Top 25 Minnesota high school boys basketball rankings (1/2/2024)

Last week’s ranking: 1

This week’s games: Jan. 4 at No. 5 Lakeville North (6-2)

Ranking rationale: Wayzata is showing no signs of relinquishing the top spot. It’s the last remaining unbeaten team in Class 4A after Farmington suffered its first loss on Dec. 30. The Trojans picked up a pair of blowout wins last week at East Ridge’s holiday tournament. The first was 84-56 vs. Eastview (1-6) and 76-60 the next night vs. previous No. 23 Rosemount (5-3). 

Future Creighton Bluejay Jackson McAndrew led with 28 points in the opener and had 18 vs. the Irish. Wayzata was up 14 by halftime against Rosemount. Even a loss in a top-five matchup this week might not be enough to move the Trojans down.

Last week’s ranking: 2

This week’s games: Dec. 4 vs. Andover (3-4), Dec. 6 vs. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-4)

Ranking rationale: Don’t let the 5-3 record fool you; the Eagles are a great basketball team. They also schedule tough and take on the challenge of facing teams around the country. Two of their losses are to non-Minnesota squads. One of them came last week 67-55 to Cordova, Tennessee. 

That was the second of two games at the Hoop City Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. Totino-Grace won the first game 69-55 vs. Wauwatosa West, Wisconsin. It’s hard to take too much from these games against non-Minnesota competition, but it appears that T-G has done enough to warrant remaining at No. 2 this week.

Last week’s ranking: 4

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. Moorhead (4-5), Jan. 4 at Blaine (2-6), Jan. 5 vs. Edina (3-5)

Ranking rationale: The Pirates bounced back from their first loss of the season a couple weeks ago to current No. 2 Totino-Grace (5-3) to form a new three-game win streak. They went 2-0 last week at the Capitol City Classic in St. Paul with a big-time 92-89 win over previous No. 3 Minnetonka (6-1). 

Minnetonka led for a good chunk of the second half but Park Center made the plays down the stretch to pull it out. The Pirates followed it up with a 92-73 win over University of Minnesota commit Isaac Asuma and Class 1A power Cherry (7-2). 

Park Center should roll through this week before getting back to the Northwest Suburban Conference gauntlet.

Last week’s ranking: 3

This week’s games: Jan. 6 at No. 21 DeLaSalle (2-4)

Ranking rationale: The Skippers dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten, but there’s no shame in losing a close one to a state title contender. Minnetonka fell 92-89 to current No. 3 Park Center (9-1) at the Capitol City Classic at Concordia University. This was as close as the score indicates with each team trading blows in a classic. 

The Skippers bounced back the next day at Concordia to thump previous No. 18 Benilde-St. Margaret’s (3-4). Minnetonka hasn’t notched that signature victory yet, but it still showed a lot over the holiday week.

Last week’s ranking: 5

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. No. 10 Farmington (8-1), Jan. 4 vs. No. 1 Wayzata (9-0)

Ranking rationale: Lakeville North showed no mercy to the guests at its holiday tournament. The Panthers demolished New Prague (2-7) 77-41 and Chanhassen (2-5) 82-52. Five of their six wins this season have been by 17-plus points. North got up by 29 at halftime against New Prague before calling off the dogs. 

Jack Robison led with 25 points. North was up by 30 at halftime vs. Chanhassen even without the future Wisconsin Badger Robison in the lineup. 

James Fager picked up the slack with 21 points. The Panthers hold steady in this week’s Power 25, but they can make a move by upsetting the top dog.

Last week’s ranking: 10

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. Blake (6-2), Jan. 5 at Providence Academy (2-6), Jan. 6 at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial (7-2)

Ranking rationale: Breck has established itself not just as the best team in Class 2A, but as one of the best teams in the state, period. The Mustangs passed their biggest test of the season thus far, beating previous No. 6 Hopkins (7-2) 87-80 on the final day of the TCO Holiday Classic at Augsburg University. 

