This time we enter the top 50, covering teams 41 through 50. There are actually no B teams in this range, so we won’t be skipping anyone.

This post was updated on 8/28 with additional information regarding Bloomington and Johnson Central.

50. Dublin Scioto A (OH) – Tying for 29th at NSC and 21st at HSNCT, this team graduates three players, particularly Arjun, who was good for over 100 PPG at regular season teams. Without him, this team will have a hard time replicating their performances.

Expected performance next season: Down

49. Bloomington A (IL) – Although they missed the playoffs at HSNCT, they did have the highest PPG of anyone that didn’t make the playoffs, and more importantly finished 15th at PACE NSC. They return everyone from their team last year, so they should be in great position for a top 10 or 15 run next year.

Update (8/28): So it turns out that they do lose a sometime A-teamer from last year in Nathaniel Smith. Still, I found impressive performances without him that they should be around the top 15 next year.

Expected performance next season: Up

48. Harmony Science Academy – North Austin A (TX) – Tying for 21st at HSNCT, this team returns their two main players from last year, so they should be in strong position next season.

Expected performance next season: Up

47. Hickman A (MO) – Tying for 77th at HSNCT, Hickman was a team that really relied upon Andy Sun last year. With his graduation, they’re taking a hit next year.

Expected performance next season: Down

46. Johnson Central A (KY) – Appearing at only one tournament last year, JCHS has some questions about if their players are returning, but they certainly appear to have enough coming back that they can perform as well as last year. The only thing they need to do at this point is go to more tournaments.

Update (8/28): It turns out that this team is losing two starters (Trevor and Clay), unlike the one I originally thought. That’s enough for me to move them from a sideways projection to a down projection.

Expected performance next season: Down

45. St. Charles A (OH) – Tied for 41st at NSC, this team loses their two main scorers in Tyler and Zel. They’ll have to reload next year.

Expected performance next season: Down

44. Raleigh Charter A (NC) – Taking 52nd at NSC and one of the 53rd spots at HSNCT, they return their top scorer but lose their other three players from their A team, leaving them in a weaker spot than last year.

Expected performance next season: Down

43. Marist A (GA) – Tying for 53rd at HSNCT, they lose their main players in Sebastian and Brendan. Maggie and Nick are not bad, but I don’t know if they’re enough to be a top 50 team next year.

Expected performance next season: Down

42. Early College at Guilford A (NC)
71. Early College at Guilford B (NC) – Their A team tied for 34th at HSNCT, and their B team reached a spot at 53rd. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to hit the top 50 next year, but they return a lot of good players and should be a top 100 team next year.

Expected performance next season: Down

41. Colonel By A (ON) – Although they weren’t able to go to a national last year, they return all of their major scorers from last season. This could be a top ten team next year.

Expected performance next season: Up