Preseason Team Rankings (1A-3A)
St. Jude reigning 1A State Champs
October 14 was marked on many high school basketball player's and coaches' calenders as it opened the first day of basketball practice for the AHSAA affiliated schools. And with the first games beginning as early as November 4, teams will only have a few weeks to practice and get accustomed to new sets, teammates and coaches. By Alabama being the football dominant state that it is, well of course football season will still be in full swing leaving some teams short handed.
The best players of most schools actually play football, so some teams may never know if they will ever actually get their star player back because of player's decision to not play basketball their senior season to avoid injuries prior to their freshman year in college. That is very understandable but for some schools, they don't have to worry about waiting around for the pigskin star and can get the show on the road and build chemistry earlier than others.
So to the start the first week of practice, we decided to release our preseason rankings. We did our best predicting who may start the season off in our top ten for each classification knowing it will change, of course, during the season as you may see some teams jump in the rankings while others may plummet dramatically.
Class 1A was fairly predictable at the #1 spot as reigning state champs St. Jude return a monster squad with 6-5 Alabama A&M commit Andrew Rogers (2014 #14), highly touted junior forward Tommy Burton (2015 #2) at 6-8, smooth shooting junior 6-5 Jacob Winston, who will be in our preseason player rankings and sensational sophomore Rod Scott rounding out the point guard position. St. Jude is known to take on some of the best schools no matter the classification.
Parrish is #2 in 1A with Jacksonville St. commit Labarrius Hill (2014 #13) manning the middle at 6-7, hidden gem Mykelti Chatman on the other block at 6-6 and his younger brother Isaac Chatman running the point guard spot as an eighth grader at 6-5. Between Parrish and St. Jude, both teams arguably have the most size regardless of class.
#3 Brantley fell to #1 St. Jude in the state championship 57-56 showing that size doesn't matter in the David vs Goliath match up. Led by former NBA players son Wesley Person Jr. (2014 #21), Brantley will be looking for their rematch in the state championship game as they have played against bigger competition all summer long.
Jumping to #5, Sunshine also possesses good height with 6-6 junior Cletrell Pope (2015 #6) along with two other players at 6-5.
Sacred Heart comes in at #6 with electrifying point guard DJ Heath (2017 #4).
The best players of most schools actually play football, so some teams may never know if they will ever actually get their star player back because of player's decision to not play basketball their senior season to avoid injuries prior to their freshman year in college. That is very understandable but for some schools, they don't have to worry about waiting around for the pigskin star and can get the show on the road and build chemistry earlier than others.
So to the start the first week of practice, we decided to release our preseason rankings. We did our best predicting who may start the season off in our top ten for each classification knowing it will change, of course, during the season as you may see some teams jump in the rankings while others may plummet dramatically.
Class 1A was fairly predictable at the #1 spot as reigning state champs St. Jude return a monster squad with 6-5 Alabama A&M commit Andrew Rogers (2014 #14), highly touted junior forward Tommy Burton (2015 #2) at 6-8, smooth shooting junior 6-5 Jacob Winston, who will be in our preseason player rankings and sensational sophomore Rod Scott rounding out the point guard position. St. Jude is known to take on some of the best schools no matter the classification.
Parrish is #2 in 1A with Jacksonville St. commit Labarrius Hill (2014 #13) manning the middle at 6-7, hidden gem Mykelti Chatman on the other block at 6-6 and his younger brother Isaac Chatman running the point guard spot as an eighth grader at 6-5. Between Parrish and St. Jude, both teams arguably have the most size regardless of class.
#3 Brantley fell to #1 St. Jude in the state championship 57-56 showing that size doesn't matter in the David vs Goliath match up. Led by former NBA players son Wesley Person Jr. (2014 #21), Brantley will be looking for their rematch in the state championship game as they have played against bigger competition all summer long.
Jumping to #5, Sunshine also possesses good height with 6-6 junior Cletrell Pope (2015 #6) along with two other players at 6-5.
Sacred Heart comes in at #6 with electrifying point guard DJ Heath (2017 #4).
Greg Maclin was a vital piece last season for Tanner
Losing Greg Maclin was big for Tanner, 2A state champs, but they still remain our top top dog in the preseason rankings. 6-0 junior point guard Jonathan Fletcher will be back to lead the charge as he has two rings already.
