{"id":169047,"date":"2019-10-28T14:00:38","date_gmt":"2019-10-28T21:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bilcomprd.wpengine.com\/?p=169047"},"modified":"2023-03-21T14:23:40","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T21:23:40","slug":"preseason-2019-20-fab-50-teams-no-16-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ballislife.com\/preseason-2019-20-fab-50-teams-no-16-30\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason 2019-20 FAB 50: Teams No. 16-30!"},"content":{"rendered":"

We continue our 2019-20 preseason FAB 50 National Team Rankings powered by Ballislife.com countdown with an in-depth look at teams No. 16-30. These are the teams that can challenge for the mythical FAB 50 title with some big wins and the right bounces! We began with teams No. 31-50 on Sunday evening and our final installment will be teams No. 1-15 on Tuesday, October 29.<\/strong>
\n<\/p>\n

Note: The FAB 50 powered by Ballislife.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 20 years ago.<\/em><\/p>\n

Preseason 2019-20 FAB 50 <\/strong><\/span>
\n National Team Rankings<\/strong><\/span>
\nPowered by Ballislife.com<\/em><\/p>\n

By Ronnie Flores<\/em><\/p>\n

(Final 2018-19 ranking in parentheses; *Indicates forfeit wins, forfeit losses not included; **Indicates forfeits and defaults not included; Look for preseason Region-By-Region Top 20 Rankings on Tuesday, November 5 and for the preseason Mr. Basketball USA Tracker on Monday, November 18.)<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Preseason 2019-20 FAB 50 (1-15)<\/a> | Preseason 2019-20 FAB 50 (31-50)<\/a> | Preseason Top 20 Regional Rankings<\/a> |<\/p>\n

16. (NR) Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, Pa.) 21-8<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> PG Hakim Byrd 5-9 2020, SF Jordan Hall 6-6 2020 (St. Joseph\u2019s commit), SG Cam Young 6-6 2020 (Bowling Green commit), SF Che Evans 6-8 2020 (No. 174 247Sports.com, San Diego St. commit).
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> On the strength of three returning starters and eight returning lettermen, the Saints rate as the Philly Catholic League favorites over No. 35 Archbishop Wood. Neumann-Goretti has versatile players and depth to go along with that trademark Philly toughness. It starts with Byrd, a returning All-Catholic selection who can score and get up under and harass offensive players. Byrd has the heart of the Lion and makes coach Carl Arrigale\u2019s team go. Hall is a versatile component who can play inside or out and Young is another D1-bound talent who is a terrific spot up shooter. Goretti can go to its bench for scoring punch and doesn\u2019t have to worry about its perimeter defenders getting into foul trouble too much because of the depth on the wings. \u201cThe strength of our team in the versatility, shooting and depth,\u201d Arrigale said.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> With Imhotep Charter graduating a strong senior class, the Philly Public League is down, but the expectations surrounding the Saints are similar to Imhotep Charter\u2019s in recent seasons because of the talent on deck and national schedule. Evans is a well-known player on the national grassroots circuit and if he can blend in with the other talented wings and excel in his new role, Neumann will have the ability to climb in the rankings. As is that\u2019s not enough, Chris Evans (6-1, 2021) is another excellent shooter and big things are expected of Blaise Vespe (6-6, 2021). Neumann-Goretti takes on Wood January 24 in a Catholic League showdown a week after tangling with always-dangerous No. 42 Roman Catholic. The Saints have an early season test with highly-regarded Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.) and take on No. 30 Legacy Early College at the Governor\u2019s Cup in Maryland after returning from the West Coast before Christmas, where it will compete in the Tarkanian Classic with the likes of No. 5 Gorman and No. 18 Mater Dei.<\/p>\n

