NPH Top 25 National High School Rankings – Week 14

*** All scores, team records, and rankings are up to date as of February 15th, at 9:00am***

1. CanadaTopflight Academy (Ottawa, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 2 Ranking Change: Up 1 League Record: 8-0 Overall Record: 22-3 Week 14 Wins: Aspire Academy (KY) (94-73), Edge School (86-81), Northstar Prep (111-58), SBA (95-79)  Week 14 Losses: New Hampton (64-59)

CTA managed another dominating stretch to kick off the month of February. After defeating Aspire Academy at the NPSI, they would only fall to the #12 nationally ranked post grad program, New Hampton, for their third loss of the year. CTA would bounce right back into full form however, in a successful western road swing that saw them also take down a resurgent Edge School in their own building. On the recruiting trail, Oklahoma will be out this coming Tuesday to scout top prospect of the 2021 class Muon Reath.

2. Orangeville Prep (Orangeville, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: Ranking Change: Down 1 League Record:16-1 Overall Record: 28-6 Week 14 Wins: Blair Academy (NJ) (57-56), Central Tech (91-67), Mountain Mission (59-33), Lincoln Prep (105-78) Week 14 Losses: None

Orangeville Prep managed to rack up a 4-0 record halfway into February. Most impressive of their victories had to be at the NPSI where they managed to knock off Blair Academy out of New Jersey, a team that has beaten a number of American and Canadian nationally ranked teams throughout their season. CTA’s win over Aspire Academy, a team Orangeville has lost to recently, combined with a slightly lighter schedule, has Orangeville sitting second this week.

3. Father Henry Carr (Rexdale, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 3 Ranking Change: None League Record: 12-4 Overall Record: 19-10 Week 14 Wins: TRC Academy (104-103), Vaughan (107-98) Week 14 Losses: Thornlea (103-91)

FHC might have fallen out of the top 3 until a gutsy road win over TRC Academy in Brantford this past Wednesday prevented that. TRC had only lost one previous time at home before that game. Josh Morgan had 21 while Kobey Lam had 20 in the win. The Crusaders are back in action on the 21st at home against Central Tech.

4. Thornlea (Thornhill, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 4 Ranking Change: None League Record: 11-6 Overall Record: 19-10 Week 14 Wins: Redemption Christian Prep (NY) (84-74), FHC (103-91), Week 14 Losses: Brewster Academy (80-66), Vaughan (102-83)

Thornlea continues a season full of ups and downs after going 2-2 so far in the month of February. A league win against higher ranked FHC on the road, followed by a league loss to Vaughan on the road, has given the Thunder plenty to keep in mind as the playoffs approach. At the beginning of the month they had an impressive showing at the NPSI in Rhode Island, where they handled business against RCP out of New York, while making a game of it against the #5 ranked post grad team in the US in Brewster Academy.

5. RISE Prep (Brantford, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 7 Ranking Change: Up 2 League Record: 11-5 Overall Record: 22-11 Week 14 Wins: Southwest Academy (129-115), Ridley College (71-67) Week 14 Losses: None

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RISE is back in the top 5 after taking down higher ranked Ridley College last week while also knocking off Southwest Academy last night. Miguel Tomley set a new OSBA scoring record with 60 points including 10 made three’s. This is just another example of just how explosive RISE can be if they start heating up. They still remain one of the most dangerous teams in North America.

6. Ridley College (St. Catherines, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 6 Ranking Change: None League Record: 12-4 Overall Record: 23-9 Week 14 Wins: BK Rig (Sweden) (70-46), Beckley Prep (WV) (69-61), AI Red (89-61) Week 14 Losses: RISE Prep (71-67)

A 2-0 showing at the NPSI earlier this month had Ridley in fine form as their regular season is nearing a close. However, a tight loss to RISE Prep this past Wednesday will mean Ridley just has to wait one more week to crack into the top 5. Regardless, this is a team that has more than enough talent and chemistry to make it back to the OSBA finals, regardless of who they face on their path to get there.

