Strictly BBall Newsletter 14

BEST OF the Hoophall Classic and Updated Top-10 Rankings!

What teams and players looked best at this year’s Hoophall Classic?

Cooper Flagg of Montverde Academy dunks it around two Prolific Prep defenders at Hoophall Classic. Photo from Griffin Greenberg

by Griffin Greenberg on January 20

The biggest event of the year did not disappoint, featuring 9 of 10 teams in the Strictly Bball top 10 rankings and ending with 8 two possession games. Take a look at the best players, game, performances and more coverage from the Hoophall Classic, including a shift in the new rankings with two new teams entering the top 10!

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Updated Strictly BBall Top 10

by Griffin Greenberg

1. Montverde Academy (FL)

2. Columbus High School (FL)

3. Paul VI (VA)

4. Prolific Prep (CA)

5. Link Academy (MO)

6. Long Island Lutheran (NY)

7. La Lumiere School (IN)

8. AZ Compass Prep (AZ)

9. Don Bosco Prep (NJ)

10. Brewster Academy (MH)

Columbus: Was: #6, Now: #2

The Explorers had a massive weekend, putting together an excellent 4th quarter to take down previous #2 Long Island Lutheran and pulling away late to beat #3 Paul VI.

Jase Richardson averaged 20.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 6.5 APG and 2 SPG to lead Columbus and Cameron Boozer averaged 20 PPG, 10 RPG, 4.5 APG, 4.5 BPG and 2 SPG. Columbus has shown how dominant they are against top private and prep schools throughout the season and deserves the #2 spot.

How did Don Bosco Prep and Brewster Academy jump in the top-10?

Despite losing to Archbishop Stepinac, Don Bosco was already just outside of the top-10 and took down McEachern, Columbus, and IMG Academy earlier this season. Brewster entered after a comeback win over Oak Hill. Wasatch fell out of the top-10 after losing to Jackson-Reed by 29, and while Harvard-Westlake beat McEachern at the Hoophall Classic, they have since dropped games to Notre Dame Sherman Oaks and Sierra Canyon School.

BEST OF HOOPHALL CLASSIC

by Griffin Greenberg 

Best Game - Montverde Academy vs. Prolific Prep

The highly anticipated matchup between the No. 1 recruits in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 classes did not disappoint. In what was one of the best games of the year, Montverde ended up taking down Prolific in a 76-71 battle featuring 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists from AJ Dybantsa and 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks from Cooper Flagg. 

Liam McNeeley led the way for Montverde with 22 points displaying his elite shooting ability. Prolific went on multiple runs throughout the game and there were 10 total lead changes, mostly toward the end, but Montverde remains undefeated in the end.

Best Players by Class

2024:

Jase Richardson (Columbus) - 20.5 PPG, 6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 2 SPG

Richardson helped lead Columbus to two huge wins against top-5 teams in Long Island Lutheran and Paul VI. Richardson’s energy feeds to his teammates, making Columbus one of the most exciting teams to watch. He is effective on each end and is a big reason for the school now being ranked as the nation’s No. 2 team.

Jalil Bethea (Archbishop Wood) - 40 points (8-15 from three), 8 reb, 4 ast

Bethea put on a clinic playing a talented Corona Centennial team as he finished with 40 points shooting 8-15 from three and 10-10 from the free throw line, including the game sealing free throws. He also gathered in 8 rebounds and had 4 assists with 0 turnovers. He is one of the best scorers in high school basketball, being able to do so at multiple levels and with efficiency.

Cooper Flagg (Montverde Academy) - 17 PPG, 8 RPG, 3.7 APG, 4 BPG, 2 SPG

Flagg had another monster weekend, helping Montverde maintain their perfect record as they won their first 2 games of the event by 30+ points, and the final by 5 in a close one with Prolific. Flagg has continued to show his dominance and efficiency at a consistent rate and is likely the current frontrunner for national Gatorade Player of the Year.

2025

Darius Acuff (IMG Academy) - 26.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5 APG, 2 SPG

Acuff had a big weekend, having two 25+ point games against Sunrise Christian and Link Academy. Facing teams with strong guards, Acuff showed off his scoring at all levels and ability to read defenses well. He’s the leading scorer in all of EYBL Scholastic averaging 22 PPG on the season.

Cameron Boozer (Columbus) - 20 PPG, 10 RPG, 4.5 APG, 4.5 BPG, 2 SPG

Cameron Boozer had another big weekend in the 2 massive wins for Columbus. He led his squad to 86% shooting from the field in the 4th quarter to outscore Long Island Lutheran in the frame 29-7, accounting for 26 total points in the win. In the second game, he showcased a bit of everything while being guarded by Paul VI’s Garrett Sundra and Isaiah Abraham.

Nik Khamenia (Harvard-Westlake) - 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals

Khamenia led Harvard-Westlake to an OT win over Ace Bailey and McEachern. The 4-star is an elite shooter in the mid-range area and makes a high impact on both ends. He held Ace Bailey to just 10-24 shooting and he’s been able to show that he can contribute heavily on each end on the national stage.

Koa Peat (Perry) - 23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 blocks

Peat and Perry responded to a comeback by Grayson with a buzzer beating three by Barron Silsby to win it. The Pumas held Grayson to under 40% shooting with Peat logging 7 blocks. Peat used his strength to get to his spots and finish through contact.

2026

Jordan Smith (Paul VI) - 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals

The guard started and helped Paul VI put up a good fight against Columbus. He is elite at shooting inside the arc and is very crafty, using that ability to get to his spots. He has a high IQ and is a very high-energy player, using it to his advantage on both sides of the ball.

Sebastian Wilkins (Brewster Academy) - 13 PPG (63% FG), 4.5 RPG, 1 BPG, 1 APG

Wilkins had a big second game in a Brewster win, scoring 20 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. He is very athletic and crafty inside, proving to already have a strong post game. He led Brewster to victory after being down by 20 and has shown how effective he is when playing with aggressiveness.

Recruitment Recap

Commitments

Class of 2024 5-star Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, NY) guard VJ Edgecombe has committed to Baylor.

Final schools

Class of 2024 4-star guard Jeremiah Fears is set to announce his college decision between Ole Miss, Kansas, Illinois, Providence, and Michigan on January 22nd.

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