17. (NR) Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) 25-4<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> PG Deivon Smith 6-1 2020 (No. 42 247Sports.com, Mississippi St. commit), SG Caleb Murphy 6-2 2020 (No. 55 Rivals.com, South Florida commit), SF Toneari Lane 6-6 2020 (Winthrop commit), PF Ian Schieffelin 6-7 2021.
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> The Rams\u2019 faithful is enthusiastic and optimistic about this season after 2018-19 came to an abrupt end with a 68-53 GHSA Class AAAAAAA Sweet 16 loss to No. 38 Norcross. Grayson rates as one of the AAAAAAA favorites along with defending champ and No. 10 McEachern, highly-regarded Berkmar (Lilburn, Ga.) and Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.). With McEachern suffering heavy graduation loss from its No. 2 FAB 50 team, the Rams have to like their chances because of their ability to score and their depth. Smith (17.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 6.8 apg, 2.6 spg, 1.7 bpg) is one of the most complete guards in the Southeast Region and could be headed to All-American acclaim with a big season. Schieffelin (8.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and Taje Kelly (6-7, 2021) will be counted on to rebound and effectively guard the interior and if they have big seasons, Grayson will be dangerous in the ultra-competitive AAAAAAA post-season.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> Grayson hasn\u2019t been No. 1 at the finish line yet, but it isn\u2019t hard to like the horses it brings to the race. Coach Geoffrey Pierce has a team that relies on its guard play and is wicked in transition. As if the returning perimeter players weren\u2019t enough transfer Murphy can fill it up from the outside and transfer Lane (20 ppg) gives Pierce the ability to play lineups of various sizes. From a statewide perspective, Pierce is a bit concerned about his post depth. Last season all of Grayson\u2019s losses were to in-state foes and from a national perspective, it can\u2019t afford to drop more than one or two games to fellow Peach State foes. Grayson gets tested right away on November 16 when it faces Berkmar at the On The Radar Hoopsfest. The Rams play at the Holiday Hoopsgiving (November 29-30) in Atlanta versus highly-rgarded Memphis East (Tenn.) and Mountainbrook (Ala.) and also participate in the Atlanta Hawks Naismith Classic, the Wheeler TOC, the Peachtree Corners Invitational and face Wayne (Ohio) at the Flying To the Hoop Invitational before playing on MLK Monday at the Kevin Durant MLK Classic.<\/p>\n

18. (35) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 29-5 <\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> PG Devin Askew 6-4 2021 (No. 9 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Kentucky commit), C Wilhelm Breidenbach 6-9 2021 (No. 33 ESPN.com), PG Ryan Evans 6-1 2020, PF Harrison Hornery 6-10 2021 (No. 141 247Sports.com).
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> The Monarchs opened up No. 48 in last year\u2019s FAB 50, but were able to advance all the way to the CIF SoCal open final where it fell to eventual state open champ Sierra Canyon by a respectable margin (83-73). With an all underclass lineup, Mater Dei somewhat over-achieved and that\u2019s actually happened more than a few times in the past decade under veteran coach Gary McKnight (1,136-110), the nation\u2019s active winningest coach. Leading the pack of 13 returning lettermen is lead guard Askew, last year\u2019s Cal-Hi Sports State Sophomore of the Year after averaging 14.0 ppg, 6.8 apg, and 2.1 spg in a balanced attack. Breidenbach (12.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg) made great strides and is quickly developing into one of the best post players in the state regardless of class. Five returning players averaged in double figures and Nick Davidson (6-8, 2021) just missed with averages of 9.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg. \u201cWe\u2019re a veteran team with size and shooters,\u201d McKnight said.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> At times this summer and fall, the Monarchs didn\u2019t look like world-beaters, but they have three key ingredients to challenge two-time defending open champion Sierra Canyon for the program\u2019s 12th state title: size, outside shooting and a terrific point guard. There is some concern about the Monarchs\u2019 foot speed and transition defense against national-level teams, but that could be offset if Hornery (11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg) continues to improve and double-digit scorers Ryan Evans (6-2, 2020) and Aidan Prukop (6-4, 2020) hit timely post-season shots. The Monarchs will compete at the Tarkanian Classic before Christmas and at the Les Schwab Tournament after the Holidays and both events feature Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas, a team the Monarchs lost to this past summer. Mater Dei also has two key matchups with Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) and FAB 50 title contender DeMatha Catholic at the Cancer Research Classic (January 3-4) in West Virginia. Before the post-season begins, Mater Dei faces No. 34 Whitney Young at its own Nike Extravaganza (February 1).<\/p>\n

