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HS Circuit Public Schools Pre-Season Top-25

By Samad Hines, 08/30/21, 2:30PM EDT

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We released our national top-25 preseason rankings just a week ago and here we will be taking a look at our first "public school only" top-25 preseason rankings coming into the 2021-2022 high school season.

These rankings are for public schools only and do not include any prep or post grad type schools. All of these schools on this list are eligible for state championships at the end of their regular seasons. 

The rankings system is the same as the national rankings. We know different states have different travel restrictions but strength of schedule played some factor in these rankings. Below you can find which public schools across the country sit in the top-25 as of today. 

1. Camden (NJ) 
Last Season Record: 13-0

Camden High School has been considered the number one public school in the country coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. The Panthers are also apart of the top-25 preseason national rankings sitting at number fourteen in the country regardless of what type of school they are. 2023 PG D.J. Wagner headlines their roster and they have plenty of pieces to compliment the highly rated junior. Camden will look to capture a state championship this season after coming close back in 2019-2020.

2. Duncanville (TX)
Last Season Record: 29-1

The defending UIL class 6A state champions are not just one of the best public schools in the country but one of the best overall in the nation as well. Duncanville holds a spot in our national top-25 preseason rankings as well and sit right behind Camden (NJ) in our public schools top-25 preseason rankings. The Panthers come in as the number team in the entire state of Texas. 2023 F Ron Holland and 2022 G/F Anthony Black headline their 2021-2022 high school season roster. The Panthers are arguably the number one public school team in the country coming in. 

3. Whitney Young (IL)
Last Season Record: 15-1

One of the best programs out of Chicago every single year, Whitney Young will be one of the nation's top programs coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. They currently ranked at number four here in our public school top-25 preseason rankings and twenty-three in our national top-25 preseason rankings. 2022 F A.J. Casey headlines their 2021-2022 high school season roster for now with other key pieces and the Dolphins will be looking to capture the Chicago Public League championship. Whitney Young is also expected to play a national schedule which includes a stop in the City of Palms Classic. 

4. Dr. Phillips (FL)
Last Season Record: 24-3

Dr. Phillips was one of five public schools featured in our latest preseason top-25 national rankings we posted last week and sit at number four in our newest public schools top-25 preseason rankings. The Florida program won the FHSA class 7A title last season and could see themselves in the same position by the end of the year. 2022 C Ernest Udeh Jr., 2022 PG Denzel Aberdeen, and 2022 SG Riley Kugel headline the Panthers roster coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. Dr. Phillips will play a national schedule this season which includes an appearance in the famous City of Palms Classic. 

5. Milton (GA)
Last Season Record: 28-3

The Eagles come in at number five overall in our first look at our public schools top-25 preseason rankings. Milton is also apart of our national top-25 rankings that were released last week and representing as one of the best public schools in the nation. They secured the GHSA class 7A state championship last season and will look to defend that title once again this upcoming season. Their elite backcourt of 2022 PG Bruce Thornton (Ohio Sate) and 2023 G Kanaan Carlyle will return to the starting lineup and headline their roster. Eagles are playing one of the toughest schedules for a public school making stops at the City of Palms Classic, Beach Ball Classic, Bass Pro TOC, and more. 

6. North Little Rock (AR)
Last Season Record: 20-2

North Little Rock captured the AHSAA class 6A state championship during the 2020-2021 high school season while going 20-2 overall. The Charging Wildcats will looking to defend their state title while playing a national schedule during the 2021-2022 high school season. They return star player 2022 C Kel'el Ware (Oregon) and have added highly rated 2022 SG Nick Smith Jr. to their roster this season. North Little Rock sits right outside the top-25 national preseason rankings and could possibly see themselves make a move in the top-25 at some point. 

7. Imhotep Charter (PA)
Last Season Record: 14-0

One of the top programs consistently out of the Northeast, Imhotep Charter out of Philadelphia, will be back as one of the top public schools again this upcoming season. The Panthers went 14-0 during their shortened season last year due to COVID-19. They bring back most of that same roster headlined by 2023 F Justin Edwards and will be playing a national schedule once again this upcoming season. Imhotep is deep and could see themselves possibly break into the national top-25 rankings as the 2021-2022 year goes along. 

8. Beaumont United (TX)
Last Season Record: 31-0

The Timberwolves are coming into the 2021-2022 high school season on a current 31-game winning streak, which is one of the longest current streaks in the country. Beaumont United finished the 2020-2021 high school season with a 31-0 overall record while capturing the UIL class 5A state championship. They will return their star duo of 2022 F Terrance Arcenaux and 2023 G Wesley Yates III to the roster this upcoming season. Beaumont United ranks number eight in our public schools preseason top-25 rankings and will be one of the best teams in the state of Texas once again. 

