HIGH-SCHOOL

Tennessean Midstate Top 10 high school boys basketball poll

Michael Murphy
The Tennessean

A look at the top Nashville-area high school boys basketball teams, as ranked by the USA TODAY Network — Tennessee. 

East Nashville is off to its best start in 22 seasons under coach Jim Fey.

► More:Nashville area H.S. basketball statistic leaders
► More:Nashville area H.S. basketball games postponed

1. Blackman (17-0) — Blaze senior Brandon Thomas tallied 19 points and eight boards in last Tuesday’s Blaze’s 58-49 win over District 7-AAA rival Riverdale. Last week: No. 1.

2. East Nashville (20-0) — The Eagles, off to their best start in school history, have already reached the 20-win mark for the eighth time in as many seasons. Last week: No. 2.

3. Brentwood Acad. (11-4) — Vanderbilt signee Darius Garland (28.2 ppg) and the Eagles split with top 25 foes Wastach and La Lumiere at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions. Last week: No. 4. 

4. Riverdale (15-2) — The Warriors’s 13-game win streak was snapped with last Tuesday’s 58-49 loss to the top-ranked and unbeaten Blaze. Last week: No. 3. 

5. Gallatin (17-3) — The Green Wave sit atop the District 9-AAA standings after last week’s lopsided wins over third-place Lebanon and second-place Hendersonville. Last week: No. 5.

6. MBA (13-1) — The Big Red, coming off a 50-39 win against Pace Academy (Ga.), have strung together nine straight since suffering a 51-36 loss to Christian Brothers on Dec. 2. Last week: NR. 

7. Franklin (16-3) — Led by junior sharpshooter Reese Glover (26.6 ppg), the Rebels have reeled off 10 in a row heading into Tuesday’s rematch with District 11-AAA leading Brentwood. Last week: NR. 

8. Brentwood (15-4) — The Bruins remained atop the District 11-AAA standings despite suffering their first league defeat of the season — Tuesday’s 58-57 loss at Centennial. Last week: No. 6. 

9. Clarksville NE (15-3) — Junior forward Alex Kegler is averaging 20.6 point and 6.7 rebounds for the District 10-AAA leading Eagles. Last week: No. 9. 

10. Cane Ridge (15-4) — The District 12-AAA leading Ravens have reeled off five in a row since being blasted by unbeaten Blackman in last month’s Above the Rim tournament championship. Last week: NR. 

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-269-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.