Preseason Top Ten Power Poll

#1 HCYA Warriors, TX
Last Years Finish: 1st
Returning Starters: 1
Returning All-Americans: John Caleb Sanders (2nd team)
HCYA will be looking to find four new starters but the Warriors are returning their leading scorer and sophomore sensation John Caleb Sanders. HCYA has continued their domination of the 16 & under division with 4 straight national championships. This is a very big part in why the Warriors are favored to make their 7th straight national championship appearance despite losing nearly their entire core from last years National Championship team.


#2 Okc Storm, OK
Last Years Finish: 3rd
Last Year's Gateway Regional Champions
Returning Starters: 3
Returning All-American: Nathan Santelmann (1st Team), Aaron Santelmann (2nd Team), Rex Farmer (3rd Team), and the addition of Evan Justus (Honorable Mention) from the OKC Knights.
The Okc Storm & HCYA Warriors are the only two teams that had earned their way into 6a since the inception of divisions. This year the Storm is looking to make their first national championship game appearance since 2004. With a 3rd place finish last year, the return of three All-Americans, and the addition of another All-American the Storm will certainly be in the mix for a national championship.

#3 St. John's Warriors, MI
Last Years Finish: 6th
Returning Starters: 5
Returning All-Americans: Eric Hamilton (3rd Team) & Kyle Williams (3rd team)
Last year's St. Johns team was a very young & talented team and looks to be returning everyone. Last year St. John's won their first ever Michigan State tournament and made their first appearance in 6a. This is a team will have plenty of test throughout the year & has the potential to be a team that finds themselves knocking on the door of a championship game appearance in March.


#4 Huntington Eagles, IN
Last Years Finish: 7th
Returning Starters: 3
Returning All Americans: Colin Featherston (2nd team)
Fresh off their first appearance in 6a last year Huntington will be returning a very strong core and will look to make a run at their first ever final four appearance. Huntington is returning 5 of their top 7 players including a couple standout freshman that were key players last year.

#5 CHSA Wolverines, TX
Last Years Finish: 8th
Returning Starters: 3
Returning All Americans: 0
In 2007 CHSA was the surprise team of the tournament with an incredible run to the national championship game in what was their first appearance in 6a. Last year despite some devastating injuries the Wolverines were able to reach 6a again. This is a team that is looking to make their third straight appearance in the gold ball division and with the return of 4 of their top 6 players, key additions, and some players moving up from their JV this is a team that may have a legitimate shot at a final four appearance.



#6 Crestwood Calvary, IL
Last Years Finish: 4th
Returning Starters: 3
Returning All-Americans: 0
Last year Crestwood was led by 1st team All-American & Sr. Joel Morris. This year Crestwood should be a very tough team and has goals of making 6a again. Crestwood is a regular in the gold ball division but will need a good supporting cast around their returning starters in order to get back into the final four.



#7 MHEA Eagles, TN
Last Years Finish: 9th
Returning Starters: 4
Returning All-Americans: Josh Brown (3rd team) & Ben Barnes (Honorable Mention)
Last year MHEA was able to win the 5a division despite their youth and with a very strong returning cast the Eagles will look to make a run at their first ever appearance in 6a. Last years the Eagles ran into Michigan state champions St. John's and lost a competitive game and then bounced back very well winning out versus a very tough 5a field.


#8 Derby Invasion, KS
Last Years Finish: 12th
Returning Starters: 5
Returning All-Americans: Shawn Michelson (Honorable Mention)
Derby last year had a solid run considering their youth and have put themselves in a excellent situation considering they are returning their entire team. This is a team that I expect will make a very legitimate push for their first ever 6a appearance. Additionally the Invasion have added a 6'7 post player that will give them some much needed size and depth.


#9 Landmark Eagles, OH
Last Years Finish: 2nd
Last Year's Region 1 Champion
Returning Starters: 0
Returning All-Americans: 0
Last year Landmark was led by the dangerous combination of 1st team All-American's Peter Jackson & Eric Head. Landmark has a very good core of young players and has several key editions that could help them greatly during what is supposed to be a rebuilding year. This will be a young & dangerous team that hopes to make a run at consecutive 6a appearances.


#10 HSAA Blue Angels, TX
Last Years Finish: 10th
Returning Starters: 3
Returning All-Americans: 0
HSAA has been one of the more consistent varsity boys programs. With many 6a appearances however last year was a disappointing year. With the return of 3 starters and a very strong core of young players (14 & under national champions) this is a team that expects to return to 6a.


In Alphabetic Order here are the other teams that received consideration:

Dallas Thunder, TX
Faulkner County Falcons, AR
FEAST Patriots, TX
Nashville Central Warriors, TN
North Atlanta Flight, GA
Tulsa NOAH, OK
WCHSA Royal Eagles, WI