook run to the GHSA Class 7A crown. As the catalyst for a 32-0 team, it wasn’t a hard choice to put Cooper on first team after the Indians went unbeaten against one of the best schedules in the country. A leader and clutch shot maker who can get to any spot on the floor, Cooper averaged 28.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 8.2 apg and 4.0 spg and was named MVP of the City of Palms Tournament and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. He teamed with senior Isaac Okoro to lead the Indians to nine wins over FAB 50 ranked clubs and three more against teams that were ranked at the time. Okoro (who was seriously considered for fourth five) and Cooper shared all-classification Player of the Year honors on the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s all-state team and Cooper was named the state’s Mr. Basketball by sandysspiel.com.

G — Cole Anthony, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-3 Sr.
The official runner-up to Isaiah Stewart for Mr. Basketball USA, Anthony is arguably the best guard to suit up for veteran coach Steve Smith since Brandon Jennings, who was the Mr. Basketball USA choice in 2008. Two years earlier, Oak Hill had another runner-up in Kevin Durant. Four Mr. Basketball USA Tracker panelists had Anthony as their top player of the year choice (and the other six had Stewart) after he averaged 18.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 10.2 apg and led Oak Hill to the GIECO Nationals semifinals and No. 10 FAB 50 ranking. Anthony played like the best guard in the country on the post-season all-star circuit with big-time showings at the McDonald’s All-American Game (14 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks) the Nike Hoop Summit (25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists) and at the Jordan Brand Classic (25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists). In fact, he’s the first player to sweep MVP honors of the major all-star events since first five selection Zach Randolph (Marion, Ind.) in 2000 when he turned the trifecta at McDonald’s, Nike Hoop Summit and the Nike Derby Festival Classic.

G — Anthony Edwards, Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta, Ga.) 6-5 Sr.
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Holy Spirit Prep in the preseason and even though the team didn’t live up to preseason expectations, it doesn’t diminish Edwards’ individual brilliance. He used his combination of explosiveness, power and silk jump shooting to develop into the top shooting guard in the country and the No. 1 ranked player by at least one major scouting network. Edwards averaged 25 ppg, 9 rpg, 2 apg and 2 spg, but Holy Spirit Prep finished 15-14. He had 21 points at the Jordan Brand Classic and 12 points and 3 assists at the McDonald’s All-American Game. He’s staying home and will attend Georgia, where he’s the highest-rated incoming recruit to join the Bulldogs since 1979 second five choice Dominque Wilkins (Washington, N.C.).

F — Isaiah Stewart, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 6-9 Sr.
Went from underclass All-American honors last year to the highest individual honor a player can receive as this year’s Mr. Basketball USA. Not only did he lead a 30-1 team, he’s was the first player mentioned among elites by coaches and scouts when the question was asked “Who plays the hardest and gives the best effort every single time out?” Stewart’s Mr. basketball candidacy steadily rose, from appearing on six ballots in the preseason with 35 points and zero first or second place votes to appearing on all 10 Mr. Basketball Tracker ballots to edging Cole Anthony with six of the 10 first place votes to conclude the season. After averaging 18.1 ppg, 11.3 rpg, and 2.9 bpg while shooting 63 percent from the field, Stewart is the first-ever national player of the year choice to attend the University of Washington. He’s also the first choice from an Indiana program since Greg Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North in 2006.

F — James Wiseman, Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 7-0 Sr.
He was one of the final selections of the fourth five last season and jumps all the way up to the first five after showing what he could do on the national all-star game circuit. The nation’s top prospect in the 247Sports.com composite, Wiseman showed why he’s so highly-coveted among pro scouts with 13 points and 6 rebounds at the McDonalds All-American Game, 21 points and 6 rebounds at the Jordan Brand Classic and 6 blocked shots at the Nike Hoop Summit. For his high school team, he averaged 25.8 ppg, 14.8 rpg, and 5.5 bpg with both some dominant and pedestrian moments. Still, with his size, skill level and agility, he’s a cinch All-American among this crop of candidates. A long-time commit to Memphis, this year’s Tennessee’s AAA Mr. Basketball will play for 1990 first five choice Penny Hardaway (Memphis Treadwell).

Second Five

G — Nico Mannion, Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-3 Sr.
Even though he re-classed up to 2019, he completed one of the most spectacular careers in Arizona history, leading Pinnacle to consecutive AIA Class 6A state titles. A three-time all-state selection by the Arizona Republic, Mannion improved his statistical output in each of three seasons and was a two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year choice. For his career, he averaged 24.6 ppg and scored 2,095 points. As a senior, Mannion averaged 30.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 6.2 apg and 2.8 spg for a 28-3 club that only lost one game in-state and handed FAB 50 No. 14 Shadow Mountain its first in-state loss in 91 games. The son of former NBA player Pace Mannion, the scoring point guard stepped up in big games, and won the Shadow Mountain game on a contested, buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Goes down as one of the best players ever to come out of Arizona along with 1996 Mr. Basketball USA Mike Bibby of Shadow Mountain and 1985 third five selection Sean Elliot of Tucson Cholla. Like those two former NBA standouts, Mannion will play at Arizona.

G — Scottie Lewis, Ranney School (Eatontown, N.J.) 6-5 Sr.
We don’t often go against credible local consensus, but we had to make a decision of what to do with the dynamic Ranney School duo that led the program to its first ever New Jersey Tournament of Champions title. Lewis’ teammate Bryan Antoine received more local honors, but it was Lewis that was a bit more impressive against his peers in various elite settings. At the McDonald’s All-American Game, Lewis showed he’s one of the best two-way performers in the country with scoring, intensity and defensive ability, as he went for 10 points and four steals. Lewis also played well at the Nike Hoop Summit and was noted for his big play ability for his high school team. The Florida-bound wing guard had 20 points and 11 rebounds in the TOC title game and finished his four-year career with 1,874 career points. On the season, Lewis sported averages of 17.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.7 spg and 1.5 bpg for the No. 6 team in the FAB 50.

F — Precious Achiuwa, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-9 Sr.
One of the most highly-skilled and multi-dimensional frontcourt players in the country, Achiuwa made the most of his one season in the Eagles’ program after earning underclass All-American honors at St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) as a junior. The younger brother of former St. John’s forward God’sgift Achiuwa, Precious only put up modest numbers (14 ppg, 7 rpg), but those actually led a talent-laden team that finished 22-3 and ranked No. 4 in the FAB 50. He displayed versatile talent, with the ability to finish effectively with both hands and guard multiple positions. On the post-season all-star circuit is where Achiuwa made a favorable impression and increased his All-American candidacy, going for 22 points and nine rebounds at the McDonald’s All-American Game and 15 points and 11 rebounds at the Nike Hoop Summit. Teammate Cade Cunningham was also considered for first team and just missed making the fourth five.

F — Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.) 6-9 Sr.
Terrific big-game performer and one of the best winners in the 2019 class closed out his career as one of Alabama’s most decorated players ever. His consistency, versatility and underrated shooting (career .392 3-point) led Mountain Brook to a 31-3 mark and No. 5 FAB 50 ranking this year and three consecutive AHSAA Class 7A state crowns. Turned in a signature 38-point, 12-rebound performance against IMG Academy to hand that FAB 50 No. 1 club its only loss of the season and closed out his senior season with averages of 23.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.6 apg and 2.5 bpg. Watford finished with four-year career totals of 3,237 points and 1,604 rebounds and his five-year totals include 1,909 rebounds, the all-time state record over 2005 third five selection Richard Hendrix of Athens. The undecided recruit participated in the McDonald’s, Jordan Brand and Ballislife All-American Games.

F — Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-9 Sr.
The son of 1996 second five selection Lester Earl of Glen Oaks (Baton Rouge, La.) is the most highly honored player on the most talent-laden team in the country. As a result of his statistical output and strong finish at GEICO Nationals, Robinson-Earl gets the nod on first team over North Carolina-bound teammate Armando Bacot (who was seriously considered for fourth five) off a team that has at least nine D1 recruits on its roster and is the first ever to produce three McDonald’s All-Americans (Arizona-bound forward Josh Green). The Villanova-bound combo forward led the 31-1 team in scoring (17.1 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg) and had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the GEICO Nationals championship game victory over La Lumiere (Ind.) to deliver the Ascenders their first national championship in any sport. Robinson-Earl averaged 14 ppg and seven rpg and was singled out for his terrific defense in three games at GEICO Nationals and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Third Five

G — Joe Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.) 6-2 Sr.
Had an even more impressive high school career than DeWitt Christian Brothers Academy’s Greg Paulus, who was the nation’s top Grid-Hooper in 2004-2005 who was the Gatorade National Player of the Year in football and New York’s Mr. Basketball during that winter. Girard is also a Mr. Basketball recipient after averaging a nation-leading 48.6 ppg as a senior when he led Glen Falls to a 29-1 record and the New York Federation Class B title. He hit 195 three-pointers as a senior and a game-winning shot with three seconds remaining in overtime to deliver Glen Falls its first state title. He shattered the all-time state scoring mark (2,846 points) held by 2009 first five selection Lance Stephenson of Brooklyn Lincoln, finishing with 4,329 career points (not including the 434 he scored as an eighth-grader) while averaging an incredible 42.4 ppg in his 102-game four-year career. Included in that point total are 618 3-pointers and 1,065 free throws. Unlike Paulus, he won’t be trying his hand at college basketball first, but like him will play quarterback at Syracuse after accounting for 8,414 yards and 130 touchdowns in his career.

G — Bryan Antoine, Ranney School (Eatontown, N.J.) 6-4 Sr.
Teammate and second five selection Scottie Lewis gets a bit more national acclaim, but it can be argued Antoine is the more accomplished high school player. After all, he led the 31-3 club with a scoring average of 20.9 ppg while also contributing 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg and 2.8 spg. Antoine was also extremely efficient on offense, scoring at a 60 percent clip from the field, 39 percent from 3-point range and 84 percent from the free throw line while never shooting more than 18 field goal attempts in a single game. It’s no wonder the Villanova-bound shooting guard was the NJ.com State Player of the Year and was a model of consistency in helping Ranney School become the first Shore Conference program to win the TOC crown. Along the way, the McDonald’s All-American became the all-time scoring leader in the Shore Conference with 2,499 points and helped the Panthers win 103 games in four seasons.

