SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Duncanville rises to No. 1 in national high school boys basketball rankings (Dec. 26)

The Panthers have climbed from preseason No. 9 to the top spot in the national rankings following a 12-0 start full of quality wins

Author:
Zach Shugan
Publish date:
Dec 26, 2022 3:43 PM EST

Duncanville’s rise to the top of the national rankings is complete.

Now the mission for the Panthers will be holding on to the top spot.

After Montverde Academy (Florida) was upset by Mount St. Joseph (Maryland) in the ‘Iolani Classic last week, the door opened for unbeaten Duncanville (Texas) to take over the No. 1 spot in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings.

The Panthers (12-0) have wins over No. 9 Columbus (Fla.), No. 10 Corona Centennial (California), No. 17 Roselle Catholic (New Jersey) and Notre Dame (Calif.), which dropped out of the top 25 this week for the first time this season.

Duncanville could cross paths with Bishop Gorman, Sierra Canyon and many of Oregon's top teams this week at the Les Schwab Invitational in Portland, Oregon.

West Ranch (Calif.) and Ben Davis (Indiana) made their debut and Carmel Christian (North Carolina) returned to the Power 25, while Notre Dame (Calif.), Wasatch Academy (Utah) and Word of God (N.C.) dropped out of the national rankings following losses.

Find the complete breakdown of the sixth update to the SBLive/SI Power 25 below:

The Power 25 is a collaboration between SBLive and Sports Illustrated. Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Zach Shugan and SI Director of Basketball Recruiting Jason Jordan based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. Reach Zach on Twitter @ZachShugan or email him at zshugan@gmail.com.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Dec. 26, 2022

1. Duncanville (Duncanville, Tex.) (12-0)

Last ranking: 2

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Cleveland (Oregon)

Coming off its 2-0 trip to the Bahamas, Duncanville dominated in a 97-46 win over district opponent Lake Ridge last week. The Panthers will be in Oregon this week for the 2022 Les Schwab Invitational, where they might have the chance to take on fellow Power 25 teams Sierra Canyon (California) and Bishop Gorman (Nevada).

2. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) (13-0)

Last ranking: 3

Up next: Dec. 29 vs. George School (Pennsylvania)

The Lions went down to Florida and took home the signature series championship at the City of Palms Classic, going 2-0 with wins over St. Frances Academy (Maryland) and The Rock (Fla.). They’ll be back on the road this week as they head to New York City for the Jordan Holiday Classic.

3. Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) (14-0)

Last ranking: 5

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Cannon School (North Carolina)

Prolific Prep went 2-0 at the River City Rumble in Paducah, Kentucky, defeating DME Academy (Fla.) and BFL Prep (Washington). Next up for the Crew is a trip to Raleigh, N.C., for the John Wall Holiday Invitational, where they could see a potential second-round matchup with Combine Academy.

4. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ari.) (10-2)

Last ranking: 4

Up next: Jan. 6 vs. Legacy Early College (South Carolina)

The Dragons were off last week. They’ll return in 2023 with a trip to La Porte, Indiana, for NIBC games against Legacy (S.C.) and Oak Hill Academy (Virginia).

5. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) (9-2)

Last ranking: 1

Up next: Jan. 5 vs. No. 6 Sunrise Christian (Kansas)

Montverde fell from the top spot after Mount St. Joseph (Maryland) upset the Eagles in the semifinals of the ‘Iolani Classic last week. They’ll return after New Year’s with NIBC matchups against No. 6 Sunrise Christian (Kan.) and Wasatch Academy (Utah) in La Porte, Indiana.

6. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (9-2)

Last ranking: 6

Up next: Jan. 5 vs. No. 5 Montverde Academy (Fla.)

The Buffaloes were off last week, and they’ll have another bye this week. Their next game will be a big one, though, as they’ll take on No. 5 Montverde in NIBC play.

7. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) (8-0)

Last ranking: 13

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Long Island Lutheran (New York)

The Panthers jumped six spots in the national rankings after knocking off Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.), No. 15 Wheeler (Georgia) and No. 9 Columbus (Fla.) to win the championship at the City of Palms Classic. They’ll look to pick up another Power 25 win this week against No. 21 Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York City.

8. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (5-1)

Last ranking: 8

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Providence Day (N.C.)

The Ascenders didn’t play last week, but they’ll be in action this week at the Chick-Fil-A Classic in Columbia, South Carolina.

9. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (8-2)

Last ranking: 14

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Lexington (S.C.)

Cameron Boozer and company knocked off former No. 10 St. Paul VI (Va.) in the City of Palms Classic semifinals but came up short to No. 7 Imhotep Charter (Pa.) in the championship game. The Explorers will be in South Carolina this week for the Chick-Fil-A Classic, where they’re in the same bracket as No. 15 Wheeler (Ga.), a team they beat 73-70 on Dec. 10.

10. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (9-2)

Last ranking: 7

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Broughton (N.C.)

The Huskies were upset by No. 15 Wheeler in the second round of the City of Palms Classic, but they rebounded with wins over Lake Highlands (Tex.) and Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.). They’ll be back on the East Coast this week for the John Wall Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, N.C..

11. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) (13-0)

Last ranking: 11

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Narbonne (Calif.)

The Wolverines had the week off going into the Classic at Damien, where they could end up taking on No. 24 American Fork (Utah) and No. 19 West Ranch (Calif.) or Notre Dame (Calif.), which dropped out of the national rankings this week.

12. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) (8-1)

Last ranking: 10

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.)

