Strictly BBall Newsletter 9

New Top-10 Rankings, Will Montverde Go Undefeated?

Who stood out in Utah last week?

by Griffin Greenberg on November 28

We learned a lot about this upcoming high school basketball season once again this past weekend at the Five For the Fight Hoopfest in Utah. This event featured multiple Strictly BBall Top-10 teams and I was there to watch it all go down. In this week’s issue I will recap what I saw there, as well as give you 10 more teams for “Best Team By State.”

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Updated Strictly BBall Top 10

by Griffin Greenberg

1. Montverde Academy (FL)

2. Link Academy (MO)

3. Columbus High School (FL)

4. Paul VI Catholic (VA)

5. Prolific Prep (CA)

6. Long Island Lutheran (NY)

7. La Lumiere School (IN)

8. IMG Academy (FL)

9. Dream City Christian (AZ)

10. Wasatch Academy (UT)

First 3 out: AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Combine Academy (NC), Bishop O’Connell (VA)

Why is Columbus still No. 3?

Columbus High School suffered a shocking loss to Wasatch Academy, but the Explorers did beat Prolific Prep just days before in an OT thriller, as well as McEachern . Because of that, Columbus stays at No. 3.

Why is Dream City Christian No. 9?

Since Jamari Phillips transferred to DCC just as the season began, DCC has been on a tear. DCC has taken down Wasatch and Southern California Academy at Holiday Hoopsgiving and put up a strong fight against Prolific Prep.

Why is Wasatch Academy No. 10?

Despite a couple of early season losses to No. Montverde Academy and No. 9 Dream City Christian, Wasatch had a huge win over No. 3 Columbus. They’re now No. 10 with an upcoming matchup against AZ Compass Prep, who is looking in at the top 10 right behind them.

Headlines from 5 for the Fight National Hoopfest (Pleasant Grove, UT)

by Griffin Greenberg

Utah Brings the Basketball Energy

Utah was rocking as the large Pleasant Grove High School gym filled up on multiple occasions. The biggest being for the Montverde Academy vs. Wasatch Academy matchup, as spectators piled in to watch future projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg take on the team from Utah that resides about an hour south of Pleasant Grove. Fans were struck with awe as Flagg and his team skyed for dunks in warmups but as the game started, “Overrated” chants came in. Flagg and company responded well.

Montverde Academy is Untouchable

As the overrated chants came in against Wasatch Academy (UT) on Day One, Montverde got off to a hot start. In the second quarter they shot 71% from the field and held Wasatch to 23%. Flagg had shushed the crowd and held his hand up to his ear at the half as the Eagles led 49-23 at the break. 

On Day Two against American Fork, the Eagles had 10 players score in a well-rounded win led by 5-star Georgia commit Asa Newell with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The nation’s top team has a chance to go undefeated.

Jaxon Johnson is LEGIT!

Jaxon Johnson is ranked at the 112th player in the 2024 class. The forward, committed to Utah, has shown out against top competition over the past year and did so once again at this event. 

Johnson delivered two very dominant and efficient games in the event for Alta High School. He led Alta with 28 points, shooting 71% and hitting six out of eight 3-pointers and 6 rebounds in a blowout win over Sunrise Christian -  a team many sites have ranked top-10 nationally. The Utah commit then put up 28 points again against American Fork, knocking down five of his nine 3-point attempts. Johnson is amongst the best in the state and has a legit shot at winning Gatorade Player of the Year, as well as giving Alta a shot at winning the state championship.

Link Academy features the best guards in the country

The 3-headed guard monster trio of Tre Johnson, Jasper Johnson, and Labaron Philon highlights the Lions and makes them the nation’s No. 2 team. Tre Johnson is a Texas commit and is the country’s best shooting guard, Jasper Johnson is a top-10 player in the class of 2025, and Labaron Philon is a 4-star point guard committed to Kansas. 

Link picked up wins over AZ Compass and Canyon International. T.O. Barrett was also very solid off the bench and should have a big role for Link in that spot this season

Upcoming Top Event - Hoophall West (Dec 1-2)

by Griffin Greenberg 

The exciting event out in The Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona is back! Hoophall West 2023 is here and I’ll be covering the event once again. Come back to next week’s newsletter for more coverage but for now, here are the top matchups:

Friday

AZ Compass Prep (AZ) vs. No. 10 Wasatch Academy (UT)

This matchup features two EYBL Scholastic teams that are fighting for the No. 10 spot in the Strictly BBall rankings. Wasatch has found a hidden gem in Bhan Buom; 5-star Isiah Harwell has looked elite, and Nevada transfers John Mobley Jr., Chris Nwuli, and Taj DeGourville have made an impact. AZ Compass has an impressive flurry of guards in No. 22 2025 recruit Jeremiah Fears, Oregon commit Vyctorius Miller, Cam Miles, and big men Luke Bamgboye and Sammie Yeanay.

Perry (AZ) vs. Archbishop Stepinac (NY)

Perry returns as state champions to an event that they dominated in last year and is led by 2025 5-star Koa Peat, the top player in the state. Archbishop Stepinac is led by Kentucky commit Boogie Fland and 2025 3-star Danny Carbuccia.

Saturday

Canyon International Academy (AZ) vs. No. 10 Wasatch Academy (UT)

Wasatch has another tough matchup against another AZ school, Canyon International Academy. CIA looked very tough against Link Academy, and is led by Arizona State commit Amier Ali, Miles Sadler, and Jaion Pitt.

Archbishop Stepinac (NY) vs. Corona Centennial (CA)

Fland and company will take on Centennial, one of the best teams in CA over the past few years. Centennial is led by 5-star Arizona commit Carter Bryant and 4-star UCLA commit Eric Freeny.

