Prep Rankings (#6-10)
Today’s batch of Prep Rankings features two teams from the northeast corridor of the USA, two military schools, and a tough as nails Carolina team. We have entered the Top 10, and while many deserved consideration, we felt these 10 schools going into the season have the best chance to cut the nets down at the end of the year in large part to the talent they will have on the floor.
#10) Tilton – Coach Marcus O’ Neil is one of the best to do it, and this years group is eerily similar to the one he had when he won a National Championship back in ’09. Nerlens Noel is an all world defender, and his offensive arsenal expanded all throughout the summer. What makes Tilton & Noel so dangerous though is frontcourt stud Georges Niang. There will not be many 4/5′s that outmatch those two down low or anywhere in the paint for that matter.
#9) Fishburne Military Academy – Coach Huck’s team is easily deeper and more athletic then any team he has had since he came on at Fishburne, and that is saying something. The difference maker this year is Virginia commit Teven Jones, who is more then capable of running the show while still finding a way to get his. Down low Matt Gorski is a skilled 7′ with range out to “3″ that also has the footwork to score from either block.
#8) St. John’s Northwest Military Academy – On paper people may wonder, but when you watch them play and practice together you see what all the hype is about. These jokers can flat out shoot the ball! And, not just one of them, ALL of them! Led by Jacoby Davis, who has a football body with an elite level handle, SJNMA will never be out of any game they play in because of their will to compete and aforementioned ability to shoot the ball.
#7) Quality Education – Coach Pitts is as tough a coach as they come. He has the kid’s respect, and he also has those jokers intimidated! But, because of the way he tough loves them, they are willing to run thru any kind of wall for him. On paper Brandon Bolden is their most known and touted player, and rightfully so. A 6’11 athletic big, he is a presence anywhere on the court. But, their “sleeper” who is really known and wide awake is Hakim Coney. I don’t know if anybody dared to make this comparison, but you heard it here first, he is a Derrick Rose clone. 6’2, made of steel, tough as nails, athletic, can shoot it enough to be respected to set up his drive, the boy can flat out go! Oh, my bad, and he is only a sophomore!!!
#6) New Hampton – Coach Pete has built New Hampton up to what it is today, and for his efforts he has fielded a team that should make a consistent amount of noise throughout the season. Seniors Olivier Hanlan & Notre Dame commit Zach Auguste will take this young bunch on a ride that could lead all the way to the Prep School National Championship assuming everybody stays healthy.