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Wednesday, July 16
National Boys' Basketball Top 25
SchoolSports.com

1. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Last Year's Record: 30-2
Key Players: C Desagana Diop (7-0, 305), SG Rashaad Carruth (6-2, 185), PG Billy Edelin (6-3)
Outlook: Oak Hill, as usual, is loaded. Desagana Diop, the latest in a long line of big men from Senegal to attend Oak Hill, is one of the top centers in the nation and has a quality low-post game.
Rashaad Carruth
Oak Hill Academy (Va.) shooting guard Rashaad Carruth has committed to the University of Kentucky.
Rashaad Carruth is a gunner who has developed a well-rounded game that he will take to Kentucky. Diop and Carruth are both third team SchoolSports.com All-Americans. Coach Steve Smith feels that Billy Edelin, who transferred from DeMatha Catholic High (Md.), is among the top point guards in the nation. Mario Boggan, a 6-foot-7, 310-pounder, takes up space and rebounds in the middle, while juniors Eric Wilkins (6-3) and Justin Gray (6-2) will battle for the final starting spot.

2. Willowridge High (Sugarland, Texas)
Last Year's Record: 36-1 (won Class 5A state title for first time since 1994)
Key Players: SG Daniel Ewing (6-4), PG T.J. Ford (5-10, 165)
Outlook: Forward Ivan McFarlin, now at Oklahoma State, was the only loss for the Eagles, who return a core of seniors led by Duke-bound shooting guard Daniel Ewing (16.8 ppg). Kenny Taylor (11.8 ppg) is headed to Baylor, T.J. Ford (9.4 apg) has committed to Texas and Curtis Walker (8.6 ppg) will likely go to West Virginia.

3. Montrose Christian High (Rockville, Md.)
Last Year's Record: 28-5
Key Players: PF Levi Watkins (6-8, 220), C Harvey Thomas (6-8, 205), G Tony Bethel (6-1), G Drew Hall (6-2)
Outlook: He's back. Coach Stu Vetter, the man who made winning programs at Flint Hill Prep, Harker Prep and St. John's-Prospect Hall, has done it again at Montrose Christian. The Mustangs are loaded -- the starting backcourt of Drew Hall and Tony Bethel has signed with Georgetown, as has center Harvey Thomas. Perhaps the best of the group, power forward Levi Watkins, is headed to N.C. State. The 6-foot-8 Watkins was good for 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season. Expectations are high, but there's enough talent in Rockville to avoid any disappointment. Keep an eye on sophomore Dominique Smallwood when he spells Bethel or Hall in the backcourt -- he's tough.

4. Mater Dei High (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Last Year's Record: 34-2
Key Players: C Jamal Sampson (6-11, 230), F Cedric Bozeman (6-5)
Outlook: There's a lot to like at Mater Dei this season, especially with four starters returning. The best of the bunch are Jamal Sampson and Cedric Bozeman. Sampson has committed to California, while Bozeman will be suiting up for Steve Lavin at UCLA. Sampson averaged 13.7 points, 10.6 rebounds and a ridiculous 5.7 blocks a game last year. Bozeman, who was the Southern Section Player of the Year following a season in which he averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds, should be even better. Mike Strawberry, a 6-foot-4 junior, and Harrison Schaen, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, will also help.

5. St. Raymond's High (Bronx, N.Y.)
Last Year's Record: 27-3
Key Players: G/F Julius Hodge (6-6), G Chris McRae (6-4)
Outlook: After blowing up on the summer camp circuit and committing to N.C. State, Julius Hodge -- a SchoolSports.com second team All-American -- is hoping to lead the Ravens to the state title. As a junior, Hodge averaged 21 points and seven rebounds per contest, but he was overshadowed by Peter Mulligan's breakout senior season. It should be Hodge's show this year, but he'll receive a lot of support from Chris McRae, who has committed to Hofstra. Davonne Folks (6-4) and Julian Thomas (6-7) can do some things as well.

6. R.J. Reynolds High (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Last Year's Record: 27-2 (Class 4A champions)
Key Players: G Mitchell Bittle (6-2), G Derrele Mitchell (6-4), F Jason McDonald (6-8)
Outlook: The future is now at Reynolds. All five starters return from last year's 4A championship team, including leading scorer Mitchell Bittle (17.4 ppg). Bittle and senior teammates Derrele Mitchell, Jason McDonald and 6-foot-7 force Ilia Evtimov will provide veteran presence, while 6-foot-8 sophomore Keith Foster should make an impact.