Desert Mountain (AZ) vs. Sierra Canyon (CA)

Desert Mountain is led by 2026 twins Kaden and Kalek House, two guards with very bright futures that have taken over the AZ basketball scene. Sierra Canyon is led by Arkansas commit Isaiah Elohim, Justin Pippen, and recent transfer Bryce James.

Sunnyslope (AZ) vs. St. John Bosco (CA)

Sunnyslope is led by Ball State commit Jai Anthoni Bearden, and promising 2026 players Rider Portela, Cristian Simmons and John Mattingly. St. John Bosco is led by 2025 5-star Elzie Harrington, Loyola Chicago commit Jack Turner, 2025 4-star Kade Bonam, and 2026 5-star Brandon McCoy.

Perry (AZ) vs. Harvard-Westlake (CA)

Peat and company face the defending Open Division CIF state champions Harvard-Westlake. HW is led by 4-star USC commit Trent Perry, 4-star Harvard commit Robert Hinton and 2025 4-star Nik Khamenia.

Darryn Peterson inks NIL deal with Adidas

by Griffin Greenberg 

Darryn Peterson, the No. 3 player in the class of 2025, has become the first high school basketball player to sign an NIL deal with Adidas. Peterson plays for Phenom United in the Adidas circuit and Adidas sponsored Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV) in high school basketball.

The 16-year-old guard is deciding between 16 schools, only three of being sponsored by adidas… Kansas, Indiana and Louisville.

The Best by State part IV

by Griffin Greenberg 

New Mexico - Albuquerque Prep

2025 Jalin Holland highlights ABC Prep, a recent transfer who is already hooping in the Grind Session, putting together multiple 20+ point games early on in the season. Alongside him are Christian Gilliland and Johnny Pierce, two of the top seniors in the state. ABC Prep competes against other national teams in the Grind Session and has gotten better and better as the years progress.

New York - Long Island Lutheran

The nation’s No. 6 team fell short of their goal of a Geico National championship last season, but have a chance to get back to that stage and redeem themselves with their powerful roster. The nation’s No. 5 player in VJ Edgecombe is poised for a huge senior season after jumping the rankings like we’ve never seen before last year. Alongside him is returning Seton Hall commit Godswill Erheriene, Jacob Ross (brother of Jayden who played with LuHi last season), Kiyan Anthony (son of Carmelo Anthony), and promising guards Kayden & Dylan Mingo. LuHi made a big splash in the offseason adding Florida State commit and a top 5 center in 2025 Alier Maluk and 4-star guard Nigel James.

North Carolina - Combine Academy

Combine plays a national schedule and has already proven they’re the best in the state. 4-star Kansas commit Rakease Passmore has showcased his elite, well-rounded offensive game as well as his ability to make an impact on defense. Jayan Walker has proved his ability to score the ball and Seton Hall commit Jahseem Felton has been a strong facilitator. 2026 forward Elhadki Diallo, 2026 forward Rivers Knight and 2024 forward Emmanuel Okitondo are more names to watch out for on this squad. 

North Dakota - Fargo North

A younger Fargo North team won the NDHSAA Class A championship behind 28 points and 7 rebounds for Jeremiah Sem this past season. Sem is back for his senior season, as well as Carter Zeller for the Spartans. That duo along with Sem’s younger brother, 2025 Matthew Sem, sets Fargo North up to be the best team in the state once again as they eye another championship.

Ohio - Western Reserve Academy

WRA senior Marquette committed forward duo Royce Parham and Damarius Owens are both right up there as the top 2 players in the state. Owens is a high-flying forward that can shoot it well and brings a ton of energy. Parham has a great all-around offensive game with the ability to stretch the floor. 4-star 2025 Nikola Bundalo is one of the most sought after recruits, being able to light it up from deep and score in multiple ways while standing at 6’10.”

Oklahoma - Dale

Dale won the OSSAA 2A state championship earlier this year behind an incredible performance from Oklahoma commit Dayton Forsythe who finished with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Forsythe returns for his senior year, eyeing another championship alongside his brother Denton who is now a sophomore. Junior Trayden Chambers should also have a big season for Dale, a younger team who returns their starting lineup.

Oregon - Central Catholic

Central Catholic fell in the first round of the 6A OSAA playoffs to a talented West Linn squad who was led by Gatorade State Player of the Year and current Oregon freshman Jackson Shelstad. However, Central Catholic is set for a big season behind their 2025 Oregon commit Isaac Caar, a 6’3” guard who can impact the game in multiple ways, especially on the offensive end. Alongside him is Pepperdine commit Marley Zeller, 2025 Duce Paschal and 2026 Zamir Paschal.

Pennsylvania - Lincoln Park Performing Arts

Lincoln Park was nearly unstoppable last season, finishing with a 31-1 record and winning the PIAA 4A state championship behind 25 points from Brandin Cummings and 22 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals from Meleek Thomas. Cummings is a 2024 guard committed to Pittsburgh and Thomas is ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2025. The Lincoln Park duo should be a big reason for why they can make it far in a tough basketball state.

Rhode Island - St. George’s 

St. George’s will face some tough out of state teams out east including Tilton School, St. Sebastian’s, Bradford Christian Academy and Worcester Academy to name a few. 2024 guards Anthony Daley and Alex Berry are among the top players in the state and should be in instrumental roles for St. George’s this season.

South Carolina - Lexington

Lexington fell short of a SCHSL AAAAA state championship last season, losing in the semifinals to Dorman. They’ll look to bounce back, returning Texas commit and top-25 senior Cam Scott, a wing that had one of the biggest summers because of his versatility in his position and ability to score the ball. 3-star senior Jaxon Prunty is an underrated player that shoots it very well and Kaleb Evans is a 2025 guard poised for a big year.

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