7. Crestwood Prep (North York, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 5 Ranking Change: Down 2 League Record: 8-2 Overall Record: 18-6 Week 14 Wins: None Week 14 Losses: None

While Crestwood’s varsity squad managed to improve to 8-0 in CISAA, Crestwood Prep have been in practice for the past two weeks after their near win over Oak Hill Academy. On February 21st they will be back in action against BEAST Prep out of Hamilton. Their position on this week’s rankings is more a result of what other teams have done around them. They are still one of the best teams in the country, and are more than capable of beating any team on this list on any given day.

8. Vaughan (Vaughan, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 9 Ranking Change: None League Record: 9-8 Overall Record: 17-19 Week 14 Wins: Thornlea (102-83), Bill Crothers (101-84) Week 14 Losses: FHC (107-98)

Vaughan managed to close out week 14 with a statement win over Thornlea in league play. Wazir Latiff and Tyson Dunn led the way in scoring for the Voyageurs with 29 and 22 respectively. Vaughan also suffered a loss to FHC on the road the previous week, but nevertheless a three possession loss and a win over a higher ranked team is enough to move up a spot for this week.

9. TRC Academy (Brantford, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: Ranking Change: Down 1 League Record: 12-4 Overall Record: 18-8 Week 14 Wins: King’s Christian (85-68) Week 14 Losses: FHC (104-103)

A 1-1 week isn’t enough to keep TRC from slipping a spot after a home loss to FHC, along with Vaughan’s upset win over Thornlea. TRC is still 12-4 in their division, however, and comfortably sit in a playoff spot. An impressive no nonsense win over King’s Christian was just another example of what this team is capable of when they get going. Don’t count the defending OSBA champs out just yet as the playoffs approach.

10. Rothesay Netherwood (Rothesay, New Brunswick)

Last Week Ranking: 10 Ranking Change: None League Record: 7-3 Overall Record: 21-5 Week 14 Wins: None Week 14 Losses: None

RNS will have to wait for their senior night that was originally scheduled for February 12th against Simonds HS. That game will be postponed for a later date.

11. Edge School (Calgary, Alberta)

Last Week Ranking: 15 Ranking Change: Up 4 League Record: 8-4 Overall Record: 8-7 Week 14 Wins: Oakville Prep (116-80), LBA (84-57), Saint Luarent (82-54) Week 14 Losses: CTA (86-81)

Edge School were able to show just what they were capable of as the NPA Nationals approach. Taking top ranked CTA down to the wire, while dominating the competition against the rest of the field.  Alan Spoonhunter had a breakout performance, showing signs of the type of playmaker and shooter he can become in time at the university level.

12. King’s Christian (Oakville, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 12 Ranking Change: None League Record: 10-8 Overall Record: 15-11 Week 14 Wins: Lincoln Prep (95-81), Metro Prep (73-45) Week 14 Losses: TRC Academy (85-68), Central Tech 

Despite a tough start to 2018 it seems as though the Cavaliers have managed to get back on the winning track with a convincing W over Lincoln Prep. Add that in with a run to the finals at the Blue Dragon Classic before falling to host team Central Tech, and the King’s have done enough to hold steady at 12.

13. Southwest Academy (London, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 11 Ranking Change: Down 2 League Record: 8-9 Overall Record: 14-14 Week 14 Wins: Central Tech (103-101) Week 14 Losses: AI Black (100-95), RISE (129-115)

A close win over Central Tech and a loss to unranked AI Black may not be what Southwest was looking for to start February, but regardless they are still in the hunt for their first playoff birth in team history. Things did not manage to get much better after a loss to RISE, and for the first time all season, Southwest is now below .500 in league play.

14. Toronto Basketball Academy (Toronto, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 13 Ranking Change: Down 1 League Record: 7-4 Overall Record: 13-8 Week 14 Wins: None Week 14 Losses: None

TBA’s matchup with GTA Prep was postponed due to sever weather. They will now take on their NPA cross town rivals on Feb. 19th according to Prep Circuit.

15. London Basketball Academy (London, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 18 Ranking Change: Up 3 League Record: 6-3 Overall Record: 13-9 Week 14 Wins: Saint Laurent (74-66), SBA (80-63), Oakville Prep (110-94), Northstar Prep (89-54)  Week 14 Losses: Edge School (84-57), 

LBA had an impressive showing at the NPA Western Session, knocking off everyone except for the host team. Some highlights include Michael Matas shooting 8 for 10 from the field for a game high 18 against SBA, while Xavier Fearon had 12 points and 4 rebounds in the loss to Edge.