J.P. Musoke led five Mustangs in double figures with 21 points. Breck also blew out previous No. 9 Osseo (6-3).85-58 and handled a solid Minneapolis Southwest squad (6-3) 75-56 at the tournament.

Last week’s ranking: 6

This week’s games: Jan. 3 at South St. Paul (2-5)

Ranking rationale: Hopkins posted a 2-1 record last week at the TCO Holiday Classic at Augsburg University. The Royals began with an 85-72 win vs. Minnehaha Academy (3-5), knocked off previous No. 9 Osseo (6-3) 89-82 and fell 87-80 vs. current No. 6 Breck (7-0). Even in defeat, the Royals know how to get buckets. 

They’ve scored 73 or more every game this season and average 87.7 points per game. Jayden Moore dropped 28 vs. Minnehaha. J.J. Semanko did the same vs. Osseo. Moore (20), Semanko (22) and Anthony Smith (20) split the load vs. Breck. 

The Royals have done well to go 7-2 against a difficult schedule thus far.

Last week’s ranking: 7

This week’s games: Jan. 4 vs. Eagan (5-3), Jan. 6 vs. No. 20 Eden Prairie (5-4)

Ranking rationale: Shakopee was idle last week. The Sabers will look to make some hay with five straight home games coming up. Their two losses are to top-five teams. Four of their wins have been by double digits.

Last week’s ranking: 16

This week’s games: Jan. 4 at Owatonna (6-2), Jan. 6 at No. 18 Stewartville (5-2)

Ranking rationale: Mankato East is one of the big risers this week after picking up a pair of impressive wins at the Granite City Classic. The Cougars opened with a 77-64 win against previous No. 15 Orono (5-3) led by 19 points from Brogan Madson. 

The next day resulted in a 69-63 win over current No. 12 Alexandria (6-2), which was coming off a 26-point win the day before over then-No. 13 Stewartville (5-2). 

East’s other seven wins this season have all been by 13 or more.

Last week’s ranking: 8

This week’s games: Jan. 2 at No. 5 Lakeville North (6-2), Jan. 5 at Chaska (3-7)

Ranking rationale: Farmington fell from the ranks of the unbeaten last week with a 90-80 loss to Robbinsdale Armstrong (3-6) on day two of the Capitol City Classic. Farmington was somewhat unproven going in without seeing a top-10 team yet, but this was still a surprising result. 

The Tigers went 1-1 on the week with a 78-64 win vs. Rochester Mayo (2-3). Last week can be forgotten quickly if the Tigers can pick up a huge road win and remain undefeated in South Suburban Conference play.

Last week’s ranking: 11

This week’s games: Jan. 3 at Minneapolis Southwest (6-3), Jan. 6 at St. Louis Park (4-6)

Ranking rationale: The Millers were idle last week. They likely wished they were in action to keep the momentum of a six-game win streak going. The last three victories have come by an average of 32 points. 

Minneapolis Washburn doesn’t play a ton of marquee games, but an upcoming matchup at No. 1 Wayzata (9-0) later this month could show how legit Washburn is.

Last week’s ranking: 12

This week’s games: Jan. 6 at No. 14 Orono (5-3)

Ranking rationale: Although Alexandria’s five-game win streak came to a halt, it was still a fairly successful week. The Cardinals opened up their two-game stint at the Granite City Classic with a 63-37 romp over previous No. 13 Stewartville (5-2). Chase Thompson led with 16 points. 

Aside from 16 points for Stewartville’s star Henry Tschetter, no one else scored more than six. In another matchup of top Class 3A teams, Alexandria fell 69-63 the next day vs. current No. 9 Mankato East (8-1).

Last week’s ranking: 14

This week’s games: Jan. 4 at Richfield (3-5)

Ranking rationale: Delano won its third and fourth straight games at its own tournament in convincing fashion. The Tigers rocked Hermantown (5-5) 85-61 and Bloomington Kennedy (2-7). Max Iversen led with 24 points in game one and Will Strandemo was tops with 22 in game two. 