F — E.J. Liddell, Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.) 6-7 Sr.
One of the most highly honored players in the nation, Liddell’s production led to winning in the highest classification of Illinois basketball (IHSA Class 4A). The powerful and no-nonsense inside presence had 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the 4A state title game win over Evanston after dominating FAB 50 ranked Chicago Curie in the semifinals with 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. He had that type of impact on many big games with season highs of 42 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocks while shooting 63 percent from the field. Belleville West’s all-time leader in points (2,508), rebounds (1,004) and blocks (500), he’s also third in assists (322) despite his rugged inside nature. The Ohio St. recruit averaged 20.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, and 3.8 bpg and is the second back-to-back state Mr. Basketball, following in the footsteps of two-time Mr. Basketball USA finalist Jabari Parker of Chicago Simeon (2012-13). He joins Parker and fellow elite first teamers Derrick Rose (2007) and Shaun Livingston (2004) as lead players on back-to-back IHSA major division state championship teams.

F — Vernon Carey Jr., University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-10 Sr.
Although the powerful and skilled big man didn’t have quite the season he did during his breakout junior campaign for the Sharks when he earned National Junior Player of the Year honors, Carey was the best player in Florida for the second consecutive season. The two-time Florida Mr. Basketball also repeated as the Sun Sentinel’s Broward County Player of the Year and was named to the McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic teams. The son of a former NFL offensive lineman, Carey averaged 21.1 ppg and 9 rpg for a 27-4 team that repeated as FHSAA Class 5A state champs. He did not play in the state semifinals, championship game, or the post-season all-star circuit because of a nagging ankle injury. The Duke-bound power forward gutted it out at GEICO Nationals and had 15 points and 11 rebounds in a first round loss to FAB 50 No. 4 Montverde Academy.

F — Onyeka Okongwu, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-9 Sr.
He’s one of the most highly acclaimed and honored players in the country despite not being selected for the McDonald’s or Jordan Brand Classic. Okongwu is known best for helping an already legendary Huskies club go 35-0 to capture the 2016 FAB 50 national championship when the Big O was a 14-year old freshman. After Melo Ball (another 14-year old starter on that team) left school, Okongwu became more of a focal point of the offense and simply dominated California ball because his impeccable defensive instincts and timing never wavered. He put together two memorable playoff runs to finish his career with three CIF state titles and is a two-time Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball, the first post player to win in back-to-back seasons since first five selection Tyson Chandler (2000-2001). For the season, he averaged 27 ppg on 66 percent shooting, 11.0 r.pg, 4.0 apg, 4.3 bpg and 1.3 spg, including marks of 30 ppg and 5.5 bpg in 10 post-season games. The USC recruit recorded a 31-3 post-season mark in addition to helping his Compton Magic travel club (along with fourth teamer Evan Mobley) capture a mythical grassroots national title.

Fourth Five

G — Jahmius Ramsey, Duncanville (Texas) 6-4 Sr.
Transfer from IMG Academy made most of his return to the Lone Star State, leading the Panthers to the UIL Class 6A state crown, their first since 2007. Duncanville began the season 7-7, but when the players realized it needed to re-group from the coaches’ preseason voices and to focus on getting the ball to Ramsey, it turned around their season. Duncanville finished the season with 25 consecutive wins, as Ramsey scored 26 points in a big regional final win over Denton Guyer and 22 points in the state title game win over Houston Klein Forest in the title game. For the season, the athletic and muscular power guard averaged 18.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 2.9 apg and was chosen TABC All-State in addition to being named Dallas Morning News Player of the Year over last year’s choice, second teamer Darius Garland. The Texas Tech recruit was team MVP at the Ballislife All-American Game and also played at the Jordan Brand Classic, where he had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals.

G — Cassius Stanley, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) 6-5 Sr.
The unofficial runner-up to third teamer Onyeka Okongwu for Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball honors, perhaps no player on the elite team used his senior year performance more to gain post-season national acclaim. After sitting out part of his junior season because of transfer, Stanley stepped up as a senior to lead Sierra Canyon to its second consecutive CIF Open state title and a 32-3 record. An improved jump shot and offensive decision-making helped Stanley average 19 ppg, 6 rpg, and 3 apg for a talented team featuring three all-state players that finished No. 9 in the FAB 50. The Duke-bound shooting guard earned a slew of local honors and was selected for the Ballislife All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic, the latter in which he scored 16 points. One of the best leapers ever in California history, this three-time CIF state champion was player of the year on the all-CIFSS Open Division team, on the L.A. Dailey News all-region team and from SoCal Varsity, which covers a vast portion of Southern California.

F — Jalen Johnson, Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.) 6-7 Jr.
The last few spots on the elite team were tough choices, but we decided to honor a couple of juniors whose talent is too great to ignore. In the case of Johnson, team success makes him a slam dunk pick, after he led the Knights to a 27-1 mark and No. 24 FAB 50 ranking. There is a plethora of underclass talent in Wisconsin, including second team All-American Patrick Baldwin and six of the top 10 players of the Associated Press all-state team, but Johnson is already considered the state’s most prodigious talent. The A.P. State Player of the Year averaged 19.7 ppg, 11.7 rpg and 5.9 apg for the WIAA D2 state champs and also led the team in steals while recording seven triple doubles. The versatile forward was at his best in the big games, as he went for 20 points, 20 rebounds and four assists in the 67-52 state title game over Milwaukee Washington and averaged 15.5 rpg in two state tournament games.

F — Matt Hurt, John Marshall (Rochester, Minn.) 6-9 Sr.
It was an honored-filled season for a player who will join third five member Vernon Carey and fellow fourth five selection Cassius Stanley at Duke in the fall. He rates with Carey and first team choices Isaiah Stewart and James Wiseman as the nations’ top-rated interior prospects and he was as productive as any big man in the country, averaging 36.8 ppg, 12.5 rpg, and 4.8 apg for a 22-7 club. For his efforts, Hurt was named both the Associated Press and Gatorade State Player of the Year. The McDonald’s All-American finished his season with 1,072 points and his decorated high school career with a Minnesota Large Schools record 3,812 points.

C — Evan Mobley, Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) 7-0 Jr.
For a portion of the season, this talented seven-footer was in the thick of the Mr. Basketball USA race along with Isaiah Stewart and Cole Anthony, but his candidacy suffered when the Eagles underachieved in sectional and regional play. Still, it’s impossible to ignore his vast potential, production and slew of local honors. After some injuries and growing pains slowed him down during his first two seasons, he had a breakout season for a club that played a terrific national schedule and finished No. 39 in the FAB 50 at 25-6. The agile center with great patience and a high skill level averaged 19.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg, and 3.3 apg and bolstered his All-American candidacy with a 13-point, 3-block performance in a win over Memphis East and first five choice James Wiseman. The younger brother of USC-bound and McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Mobley, Evan beat out his older brother for player of the year honors by the Riverside Press Enterprise and was named state junior player of the year over second teamer Jalen Green.

2018-19 All-American Second Team

F — Armando Bacot, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-10 Sr.
F — Patrick Baldwin Jr., Hamilton (Sussex, Wis.) 6-8 Soph.
F — Emoni Bates, Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 6-8 Fr.
G — Christian Braun, Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.) 6-5 Sr.
G — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-5 Jr.
F — Eric Dixon, Abington (Pa.) 6-8 Sr.
G — Jalen Green, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 6-5 Jr.
G — R.J. Hampton, Little Elm (Texas) 6-5 Jr.
G — Jaelen House, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-1 Sr.
G — Josiah James, Porter-Gaud (Charleston, S.C.) 6-7 Sr.
F — D.J. Jeffries, Olive Branch (Miss.) 6-7 Sr.
G — Rylon Jones, Olympus (Salt Lake City, Utah) 6-0 Sr.
G — Keyshaun Langley, Southwest Guilford (High Point, N.C.) 6-1 Sr.
F — Chris Ledlum, Northfield Mt. Hermon (Gill, Mass.) 6-7 Sr.
G — Tyrese Maxey, South Garland (South Garland, Texas) 6-3 Sr.
F — Jaden McDaniels, Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.) 6-10 Sr.
G — Justin Moore, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-4 Sr.
F — Wendell Moore Jr., Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.) 6-6 Sr.
G — Casey Morsell, St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) 6-5 Sr.
G — Paul Mulcahy, Gill St. Bernard’s (Gladstone, N.J.) 6-5 Sr.
C — Zeke Nnaji, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 6-11 Sr.
G — Isaac Okoro, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 6-5 Sr.
F — Donta Scott, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) 6-7 Sr.
G — Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) 6-3 Jr.
C — Oscar Tshiebwe, Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage, Pa.) 6-8 Sr.
F — C.J. Walker, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) 6-8 Sr.
F — Anton Watson, Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) 6-7 Sr.
F — Romeo Weems, New Haven (Mich.) 6-7 Sr.
F — Kahlil Whitney, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) 6-7 Sr.
F — Samuell Williamson, Rockwall (Texas) 6-6 Sr.

National Coach of the Year: Carl Kremer, Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Related: 2018-19 Underclass All-American Team | 2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA: Isaiah Stewart

Note: ESPN selections 2010-2012; EA SPORTS selections 2003-2009; Student Sports selections prior to 2003; Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. The editors of www.ebooksnet.com do not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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RELATED:  Final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker | All-Time Honorees | 2018-19 Elite All-American Team | 2018-19 Underclass All-American Team

There were trends broken and first occurrences when it came to determining the nation's best high school basketball player for 2018-19. Sure, having tremendous individual talent remains paramount and if history is any indication, this year's top player will one day soon play in the NBA.

For the first time in five years, the nation's top individual honor does not come off the roster of the mythical FAB 50 national championship team. This year's honoree also hails from a program that has emerged as a FAB 50 power over the past five years and for the first time produced the national player of the year.

That player is 6-foot-9 power forward Isaiah Stewart of La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) and today he is honored with the title of 2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA.

La Lumiere came up one game short of its ultimate goal of capturing the FAB 50 national title, losing in the GEICO Nationals championship game to IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.), 66-55, to finish No. 3 in the FAB 50 at 30-1. Despite the Lakers coming up one game short of an unbeaten championship season, the loss didn't deter the 10-man Mr. Basketball USA Tracker panel from rewarding Stewart with a much deserved prestigious individual accolade.