16. Central Tech (Toronto, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 17 Ranking Change: Up 1 League Record: 5-12 Overall Record: 19-17 Week 14 Wins:King’s Christian, West Toronto Prep (93-61), Central Toronto Academy Week 14 Losses: Southwest Academy (103-101), Orangeville Prep (91-67)

The Blues successfully defended homecourt at their host tournement last weekend, managing to knock off a few programs previously ranked above them. They also fell to Southwest and Orangeville Prep, but a close battle with a proven Southwest and an expected result against Orangeville will not be enough to keep Central Tech from moving up a spot. Kalyem Liburd-Mulings picked up MVP honours at the Blue Dragon Classic.

17. GTA Prep (Brampton, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking:16 Ranking Change: Down 1 League Record: 5-6 Overall Record: 7-14 Week 14 Wins: Metro Prep (81-68), West Toronto (65-49) Prep Week 14 Losses: Central Toronto Academy (69-59), TBA (57-54)

GTA Prep had a solid month of February with a couple of wins at the Blue Dragon Classic at Central Tech, but a few losses to unranked teams will have them slip a spot. Josh Haughton picked up an All-Star nod for his performance. GTA Prep will next be taking on TBA in an NPA matchup on the 19th.

18. Pine Ridge (Pickering, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 19 Ranking Change: Up 1 League Record: 10-0 Overall Record: 25-5 Week 14 Wins: Notre Dame, St. Mary (85-63), Pickering, Donald Wilson (98-63), St. Mary (79-59) Week 14 Losses: None

To be honest, it would of been more shocking if Pine Ridge hadn’t pulled off a 5-0 run in the first half of February. Two forfeits and three wins may not have exactly been what the Pumas had in mind to make it to the LOSSAA finals, but they will take it as they battle arch rival Pickering, a school with just as deep a history as Pine Ridge themselves.

19. Halifax Prep (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Last Week Ranking: 14 Ranking Change: Down 5 League Record: 7-3 Overall Record: 9-3 Week 14 Wins: None Week 14 Losses: None

Halifax has had a quiet month on the schedule due to exams and weather, but they will finally be back in NPA action on the 23rd in Montreal, when the first take on two time defending champs CTA. Should they pull off a few wins while in Montreal, don’t be shocked if you see Halifax closing back in on the top 10.

20. Lincoln Prep (Hamilton, Ontario)

Last Week Ranking: 20 Ranking Change: None League Record: 7-11 Overall Record: 7-18 Week 14 Wins: AI Red (103-75) Week 14 Losses: King’s Christian (95-81), Orangeville Prep (105-78)

Lincoln Prep holds steady at 20 after a 1-2 week. Tyler Sagl remains one of the most dynamic shooters in the country, while the rest of the Huskies remain a hard nosed team that is competing every night in one of the tougher schedules of any prep program in the country.

21. Saskatoon Basketball Academy (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

Last Week Ranking: 21 Ranking Change: None League Record: 5-9 Overall Record: 5-11 Week 14 Wins: Saint Laurent (70-61) Week 14 Losses: Oakville Prep (97-93), LBA (80-63), CTA (95-79)

SBA was hoping for a bit more than a 1-3 performance when they headed out to Calgary, but that is what they got. A win over Saint Laurent will at least keep them at the 21 spot for now. Brett Hochhausen finished with 4 points and 14 rebounds in the win, while 6’8 forward Cole Newkirk had 20 points and 14 rebounds.

22. Saint Laurent (Montreal, Quebec)

Last Week Ranking: 22 Ranking Change: None League Record: 2-6 Overall Record: 7-9 Week 14 Wins: Northstar Prep (77-68) Week 14 Losses: LBA (74-66), Edge School (82-54), SBA (70-61)

A win over SBA would’ve easily moved Saint Laurent up at a spot, however that was just not in the cards. Junior Mercy tallied 14 in the loss, while Yannis Bamba also chipped in 13. Saint Laurent will now look to Feb. 21st when they host top ranked CTA along with a few other NPA programs to fill out their NPA schedule.

