We reply questions in regards to the prime storylines heading into the Spalding Hoophall Traditional (Jan. 11-15). That is historically the most important showcase occasion of the season and the final impression on a nationwide scale for these seeking to turn out to be McDonald’s All-Individuals. Subsequent week’s FAB 50 Nationwide Rankings will probably be printed after MLK Monday on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
1. Can Paul VI or McEachern Pull Off The “Springfield Double”?Not if FAB 50 No. 25 Edmond North (Edmond, Okla.) or 46 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) has something to say about it. The No. 3 ranked Panthers are the favorites to seize the Bass Professional Match of Champions title on Saturday Dec. 13 in Springfield, Mo., and would truly meet No. 27 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) within the semifinals on Friday with Bosco and Edmond North pairing off on the opposite aspect of the eight-team bracket. McEachern is the one membership that really had a tricky opening-round recreation on Thursday, downing highly-regarded Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.), 73-62 behind a 29-point efficiency from Rutgers-bound Ace Bailey. Edmond North remains to be unbeaten however, St. John Bosco is a little more battle-tested. St. John Bosco and McEachern can be a choose’em recreation ought to Bailey have a monster recreation and assist his crew upset Paul VI within the semifinals. Since McEachern should be firing on all cylinders to beat No. 10 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) on Monday morning after a journey day on Sunday, we like Paul VI’s probabilities a bit extra to drag off the Springfield Double although its MLK Monday recreation vs. No. 8 Columbus (Miami, Fla.) will probably be a doozy. We simply really feel if Paul VI win the Bass Professional TOC, the Panthers will play nicely Monday. For McEachern, it might be one hell of an announcement to drag it off.
2. Which Recreation Might Impression The FAB 50 Most?Sure, we do really feel Paul VI will take down Columbus ought to the Panthers win the Bass Professional TOC, however do not depend out the Explorers from having an enormous weekend. They face No. 2 Lengthy Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) on Saturday and returning Mr. Basketball USA Cameron Boozer is due for an enormous recreation. Certain, Columbus obtained blown out by No. 1 Montverde Academy earlier within the season, however the Explorers can play with LuHi. Boozer hasn’t performed unhealthy in any respect this season, however some followers and veteran onlookers need him to dominate extra within the large video games. The bar is ready so excessive for him, in all probability as a lot as any highschool junior since LeBron James over 20 years in the past. On an enormous stage, do not be shocked if he steps up and Columbus offers LuHi all it might probably deal with. In the event that they pull off the upset that might shake up the rankings as a result of Columbus has 4 different losses and LuHi is within the thick of the FAB 50 title hunt. Ought to Columbus lose, it will not wish to lose two in a row vs. No. 3 Paul VI. Columbus can dominate on any given day, or play with the pack so preserve a watch out for its two video games.
3. Is This Montverde Academy’s Hardest Stretch?The Eagles will probably be favored in each recreation the remainder of the way in which, however that is nonetheless not its hardest stretch of video games. The hardest three recreation stretch will come on the finish of the season throughout the Excessive Faculty Basketball Nationals, April 4-6. The strain will probably be on for MVA to win the FAB 50 nationwide title and greater than doubtless it’ll face one or two highly-ranked groups it has already confronted after an enormous break. Even for a crew like MVA, beating an excellent crew a second or third time isn’t simple. This weekend, Montverde will face No. 23 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), bubble membership Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) and No. 9 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.). Oak Hill Academy has solely misplaced to No. 2 LuHi and each the Warriors and Brewster Academy wish to show they’re higher echelon EYBL Scholastic groups. The 2 groups’ particular person gamers have additionally been considerably ignored by different prime gamers from its personal league and will probably be longing for the large alternative. As fas as Prolific Prep, The Crew has already confirmed it might probably play with and beat a number of the nation’s finest groups. It has been banged up, nevertheless, in current weeks and has performed its final three video games with out its finest all-around contributor, senior ahead Derrion Reid. If he is not obtainable versus MVA, that will probably be an enormous blow to Prolific Prep’s probabilities. Others Prolific Prep gamers can step up, however Reid is invaluable to his crew’s success to this point this season.
4. Who Will Make Lasting McDonald’s Impressions?Derrion Reid, sure for Alabama, was having as soon as heck of a season earlier than the damage. Regardless, he needs to be a shoo-in for the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Recreation, which can happen April 2 in Houston. The groups will probably be introduced on the ESPN’s “NBA At the moment” broadcast on Tuesday, January 23. In a nationwide senior class that’s common by earlier requirements, there was extra buzz main as much as the announcement of the crew in regards to the borderline McDonald’s picks than anytime previously 5 years. There’s undoubtedly some grey space in regards to the closing 4-6 picks. That is why the Saturday recreation between Archbishop Wooden (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Centennial (Corona, Calif.) will probably be so intriguing. Wooden options Miami-bound capturing guard Jahlil Bethea and Arizona-bound ahead Carter Bryant. Hoophall is the ultimate large nationwide showcase earlier than the groups are introduced and people two wish to make nice closing impressions. Bryant is coming off a monster 39-point, 11-rebound efficiency in Centennial’s 82-78 win over No. 19 Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.), so he’ll go into the Wooden recreation with some constructive momentum. One other highly-regarded participant who needs to indicate nicely in Springfield is undecided wing Bryson Tucker of FAB 50 No. 24 Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.). His crew takes on Cardinal Ritter (St. Louis, Mo.) on Sunday morning.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He might be reached at [email protected]. Remember to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
