Findlay Prep point guard Derryck Thornton Jr., is a top returnee for the No. 6 Pilots./ Kelly Kline
On Thursday, USA TODAY High School Sports began releasing our preseason Super 25 boys basketball rankings with teams 11-25. Today, we’re releasing teams 6-10. The rest of the release schedule:
Nov. 3: Team 5
Nov. 4: Team 4
Nov. 5: Team 3
Nov. 6: Team 2
Nov. 7: Team 1
- Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (31-5)
Start with returning junior point guard Derryck Thornton, Jr. (11.6 points, 7.7 assists and 2.2 steals), who is a lockdown defender and a solid three-point shooter. Justin Jackson, a 6-8 senior guard who has committed to UNLV and is listed as No. 26 in his class by ESPN.com, and Auburn commit Horace Spencer III, a 6-8 power forward, are also returning starters. The Pilots’ top newcomer is Allonzo Trier, an Arizona commit who averaged 24.9 points a game last season at Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) and dominated on the summer circuit.
- Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (21-10)
The Lions won the Parochial B state title and return two top 100 senior players in Isaiah Briscoe (19.5 ppg, 5.5 apg), considered the consensus No. 1 point guard in the 2015 class and Chris Silva (9.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.0 bpg), a 6-9 power forward who has committed to South Carolina. Roselle Catholic also returns 6-8 small forward Pierre Sarr (11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), a Monmouth commit, and guard Asante Gist (13.5 ppg, 4.5 apg). Nazreon Reid, a 6-9 small forward, is considered the No. 5 player in the freshman class by Future150.com. (Note: The preseason rankings were compiled before Findlay Prep’s addition of transfer P.J. Washington.)
- Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-0)
The Monarchs have won four consecutive state titles but will have to do without ALL-USA player Stanley Johnson, who is at Arizona. Notre Dame commit Rex Pflueger (11.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg), a 6-5 guard, and junior 6-10 center M.J. Cage (14.8 ppg), the son of former NBA player Michael Cage, will play a bigger role this season. Senior guard La’Vette Parker (10 ppg), and junior point guard Bailey Stout will also be key contributors.
- La Lumiere, La Porte, Ind. (23-3)
The Lakers will be young but amply talented. The top returnees are 6-4 senior guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (19.2 ppg, 2.8 apg), who has committed to Illinois and 6-10 power forward Alex Olesinski. La Lumiere’s top newcomer is 7-foot junior center Isaac Humphries, an Australian who is only 16 but already drawing attention from major schools. The Lakers also have two key transfers who are from Canada: Brandon Cyrus, a 6-4 junior shooting guard who averaged 16 points and five rebounds a game last season at Torrey Pines, Calif.; and 6-8 junior power forward Nolan Narain, who played last season at Sir Allan MacNab (Hamilton, Ontario).
- Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-5)
The two-time state Federation AA runner-ups return senior point guard Chris Atkinson (11.3 ppg), who has committed to Monmouth, along with 6-6 senior forward Marvin Prochet, who has an offer from Seton Hall among others. Other key returnees include 6-1 junior guard Devonte Green, the younger brother of San Antonio Spurs swingman Danny Green, and talented sophomore Losini Kamara.