Luverne comes in at #2 with big time prospect Donta Hall (2015 #9) owning the paint at 6-8. He was a surprise last year and made a name for himself during the state playoffs as he and his Tigers made a run to the final four. With another 6-6, DeAnthony Rutledge on the block, Luverne looks to make a push further this season.
With the #3 spot, Lafayette finished their season last year as the state runner-ups losing to Tanner 61-45. Junior Trevond Barnes will be returning at 6-7 to guard the paint for the Bulldogs.
EJ Datcher (2016 #11) will be counted on big time for #4 Vincent in the middle. The big fella has been putting in a lot of work this off season and helps his team enter the preseason rankings.
Lanett rounds off the top 5 with senior forward Orendez Holloway at 6-7 and big time eight grader Anquavious Pollard at 6-6. Pollard played varsity as a seventh grader and will be on a lot of schools scouting reports in the near future.
Luverne comes in at #2 with big time prospect Donta Hall (2015 #9) owning the paint at 6-8. He was a surprise last year and made a name for himself during the state playoffs as he and his Tigers made a run to the final four. With another 6-6, DeAnthony Rutledge on the block, Luverne looks to make a push further this season.
With the #3 spot, Lafayette finished their season last year as the state runner-ups losing to Tanner 61-45. Junior Trevond Barnes will be returning at 6-7 to guard the paint for the Bulldogs.
EJ Datcher (2016 #11) will be counted on big time for #4 Vincent in the middle. The big fella has been putting in a lot of work this off season and helps his team enter the preseason rankings.
Lanett rounds off the top 5 with senior forward Orendez Holloway at 6-7 and big time eight grader Anquavious Pollard at 6-6. Pollard played varsity as a seventh grader and will be on a lot of schools scouting reports in the near future.
Joshua Langford of 3A #1 Madison Academy
Joshua Langford (2016 #1) has become a household name throughout the nation. Ranked in every national scouting service's top 15 for the 2016 class, the sensational 6-5 combo guard has an all around game. He's a key reason his Madison Academy Mustangs are ranked #1 and 3A state champs. Football start Kerryon Johnson (2015 #20) isn't a pushover either. He's highly touted on the gridiron but also helps run the show for Mustangs. Johnson suffered a season ended injury last season and the Mustangs still prevailed.
Sipsey Valley comes in at #3 with 6-8 Appalachian St commit Rasheed Worrell (2014 #12). Losing Justin Smith-Wells, who moved to Texas, was big as the 6-4 wing was a sharp shooter and brought athleticism to the table. No matter, football star Garret Lewis was a good weapon last year as probably the teams best defender.
Midfield is our #4 ranked team with senior forward Alvin Murray (2014 #30) and big man Donald Cunningham who comes in at 6-7 240 lbs. Long ball threat Arron Gaines will stretch the defense as Coach Barber always has something up his sleeve.
Spencer Newman (2016 #6) will be counted on a lot this year at Bayside Academy as his team comes in at #5. The 6-2 combo guard will run the point guard spot though he's the teams best scorer. He'll expect a lot of box-and-1 but try it while he's at the lead spot and he will make you pay.
Click here to check out the complete rankings for classes 1A-3A.
Sipsey Valley comes in at #3 with 6-8 Appalachian St commit Rasheed Worrell (2014 #12). Losing Justin Smith-Wells, who moved to Texas, was big as the 6-4 wing was a sharp shooter and brought athleticism to the table. No matter, football star Garret Lewis was a good weapon last year as probably the teams best defender.
Midfield is our #4 ranked team with senior forward Alvin Murray (2014 #30) and big man Donald Cunningham who comes in at 6-7 240 lbs. Long ball threat Arron Gaines will stretch the defense as Coach Barber always has something up his sleeve.
Spencer Newman (2016 #6) will be counted on a lot this year at Bayside Academy as his team comes in at #5. The 6-2 combo guard will run the point guard spot though he's the teams best scorer. He'll expect a lot of box-and-1 but try it while he's at the lead spot and he will make you pay.
Click here to check out the complete rankings for classes 1A-3A.