Stewart is first player ever from the emerging FAB 50 national power that operates as a "boarding day school" to earn the title of Mr. Basketball USA. He's headed to Washington, and is the second Mr. Basketball USA honoree to sign with a Pac-12 program in four years. In 2016, Chino Hills (Calif.) point guard Lonzo Ball signed with UCLA, as did Shabazz Muhammad coming out of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) in 2012. In 2017, Mr. Basketball USA honoree Michael Porter Jr. of Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) originally committed to Washington, but after Lorenzo Romar was fired and his dad was hired as an assistant at the University of Missouri, Porter changed his commitment.

Washington head coach Mike Hopkins is getting one of the best competitors in high school basketball we've evaluated in recent years. The Rochester, N.Y. native drew raves all season long for his competitiveness, toughness and impact on winning from coaches and peers alike. For the season, Stewart averaged 18.1 ppg, 11.3 rpg and over 3 blocks while shooting 60 percent from the field for one of the nation's top teams. He also imposed his will on many top opponents, wearing them down in the second half or fourth quarter with his relentless inside work on both ends of the floor.

“After playing against La Lumiere twice this year and coaching Isaiah Stewart in the Jordan Brand Classic, I feel that he is the player of the year in high school basketball," said Grant Rice, Muhammad's coach at Bishop Gorman whose program enters 2019-20 with eight consecutive NIAA state titles under its belt. "Not only does he put up big numbers each game, but he’s a winner and leader on and off the court. He plays as hard as anyone I’ve coached against over the years."

The only other candidate to receive strong consideration for this year's honor was 6-foot-3 point guard Cole Anthony of national power Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). In the final Mr. Basketball USA Tracker, the North Carolina recruit and son of former NBA guard Greg Anthony was the only other candidate to appear on all 10 ballots. Anthony, who averaged 18.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 10.2 apg for the No. 10 team in the FAB 50, recorded four first-place votes, one second-place vote, two third-place, one fourth-place and two fifth-place votes. Stewart gobbled up the other six first place votes.

Anthony actually made the race compelling to the very end and would have been a credible winner this season and in many others, as well. Even though he battled injuries during Oak Hill's regular season, he closed strong. The explosive point guard finished with 14 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks in the McDonald's All-American Game. He also starred at the Nike Hoop Summit (25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists) and at the Jordan Brand Classic (25 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and was named team MVP at all three events. Panelist Jerry Meyer of 247Sports.com calls Anthony the best point guard prospect he's seen in the past 15 years covering basketball for a major recruiting network.

Stewart was also impressive on the post-season all-star circuit. He went for 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting and five rebounds at McDonald's and for 16 points and nine rebounds at the Jordan Brand Classic. It doesn't always happen, but there was an also a rare head-to-head in-season matchup of the top two candidates and that's where Stewart likely gained his edge.

La Lumiere and Oak Hill Academy played in the GEICO Nationals semifinals and the game came down to the last play, as a corner 3-pointer by Oak Hill's Cam Thomas was just off, as the Lakers held on for a 58-57 victory. Stewart finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, including the one that came off the rim on Thomas' attempt as the horn sounded, as La Lumiere survived an onslaught of close range Oak Hill shot attempts in the game's closing minutes. Anthony finished with 11 points and eight assists, but missed 12 of 16 shots from the field, as the Warriors made 24-of-67 shots from the field. If just a few more of those Oak Hill shots go down, would Anthony be the recipient? The race was that close.

For now, however, Stewart leaves to Washington as a player who left his indelible mark on La Lumiere's program. The Lakers' coaching staff has nothing but praise for Stewart as he begins his next journey from Indiana to the Pacific Northwest.

"We are extremely excited for Isaiah for the hard work he's put in to get to this stage in his career," said La Lumiere head coach Pat Holmes. "He wants to be challenged and coached and doesn't want it sugar coated."

It's quite an honor and accomplishment to be named national player of the year, but Holmes and his staff is not exactly shocked by Stewart's standing and accolades after transferring to La Lumiere following his sophomore season at McQuad Jesuit (Rochester, N.Y.).

"Not really, he always finds a way to impact the game and always plays his butt off," Holmes said when asked if he was surprised by the announcement of Stewart as Mr. Basketball USA. "He imposes his will the whole game, never backs down, never goes into a game thinking we will lose. That mentality is contagious throughout the team."

For the all-time list of Mr. Basketball USA honorees, CLICK HERE.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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Over the years, there have been two tried and true factors in determining individual accolades in elite high school basketball. Those two factors are on-court production and winning and this is clearly reflected in the results of the final 2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA Tracker powered by www.ebooksnet.com.

Isaiah Stewart, a 6-foot-9 senior forward, led La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) to a perfect 28-0 regular season mark and a No. 3 finish in the FAB 50 with a 30-1 overall mark. Stewart closed strong and the national all-star game circuit clearly helped his candidacy after he trailed point guard Cole Anthony of national power Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) by four points (84 to 80) in the previous Mr. Basketball USA Tracker.

Stewart went from two first place votes (10 points are awarded for a first place vote) in the second-to-last tracker to leading the pack with six first place votes and two second place votes to out-pace Anthony. The North Carolina-bound point guard finished with four first place votes, one second place vote and 84 overall points, nine less than the Pac-12's premier 2018-19 recruit. Stewart and Anthony were the only candidates to appear on all 10 panelists' ballots.

In addition to the talent and production level of Stewart and Anthony, two other happenings shaped this season's national player of the year race. They were the injuries to Duke-bound big man Vernon Carey Jr., last year's National Junior Player of the Year from University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and the emergence of juniors Evan Mobley and Sharife Cooper. Carey was third in last season's final tracker behind eventual Mr. Basketball honoree R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson. After missing the state championship game, the University School standout also did not play in the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic because of a bothersome ankle injury. In this year's final balloting, Carey appeared on only five ballots and finished with only one vote higher than sixth place for 25 total points.

Mobley, a seven-foot junior from Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), was the leading candidate along with Anthony at one point during the 2018-19 season. Cooper, meanwhile, built his resume all season long as the catalyst for a McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) team that finished 32-0 and No. 2 in the FAB 50. Against tough competition, including victories over eight teams that finished FAB 50 ranked, Cooper averaged 28.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 8.2 apg, and 4.0 spg while going over 40 points four times. His production was rewarded, as Cooper received one second place vote and finished with 38 points while appearing on nine ballots. It seems, however, that McEachern's absence from GEICO Nationals and not being able to evaluate Cooper (and to an extent Mobley) against some of the other top national player of the year candidates on the all-star circuit hurt his candidacy.

GEICO Nationals and the post-season all-star games is where Stewart took advantage of his opportunity. The powerfully built "traditional four" averaged 17.7 ppg and 10.0 rpg as La Lu advanced to the championship game, where if fell to eventual FAB 50 No. 1 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). In the GEICO Nationals semifinals, Stewart had 14 points and 16 rebounds as La Lumiere defeated Anthony and Oak Hill Academy, 58-57, in a game in which Anthony missed 12 of his 16 shots from the field and finished with 11 points.

On the season, Stewart averaged 18.1 ppg, 11.3 rpg and over 3 blocks while shooting 60 percent from the field. Anthony averaged 18.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 10.2 apg and led Oak Hill to a 33-5 record.

Anthony turned in MVP performances at McDonald's, Jordan Brand Classic as well as the Nike Hoop Summit. Stewart was also Impressive at McDonald’s (16 points, 8-11 FG, 5 rebounds) and Jordan Brand Classic (16 points, 9 rebounds) drawing raves from peers and coaches alike.

"Isaiah Stewart gets the No. 1 ranking, as he stepped and did it when it counted," said panelist Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop. "That's what good players are supposed to do. Does he have the most potential in his class? Maybe not, but baed on merit he's the only guy that stepped up and deserved it over Evan Mobley."

In all, 24 candidates earned recognition as a national player of the year candidate in the final, expanded tracker. The panel has made it clear, however, that this year's eventual Mr. Basketball USA honoree will emerge from the two most productive players when combining all the elements that make up a single season (regular season, post-season, GIECO Nationals, all-star events).

Editor's Note: Click on the "+" sign next to each player's number to view how many first, second, third or fourth place votes he got and his overall point total. Preseason tracker results are also listed ("Prev.").

Rank	Prev.	Name	High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
1	2	Isaiah Stewart (10)	La Lumiere (IN)	6	2	1	1	93
2	1	Cole Anthony (10)	Oak Hill (VA)	4	1	2	1	84
3	3	Evan Mobley (8)	Rancho Christian (CA)	0	2	2	2	55
4	4	James Wiseman (9)	Memphis East (TN)	0	2	1	2	54
5	5	Anthony Edwards (8)	Holy Spirit (GA)	0	1	1	1	44
6	8	Sharife Cooper (9)	McEachern (GA)	0	1	0	0	38
7	7	Scottie Lewis (8)	Ranney School (NJ)	0	0	1	0	35
8	6	Vernon Carey (5)	University School (FL)	0	0	1	0	25
9	9	Precious Achiuwa (7)	Montverde Academy (FL)	0	0	0	0	22
10	10T	Onyeka Okongwu (4)	Chino Hills (CA)	0	0	0	1	18
11	10T	Nico Mannion (3)	Pinnacle (AZ)	0	1	0	0	17
12T	12	Cade Cunningham (3)	Montverde Academy (FL)	0	0	0	0	11
12T	14	Trendon Watford (1)	Mountain Brook (AL)	0	0	1	0	11
14	NR	Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (2)	IMG Academy (FL)	0	0	1	0	9
15	NR	Armando Bacot (1)	IMG Academy (FL)	0	0	0	1	7
16T	NR	Jalen Johnson (2)	Nicolet (WI)	0	0	0	0	6
16T	NR	Jaden McDaniels (1)	Federal Way (WA)	0	0	0	0	6
18	NR	Greg Brown (1)	Vandegrift (TX)	0	0	0	0	5
19T	NR	Patrick Baldwin (1)	Hamilton (WI)	0	0	0	0	3
19T	NR	R.J. Hampton	Little Elm (TX)	0	0	0	0	3
21T	NR	Jonathan Kuminga (1)	Our Savior (NY)	0	0	0	0	2
21T	16T	Khalil Whitney (1)	Roselle Catholic (NJ)	0	0	0	0	2
23T	15	Jalen Green (1)	San Joaquin Memorial (CA)	0	0	0	0	1
23T	16T	Dashien Nix (1)	Simply Fundamental (NV)	0	0	0	0	1

2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA Tracker Panel

Paul Biancardi, ESPN National Director of Basketball Recruiting
Frank Burlison, BurlisonOnBasketball.com Publisher
Van Coleman, TheBasketballChannel.net VP of Content
Ronnie Flores, www.ebooksnet.com National Grassroots Editor
Clark Francis, Hoop Scoop Editor & Publisher
Bob Gibbons, All-Star Sports
Jerry Meyer, 247Sports.com Director of Scouting
Scott Phillips, NBC Sports National College Basketball Writer
Patrick Stanwood, Patrick Stanwood Basketball
Dinos Trigonis, Fullcourt Press Editor & Publisher

About Basketball USA Tracker Panel
www.ebooksnet.com's panel of 10 experts, which includes six McDonald’s All-American selection committee members, casts its vote for the top national player of the year candidates. Each panelist lists his top seven candidates regardless of class. The votes are then tabulated on a 10-point scoring system with a first-place vote equaling 10 points, a second-place vote earning nine points and down to four points for a seventh-place vote. The number in parenthesis refers to the numbers of ballots on which a player appeared and previous rankings refers to position in the previous tracker.