7. Dillard High (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Last Year's Record: 31-4 (Class 6A champions)
Key Players: C Steve Allen (6-9, 235), F Kelvin Brown (6-5), PG Ricky Phillips (5-10)
Outlook: Despite Kelvin Brown leading the team in scoring at 19 points per game, the guy who makes Dillard go is Steve Allen. Colleges love the 6-foot-9 center, even after averaging a pedestrian 12 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Ricky Phillips (13.1 ppg, 5.2 apg) is back to run the show, hoping to lead Dillard to another Class 6A title.

8. St. Patrick's High (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Last Year's Record: 25-6
Key Players: Marcus Austin (6-9), Sam Lake (5-11), Terrell Prince (5-11)
Outlook: The bigs are big and the smalls are small at St. Patrick's. The frontcourt goes 6-foot-9 (Marcus Austin), 6-foot-10 (sophomore Grant Billmeier) and 6-foot-6 (Jamie Sowers), while the backcourt is a couple of 5-foot-11 guys in Sam Lake and Terrell Prince. The first guard off the bench, sophomore Michael Narde, is also 5-foot-11. Austin has committed to Seton Hall. St. Patrick's is always a threat, and this year is no exception.

9. Vashon High (St. Louis, Mo.)
Last Year's Record: 27-2 (Class 4A champions)
Key Players: F Lorenzo Gordon (6-6, 230), G Jimmy McKinney (6-4)
Outlook: Lorenzo Gordon was amazing last year, averaging 18 points and 13 rebounds per game in leading Vashon to the Class 4A title. Jimmy McKinney (14 ppg) is just a junior, but he is in demand already. The other returning starters are 5-foot-10 point guard Jesse Akins and 6-foot-8 forward Nicholas Kern. Vashon is in the midst of a 14-game winning streak.

10. Dominguez High (Compton, Calif.)
Last Year's Record: 35-2 (Division II champions)
Key Players: C Tyson Chandler (7-1, 230)
Outlook: Twenty-eight consecutive wins. Four Division II state titles in the last five years. Both are big stories, to be sure, but neither is bigger than Tyson Chandler himself, who is the only returning starter from last year's team. His presence is the only reason Dominguez finds itself in the Top 10. A second-team SchoolSports.com All-America selection, Chandler will likely make himself available for the NBA Draft at the end of this season.

11. St. Vincent-St. Mary High (Akron, Ohio)
Last Year's Record: 27-0 (Division III state champions)
Key Players: F Lebron James (6-6), G Aly Samabaly
Outlook: St. Vincent-St. Mary lost just one player from last year's 27-0 state championship club, which means it is still the team to beat this season. Sophomore Lebron James had a huge game in the state championship, netting 25 points. He averaged 18 points, six rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. His classmate, 5-foot-4 Dru Joyce, has a chance to be special. Aly Samabaly was good for 15 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest last season.

12. DeMatha Catholic High (Hyattsville, Md.)
Last Year's Record: 28-5
Key Players: C Jordan Collins (6-10, 245), F Travis Garrison (6-9, 215), PG Marshall Strickland (6-2)
Outlook: After being recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, longtime DeMatha Catholic coach Morgan Wootten shouldn't experience much of a letdown when he coaches this year's team. A couple of frontcourt pillars, Jordan Collins and Travis Garrison, return for stability. Billy Edelin's departure opened the door for Marshall Strickland, a smooth transfer from the Winchendon School (Mass.). Collins will join the fine recruiting class being assembled by N.C. State.

13. De La Salle High (Concord, Calif.)
Last Year's Record: 31-1 (Division 1 state champions)
Key Players: G Joe See (5-11), G Charles Brown
Outlook: Joe See is the consummate leader for this group, amassing an 84-3 record during his three years as the starting point guard. Last season, See led the Spartans to the Division 1 state title by averaging 16.1 points and 5.1 assists per game. Others to watch include Charles Brown, who averaged just more than 10 points a game, and a bunch of football players.

14. Male High (Louisville, Ky.)
Last Year's Record: 28-7
Key Players: F Larry O'Bannon (6-5), G Johnny Mathies (5-11), F LeVar Carter (6-6)
Outlook: Larry O'Bannon is the only senior back for Male, but he's a good one. Last year, the 6-foot-5 forward averaged 18 points per game. Juniors Johnny Mathies and LeVar Carter are the other returning starters.

15. Berkshire School (Homestead, Fla.)
Last Year's Record: 36-2
Key Players: F Quemont Greer (6-6, 215), F Jamal Levy (6-9, 200), G Duane John
Outlook: DePaul signee Quemont Greer and Missouri signee Duane John are both transfers, so they weren't even a part of last year's team that went 36-2. In other words, Berkshire is loaded. Jamal Levy had a solid junior season, averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. Josh Chambers, a 6-foot-5 forward, threw in 18 points a game.