19. (31) Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 34-4<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> SG Samson Ruzhentsev 6-8 2020 (No. 53 247Sports.com), PF Bayron Matos 6-9 2020 (No. 157 247Sports.com), SF Anderson Garcia 6-7 2020, SG Drew Williams 6-6 2021 (No. 137 Rivals.com).
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> After the Hawks captured their second consecutive National Association of Christian Athletes D1 title, it looked like the program wouldn\u2019t be back in the FAB 50 after it began 2018-19 on the bubble. It wasn\u2019t because a lack of talent; more so a lack of students as HHCA had approximately 60 when it announced its closing at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Less than a month later, it was announced HHCA was back in business and with four returning starters and six lettermen that meant the first preseason FAB 50 spot in program history. Ruzhentsev (17.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg) may not be a national household name, but if the Hawks have a big season he could be in line for some All-American acclaim. Matos (9.8 rpg, 9.8 rpg) is an impact player inside with his physicality and a motor that never stops. Garcia (6.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) is a talented boardsman and if Williams (8.0 ppg) can come close to doubling his scoring output, this team is going to be hard to beat.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> It\u2019s no secret having quality guard play is one of the main keys for a successful FAB 50 ranked program and that\u2019s the one question mark that has to be answered on this team. Jordan Rawls and his 23.0 ppg and 6.4 apg won\u2019t be easily replaced, but Dominque Penn (6-1, 2020) can handle and score, while Reggie Bass (6-4, 2022) is oozing with talent and potential. \u201cA huge key for us this year will be getting our new incoming guards acclimated to our style of play and system,\u201d coach Zach Farrell said. The schedule requires a good on-court leader, as HHCA faces No. 27 West Oaks in the Signature Series at the City of Palms Classic in addition to matchups versus independent academy-type programs Hillcrest Prep of Phoenix (at Hoophall West December 7) and Prolific Prep of California.<\/p>\n

20. (27) Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) 23-2<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> PG Andre Curbelo 6-1 2020 (No. 46 Rivals.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American), PF Zed Key 6-8 2020 (No. 117 Rivals.com. Ohio St. commit), SG Jalen Celestine 6-7 2020.
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> Last season, the Crusaders opened up at No. 33 and were extremely motivated after they felt the 2018 Federation Class AA drown was taken from them by a scorer\u2019s table error. They left no doubt in last season\u2019s Feds title game, downing New York City Catholic league champ Christ the King by 20 points. Coach John Buck returns three starters, six lettermen and one potential All-American. That\u2019s Curbelo, who uses slick ball-handling and craftiness to control the outcome of games. Key is somewhat of a throwback; an excellent two-hand rebounder who excels at scoring around the basket without having a play run for him. Celestine is a big-time wing prospect and if he has a big season there\u2019s no reason why the Crusaders can\u2019t repeat as New York Federation AA champs.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> LuHi has been in the FAB 50 mix for the past three seasons and this year has earned its highest ever preseason ranking. It\u2019s because of a loaded national schedule and a deep roster that once again has a strong international flavor. Curbelo is a member of the Puerto Rico national team and Polish newcomer Kacper Klaczek (6-8, 2021) is one of the best prospects his age of European descent. Rafael Pinzon (6-6, 2021) is an excellent shooter and with his size on the wing, gives Buck plenty of lineup options. \u201cWe\u2019re returning our core group from the 2019 state championship team and will be very strong defensively; we have plenty of depth with skill at each position,\u201d Buck said. The Crusaders will travel to the Iolani Classic (which includes FAB 50 title contender Oak Hill Academy), the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina (December 26-31), the Montverde Academy Invitational (January 23-25), face FAB 50 No. 1 contender Sierra Canyon of California on February 8 at the Metro Classic in New Jersey and host talented Patrick School of New Jersey on February 13.<\/p>\n