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No. 4 IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.) 66, No. 1 La Lumiere (La Portne, Ind.) 55

Quick Summary: The Ascenders played a confident and complete game and never trailed. They got out to a quick start, paced by two early 3-pointers by Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and led 15-8 after one period. La Lumiere, which lost its first game of the season, battled valiantly, but was working extremely hard for quality field goal attempts all game long. The Lakers, who trailed 31-26 at halftime, hurt themselves by taking some ill-advised jumpers in the second half that led to easy scores in transition for the Ascenders. La Lumiere's game plan was to pound the ball inside-out through Mr. Basketball USA Isaiah Stewart, but the Lakers didn't shoot it well enough from the perimeter, as the Ascenders did a good job of closing out on shooters and keeping the Lakers' secondary players from having an offensive impact. La Lumiere seemed to have some momentum on its side after a 3-pointer by Gerald Drumgoole and a steal and an underneath bucket by point guard Wendell Green Jr. to cut its deficit to 45-41 with under 30 seconds left in the third quarter, but IMG Academy freshman Jarace Walker (five points) hit a critical 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining in the period to give his team a 48-41 lead entering the final period. IMG Academy didn't tire, made solid decisions offensively and was able to counter whatever La Lumiere did offensively and push its lead to double-digits in the final period.

Been an @IMGABasketball hammer fest in the second half ? pic.twitter.com/gG8cxIIW91

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) April 6, 2019

Pivotal Moment: Walker's 3-pointer was a big momentum killer for La Lumiere entering the fourth period. The Lakers weren't shooting well from the outside but were sticking with the game plan. If they could have tied the game, perhaps the pressure would have affected IMG's shot-making ability or decision, but it was evident the Ascenders were in great physical shape and not going to wear down as La Lumiere's first two opponents did in this tournament. Another key moment was the game's onset when it was evident IMG Academy had more offensive firepower and La Lumiere wasn't going to get easy looks. The Lakers just couldn't match IMG's foot speed to create separation at most of the positions. They were going to have to shoot an extremely high percentage from the field or it was going to be an uphill battle and it turned out to be the latter for the Lakers.

Key Statistic: La Lumiere shot 41 percent (21-of-51), including 19 percent (4-of-21) from 3-point range. Plenty of the long misses ignited IMG's fast break and getting up and down the floor is what the Ascenders wanted to do. IMG head coach Sean McAloon had three players score in double figures: guard Jaden Springer had 12 points and seven assists and averaged 21.3 ppg for the tourney champions, Josh Green had his best game the tournament with a game-high 19 points, and Robinson-Earl had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Robinson-Earl, a Villanova recruit and the son of 1996 McDonald's All-American Lester Earl, was named the tournament's most valuable player. In three games he averaged 14 ppg and seven rpg and also played good interior defense. Along with Armando Bacot, who had six points and eight rebounds, Robinson-Earl and Green became the first trio of players from the same high school team to be named McDonald's All-Americans. IMG's talent level showed in this game, even though without the play of Springer in the first two games IMG would not have been in position to defeat La Lumiere. The Lakers were led in the scoring department by Kentucky-bound Keion Brooks with 15 points, while Stewart finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Drumgoole was the Lakers' third double-digit scorer with 12 points and made all three of La Lumiere's three 3-point baskets in this game. Joining Robinson-Earl on the official all-tourney team were Springer, Green, Stewart and Brooks.

Quotables: "We've been waiting a long two years for this moment," Green said. "It's awesome, the school is known for the golf team, the football team, but to win the first-ever national championship, it's amazing," Robinson-Earl said. "We could have faded yesterday, but we couldn't do that. We trust coach when he told us to press (versus Montverde). We hadn't really pressed all year," he added. "We are known as a football school, but when coach McAloon came in here, he changed the culture," Bacot said. "We are fast as a team, and I don't think there is a team faster than us, one through five at every position, in the country. We wanted to rebound and run and that's what we did in this game," McAloon said.

What's Next: IMG Academy finishes its season 31-1 and will undoubtedly move up in the final FAB 50 rankings that will be released on Monday, April 8. The Ascenders came into this tournament ranked No. 4 in the FAB 50, but beat No. 9 Sunrise Christian Academy by 15 points, beat No. 3 Montverde Academy after trailing by 16 points entering the fourth period and defeated No. 1 La Lumiere by double-digits. No. 2 McEachern (Powder Springs, Fla.) beat Sunrise Christian Academy in overtime earlier in the season and finished unbeaten. The team IMG Academy lost to, No. 6 Mountain Brook (Ala.), was beaten by McEachern. La Lumiere finished its season 30-1 with the only loss to IMG Academy at this tournament. McEachern was invited and publicly accepted an invitation, then decided it wasn't going to compete at the event.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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No. 4 IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.) 74, No. 3 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 73

Quick Summary: The Ascenders trailed 25-8 after one quarter of play and 63-47 entering the fourth period, yet they somehow found a way to win the game. Coach Sean McAloon felt his team was fortunate to be down only eight points at halftime, as the star of the quarterfinal win over Sunrise Christian Academy, guard Jaden Springer, had played "a terrible first half," according to his coach. IMG Academy pressed in the fourth quarter and got the Eagles out of their comfort zone, and Springer played a terrific final eight minutes, creating shots for himself or others. Still, Montverde Academy had the ball and a lead after Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (16 points, 9 rebounds) made one of two free throws with 36.7 seconds remaining as the Eagles held a 73-72 lead. The Eagles put the ball in Cade Cunningham's hands and he threw a skip pass to Moses Moody (9 points), who missed a jumper that set up the winning basket. Montverde coach Kevin Boyle hoped for penetration since so many fouls were called in the game (28 for Montverde, 19 for IMG Academy).

Pivotal Moment: There was one key moment and one pivotal play in the game. IMA Academy went on a 17-1 run to begin the fourth quarter to tie the game at 64-64. The Eagles had some shaky ball-handling, were not finishing around the basket and tired a bit down the stretch. When Moody's jumper came off long, IMG Academy's Armando Bacot (8 points, 7 rebounds) whipped the ball out in front to a streaking Robinson-Earl who completed the game-winning, break-away jam with five seconds remaining over the out-stretched Harlond Beverly (23 points). It looked like Montverde Academy potentially was going to have a break-away basket of its own, as there was alot of commotion and celebrating after Robinson Earl's dunk, but Boyle had called a timeout. Some of the IMG Academy players heard it, but kept playing because the players continued to run back the other way until everyone realized the referees were going to honor the Eagles' timeout. Th Eagles didn't get the clean look they wanted in the final three seconds.

Key Statistic: For the second consecutive game, Springer led the way for the Ascenders with 26 points, as he overcame a slow start to make key plays down the stretch. His production and decision-making was especially critical because starting point guard Noah Farrakhan only played 16 minutes after suffering from back spasms. In his absence, freshman Jarace Walker had eight key points and drew the fifth foul on Mcdonald's All-American Precious Achiuwa (8 points, 7 rebounds) with approximately three minutes remaining.

Quotables: "I usually can talk alot, but I don't know what to say about that," McAloon said about the game's ending and the comeback. "I've never been part of anything like that. These guys just don't want to go home."

What's Next: IMG Academy moved to 30-1 on the season and will take on FAB 50 No. 1 and 30-0 La Lumiere for the GEICO Nationals title on April 6 at 12:30 pm ET (ESPN). IMG Academy shot 37 free throws in its one-point win over Montverde, while La Lumiere had a hand in limiting Oak Hill Academy to six free throws. IMG Academy will have to get the line and try to draw some fouls on the most physical team in the tournament. IMG Academy definitely has an advantage in the backcourt with quicker and more capable ball-handlers, so watch for the production and minutes of Farrakhan. McAloon won't be afraid to sit him if he's not productive, as the cocky New Jersey native actually told his coach not to put him back in the game when the Ascenders went on their fourth-quarter run versus Montverde.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl CALLED GAME WITH THIS ??@IMGABasketball with the comeback win over Montverde to advance to the #GEICONationals title game!@jre10_ pic.twitter.com/1YfLmbcC76

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) April 5, 2019

No. 1 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 58, No. 17 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 57

Quick Summary: Oak Hill took a 30-26 halftime lead and a 36-28 lead in the third quarter. That's when Kentucky-bound Keion Brooks hit a 3-pointer and sparked a 9-0 La Lumiere run that gave the Lakers the lead. They took the lead on a offensive rebound putback by Mr. Basketball USA candidate Isaiah Stewart. The teams went back and forth thereafter, until La Lumiere took a 58-53 lead with 1:24 remaining, but Oak Hill fought back to get within range. The Warriors were aided by Wendell Green (4 points) and Gerald Drumgoole (12 points) both missing the front ends of 1-and-1 foul shot situations and some shaky La Lumiere ball-handling. The Warriors got within a point on a driving lay-up by Cole Anthony, but didn't score again despite multiple chances.    