The Tigers’ two losses are to Power 25 teams and they do have a 79-74 road victory against current No. 14 Orono (5-3). 

Last week’s ranking: 15

This week’s games: Jan. 6 vs. No. 12 Alexandria (6-2)

Ranking rationale: Orono posted a 1-1 record last week at the Granite City Classic. It felt like the Class 3A state tournament up in St. Cloud as the Spartans dropped 77-64 to current No. 9 Mankato East (8-1) before bouncing back to win 64-61 vs. previous No. 13 Stewartville (5-2). 

Brady Wooley had 29 points vs. East. Orono does not have a bad loss on its resume and has faced a tough schedule thus far.

Last week’s ranking: 9

This week’s games: Jan. 2 at Roseville (4-1), Jan. 4 at Centennial (4-6)

Ranking rationale: The Orioles take a fall in this week’s Power 25 after going 1-2 last week at the TCO Holiday Classic at Augsburg university. The teams they lost to are plenty defensible. However, losing by 27 points to current No. 6 Breck (7-0) was a bit of a shock. It was an 18-point game by halftime. 

Osseo got off the mat to give previous No. 6 Hopkins (7-2) a good game in an 89-82 loss. De’Maari Larkins’ 20 points led five Orioles in double figures. Osseo salvaged an 82-71 win vs. Cambridge-Isanti. Six were in double figures led by 18 for Temisan Denado.

Last week’s ranking: 20

This week’s games: Jan. 5 vs. Roseville (4-2)

Ranking rationale: Cretin-Derham Hall defended home court at its holiday tournament. The Raiders picked up a pair of solid wins, beating St. Thomas Academy (4-4) and Class 2A power Holy Family (6-3) 67-57. Monteff Dixon led with 18 points against STA in a game C-DH led by 18 at halftime. 

Anthony Knights’ 13 points paced the Raiders vs. the Fire. C-DH’s only blemishes are to current No. 10 Farmington and by one point to current No. 20 Eden Prairie (5-4), which is on a four-game win streak and back in the Power 25 this week.

Last week’s ranking: N/R

This week’s games: Jan. 5 at Apple Valley (5-3), Jan. 6 at Chanhassen (2-5)

Ranking rationale: Lakeville South is on a three-game win streak to earn its way back into the Power 25. The Cougars won 62-46 at Burnsville (1-6) a couple weeks ago before sweeping a pair of games at East Ridge’s holiday tournament. They topped Chaska (3-7) 77-55 and Edina (3-5) 66-55. 

Lauson Schmidt poured in 25 points against Chaska and Keaton Ressler had 27 vs. Edina. The Cougars’ losses are all to top-10 teams. Their best win, though, is likely a season-opening victory at current No. 20 Eden Prairie (5-4).

Last week’s ranking: 13

This week’s games: Jan. 5 vs. Goodhue (5-3), Jan. 6 vs. No. 9 Mankato East (8-1)

Ranking rationale: The Tigers came back down to earth last week. After a 5-0 start to the season, they dropped both games at the Granite City Classic. What looked to be an even matchup on paper with previous No. 12 Alexandria (6-2) proved to be anything but as Stewartville suffered a 63-37 loss. 

Henry Tschetter led with 16 points as the rest of the offense struggled to get going. Stewartville posed a more spirited effort the next day but still fell short in a 64-61 loss to current No. 14 Orono (5-3). 

Those two losses to fellow Class 3A squads don’t bode well for the postseason, but there’s still plenty of time to recalibrate.

Last week’s ranking: 19

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. Robbinsdale Cooper (3-4), Jan. 4 at St. Louis Park (4-6), Jan. 5 at St. Anthony Village (4-3)

Ranking rationale: Fridley is tied for fewest games played thus far among all the Power 25 teams. The Tigers have also not faced a Power 25 opponent, so it’s tough to gauge just how good this team is. 

As long as there’s a zero in the loss column, they’ll get at least some benefit of the doubt. Fridley won its lone game last week, taking down Rocori (4-5) 76-63 at the Granite City Classic at St. John’s University. Gideon Cooper led with 26 points.

