Preseason High School Top 50: 30-21
30. Bergen County (NJ) – Watson was a very good player, but with him gone, Bergen will drop down. However, they return three players who scored at least 17 ppg (but no more than 22.28 ppg). Those points aren’t easy to come by alongside a player with 66.23 ppg, either. They also have Dennis from their B team, who put up 30.48 ppg on his own.
29. Parkview Arts & Sciences (AR) – They return Jake, who led their B team into the playoffs at HSNCT with 47.68 ppg. They also get Connor back from their A-team and his 28.84 ppg. Both their teams averaged less than 10 ppb, but this figure should improve if Jake & Connor play on the same team.
28. MLK Magnet (TN) – They get all three of their key players back from HSNCT, being led by Cody (45.25 ppg) and the help of Will (12.22) and Jordan (10.86). Cody should turn into a very good player in his own right, regardless of who his brother is.
27. Solon (OH) – Their key returnee is Jasper and his 32.27 HSNCT ppg, but they also have Benjamin (11.36) and Ashu (10.45) from their A-team, plus Nashonth (22.97) and Partik (17.12) from their B team. Any four from that bunch should form a very solid team.
26. Bellarmine (CA) – Both their A and B team made the playoffs at HSNCT, and they both return notable scorers. Tanay (26.19) and Vinay (15.15) from their A team and Nikhil (21.66), Phil (21.43 – in just 4.5 games) and Ankit (15.67) from their B team return. This team definitely has youth on their side.
25. St. Anselm (DC) – This is based off their performance at NSC, where in four games Aidan averaged 105 ppg and Matt 65. On the one hand, those numbers are awesome. On the other, it was in just four games. On the third hand (pretend I’m Goro), it was in the bottom tier of the consolation rounds after they took over for a team that withdrew. On the fourth hand, putting up those numbers under any circumstances on the NSC set is an accomplishment.
24. Hume-Fogg (TN) – Ian returns, and he put up 60.19 ppg at HSNCT. Sam is also back after putting up 14.81 ppg. Ian’s one of the highest returning scorers from the HSNCT, and that should be enough to get Hume-Fogg a high finish.
23. Pensacola (FL) – David (46.73 ppg @ HSNCT) and Kay (23.83) return from a team with a 14.71 ppb. Depth will be needed for a very deep run at nationals, but as is this is a solid team.
22. Plymouth (MI) – They return their top scorer, by far, from HSNCT in Shan (53.05 ppg), but also get Alan (10.80) and Rebecca (10.33) back. They also had 13.03 ppb, so returning most of the team points to a strong team this year.
21. Northmont (OH) – They get Michael back (13.45 ppg at HSNCT, 40 at NSC) not to mention Brandon (39.56 at HSNCT, 57.14 at NSC). Assuming Michael’s performance at NSC was more indicative of his general ability level, Northmont has a formidable one-two punch. If Michael’s closer to his HSNCT numbers, then they’ll still be notably good.