{"id":141923,"date":"2017-04-18T15:48:36","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T22:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bilcomprd.wpengine.com\/?p=141923"},"modified":"2023-03-21T14:29:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T21:29:52","slug":"final-expanded-2016-17-fab-50-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/final-expanded-2016-17-fab-50-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Final, Expanded 2016-17 FAB 50 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

All 50 ranked teams written up with explanations for why they were placed in these positions with comparisons to preseason ranking. The FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by Ballislife.com is the official rankings of the National Sports News Service, which date back to the 1952 season. Nathan Hale of Seattle is the 2016-17 mythical national champion, the first ever from Washington. The Raiders are the second consecutive <\/strong>public school to finish No. 1 and the third this decade. <\/b><\/p>\n

Compiled by Ronnie Flores<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>All-Time FAB 50 No. 1s<\/a> | <\/strong>Final East Top 20<\/a> |<\/strong>  Final Southeast Top 20<\/a> | Final Midwest Top 20<\/a> | Final Southwest Top 20<\/a> | Final West Top 20<\/a> | Final 2016-17 FAB 50: Who Is The National Champ?<\/a> |<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Preseason ranking in parenthesis; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates default wins\/losses not included.<\/em><\/p>\n

1. (38) Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) 29-0<\/strong>
\nThe Raiders are the first team ever from the state of Washington to finish No. 1 in the FAB 50 and no other team from the Apple State going back to the beginning of the National Sports News Service rankings in 1952 has ever won the mythical national title. The highest ranked Washington team prior was Rainier Beach of Seattle in 2013-14 when it finished No. 6. That team\u2019s only loss came in its Dick\u2019s Nationals opener and the decision by Hale not to participate in the event certainly was a point of contention in the final analysis. The decision to keep Hale in its No. 1 position over Dick\u2019s National\u2019s champ and No. 2 La Lumiere came down to what we always focus on: game results while doing our best to minimize other factors, which over time, gives up the best chance to remain accurate in our analysis. Missouri-bound Michael Porter made good on his promise that the Raiders were too low in the preseason, as they defeated preseason No. 1 Oak Hill Academy, No. 21 Sierra Canyon as well as Metro League rival Garfield four times during the season behind his 36.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Younger brother Jontay Porter joined him on the all-state team with averages of 12.7 ppg and 12.1 rpg.<\/p>\n

2. (2) La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) 28-1
\n<\/strong>The Lakers finish in the same rankings position they started out in the preseason with after the decision was made not to flip-flop them with Hale after La Lumiere won Dick\u2019s Nationals for the first time. Hale elevated to No. 1 after the Hoophall Classic and was in that position because of its earlier win over No. 21 Sierra Canyon, the team that handed the Lakers their only setback on MLK Monday. One of the main reasons the common opponent factor was so significant in this case was it was against an opponent in the No. 1 conversation and was ultimately the two results that led to Hale\u2019s ascension to No. 1 in front of La Lumiere\u2019s preseason positioning. Hale was not a consensus choice among the polls deemed credible, as La Lumiere enjoyed an outstanding season behind the play of McDonald\u2019s All-Americans Brian Bowen (20.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg) and Jaren Jackson (16.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 6.0 bbg). In addition to defeating No. 5 Montverde Academy for the Dick\u2019s title, the Lakers also defeated No. 10 Findlay Prep twice (including a Dick\u2019s semifinal victory) and a Hamilton Heights Christian Academy team that bested No. 3 Memphis East.<\/p>\n

3. (12) Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 33-3 <\/strong>
\nIt was quite interesting to see the Mustangs in New York even though the TSSAA rejected their waiver request to participate in Dick\u2019s Nationals. Penny Hardaway\u2019s program became the first since White Station of Memphis in 2003-04 to win consecutive state titles in the highest classification after downing Southwind of Memphis, 65-45, to win the Class AAA crown. Sophomore Chandler Lawson went for 18 points and 15 rebounds in the state title game with three teammates going for double figures. Those four players \u2013 Lawson, Class AAA Mr. Basketball Alex Lomax (14), T.J. Moss (11) and Malcolm Dandridge (11) all received all-tourney honors and return next year with hopes of another state crown and possible Dick\u2019s invite. Memphis East lost to No. 21 Sierra Canyon, but also beat No. 5 Montverde Academy two of three outings and No. 9 Patrick School to advance to the City of Palms Tournament title game. The underclass-dominant team also downed No. 28 Greenforest Christian Academy.<\/p>\n

4. (20) Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) 31-1* <\/strong>
\nThe Panthers had one on-court loss to eventual PIAA Class AAA state champ Neumann-Goretti in its second game (the team had to forfeit a game versus cross-town Constitution for an altercation) and were downright dominant in its own playoff bracket. Coach Andre Noble\u2019s team ran roughshod through the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs with a winning margin over 29 points, including a 80-52 triumph over Strong Vincent of Erie in the title game. Rhode Island-bound guard Daron Russell led the way all season long and had 25 points and 6 steals in the state title game. South Carolina-bound David Beatty was a defensive standout and teamed with Russell to give Imhotep Charter one of the nation\u2019s best backcourts. The big win during its 30-game winning streak to close the season with a 57-48 win over No. 5 Montverde Academy that snapped the program\u2019s 55-game home winning streak. The Panthers did a bit better than we expected in the preseason, but on the other hand we were the only ones to have them on the national radar to begin the season and they will be strong once again in 2017-18.<\/p>\n