9. Richardson (TX)
Last Season Record: 26-2

Richardson High School will be coming into the 2021-2022 high school season as one of the best programs out of the state of Texas. The Eagles reached the UIL class 6A region semifinals last season while going an impressive 26-2 overall. They bring back their star duo in 2022 G Cason Wallace and 2022 SG Rylan Griffen to their roster. Richardson is expected to play more of a national schedule this upcoming season and should be apart of some more key tough games. They currently come in as the number nine best public school in our preseason top-25 public school ranks.

10. Berkmar (GA)
Last Season Record: 25-6

The Patriots were close to capturing a GHSA class 7A state championship at the end of the 2020-2021 season before losing to Milton (GA) in a close one. Berkmar comes in ranked number ten in our preseason top-25 public school rankings and the second best program in the Peach State. They will be returning key guys from last season's 25-6 squad which include 2022 F Malique Ewin2022 G Jermahri Hill, and 2022 PG Jameel Rideout. The Patriots are expected to appear in a couple of national events this season as well which include the City of Palms Classic and Quincy Shootout.

11. Wheeler (GA)
Last Season Record: 27-5

The Wheeler Wildcats have now captured back-to-back state championships in the state of Georgia with the class 7A title (2020) and class 6A title (2021). The powerhouse program has still been relevant under head coach Larry Thompson and ranked number eleven in our preseason top-25 public school rankings. Highly rated 2023 PG Isaiah Collier returns to the roster and will headline their squad this upcoming season. Wheeler will be playing in a couple national events during the 2021-2022 high school season and will be looking to secure their third straight state championship, second straight class 6A title. 

12. Corona Centennial (CA)
Last Season Record: 21-2

Corona Centennial has been one of the best public school programs out of Southern California over the last few years and have made some national rankings as well during their era. The Huskies finished 21-2 last season in a weird delayed season in the CIF due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020. They did however capture the CIF Southern Section title over highly rated Sierra Canyon (CA). They will be bringing back most of their roster from last season headlined by 2023 PG Jared McCain and should be one of the better teams out West. 

13. Sunnyslope (AZ) 
Last Season Record: 21-1

The defending AIA class 6A state champions come in ranked at number thirteen in our public school preseason top-25 rankings. Sunnyslope will be coming in as the number public school in the state of Arizona and fourth best overall team behind AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Dream City Christian (AZ), and Hillcrest Prep (AZ). The Vikings return their star duo in 2022 F Elijah Saunders and 2022 PG Oakland Fort to the roster this season. They will come into this 2021-2022 high school season as the favorites to capture the AIA class 6A state championship once again. 

14. Kimball (TX)
Last Season Record: 18-12

The Kimball High School Knights come in as one of the best teams in the state of Texas this upcoming season and one of the top public schools in the country. With the return of 2022 G Arterio Morris (Texas), the Knights become an extreme threat in the Lone Star state. 2022 PG Chauncey Gibson is also returning to Kimball for his senior season. Kimball is expected to play a big time schedule this year after finishing the 2020-2021 high school season as the UIL class 5A runner ups. After taking a heartbreak lost in last season's state championship game, they will be looking to make back-to-back appearances at the end of the season but this time crowned as champions. 

15. Centerville (OH)
Last Season Record: 26-3 

Centerville will come in arguably as the number one team in the state of Ohio this upcoming season. The Elks captured the OHSAA division I state championship during the 2020-2021 high school season with a 26-3 overall record. Centerville is expected to play a quality national schedule this upcoming season playing in the Holiday Hoopsgiving and Flyin to the Hoop showcase. 2023 PG Gabe Cupps and 2022 F Tom House will be the star duo returning from last season's state championship team. The Elks come in ranked at number fifteen in our public schools preseason top-25 rankings. 

16. Oak Mountain (AL) 
Last Season Record: 24-9

The Eagles captured the AHSAA class 7A state championship during the 2020-2021 high school season while finishing with a 24-9 overall record. Oak Mountain will come in as arguably the number team in the state of Alabama this season. Their 2021-2022 high school season roster will be headlined by 2022 F Will Shaver (North Carolina). The Eagles will obviously come into this season as the favorites to defend their class 7A state championship and come in ranked at number sixteen in our public schools top-25 preseason rankings.