Last week’s ranking: N/R

This week’s games: Jan. 3 vs. Chanhassen (2-5), Jan. 5 at Waconia 5-2), Jan. 6 at No. 7 Shakopee (5-2)

Ranking rationale: After a disappointing 1-4 start to the season, the Eagles have resuscitated their season with four straight wins. Eden Prairie swept a pair of games at East Ridge’s holiday tournament. 

It won 90-82 against East Ridge (3-5) and 70-61 vs. Eastview (1-6). Max Lorenson, Nolen Anderson and Ty Schlagel co-led with 18 points in game one and Anderson led with 26 in game two to help lead a comeback from nine down at halftime. 

All four of Eden Prairie’s losses were to Power 25 teams. It has a lot of solid wins, just not a huge resume-boosting one.

Last week’s ranking: 17

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. St. Anthony (4-3), Jan. 5 at Academy of Holy Angels (2-6), Jan. 6 vs. No. 4 Minnetonka (6-1)

Ranking rationale: DeLaSalle may boast the backhanded title of best team in the state with a losing record. It’s hard to knock the Islanders too much for a couple close losses to out-of-state teams last week. 

DLS took to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, for the Hoop City Classic. The Islanders fell 67-63 to Sioux Falls Christian, South Dakota, and 45-41 to Mitchell, South Dakota. DLS led by as much as 11 in the second half vs. SFC. 

De’von Irvin led with 16 points. Jaeden Udean had 12 vs. Mitchell. The Islanders should be able to get back to .500 before a big matinee matchup to end the week.

Last week’s ranking: N/R

This week’s games: Jan. 2 vs. Academy of Holy Angels (2-6), Jan. 4 at Bloomington Kennedy (2-7)

Ranking rationale: Columbia Heights was one of the top teams left out of last week’s Power 25. Despite not playing since Dec. 20, the Hylanders crack the ranking this week due to other teams falling out. 

The highlight of the season thus far for this unbeaten Class 3A squad came in the season opener. Columbia Heights knocked off 4A Maple Grove (4-5) 65-63 at the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Southside Showcase. 

The level of competition has since dipped, but the Hylanders are doing what they’re supposed to with their next four wins all coming by 20-plus.

Last week’s ranking: 25

This week’s games: Jan. 4 vs. Monticello (1-7), Jan. 5 vs. Sartell (3-6)

Ranking rationale: After Sauk Rapids-Rice suffered a surprising 66-64 loss to Class 2A Albany (7-1), it looked like the Storm’s stint in the Power 25 was going to be short-lived. SR-R redeemed itself, winning its next game at the Granite City Classic 74-49 vs. previous No. 22 Buffalo (7-2). 

This was the Storm’s best victory of the season by far. It’s only other loss was to current No. 12 Alexandria (6-2).

Last week’s ranking: 18

This week’s games: Jan. 6 at No. 2 Totino-Grace (5-3)

Ranking rationale: The Red Knights haven’t won since Dec. 9, but it’s too early to hit the panic button yet. Three of the Class 3A squad’s four losses are to 4A teams in the Power 25. The other was to fellow 3A private school titan and current No. 21 DeLaSalle (2-4). Benilde-St. Margaret’s played a pair of games last week at the Capitol City Classic in St. Paul. 

It lost 62-61 to Maple Grove (4-5) an 82-65 to then-No. 3 Minnetonka (6-1).

Last week’s ranking: 22

This week’s games: Jan. 6 vs. La Crosse Central, WIsconsin, at Kasson-Mantorville

Ranking rationale: The Bison don’t lose often, but when they do, it gets ugly. Buffalo ended last week with a tough 74-49 loss at Sauk Rapids-Rice in the Granite City Classic to snap a five-game win streak. 

It came after a 58-26 win vs. Elk River (3-5) the previous day. Grady Guida and Brody Wishart each led with 14 points in the win. Buffalo’s two losses are to Power 25 competition with the other coming to current No. 9 Mankato East (8-1).