Pivotal Moment: With 19.9 seconds remaining, Anthony drove straight to the basket, dished off to Kofi Cockburn (6 points, 11 rebounds) for the lay-up, but his contested attempt was just off and there was a major scrum for the ball. A held ball was called with 11.6 seconds remaining and Oak Hill retained possession. Anthony attempted a floater and it was a good look, but it was high off the rim and again a Cockburn tip-in attempt missed the mark. With 3.5 seconds remaining, Oak Hill got the ball out of bounds under its own basket and another chance for the winning basket. Coach Steve Smith drew up a perfectly executed out of bounds play, as Anthony delayed a cut to the basket, the defense rolled with him and to leave Cam Thomas (22 points, 10-26 field goals), the team's best shooter, wide open for a corner 3-pointer in front of the Oak Hill bench. The rotation was good and the ball was straight, but it just rimmed off as Stewart secured the rebound and the dramatic win for the Lakers.    

Key Statistic: Oak Hill shot 36 percent (24-of-67) from the field, while La Lumiere shot 47 percent (25-of-53), but still the Warriors had an excellent shot to win the game. Just a few point blank attempts at the end of the game were off. Anthony and Stewart, the top two candidates for Mr. Basketball USA honors, were in this game and Anthony made 4-of-16 shots from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. He finished with 11 points and nine assists. Stewart finished with 14 points, a game-high 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Quotables: "All the credit goes to our guys...we got a great cast that finds a way to win," La Lumiere coach Patrick Holmes said. "As former coach Shane Heirman preached, we want to bring in a team, not accumulate talent. There is nothing pretty about our place, guys come in and learn to play tough and compete." Stewart had another great game, but couldn't bear to watch Thomas' last-second 3-point attempt. "When the shot went up I closed my eyes," Stewart said. "I was underneath the basket and just trying to get my hands on the rebound. I'm glad it didn't go in and we lived to fight another game."

What's Next: The top-ranked Lakers improved to 30-0 on the season and will take on No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) for the GEICO Nationals championship on Saturday at 12:30 pm ET (ESPN). La Lumiere will be gunning to win its second GEICO Nationals title in three years, after the 2017 team won the tournament and finished No. 2 in the FAB 50. La Lumiere has out-rebounded both of its foes, and nobody has found a way to keep Stewart off the offensive glass. IMG Academy, however, has a deeper team and more speed in the backcourt so it will likely try to exploit those matchups. IMG Academy is the more talented team, top to bottom, but La Lumiere has found a way to win each outing so far this season. La Lumiere can't expect to have a four-point quarter like it did versus Oak Hill Academy and win. The Lakers got to expect IMG Academy to shoot better, so Stewart will need to stay out of foul trouble and Brooks will need a big offensive game to off-set what IMG may be able to accomplish in the backcourt.

Another phenomenal game in the #GEICONationals semifinals. La Lumiere moves on ? @LaLuBasketball pic.twitter.com/Ih96kjr6za

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) April 5, 2019

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post GEICO Nationals: IMG w/CRAZY Comeback & La Lumiere SURVIVES! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

By Ronnie Flores

RELATED: Subscribe on iTunes to new "In the Paint Show” podcast   | GEICO Nationals Breakdown | GEICO Nationals All-Time Records  | GEICO Nationals Bracket/TV Listings  | Latest Mr. Basketball USA Tracker  

There is a solid chance the 2018-19 FAB 50 mythical national champion will emerge from the GEICO Nationals taking place at Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.). All eight teams are ranked within the Top 25 of this week's rankings and there is simply no easy out in the eight-team field.

Below is the television schedule for GEICO Nationals

Quarterfinals (April 4th, ESPNU)
No. 9 Sunrise Christian Academy (6) vs. No. 4 IMG Academy (3), 12 pm ET
No. 10 University School (7) vs. No. 3 Montverde Academy (2), 2 pm ET
No. 25 Bishop Gorman (8) vs. No. 1 La Lumiere (1), 4 pm ET
No. 18 Oak Hill Academy (4) vs. No. 13 Wasatch Academy (5) , 6 pm ET

Semifinals (April 5th, ESPN2)
3 v 6 QF winner vs. 2 v 7 QF winner, 3 pm ET
1 v 8 QF winner vs. 1 v 8 QF winner, 5 pm ET

Championship (April 6th, ESPN) 12 pm ET

GEICO Nationals Synopsis: With the event taking place one week later than it has it past years, no player on any of the rosters will be scrambling to get from the McDonald's All-American Game to New York. In the past that has affected the game play of a few key players. The teams with McDonald's players on its roster will be locked in and ready to go if the play of the McDonald's All-Americans are any indication (Cole Anthony of Oak Hill Academy, Isaiah Stewart of La Lumiere, Precious Achiuwa of Montverde Academy, etc.).

Top seed La Lumiere obviously has an big advantage up front with the Washington-bound Stewart, a Mr. Basketball USA candidate, Kentunky-bound Keion Brooks, and Pittsburgh-bound Gerald Drumgoole, but the key will be slowing down sophomore guard Zaon Collins, the players that makes the Gaels go. Look for the Collins matchup with Wendell Green to be one of the keys to the game. If the Lakers can keep Collins in check, they will be in great position to advance to the semifinals. They would take on the winner of Oak Hill Academy-Wasatch Academy, two teams that don't think they have showed the country exactly what they can do just yet.

Coach Steve Smith feels his team could be hitting its stride now that Anthony, the leading Mr. Basketball USA candidate, is healthy. Oak Hill only lost one game at full strength and has the pieces to play competitively with La Lumiere. Wasatch Academy, meanwhile, knows it can play with La Lumiere having lost to the Lakers by a point (53-52) after leading 52-49 and with possession of the ball. La Lumiere was able to pull out the win behind clutch free throws by Brooks and Drumgoole and a huge rebounding advantage. La Lumiere held a 52-34 rebound advantage in that game, according to the Cumberland Times-News, so if the Oak Hill Academy-Wasatch Academy winner gets out-rebounded by a sizable margin, it will have trouble winning should the opponent be La Lumiere.

Wasatch Academy was unbeaten heading into the Montverde Academy Invitational and was battling illness to some key players on the late January trip. Wasatch Academy feels its performance in that event (blowout loss to FAB 50 No. 39 Rancho Christian and loss to No. 27 Vashon) is not indicative of how it can play in this event. Last year coach David Evans nearly led Lone Peak (Utah) to an upset win over eventual champion Montverde Academy in the first round and will have an excellent game plan for Oak Hill. Wasatch will have to keep Anthony or junior shooting guard Cam Thomas relatively contained. If both have big offensive nights, it could be a long night for Wasatch.

On the other side of the bracket, Sunrise Christian Academy has played many tough opponents with mixed results. Coach Luke Barnwell's club took FAB 50 No. 2 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) to the brink, but lost by wide margins to Montverde Academy (68-41) and to La Lumiere (74-52). Sunrise Christian can play with IMG, but must be on its A-Game to pull out the victory because the Ascenders are extremely motivated. IMG came into the event with a talented team in 2017 and were upset by a Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) team it felt it should have beat and are taking the opportunity to play in New York as a serious business trip. IMG is going to want to keep big man N’Faly Dante from going off (as opposing big men have given them some trouble), so one of the perimeter players such as Grant Sherfield will have a big opportunity to step up for the Buffaloes.

Most high school basketball followers would expect to see a IMG Academy-Monteverde Academy semifinal matchup, but last year University School displayed the ability to step up in big games and this is actually a rematch of last year's championship game won by Montverde Academy. University School hasn't played to the level it did last year (it has lost to both IMG Academy and Sunrise Christian Academy), but the Sharks won't be intimidated. Their guard play will be key because the defending champions will be primed to slow down Duke-bound big man Vernon Carey Jr. He was completely dominant last year at the event in victories over Shadow Mountain (Ariz.) and Oak Hill Academy, before going 5-of-16 for 12 points in the title game loss. All eyes will be on his health, as Carey has been nursing an ankle injury and did not play in the McDonald's All-American Game last Wednesday. If he is not healthy or can't move well against Monteverde's stifling defense, University School will have a hard time in this game. Montverde Academy's overall team defense is so good this season, somebody is likely going to have to get extremely hot from the outside for the Sharks to have a chance at the upset.

The one toss-up game could be a IMG-Montverde Academy semifinal, as La Lumiere comes into the event as the slight overall favorite. The No. 1 ranked team in the FAB 50 has already beaten Montverde Academy twice, but should IMG come out firing on all cylinders in the first game, perhaps it would just as tough a championship foe for the Lakers since they have less familiarity with IMG's personnel than Monteverde's. Should the higher seeds advance, the talent level on the floor for the two semifinals will be as high as it gets at the high school level. GEICO Nationals will come down to rebounding advantage, timely free throws and the health of a couple of key star players.

We'll break down how the actual games affect final FAB 50 positioning as the results come in during the event.

RELATED:  Subscribe on iTunes to new "In the Paint Show” podcast   | GEICO Nationals Breakdown | GEICO Nationals All-Time Records  | GEICO Nationals Bracket/TV Listings  | Latest Mr. Basketball USA Tracker  

Updated FAB 50 National Team Rankings
Powered by www.ebooksnet.com

(Seventeenth poll of 2018-19 regular season; Through games played on Sunday, March 31; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates forfeits and defaults not included; ***Indicates scrimmages and foundation games not included; ****Indicates season not complete)

No.	Prev.	High School (City)	Record
1	1	La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)	28-0****
2	2	McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)	32-0
3	3	Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)	21-2****
4	4	IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)	28-1****
5	5	Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.)	31-3
6	6	Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.)	31-3
7	8	Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)	29-0
8	7	Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)	32-3
9	9	Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)	23-5****
10	10	University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)	27-4****
11	11	Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)	26-3
12	12	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)	33-5
13	13	Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)	26-3****
14	14	South Central (Winterville, N.C.)	30-1
15	15	Carmel (Carmel, Ind.)	26-1
16	16	Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)	28-4
17	17	Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)	32-4****
18	18	Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.)	34-4
19	19	Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)	32-7
20	20	Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)	27-9
21	21	Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)	27-1
22	22	Guyer (Denton, Texas)	32-5
23	23	St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)	37-7
24	24	Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)	28-9
25	25	Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)	28-4****
26	26	Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.)	25-2
27	27	Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.)	25-5
28	28	Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.)	23-2****
29	29	Southwest Guilford (High Point, N.C.)	32-0
30	30	Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.)	26-3
31	31	Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)	34-4
32	32	Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.)	34-5
33	33	Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.)	27-6
34	34	Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone, N.J.)	26-5
35	35	Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)	29-5
36	36	Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas)	38-2
37	37	Starkville (Starkville, Miss.)	30-1
38	38	Salesian (Richmond, Calif.)	31-1
39	39	Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.)	25-6**
40	40	Haverford School (Haverford, Pa.)	28-0
41	41	Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.)	26-6
42	42	Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.)	26-5
43	43	Center Hill (Olive Branch, Miss.)	31-3
44	44	Curie (Chicago, Ill.)	34-2
45	45	Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.)	26-2
46	46	Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.)	28-3
47	47	Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.)	28-3
48	48	Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)	35-2
49	49	Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)	27-4
50	50	Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage, Pa.)	27-3

Dropped Out: None.

