Even with the recent Alabama high school basketball season still fresh in our minds, we’re already looking ahead to what’s shaping up as a special 2022-23 season. With many of the state’s top players set to return, which teams lead the way in our way-too-early Alabama high school basketball Top 25 rankings?
1. Enterprise
It is only right for the reigning Class 7A state champions to begin the 2022-23 season ranked No. 1 in our Alabama basketball Top 25 rankings. The Wildcats will have to replace their top three scorers in Elijah Terry, Kenneth Mitchell Jr, and Quentin Hayes, a trio that combined to average more than 35 points per game (PPG).
2. Baker
A popular early pick as one of the top teams in Alabama next season, Baker was arguably the favorite in Class 7A this past season before falling in the state semifinals. The Hornets will return a talented roster in 2022-23, led by one of the state’s top scorers in rising junior guard Labaron Philon, who averaged 24.4 PPG this past season.
3. Cullman
It will be hard to find an Alabama team that had a more impressive finish to the year than the 2021-22 Class 6A state champions. With the Bearcats returning key players such as Tucker Cagle, Cullman should be considered as one of the early favorites in Class 6A next season.
4. Vestavia Hills
Despite a regional semifinal playoff exit this past season, Vestavia Hills will enter the 2022-23 season as one of the state’s top teams. A big reason is the return of one of the state’s top players in rising senior guard Win Miller, a Class 7A First Team All-State selection.
5. Mountain Brook
One of the state’s top programs in recent years, the Spartans will return as one of the leading Class 6A teams in our Alabama basketball Top 25 rankings. While Mountain Brook was upset in the regional finals this past season, the Spartans bring back a few key names from that group, led by Second Team All-State guard Ty Davis.
6. Eufaula
7. James Clemens
8. Grissom
9. Lee-Huntsville
10. Spain Park
The arguable headliner of this group is 2021-22 Class 7A runner up James Clemens at No. 7, while Grissom will return one of the top players in the state in three-star guard RJ Johnson. Class 5A state champion Lee-Huntsville will begin 2022-23 as a state title favorite once again, while Eufaula and Spain Park will both have to replace key names such as Colin Turner, Caleb Paige, and Josh Paige.
11. McGill-Toolen
12. Sparkman
13. Oak Mountain
14. Huffman
15. Jacksonville
McGill-Toolen will have to replace the state’s top player as 2021-22 Mr. Basketball winner Barry Dunning moves to the next level, while defending Class 4A state champion Jacksonville returns the state’s top recruit in four-star Cade Phillips. Class 7A programs Sparkman and Oak Mountain both also must replace key names, while 6A runner up Huffman will have to do the same with guard Christopher Blount.
16. Park Crossing
17. Huntsville
18. Plainview
19. Pelham
20. Smiths Station
Class 3A state champion Plainview will return Second Team All-State selection Luke Smith, while Huntsville also returns one of the state’s top guards in Ja’Mari Arnold. Among the other three teams, each will have to replace key names, such as Dee Smith, Michael Jones, and Dadrevius Weathers.
21. Pinson Valley
22. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
23. Cottage Hill Christian
24. Hoover
25. Scottsboro
Pinson Valley will return Class 6A Third Team All-State guard Terry Coner Jr, while Cottage Hill Christian will be considered as an early state title favorite as the Warriors return the frontcourt duo of Trent and Tyler Thomas. Hoover will be led by rising sophomore guard Salim London, while Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and Scottsboro will return key names such as Tyson Sexton.
Also, a few honorable mentions (teams that just missed the list in our Alabama high school basketball Top 25 rankings): Northridge, Hueytown, Pike Liberal Arts, Escambia County and Charles Henderson.