23. St. Benedict (Cambridge, ON)

Last Week Ranking: 24 Ranking Change: Up 1 League Record: 11-1 Overall Record: 29-5 Week 14 Wins: St. Mary’s (58-37), St. David (64-38) Week 14 Losses: None

St. Benedict continues their quest for an OFSAA berth after taking care of St. Mary’s in their season finale, and knocking off St. David in their D8 semi-final matchup. St. Mary’s will get one more crack at the Bennies in the D8 Championship this Tuesday.

24. Middlefield Collegiate (Markham, ON)

Last Week Ranking: N/A Ranking Change: None League Record: 7-0 Overall Record: 34-1 Week 14 Wins: Donald A. Wilson (75-63), LaSalle (59-57), Newbold Basketball Academy (74-58) Week 14 Losses: Orillia (59-57)

Middlefield makes their first appearance on the NPH Top 25 National Rankings after knocking off one of the only few other undefeated teams in Ontario, LaSalle out of Kingston, in one of the gutsiest shooting performances this year over at the Wayne Nugent Classic last weekend. Despite a championship round overtime loss to Orillia, you just can’t deny at this point the makeup and body of work Middlefield has shown over the entire year to earn this spot, after being on the bubble for so many weeks. Led by Kazim Raza and Danial Ahmed, Middlefield is the best three point shooting public high school team in the country, and a big part of their 34-1 record has come from constant cuts through the zone, and an absolute fearlessness of shooting the ball from deep. They will be in action tonight against Pierre Elliot Trudeau on their quest to represent York Region in OFSAA.

25. LaSalle Secondary (Kingston, ON)

Last Week Ranking: 23 Ranking Change: Down 2 League Record: 9-0 Overall Record: 39-1 Week 14 Wins: St. Lawrence (Cornwall) (73-39), All Saints(Ottawa) (73-57), Ashbury (79-30), Napanee (57-26), Thornlea (HS) (71-42), Heart Lake (61-47) Week 14 Losses: Middlefield Collegiate (59-57)

LaSalle’s perfect season came to a dramatic end after falling in the final seconds to Middlefield Collegiate at the Wayne Nugent Classic. Despite the loss, LaSalle will remain in the top 25 for at least one more week after bouncing back against Heart Lake the next day, while also making short work of Thornlea’s Varsity squad earlier in the tournament. They are still very much a dark horse for OFSAA, with a physicality, attention to detail, and an ability to execute that few teams in the country have. Led by the 6’4 forward/guard combo Luke Syllas, currently being scouted by Queen’s out of the OUA, this is still a team to watch as the season winds down.

Have Your Say…Who Should be in the Top 25?

On the bubble:

  • Central Toronto Academy (Toronto, ON)
  • Orillia (Orillia, ON)
  • Cathedral (Hamilton, ON)
  • North Park (Brantford, ON)
  • Oakville Prep (Oakville, ON)
  • St. Francis Xavier (Mississauga, ON)
  • St. Marcellinus (Mississauga, ON)
  • Northstar Prep (Winnipeg, MB)
  • St. Thomas Aquinas (Oakville, ON)
  • Brebeuf (Hamilton, ON)
  • St. Patrick’s (Ottawa, ON) 
  • Jeanne Mance (Montreal, QC)
  • Henri-Bourassa (Montreal, QC)
  • Burnaby South Rebels (Burnaby, British Columbia)
  • Holy Cross Crusaders (Surrey, British Columbia)
  • Kennedy HS (Windsor, ON)
  • St. John Paul II (Scarborough, ON)
  • Oakwood CI (Toronto, ON)
  • Holy Trinity (Oakville, ON)
  • St. Martin S.S. (Mississauga, ON)
  • Eastwood (Waterloo, ON)
  • Lord Tweedsmuir (Surrey, BC)
  • Holy Name (Windsor, ON)
  • Auburn Drive High School (Cole Harbour, NS)
  • Halifax Grammar School (Halifax, NS)
  • St. Mary’s (Kitchener, ON)

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