Bubble Teams:  Abington (Abington, Pa.) 28-2; American Fork (American Fork, Utah) 24-3; Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque, N.M.) 23-7; Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.) 32-5; Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) 20-8; Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) 27-4; Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) 24-7; Bonner-Prendergast (Drexel Hill, Pa.) 23-6; Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.) 23-2; Bogan (Chicago, Ill.) 30-4; Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.) 28-2; Buford (Buford, Ga.) 29-2; Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.) 31-3; Cedar Falls (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 21-3; Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 27-6; Central Plains (Claflin, Kan.) 28-0; Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 20-11; Clark (Las Vegas, Nev.) 25-6; Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.) 28-3; East Catholic (Manchester, Conn.) 27-1; East St. Louis (East St. Louis, Ill.) 29-6**; Evanston (Evanston, Ill.) 32-5; Fairfax (Los Angeles, Calif.) 27-2; Gilbert (Gilbert, Ariz.) 29-1; Grandview (Grandview, Mo.) 29-2; Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) 30-5; Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 23-8; Keenan (Columbia, S.C.) 30-1; Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) 22-4; Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Col.) 28-0; Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 23-4; Memorial (Tulsa, Okla.) 25-3; Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 26-9; Millbrook (Raleigh, N.C.) 27-2; Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Ky.) 29-2; Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.) 29-5; Norcross (Norcross, Ga.) 22-9; North Scott (Eldridge, Iowa) 23-2; Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.) 26-8; Omaha South (Omaha, Neb.) 21-6; Park Center (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) 30-2; Patterson (Baltimore, Md.) 25-3; Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, Utah) 24-3; Poly (Baltimore, Md.) 22-4**; River Rouge (River Rouge, Mich.) 23-3; Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.) 35-4; Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) 28-7**; South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 27-5; St. Vincent-St. Mary’s (Akron, Ohio) 24-4; Teays Valley Christian Prep (Scott Depot, W. Va.) 24-5; Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) 30-8; Trinity Catholic (St. Louis, Mo.) 25-4; Unity Christian (Hudsonville, Mich.) 26-2; University of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit, Mich.) 25-3; Wagner (San Antonio, Texas) 33-6; Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) 23-3; Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.) 24-5.

Note: The FAB 50 powered by www.ebooksnet.com is a continuation of the National Sports News Service ratings that began in 1952. These were the first national high school rankings and the late Art Johlfs of Minnesota compiled them. They were compiled for many years by the late Barry Sollenberger of Phoenix, who merged them into the FAB 50 19 years ago.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post NEW FAB 50: GEICO Nationals Closes Race! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

RELATED: All-Time Mr. Basketball USA Winners | GEICO Nationals Breakdown | Latest FAB 50 National Rankings | GEICO Nationals All-Time Records  | GEICO Nationals Bracket/TV Listings

As the season winds down, the elite performers have separated themselves from the pack in the latest 2018-19 Mr. Basketball USA Tracker powered by www.ebooksnet.com. The race for the prestigious national honor was wide open in the preseason and during the regular season, but with only GEICO Nationals and the national all-star game circuit to complete, the list of legitimate national player of the year candidates has trimmed down and the top candidates are now in focus.

In the last go-around, 22 candidates received recognition from the 10-man Mr. Basketball USA Tracker panel, but in the latest voting results, 17 players made the cut as legitimate candidates. While no candidate appeared on all 10 ballots in the previous tracker, the top two candidates heading down the stretch are on the radar of the entire panel. Fittingly, their seasons are not complete yet and what transpires in the next few weeks could swing the votes in favor of the eventual winner.

Those two players are point guard, Cole Anthony of FAB 50 No. 17 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and power forward Isaiah Stewart of No. 1 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.). Both Anthony and Stewart appeared on 10 ballots (no other player appeared on more than eight) with Anthony leading the way with 84 total points, four points more than the Washington-bound Stewart. Anthony, still undecided for college, garnered four of the 10 first-place votes and two other second-place votes, while Stewart had two first-place and two second place votes among his 80 total points.

Cole Anthony is averaging a triple double this season. 17.8 PPG, 10 RPG, 10 APG ?? Can he lead Oak Hill to #GEICONationals championship next week? @The_ColeAnthony pic.twitter.com/5ARB4Y3e6H

— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) March 29, 2019

In the previous tracker, Anthony tied with junior center Evan Mobley of FAB 50 No. 39 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) for first place, but Anthony's performance at the 42nd annual McDonald's All-American Game and the early exit for Mobley's team in the post-season caused changed at the top of the voting results. Mobley appeared on eight ballots and only dropped a single option overall (from 64 to 63), but Anthony and Stewart gained traction and gobbled up many of the points that previously went to fringe candidates to take control of the race.

Mobley might be the top long-term prospect of the entire group, but he's done for the season, while Anthony and Stewart used McDonald's to propel their candidacy. The point guard matchup between the East's Anthony and the West's Nico Mannion of FAB 50 No. 47 Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) was one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the prestigious all-star game. Mannion (who was one of five candidates to receive a first-place vote) played well during McDonald's practices, but the East club dominated the scrimmage and when the bright lights came on in the nationally-televised game, Anthony put his stamp on the game from the onset with his explosiveness and pin-point passing and took home the McDonald's Most Valuable Player award. The son of former NBA point guard Greg Anthony finished with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and zero assists.

Stewart, a recruiting gem for Mike Hopkins at Washington, was arguably the most productive and competitive player from start to finish at McDonald's. He had a competitive battle with seven-foot James Wiseman of Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.), who had one first-place vote and 47 points overall, and was one of the most impressive performers in the game, finishing with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting and five rebounds in the East's 115-110 victory. Stewart is the ringleader for the nation's No. 1 ranked team, averaging 18.1 ppg, 11.3 rpg and 2.9 bpg and looking to lead the Lakers to a GEICO Nationals championship this week in New York City.

"He's the best low-post player in the country and out played Wiseman at McDonald's," said tracker panelist and McDonald's All-American committee member Frank Burlison of BurlisonOnBasketball.com. "He's certainly a worthy national player of the year candidate and should be an instant 17 ppg guy at Washington. If La Lumiere wins GEICO Nationals and is dominant, it will be hard to pick against him."

The top-seeded Lakers open with FAB 50 No. 25 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) on April 4 (2 pm ET, ESPNU) while fourth seeded Oak Hill Academy takes on No. 5 seed Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) at 6 pm ET (ESPNU). If Stewart leads La Lumiere to the GEICO Nationals title, will that propel him in front of Anthony in the Mr. Basketball USA race? Or if Anthony has a big opening game and leads Oak Hill to the semifinals or title game, will his performances be enough to hold off Stewart and the other top candidates?

"We have only lost one game when our team was at full strength," Oak Hill Academy coach Steve Smith said. "Cole didn't play in two of our four losses. He's healthy now, and I like our chances in the GEICO Nationals. It's obviously, one game at a time, but he's the best player in the tournament. He facilitates for our team, and when he's on his game, we will be an extremely tough out."

Similar to the race for the No. 1 spot in the FAB 50, it looks like the most prestigious individual honor in the country will be decided by what happens on the court all the way until the very end and that's an exciting development because often times the honoree is quite obvious by this time in the season.

Make sure to tune into the ESPN family of networks April 4-6 to catch GEICO Nationals and stay logged in to www.ebooksnet.com to track the progress of the nation's top individual players and the nation’s Top teams.

Editor's Note: Click on the "+" sign next to each player's number to view how many first, second, third or fourth place votes he got and his overall point total.

Rank	Prev.	Name	High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
1	1T	Cole Anthony (10)	Oak Hill (VA)	4	2	2	0	84
2	3	Isaiah Stewart (10)	La Lumiere (IN)	2	2	3	2	80
3	1T	Evan Mobley (8)	Rancho Christian (CA)	2	2	1	0	63
4	7	James Wiseman (7)	Memphis East (TN)	1	0	1	2	47
5	4	Anthony Edwards (6)	Holy Spirit (GA)	0	1	0	3	38
6	5	Vernon Carey (5)	University School (FL)	0	1	0	1	31
7	8	Scottie Lewis (3)	Ranney School (NJ)	0	1	0	1	26
8	6	Sharife Cooper (3)	McEachern (GA)	0	1	1	0	23
9	9T	Precious Achiuwa (4)	Montverde Academy (FL)	0	0	1	0	22
10T	12T	Onyeka Okongwu (3)	Chino Hills (CA)	0	0	0	1	16
10T	16	Nico Mannion (2)	Pinnacle (AZ)	1	0	0	0	16
12	9T	Cade Cunningham (2)	Montverde Academy (FL)	0	0	0	0	12
13	11	Jaden McDaniels (2)	Federal Way (WA)	0	0	0	0	11
14	12T	Trendon Watford (1)	Mountain Brook (AL)	0	0	1	0	8
15	14T	Jalen Green (1)	San Joaquin Memorial (CA)	0	0	0	0	5
16T	NR	Dashien Nix (1)	Simply Fundamental (NV)	0	0	0	0	4
16T	18T	Khalil Whitney (1)	Roselle Catholic (NJ)	0	0	0	0	4

About Mr. Basketball USA Tracker Panel
www.ebooksnet.com's panel of 10 experts, which includes six McDonald’s All-American selection committee members, casts its vote for the top national player of the year candidates. Each panelist lists his top seven candidates regardless of class. The votes are then tabulated on a 10-point scoring system with a first-place vote equaling 10 points, a second-place vote earning nine points and down to four points for a seventh-place vote. The number in parenthesis refers to the numbers of ballots on which a player appeared and previous rankings refers to position in last season's final tracker.