The Panthers got past Lake Highlands (Tex.) before falling to No. 9 Columbus (Fla.) 57-55 in the semifinals of the City of Palms Classic. They defeated No. 15 Wheeler (Ga.) 63-61 to take third place in the tournament.

13. Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) (16-1)

Last ranking: 9

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Dream City Christian (Ari.)

Combine Academy took its first loss of the season in a 93-91 thriller against Huntington Prep (West Virginia). The Goats will try to start a new win streak when they take on Dream City Christian (Ari.) at Hoophall East in Delaware, and they’ll be back in North Carolina the next night for the first round of the John Wall Holiday Invitational.

14. Camden (Camden, N.J.) (5-0)

Last ranking: 12

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Panther Creek (N.C.)

Camden took care of business last week, picking up three resounding wins over Eastern (N.J.), Camden Catholic (N.J.) and West Catholic (Pa.) The Panthers will be in North Carolina this week for the John Wall Holiday Invitational, where they’re part of the four-team “Coby White” bracket with N.C. schools Panther Creek, Northwood and First Flight.

15. Perry (Gilbert, Ari.) (15-0)

Last ranking: 16

Up next: Jan. 3 vs. Pinnacle (Ari.)

Perry kept its perfect season alive with a 4-0 week at the Visit Mesa Challenge, adding wins over Snow Canyon (Utah), Ironwood (Ari.), Federal Way (Wash.) and Olympia (Wash.). The Pumas have climbed 10 spots in the national rankings since opening the season at No. 25.

16. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (10-2)

Last ranking: 18

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Jesuit (Ore.)

Coming off a loss to LeBron James’ former high school St. Vincent-St. Mary in Columbus, Ohio, the Trailblazers returned to Southern California and cruised to three 30-point home wins over in-state teams Venice, Valley Torah and Saugus. Bronny James, five-star junior Isaiah Elohim and Sierra Canyon will be in Oregon this week for the 2022 Les Schwab Invitational.

17. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (0-2)

Last ranking: 15

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Gonzaga (D.C.)

Roselle Catholic had its Dec. 23 game against Manasquan postponed to Jan. 2 due to travel concerns with the weather. The Lions will take on Gonzaga (D.C.) in the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York City this week in addition to a matchup with The Patrick School at Rutgers University.

18. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) (6-3)

Last ranking: 17

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. River Bluff (S.C.)

The Wildcats dropped only one spot despite losing two games last week. Those losses came to No. 7 Imhotep Charter (Pa.) and No. 12 St. Paul VI (Va.) in the City of Palms Classic, and they wouldn’t have seen either of those teams if they didn’t take down No. 10 Corona Centennial (Calif.) in the second round of the tournament.

19. West Ranch (Valencia, Calif.) (12-0)

Last ranking: Not ranked

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Dublin (Calif.)

West Ranch makes its debut in the Power 25 after winning the platinum division championship at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. The Wildcats took home the title by beating Rainier Beach (Wash.), bubble-team Kell (Ga.), Mater Dei (Calif.) and No. 19 Bishop Gorman (Nev.). The win over the Gaels in the championship game was the Wildcats’ second victory over a ranked team, as they upset preseason No. 17 Notre Dame (Calif.) in the first week of the season.

20. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) (6-2)

Last ranking: 19

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. Grant (Ore.)

Bishop Gorman nearly won the championship as hosts of the Tarkanian Classic but came up short to newly-ranked West Ranch (Calif.) 67-62. They reached the championship game by defeating Putnam City West (Oklahoma), St. Augustine (Calif.) and Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Tex.) on consecutive days. The Gaels are two wins away from a potential date with No. 1 Duncanville (Tex.) in the semifinals of the 2022 Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro, Ore.

21. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) (5-2)

Last ranking: 21

Up next: Dec. 27 vs. No. 7 Imhotep Charter (Pa.)

Long Island Lutheran went 2-0 on the week with dominant wins over in-state opponents Stony Brook and St. Dominic. They’ll begin a run of four consecutive games against out-of-state opponents with this week’s Jordan Holiday Classic in New York City, where they have a chance to pick up a couple of statement wins against No. 7 Imhotep Charter (Pa.) and Kell (Ga.), a team currently on the bubble of the top 25.

22. Simeon (Chicago, Illinois) (8-0)

Last ranking: 22

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. St. Charles North (Ill.)

Simeon will take on Whitney Young (Ill.) at a later date after the matchup between the Chicago powers was postponed last week. This week, the Wolverines will be at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, a 16-team tourney composed of in-state teams.

23. Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.) (15-2)

Last ranking: Not ranked

Up next: Dec. 28 vs. Miller (Va.)

Carmel Christian took home the title at the Anthony Morrow Shootout in Charlotte, taking down N.C. teams The Burlington School, Robinson and Cannon. Since losing to Northwood (N.C.) 71-64 on Dec. 10 and dropping out of the top 25, the Cougars have won five games in a row.

24. American Fork (American Fork, Utah) (7-1)

Last ranking: 25

Up next: Jan. 6 vs. Woods Cross (Utah)

The Cavemen last played Dec. 15 and 16, when they cruised to wins over Idaho teams Eagle and Meridian.

25. Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) (10-0)

Last ranking: Not ranked

Up next: Dec. 30 vs. Penn (Ind.)

Ben Davis beat Lawrence Central (Ind.) 75-59 last week to improve to 10-0 this season. The top-ranked team in Indiana has wins over four of the top 10 teams in the Hoosier State, including No. 2 Cathedral and No. 3 Brownsburg.