16. Southern High (Baltimore, Md.)
Last Year's Record: 20-6
Key Players: G Melvin Scott (6-2), G Darshan Luckey (6-3), G Keyon Johnson (5-11)
Outlook: Perhaps the best jump shooter in the country, Melvin Scott will be trying to win the Class 4A state title that eluded he and his teammates last season. Scott has committed to North Carolina. Fellow seniors Darshan Luckey and Keyon Johnson give the Bulldogs a formidable three-guard backcourt.

17. Jefferson High (Portland, Ore.)
Last Year's Record: 28-0 (4A state champions)
Key Players: PG Aaron Miles (6-1), G Michael Lee (6-2)
Outlook: Portland is home to perhaps the best pure point guard in the country, 6-foot-1 Aaron Miles. Miles, a third team SchoolSports.com All-American, is joined in the backcourt by Michael Lee. The duo will be hooking up against next year, as both have committed to Kansas. Miles and Lee both averaged 15 points per game last season, but expect more from them this year. A couple of forwards, 6-foot-4 Bill Holt and 6-foot-6 Jelanti Martini, will go to work inside.

18. Camden High (Camden, N.J.)
Last Year's Record: 28-5
Key Players: G Dajuan Wagner (6-3), F James Pulliam
Outlook: Dajuan Wagner will try to top a sick junior season in which he led Camden to the state title and scored 80 points in a game. That's heady stuff, but not anything tougher than choosing Memphis over the NBA. Wagner is a first team SchoolSports.com All-American. It's not a one-man show, however. James Pulliam will man the post for Camden.

19. Midwest City High (Midwest City, Okla.)
Last Year's Record: 26-2 (Class 5A state champions)
Key Players: F Sheldon Williams (6-9), F DeAngelo Alexander (6-5)
Outlook: Midwest City might win the 5A state title again this year and maybe again next year -- that's how good junior forwards Sheldon Williams and DeAngelo Alexander are. Both had standout summers and are looking to build on their budding reputations.

20. Whitney Young High (Chicago, Ill.)
Last Year's Record: 22-7
Key Players: G Ronald Howard (6-5), F Marcus White (6-8, 220), PG Chris Hill (5-10)
Outlook: Whitney Young would have been a Top 10 pick if forward Najeeb Echols had stuck around instead of transferring. But there's a lot of depth left. Ronald Howard finished with a 17-point average last season, so he's no joke. Marcus White averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game last year. Point guard Chris Hill averaged a double-double -- 11 points and 10 assists -- last season.

21. Berkmar High (Lilburn, Ga.)
Last Year's Record: 30-2 (Class 4A state champions)
Key Players: F Clark Williams (6-6), G Adrian Borders (6-0)
Outlook: Four starters return, including all-state selections Clark Williams, Adrian Borders, 6-foot-5 Shawn Ikpa and 6-foot-4 Wayne Arnold. Conveniently, all four averaged double figures last season, which means offense won't be an issue.

22. Pike High (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Last Year's Record:18-6
Key Players: G Chris Thomas (6-1), G Keith Borgan (5-9)
Outlook: Chris Thomas and Keith Borgan combine to form one of the nastiest backcourts in the country. Thomas, a Notre Dame signee, can fill it up and distribute the ball. He averaged 24.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.5 steals per game last year. Borgan finished the season with 12.3 points and 3.3 assists per contest. David Teague, a 6-foot-4 senior, and Parnell Smith, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, should give Pike a lift on the boards.

23. Germantown Academy (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Last Year's Record: 25-2
Key Players: G Matt Walsh (6-6), G Matt Slattery (6-1)
Outlook: Matt Walsh was impressive over the summer, which says a lot about Germantown, because the 6-foot-6 junior was relegated to sixth-man status last year. Walsh averaged 12.2 points per game off the bench, but he might double that this season. Three starters return, including point guard Mike Slattery, who averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 assists per game.

24. Thornwood High (South Holland, Ill.)
Last Year's Record: 25-4
Key Players: C Eddy Curry (6-11)
Outlook: At Thornwood, there's Eddy Curry and little else. Much like Tyson Chandler at No. 10 Dominguez High, Curry, a potential NBA lottery pick who has committed to DePaul, will have to carry the load. Curry is a SchoolSports.com first team All-American. Junior Melvin Buckley (6-5) will provide some help.

25. Archbishop Molloy High (Briarwood, N.Y.)
Last Year's Record: 17-9
Key Players: C Wendell Gibson (6-8), F John Sikiric (6-6), G Marlon Smith (5-11)
Outlook: Is this the start of the Marlon Smith era at Molloy? Coach Jack Curran, who has coached NBAers Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson, thinks Smith can be the latest point guard star. He won't have to do it all, though, as Wendell Gibson (committed to Hofstra) mans the post and John Sikiric can light it up inside and outside.

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