Words. High School Hoop

It’s tough to honestly pick an All-American team. Gone are the days when so much of the nation’s high school basketball talent was concentrated in major cities like New York, L.A., Chicago and Philly – now the game is everywhere, with superstars coming out of small Midwestern towns, previously overlooked Northwest suburbs and the football territories of the Deep South, to name a few. So even in an era where YouTube highlights and regular national TV broadcasts allow more people to see more high school stars outside their own area code, the sheer volume of quality players spread around the map can be overwhelming. As a result, hype and reputation play too much of a role in determining who gets what awards and honors, and people make lazy picks, sometimes without even having seen a kid play. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) knocked off Plainfield (N.J.), 61-49, in the Tournament of Champions title game Monday to finish the season 33-0, claiming the state and national crowns in the process. It was the Friars’ first national No. 1 finish since 2008 when they finished the season 32-0. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Myles Mack scored 19 points and Kyle Anderson chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists to lead St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) past St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.), 62-45, last night at Rutgers Athletics Center. The win gave St. Anthony (30-0) the NJSIAA Non-Public B North championship and the No. 1 national ranking, which St. Patrick (26-1) had held for most of the season. The game also marked the first time in high school basketball history that the nation’s top two teams faced each other in a state playoff game. MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

It was a big weekend in high school basketball — beginning with a head-to-head national TV contest between the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the country, and continuing through the Springfield (Mass.) Hoophall Classic, where many of the best players, teams and coaches in the nation have convened in one of the season’s premier showcases.

NO. 1 OAK HILL GOES DOWN The last time we saw Milton (GA) in action, they lost a heartbreaker to St. Patrick (NJ) in the City of Palms tournament title game on a buzzer-beating three. This time, Milton’s speed and execution didn’t leave room for a surprise dagger, as they knocked off undefeated Oak Hill, the nation’s No. 1 team according to ESPN and USA Today. MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

For as long as they’re both in the NBA, whenever Kobe Bryant and LeBron James line up across from each other on the court, it’s never going to not be a nationally televised main event. In the NFL, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady can’t square off without the eyes of the entire nation watching. There’s just something about when the two best in their sport go head-to-head — even if it’s not really head-to-head — that makes it appointment viewing for anybody with a TV.

At 7 p.m. EST tonight on ESPN2, high school basketball’s Kobe-vs.-LeBron is going down, when Winter Park (FL) tips off against St. Patrick (NJ), showcasing the individual matchup of Austin Rivers vs. Michael Gilchrist. MORE >

Words. Aron Phillips

Before guys make it to the Tournament of Champions, they have to pay their dues. And this Saturday, August 22 at Goat Park (99th & Amsterdam), you’ll get to see the next group of Metro area legends in the making in the high school showcase game. Check out the roster: MORE >