Here are the top five storylines for this week.
1. D-Day for Randle.
On Wednesday, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) forward Julius Randle, who is ranked No. 2 in the Rivals150, will announce where he’ll attend college.
Randle is allowing USA Today HSS to tag along for the process starting today.
MORE: Inside Randle's in-home visits
Expect fan bases and experts to reveal via message boards and social media that they’ve got “sources” who absolutely know that Randle’s headed to each of the four schools – Texas, Kentucky, Kansas and Florida – on his list.
Truth is no one knows because Randle has maintained that he doesn’t know.
2. Miller Grove receiving the star treatment.
Now that they’ve won five state titles in a row, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) is getting the red carpet treatment. This week the team will be honored at the state capitol and be featured on numerous radio stations in the Atlanta area before hosting a pep rally where they’ll cut down the nets.
The Wolverines knocked of Gainesville, 61-57, to become the first Georgia High School Association boys’ basketball team to win five straight state titles.
“It’s still surreal to us,” Miller Grove coach Sharman White said. “We’re still walking around like, ‘Did we really win five state titles?'”
Indeed they did.
3. Gatorade announcing state Players of the Year.
On Thursday 51 boys’ high school basketball players will be named Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective states. Washington, D.C. will also have a POY.
MORE: Gatorade state girls basketball Players of the Year
4. First time for Tyus?
Tyus Jones starts his quest for Apple Valley’s (Minn.) first state title in hoops Wednesday in the quarterfinals against Brainerd. Last weekend, Jones, a junior who is ranked No. 1 among point guards in the 2014 class, scored 19 points to lead Apple Valley past Rosemount, 94-64.
With Jones at the controls the Eagles better make room for the school’s first basketball state title.
5. Mater Dei goes for 10.
On Saturday, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) avenged a loss to Etiwanda from earlier in the season with a 60-37 victory over the Eagles in the CIF Southern California Open Division final.
Now the Monarchs will play for the program’s 10th state title under Coach Gary McKnight. That won’t be easy against Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) and its star forward Aaron Gordon, a senior who is ranked No. 4 in the ESPN 100.
Still, the Monarchs have too many weapons to lose this one.
Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter @JayJayUSATODAY.