The post Cole Anthony, Isaiah Stewart 1-2 In POY Race! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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In the eleventh episode of our all-new In The Paint Show," hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland give their take on the NBA All-Star Game and the event format changes, break down the top candidates for Mr. Basketball USA, which honors the national player of the year at season's end and predict and preview the CIF Southern Section Open Division title game set for February 23.

The NBA has now done away with a East vs. West format, has gone to drafting two teams and has four participants in its dunk contest. The fellas talk about if these format changes are good for the NBA and its fans and if the league's marquee players not appearing in the dunk contest has hurt the event.

Ron and Dev go Hard in the Paint on Ballislife's National Player of the Year Award, Mr. Basketball USA. The end-of-season honor began in 1996 and is retroactive back to when Wilt Chamberlain was kicking ass at Overbook High School in Philadelphia. All but two of the all-timer winners eventually played in the NBA. Should this prestigious honor be just about who is the best talent? Should it be more reflective of who is the top prospect for college and the NBA? Or should it be about which elite player has the best season statistics on a winning team, regardless of what kind of prospect he is?

The fellas give their inside take and talk about the selection process, what they learned about the game from past winners, such as Mike Bibby being selected over Kobe Bryant in 1996, and the ridiculousness of Skal Labissière being the top prospect in some mainstream national player rankings even though Ben Simmons was the first unanimous vote-getter in the Mr. Basketball USA Tracker and a cinch Mr. Basketball USA honoree back in 2015.

Dev and Ron also update the CIF Southern Section playoffs and give their predictions on which two teams will make it out of pool play to earn the right to play for the section title. The guys also talk about if the pool play format has been good for SoCal high school basketball and why the CIF needs unbeaten and FAB 50 No. 8 Salesian (Richmond, Calif.) to represent NorCal in the CIF Open state championship game March 9.

The fellas hit on high school, college recruiting and the NBA this week, so make sure to give our Pod a listen below and share it with friends!

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

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By Ronnie Flores

RELATED: NCAA and NFHS Limit June Live Period Opportunities | Subscribe on iTunes to new "In the Paint Show” podcast

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend has turned into a hoopfest around the country, and though many events do little but attach his name or initials to its showcase, there is little doubt those events have a big impact on the FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by www.ebooksnet.com each MLK weekend. About 15 years ago, we started the tradition of waiting until all the MLK Monday results are in from all over the country to update our rankings that most of the other credible polls now emulate.

Despite more big games and an extra delay in compiling the weekly rankings, the two most impressive teams were the two top-ranked teams in the country. No. 1 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) was in Springfield, Mass., for the Spalding Hoophall Classic where it took on previous No. 6 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) on MLK Monday. The Stags hung around for a half, trailing 32-24 at the break, but the Lakers' superior quickness to the ball and various scoring threats turned out to be the difference as La Lumiere recorded a 73-50 victory. Fast-rising junior point guard Wendell Green had 21 points and senior small forward Keion Brooks had 25 points. Even though Mr. Basketball USA candidate Isaiah Stewart didn't have a vintage game (14 points, 11 rebounds), the Lakers have more than enough weapons that their best player doesn't need a monster game in order to beat another top-ranked team. Stewart committed to the University of Washington of Sunday.

No. 3 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) crushed previous No. 4 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 77-58, at the Hoophall Classic in a game that wasn't as competitive as the La Lumiere-DeMatha contest. It was the Eagles' second victory over the Trailblazers this season, as Harlond Beverly netted 22 points. That result makes La Lumiere's resume look even that much more impressive since the Lakers handed Montverde Academy both of its losses so far this season. In fact, La Lumiere is putting together such an impressive resume that based on all the results from around the country, DeMatha Catholic actually moved up to No. 5 this week, as its only other loss is to No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). IMG Academy defeated No. 7 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson Va.) on Sunday, 72-67.

As impressive as La Lumiere was, the results for No. 2 McEachern were just as spectacular, as the Indians defeated then No. 19 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), 66-55, behind 27 points from spectacular junior point guard Sharife Cooper on Monday in Massachusetts. McEachern actually defeated three FAB 50-ranked foes in four days, as it captured the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., on Saturday night with a 50-46 overtime victory over No. 6 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.). Cooper was named tourney MVP after scoring 20 points in the championship game, while Auburn-bound Isaac Okoro chipped in 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. In the bass Pro TOC semifinals, the Indians downed No. 17 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.), 73-61, as Cooper went for 31 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

So far this season, McEachern has defeated 10 previous or current FAB 50 ranked opponents and could conceivably play La Lumiere at Geico Nationals provided it captures the GHSA Class AAAAAAA state crown.

Shadow Mountain remained it the same rankings position this week, as it defeated previous No. 18 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 45-41, on MLK Monday in Springfield, Mass. Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) rebounded from its Bass Pro semifinal loss to Sunrise Christian Academy to easily down Shadow Mountain in the third place game, 74-53. That caused Rancho Christian to move up four spots this week because the Eagles own a win over Memphis East. The big win for Shadow Mountain was its 74-57 first round TOC victory over previous No. 9 Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.), which fell to No. 20. Memphis East takes on No. 12 Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.) this weekend at the Hot Bed Classic in Mississippi.

While some of the teams that attended the Hoophall Classic had trouble getting into and leaving New England, Rancho Christian will remain back East and head down to the Montverde Academy Invitational without returning to California. The MIAT begins on Thursday and includes the host Eagles, the California version of the Eagles, No. 9 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), No. 36 Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) and previously ranked Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.).

Long Island Lutheran opens with Vashon and the winner will likely meet Montverde Academy in a Friday semifinal. Should the rankings and seedings hold up, Rancho Christian will likely meet Wasatch Academy in the opposite semifinal contest.

RELATED: NCAA and NFHS Limit June Live Period Opportunities | Subscribe on iTunes to new "In the Paint Show” podcast

Updated FAB 50 National Team Rankings
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(Seventh poll of 2018-19 regular season; Through games played on Monday, January 21; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates forfeits and defaults not included; ***Indicates scrimmages and foundation games not included; ****Indicates season not complete)

No.	Prev.	High School (City)	Record
1	1	La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)	21-0
2	2	McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)	19-0
3	3	Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)	14-2
4	5	IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.)	22-1
5	6	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)	16-2
6	10	Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)	14-3
7	8	Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)	17-2
8	4	Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)	21-2
9	7	Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)	20-0
10	11	Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.)	13-1
11	14	Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.)	11-4
12	15	Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.)	21-3
13	23	St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)	21-3
14	16	University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)	14-3
15	19	Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.)	18-3
16	29	Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)	14-5
17	17	Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)	17-3
18	30	Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)	22-3
19	18	Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)	12-4
20	9	Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.)	19-1
21	12	Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)	15-1
22	21	Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)	13-1
23	22	Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.)	18-1
24	28	Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.)	21-1
25	34	Salesian (Richmond, Calif.)	21-0
26	13	Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)	14-1
27	35	Curie (Chicago, Ill.)	21-1
28	32	Guyer (Denton, Texas)	22-4
29	38	Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.)	15-1
30	36	Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)	16-3
31	37	Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.)	14-2
32	20	Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.)	16-2
33	47	Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio)	13-0
34	39	Lancaster (Lancaster, Texas)	21-2
35	45	Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.)	20-1
36	46	Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.)	13-1
37	NR	Millbrook (Raleigh, N.C.)	17-0
38	NR	St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.)	18-2
39	NR	Abington (Abington, Pa.)	14-1
40	31	Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.)	15-6
41	43	Bartlett (Barlett, Tenn.)	20-2
42	NR	Hilliard Bradley (Hilliard, Ohio)	13-0
43	49	Benton Harbor (Benton Harbor, Mich.)	14-0
44	48	South Central (Winterville, N.C.)	15-1
45	NR	Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)	9-1
46	NR	Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)	18-7
47	24	Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)	13-1
48	NR	Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.)	15-0
49	42	Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)	15-5
50	NR	Centennial (Corona, Calif.)	21-3

Dropped Out: Previous No. 25 Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.), No. 26 Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.), No. 27 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), No. 33 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 40 Carmel (Carmel, Ind.), No. 41 Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.), No. 44 Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), No. 50 Clark (Las Vegas, Nev.).

Bubble Teams:  Allen (Allen, Texas) 26-2; Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 16-1; Bellevue West (Bellevue, Neb.) 15-1; Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) 10-3; Biloxi (Biloxi, Miss.) 22-0; Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 15-1; Bloom (Chicago Heights, Ill.) 18-1; Bogan (Chicago, Ill.) 19-2; Bonner-Prendergast (Drexel Hill, Pa.) 13-1; Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) 11-1; Brentwood (Brentwood, N.Y.) 14-0; Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.) 10-1; Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) 14-4; Carmel (Carmel, Ind.) 11-1; Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.) 24-2; Center Hill (Olive Branch, Miss.) 21-1; Central Plains (Claflin, Kan.) 12-0; Clark (Las Vegas, Nev.) 17-2; Discovery (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 18-3; Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) 17-3; East Coweta (East Coweta, Ga.) 21-1; Edmond Memorial (Edmond, Okla.) 13-1; Edmond Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.) 13-1; Etiwanda (Etiwanda, Calif.) 20-2; Fairfax (Los Angeles, Calif.) 17-1; Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 13-5; Grandview (Grandview, Mo.) 14-2; Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 20-2; Haverford School (Haverford, Pa.) 15-0; Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 17-2; Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 12-3; John Hardin (Elizabethtown, Ky.) 21-0; Keenan (Columbia, S.C.) 21-1; Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage, Pa.) 11-3; Las Cruces (Las Cruces, N.M.) 17-0; Lawrence (Lawrence, Kan.) 9-1; Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Col.) 14-0; Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) 24-2; Maria Goretti (Hagerstown, Md.) 16-3; Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) 21-1; Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.) 18-4; Memorial (Tulsa, Okla.) 14-3; Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Ky.) 11-2; Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.) 18-3; New Haven (New Haven, Mich.) 11-1; Norcross (Norcross, Ga.) 15-7; North Scott (Eldridge, Iowa) 14-0; Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) 12-4; Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) 19-3; Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, Utah) 14-2; River Rouge (River Rouge, Mich.) 10-1; Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.) 14-4; Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.) 25-1; South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 15-3; Springfield Southeast (Springfield, Ill.) 17-1; Starkville (Starkville, Miss.) 19-1; Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) 15-5; Trinity Catholic (St. Louis, Mo.) 14-1; Upson-Lee (Thomaston, Ga.) 19-1; Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.) 11-4; Wagner (San Antonio, Texas) 21-5; Webster Groves (Webster Groves, Mo.) 13-0; Wright (New Orleans, La.) 25-4.