17. Simeon (IL)
Last Season Record: 8-1

The Powerhouse Chicago school, Simeon High School, should be one of the best public school programs not only in the state of Illinois but the entire country once again this upcoming season. The Wolverines played a short amount of games during the 2020-2021 high school season due to the impact of COVID-19. They finished with an 8-1 overall record. Simeon should be back as one of the favorites to win the Chicago Public League championship. The Wolverines are also expected to play a national schedule as they have in previous season's. 

18. Newton (GA)
Last Season Record: 14-9

Do not let the 14-9 record last season fool you when it comes to Newton. Newton High School, another metro Atlanta program in Covington, Georgia, will be a top-5 team in the Peach State coming into the 2021-2022 high school season. The Rams have themselves a very gritty group coming in this year with their main core guys like 2023 G Stephon Castle, 2023 G Jakai Newton, 2022 G T.J. Clark, and 2023 G Marcus Whitlock returning to the team. They will play a tough schedule outside the GHSA class 7A gauntlet and will be one of the favorites to capture that state championship. 

19. Coronado (NV)
Last Season Record: N/A

Coronado, the same program that produced future NBA lottery pick Jaden Hardy, will still be relevant this upcoming season after not having an actual basketball season last year due to state restrictions during COVID-19. The Cougars will be playing their first year in the NIAA class 5A division and could see themselves capturing a state title. Coronado returns key guys like 2023 F Osiris Grady and 2023 SG Darnel Fizer with new additions like 2022 PG Pop Pop Isaacs, 2022 PG Isaac Peralta, and 2022 F Cole Webster on the roster. 

20. Norcross (GA)
Last Season Record: 21-8

Norcross High School, which sits right outside of Atlanta in Norcross, Georgia, has been one of the most consistent basketball programs for a public school over the last decade or so. The Blue Devils were very young last season finishing with a 21-8 overall record. They return most of that same roster with key prospects like 2023 PG London Johnson and 2024 SG Jahki Howard returning to the roster. Norcross will be one of the favorites to capture the GHSA class 7A during the 2021-2022 high school season. 

21. Buchtel (OH)
Last Season Record: 18-5

The Griffins finished the 2020-2021 high school season with a 18-5 overall record and reaching the OHSAA division II regional finals. They feature highly rated 2022 F Chris Livingston on their roster and will also bring back key guys like 2022 PG Cordell Livingston and 2022 PG Marcell Boyce Jr to this upcoming season team. One of the best public schools in the country coming into the 2021-2022 high school season is expected to be playing a national schedule this year which includes a stop in the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. The Griffins are one of the favorites to make run at an OHSAA division II state championship.

22. Perry (AZ)
Last Season Record: 15-3

Perry High School, which sits just outside of Phoenix, rank number twenty-two in our public schools preseason top-25 rankings. The Pumas finished the 2020-2021 high school season with a 15-3 overall in a weird COVID-19 year. They will be one of the best programs in the state of Arizona this season with the return of 2022 C Dylan Anderson (Arizona) and 2023 SG Cody Williams. One of the nation's top incoming freshmen, 2025 F Koa Peat, will also be apart of their roster this upcoming season. Perry will be one of the favorites to capture the AIA class 6A state championship this season.  

23. Cane Ridge (TN)
Last Season Record: 15-1

One of the best teams coming out of the state of Tennessee this upcoming season will without question be Cane Ridge High School. The Ravens reached the TSSAA Division I class 3A state championship last season before losing to Houston (TN). They will be one of the favorites to win this season's state championship with the return of highly rated 2022 F Brandon Miller. Cane Ridge will return other key prospects as well for the 2021-2022 high school season and is also expected to have some key matchups on the national level. 

24. Ridge View (SC)
Last Season Record: 14-3

The Blazers played a short amount of games last season going 14-3 overall and reaching the SCHSL class 5A quarterfinals before being eliminated by Dorman (SC). Ridgeview will bring back half of their roster from a year ago headlined by 2023 Gregory Jackson II. They will not only be one of the best public schools in the Southeast region but the entire country as well. The Blazers are planned to play a national schedule this upcoming season and are one of the favorites to capture the SCHSL class 5A state championship. 

25. Pebblebrook (GA)
Last Season Record: 25-4

Pebblebrook High School, another metro Atlanta school, comes in as the sixth Georgia public school to appear in our public schools top-25 preseason rankings. The Falcons have been one of the best basketball programs in the state of Georgia under George Washington over the last few years. They are apart of the GHSA class 7A gauntlet and will be playing a more national schedule this season which includes a stops at the the Tarkanian Classic and Quincy Shootout. Pebblebrook finished 25-4 last season and will be bringing back a pesky and tough group during the 2021-2022 high school season and will look to capture the GHSA 7A title.

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