Preseason Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings: No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy

Facing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, the Buffaloes are loaded and have opportunity to establish themselves as an elite program.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Oct 17, 2018, 10:30am
Video: Preseason Top 25 Basketball Rankings
Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2018-19 season.


Head Coach: Luke Barnwell
Last Season: 23-2
Head coach Luke Barnwell
Head coach Luke Barnwell
File photo by Sam Soliday


Players to Watch:
Bryce Cook (5-foot-7, Sr., G) — Committed to SMU
Austin Crowley (6-4, Sr., G) — Committed to Vanderbilt
N'Faly Dante (7-0, Jr., C)
Grant Sherfield (6-3. Sr., G) — Committed to UCLA
Jalyn Turner (6-6, Sr., G)
Jordan Turner (6-8, Sr., F) — Committed to Baylor
Elijah Wood (6-6, Jr., G)

Key Games/Events:
Dec. 1 - vs. Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) — Chicago Elite Classic (Chicago)
Dec. 7 - vs. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) — ARS National Hoopfest (Washington, D.C.)
Dec. 14 - vs. South Garland (Garland, Texas) — ARS National Hoopfest (Dallas)
Dec. 27-29 - Chick-fil-A Classic (Columbia, S.C.)
Jan. 4 - vs. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) — Cancer Research Classic (Wheeling, W.Va.)
Jan. 5 - vs. Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) - Cancer Research Classic
Jan. 17-19 - Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)
Feb. 9 - vs. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) — Heartland Hoops (Grand Island, Neb.)
Guard Bryce Cook shown playing for South Grand Prairie.
Guard Bryce Cook shown playing for South Grand Prairie.
File photo by Gregory LaGrange
Season Preview:
The Buffaloes enter 2018-19 with their highest expectations in school history after a 23-2 season last year in which they knocked off perennial powerhouses Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) and St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.).

Sunrise Christian again takes on one of the toughest schedules in the nation this year, traveling to the Chick-fil-A Classic and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, and facing off against top 25 foes Imhotep Charter, Findlay Prep and South Garland.

Sunrise Christian Academy has a strong mix of key returning contributors and impact transfers  — meaning chemistry shouldn't be a major issue for the Buffaloes. Three of the expected starters return from last season with Dante, a third team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American, set to lead the charge.

Look for the Buffaloes to have another strong season and reach their goal of reaching their first ever GEICO Nationals berth in late March.

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