Note: The FAB 50 powered by www.ebooksnet.com is a continuation of the National Sports News Service ratings that began in 1952. These were the first national high school rankings and the late Art Johlfs of Minnesota compiled them. They were compiled for many years by the late Barry Sollenberger of Phoenix, who merged them into the FAB 50 19 years ago.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post NEW FAB 50: SPECIAL MLK Edition! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

By Ronnie Flores

RELATED: NCAA and NFHS Limit June Live Period Opportunities | FAB 50 No. 1, 2, 3 All GO DOWN!

We had to wait an extra day to get out the latest edition of the FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by www.ebooksnet.com because of the way the calendar fell in 2018 with New Year's Eve on a Monday. It meant we had to wait for the results of John Rhodes' Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and a few other big tournaments that traditionally end on New Year's Eve, such as the Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tenn.

Those results were just to make sure our deep rankings were as accurate as possible because the big news over the holiday tournament season was the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 ranked teams in the FAB 50 all went down at the City of Palms Classic in Florida and the Iolani Classic in Hawaii and fans want to know, who is the new No. 1 as we ring in 2019?

It came down to previous No. 5 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), which defeated previous No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) in the Iolani Classic semifinals, 58-51, and previous No. 10 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), which outlasted 10 other FAB 50 ranked teams to capture the City of Palms title.

Gerald Drumgoole scored 19 points for the Lakers and senior forward Keion Brooks hit two big 3-pointers down the stretch to help La Lu snap the Eagles' 41-game winning streak. At City of Palms, previous No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) fell to previous No. 28 Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.) in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) fell to previous No. 13 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) in the semifinals. Considering McEachern demolished Mountain Brook in the semifinals, 50-29, and defeated Imhotep Charter, 68-47, for the tournament title as junior point guard Sharife Cooper was named tournament MVP, the 10-0 Indians have a good enough resume to be considered No. 1. They also defeated three other opponents that were ranked at the time of victory and have tough games coming up.

With both teams still unbeaten, who deserves to be No. 1?

It was a close call, but we went with La Lumiere for three reasons. One, it was ranked higher than McEachern going into the last rankings shuffle. If we didn't think La Lu was deserving of such lofty acclaim, we wouldn't have started them higher than McEachern in the preseason. Second, La Lu defeated our defending FAB 50 champion and the No. 1 team at the time and that carries plenty of weight in our system. Montverde Academy hasn't lost to another team. Lastly, the Lakers face No. 16 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) and have a rematch with Montverde Academy this upcoming weekend at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W. Va., where they must prove their rankings worth.

Should Montverde Academy win the re-match, McEachern will be waiting in the wings and Montverde Academy will also be angling to get back to the top spot. McEachern has a game with No. 17 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), which lost to Bishop Gorman in the Tarkanian Classic title game in Las Vegas, on January 21. The big silver lining for McEachern is GHSA state champions have been eligible for GEICO Nationals in recent seasons and if it holds serve the Indians could conceivably face La Lumiere on the court at the end of the season. In that ideal scenario, this rankings debate will be settled on the court.

Sierra Canyon's Missed Opportunity

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) has only lost to Montverde Academy, 57-49, and that game occurred AFTER La Lumiere defeated the Eagles. On its side of the bracket at Iolani, Sierra Canyon defeated No. 22 Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.), which captured the Beach Ball Classic title on New Year's Eve, but in accordance to CIF rules, Sierra Canyon cannot play La Lumiere. So in essence there was no championship game and Sierra Canyon missed out on a prime opportunity to play the team that just knocked off No. 1. Will Sierra Canyon get another opportunity like that this season?

That remains to be seen, but the worst scenario possible happened for Sierra Canyon, as it fell to the team it saw lose in the other side of the championship bracket. As for La Lumiere, it survived a "trap game" by defeating tournament quarterfinalist Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), 72-58, in its "championship" game.

In future seasons, per CIF rules, members schools cannot play independent programs that don't compete for a state crown such as La Lumiere, Oak Hill Academy and Montverde Academy. Let's hope tournament organizers adjust their invites and brackets so situations such as the one involving Sierra Canyon doesn't happen again. For more on the enforcement of this rule, CLICK HERE.

Looking Ahead

In addition to the big No. 1 vs. No. 3 rematch showdown at the Cancer Research Classic between La Lumiere and Montverde Academy on January 5 (3 pm ET), there are other big games on tap at the two-day event. No. 2 McEachern faces No. 34 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) on January 4 (2:40 pm ET) with La Lumiere playing Bishop Gorman in the very next game. At 6 pm ET on January 4, Montverde Academy faces battle-tested Norcross (Norcross, Ga.) and at 7:45 pm ET, No. 8 Imhotep Charter faces No. 14 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Air, Kan.).

Findlay Prep faces Sunrise Christian Academy the next afternoon at 1:20 pm ET with La Lumiere-Montverde Academy in the next game. Gorman faces Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) at 4:40 pm ET, No. 6 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) faces Norcross at 6:05 pm ET and the event closes out at 7:45 pm ET with McEachern facing Imhotep Charter in a rematch of the City of Palms title game.

RELATED: NCAA and NFHS Limit June Live Period Opportunities

Updated FAB 50 National Team Rankings
Powered by www.ebooksnet.com

(Fourth poll of 2018-19 regular season; Through games played on Monday, December 31; Previous ranking in parentheses; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates forfeits and defaults not included; ***Indicates scrimmages and foundation games not included; ****Indicates season not complete)

No.	Prev.	High School (City)	Record
1	5	La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)	14-0
2	10	McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)	10-0
3	1	Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)	7-1
4	7	Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)	16-1
5	3	IMG Academy (Brandenton, Fla.)	12-1
6	4	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)	10-1
7	8	Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)	15-0
8	13	Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.)	7-2
9	2	Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)	15-1
10	15	Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.)	7-0
11	16	Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.)	15-0
12	14	Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)	8-0
13	19	Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)	7-0
14	11	Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)	9-2
15	25	Allen (Allen, Texas)	21-1
16	26	Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)	10-1
17	17	Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.)	14-1
18	28	Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, Ala.)	15-3
19	6	University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)	10-3
20	29	Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)	13-1
21	24	Federal Way (Federal Way, Wash.)	10-1
22	NR	Westchester (Los Angeles, Calif.)	13-1
23	9	Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)	7-3
24	22	Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.)	9-1
25	49	Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)	19-0
26	35	Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.)	7-0
27	34	Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)	16-2
28	20	St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)	14-3
29	36	Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)	8-3
30	27	Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.)	13-1
31	38	Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.)	8-1
32	39	Olive Branch (Olive Branch, Miss.)	10-5
33	21	Guyer (Denton, Texas)	17-4
34	37	Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)	13-2
35	45	Curie (Chicago, Ill.)	14-0
36	NR	Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)	6-0
37	41	Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.)	9-2
38	48	Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)	15-1
39	NR	Center Hill (Olive Branch, Miss.)	16-0
40	NR	Salesian (Richmond, Calif.)	14-0
41	18	Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.)	20-1
42	30	Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.)	11-2
43	50	Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)	8-0
44	44	Bartlett (Barlett, Tenn.)	14-1
45	NR	Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.)	14-1
46	31	Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.)	8-1
47	40	Wilson (Washington, D.C.)	10-5
48	42	South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.)	12-1
49	NR	Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.)	11-1
50	12	Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.)	8-3

Dropped Out: Previous No. 23 Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas), No. 32 Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.), No. 33 Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.), No. 43 St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.), No. 46 Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage, Pa.), No. 47 Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.).

Bubble Teams:  Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 11-0; Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.) 12-3; Benton Harbor (Benton Harbor, Mich.) 8-0; Biloxi (Biloxi, Miss.) 16-0; Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 7-0; Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) 3-1; Bloom (Chicago Heights, Ill.) 14-1; Bogan (Chicago, Ill.) 14-1; Bonner-Prendergast (Drexel Hill, Pa.) 8-0; Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) 8-1; Brentwood (Brentwood, N.Y.) 6-0; Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park, Kan.) 5-1; Buford (Buford, Ga.) 12-1; Carmel (Carmel, Ind.) 7-0; Cedar Falls (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 6-1; Centennial (Corona, Calif.) 14-3; Central Plains (Claflin, Kan.) 7-0; Clark (Las Vegas, Nev.) 13-0; Creighton Prep (Omaha, Neb.) 7-0; Discovery (Lawrenceville, Ga.) 13-3; Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) 12-3; Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) 12-7; Edmond Santa Fe (Edmond, Okla.) 8-0; Fairfax (Los Angeles, Calif.) 13-1; Gill St. Bernard’s (Gladstone, N.J.) 8-0; Grandview (Grandview, Mo.) 9-2; Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 13-2; Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 12-1; Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.) 5-3; Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) 7-3; Keenan (Columbia, S.C.) 16-1; Kennedy Catholic (Hermitage, Pa.) 5-2; Lancaster (Lancaster, Texas) 16-2; Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Col.) 7-0; Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas) 19-2; Maria Goretti (Hagerstown, Md.) 13-2; Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) 15-1; Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.) 13-3; Memorial (Tulsa, Okla.) 12-3; Millbrook (Raleigh, N.C.) 14-0; Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Ky.) 6-2; Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) 10-0; New Haven (New Haven, Mich.) 7-1; Norcross (Norcross, Ga.) 10-5; North Shore (Houston, Texas) 18-1; Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.) 15-3; Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, Utah) 11-2; Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.) 10-0; Sapulpa (Sapulpa, Okla.) 7-1; South Central (Winterville, N.C.) 10-1; Springfield Southeast (Springfield, Ill.) 12-1; St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.) 12-2; Teas Valley Christian Prep (Scott Depot, W. Va.) 12-0; Trinity Catholic (St. Louis, Mo.) 11-0; Upson-Lee (Thomaston, Ga.) 12-1; Wagner (San Antonio, Texas) 15-5; Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) 14-4.

Note: The FAB 50 powered by www.ebooksnet.com is a continuation of the National Sports News Service ratings that began in 1952. These were the first national high school rankings and the late Art Johlfs of Minnesota compiled them. They were compiled for many years by the late Barry Sollenberger of Phoenix, who merged them into the FAB 50 19 years ago.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

The post NEW FAB 50: There is a NEW No. 1 For NEW Year's! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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