21. (39) Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) 25-6**<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> C Evan Mobley 7-0 2020 (No. 1 247Sports.com, Ballislife First Team All-American, USC commit), SF Luke Turner 6-6 2021, PG Dominick Harris 6-4 2020 (No. 59 ESPN.com, Gonzaga commit).
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> The Eagles have the best prospect in high school basketball and arguably the best player in the middle and the guard play to seriously challenge for the California Interscholastic Federation and CIF Southern Section open crowns. At first, it would seem the graduation of Isaiah Mobley (USC) would drop this team a notch, but what it does is put more emphasis on the unique talents of his younger brother Evan, a serious Mr. Basketball USA candidate after averaging 19.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg, and 3.3 spg in 2018-19. The guards on last year\u2019s team are also faster, bigger and more experienced for a prime post-season run. The Eagles have also added a nice piece in transfer Jayce Cathings (6-5, 2020), who helps on the boards and with defending the wings. Harris will be in the lineup for the whole season, which gives Rancho Christian its best chance to peak for the playoffs instead of altering lineups down the stretch. Turner can keep defenses from collapsing on Mobley and is another player who has displayed marked improvement since last season.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> The presence of the Mobley brothers put a lot of pressure on Rancho Christian last season to live up to expectations and it came up short in its quest for state and section titles. Ironically, there is slightly less preseason pressure and expectations, even though the Eagles start three spots higher than they did last season, and that could pay dividends this time around. At times last season, having both brothers on the floor caused one to defer and allow the other to take charge, the ball to stall and decreased driving lanes for guards. This year, the formula is simpler: get the ball to the lone Mobley brother and let him create opportunities for Turner and Harris. During fall leagues, the opening of the floor also made Bryson Stephens (6-0, 2020) and Jayden Byers (6-0, 2021) more dangerous threats. The schedule is loaded, including a trip to Hoophall West for two games, and matchups with FAB 50 title contenders Sierra Canyon of California, DeMatha Catholic of Maryland and Gonzaga of Washington, D.C., in addition to Camden (N.J.). The Eagles could actually meet Sierra Canyon after Christmas in the championship of The Classic at Damien in Southern California.<\/p>\n

22. (48) Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.) 35-2<\/strong>
\nKey Players:<\/strong> SG Reece Beekman 6-3 2020 (No. 41 ESPN.com, Ballislife Underclass All-American, Virginia commit), PG Tai\u2019reon Joseph 6-2 2020, PG Carvell Teasett 6-0 2020.
\nWhy This Ranking:<\/strong> When a program has been a consistent winner and has the experienced talent the Hornets possess, there is no choice but to place them in the Top 25. The Hornets have won three consecutive LHSAA Division 1 state crowns and are an overwhelming favorite to capture a fourth (and fifth in the last six seasons) because of seven returning lettermen, including all five starters. It\u2019s not just quantity, it\u2019s the quality as Beekman (21.9 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 10.2 apg, 3.6 spg) not only puts up Russell Westbrook-type numbers, he\u2019s already been named state title game MVP twice. Joseph (19.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), who had 26 points in last season\u2019s state title game, and Teasett (18.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg) would both be star players at nearly every other school in Louisiana. Both can step up in the scoring department or take a step back and do the little things necessary to win, such as playing lights-out defense or deferring to whomever has the hot hand.
\nThe Skinny:<\/strong> The Hornets begin the season in the same rankings position they finished in 2018-19 with the potential to move up provided there is no complacency. It\u2019s a great feeling for veteran coach Carlos Sample (555-183) to know he is basically guaranteed 60 points each night from three experienced guards. As if that\u2019s not enough, his program has added transfer Emareyon McDonald (6-1, 2021), a 16 ppg scorer at Red River (Coushatta, La.), so the perimeter defenders have even less worry of foul trouble. \u201cWe are a senior-laden team and must rely on our defense and quickness because we are not a big team,\u201d Sample said. From a national perspective, interior size is a bit of a concern, but we\u2019ll find out if the Hornets can impose their will on bigger opponents at the City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla. (December 18-23). Scotlandville opens with No. 37 Vashon and will face either No. 42 Roman Catholic or FAB 50 title contender McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) in the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n