The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Charlie Moore

THE BASICS

School: Morgan Park (Chicago, Ill.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 155 pounds

Athletic achievement: He had led the Mustangs to a 26-3 record and a berth in the Class 3A Super-Sectional round at the time of his selection. A First Team All-City honoree by the Chicago Sun-Times, he averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 steals through 29 games. Moore, who received Honorable Mention All-State recognition from the Associated Press and Chicago Tribune as a junior, was shooting 65.0 percent from the field, 41.8 percent from 3-point range and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line entering the state postseason round of eight. Moore led Morgan Park to Class 3A state championships as a freshman and sophomore. He averaged a team-high 15.8 points and 4.5 assists to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game for the Mac Irvin Fire in Nike’s 2015 Elite Youth Basketball League.

Academic excellence: Moore has maintained a 3.86 weighted GPA.

Exemplary character: Also an accomplished artist, he has volunteered as part of the Mac Irvin Fire Turkey Drive each of the past two Thanksgiving holidays in addition to mentoring younger players in the program.

THE PRAISE

“Charlie loves the game of basketball and gives everything he has got every time he steps on the court,” said Morgan Park head coach Nick Irvin. “Off the court, he’s quiet and laid back, but when he steps on the court, he is all about doing whatever it takes to beat you and have his team win.”

THE FUTURE: Moore has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at the University of Memphis this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Malik Monk

THE BASICS

School: Bentonville (Ark.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Tigers to a 21-9 record and the Class 7A state championship game this past season. Monk averaged 28.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The USA TODAY American Family Insurance ALL-USA Arkansas Player of the Year as a junior, he has been selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American games. Monk is also a First Team All-Arkansas honoree and was named a Second Team Naismith Trophy All-American.

Academic excellence: Monk has maintained a B average.

Exemplary character: A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he has volunteered locally serving Thanksgiving meals to the needy and assisting at youth basketball camps.

THE PRAISE

“Monk does spectacular things on a basketball court,” said Jeremy Price, head coach at Springdale High. “He’s got NBA level athleticism and he has a great ability to create his own shot. He can elevate and shoot from anywhere on the floor and all you can do is hope that he misses.”

THE FUTURE: Monk has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at the University of Kentucky this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Justin Mazzulla

THE BASICS

School: Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, R.I.)
Grade: Junior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 185 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Hawks to a 23-6 record and the Open State Tournament championship this past season. Mazzulla averaged 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game and was named the state championship game’s MVP. He is a First Team All-State selection and played for the AAU national champion Boston Amateur Basketball Club last summer.

Academic excellence: Mazzulla has maintained a weighted 3.50 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on fundraising campaigns to benefit homeless shelters and food banks in addition to donating his time as a youth basketball coach and referee.

THE PRAISE

“Justin Mazzulla has a great skill set and a high basketball IQ,” said Charlie Holliday, head coach of Mount Pleasant High. “Justin has destroyed us when we played Hendricken.”

THE FUTURE: Mazzulla will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Sam Hauser

THE BASICS

School: Stevens Point Area Senior (Stevens Point, Wis.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 215 pounds

Athletic achievement: He has led the Panthers (26-0) to a berth in the Division 1 state semifinals, scheduled for March 18. A returning Division 1 First Team All-State selection as named by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, Hauser averaged 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.1 blocks through 26 games, shooting 55.4 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from 3-point range and 83.6 percent from the free-throw line. He led SPASH to the 2015 Division 1 state title as a junior.

Academic excellence: Also a standout golfer and football player, Hauser has maintained a 3.61 GPA.

Exemplary character: In addition to donating his time as a youth basketball instructor, he has volunteered on behalf of the Salvation Army, the Operation Bootstrap emergency assistance organization and the National Honor Society.

THE PRAISE

“SPASH is a relentless and efficient team, and I’d describe Sam the same way,” said Scott Scheuer, head coach at rival Marshfield High. “He’s relentless and efficient. He keeps coming at you on offense and defense.”

THE FUTURE: Hauser has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Marquette University this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Colbey Ross

THE BASICS

School: Eaglecrest (Centennial, Colo.)
Grade: Junior
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 175 pounds

Athletic achievement: He averaged 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per game this past season, leading the Raptors (25-3) to the Class 5A state championship game. A returning Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State selection as named by The Denver Post, Ross shot 47.6 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from 3-point range and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line. He was the lone rising junior selected to Colorado’s High School All-Star Game, “The Show,” this past summer.

Academic excellence: Ross has maintained a 3.47 weighted GPA and represents one of the state’s top academic candidates in meeting the Gatorade award’s broad criteria.

Exemplary character: Also a football standout, he received his school’s Exceptional Sophomore Award for academic and extracurricular achievement. A youth basketball instructor and a member of Eaglecrest’s Commitment Club for leadership, Ross has volunteered locally as a peer tutor and as part of a charitable toy drive in addition to donating his time to a soup kitchen, Walk for Sudan and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

THE PRAISE

“Colbey Ross is an incredible athlete and competitor,” said Brad Jansen, head coach at rival Arapahoe High. “His leadership skills and maturity have grown over the last three seasons as well. I have seen a talented freshman develop into an outstanding leader, competitor and respectful young man.”

THE FUTURE: Ross will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Zach Collins

THE BASICS

School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Forward and Center
Height: 7-foot
Weight: 225 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Gaels to a 25-7 record and their fifth straight Division I state title this past season. Collins averaged 17.3 points and 14 rebounds per game while shooting 67 percent from inside the arc. A 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game selection and the nation’s No. 32 recruit in the Class of 2016 as rated by Rivals.com, he scored 24 points on 11-for-14 shooting to go with 15 rebounds and eight blocks in the state title-clinching win over Centennial.

Academic excellence: Collins has maintained a 3.19 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally as a special education teaching assistant and on behalf of his church youth group.

THE PRAISE

“Zach Collins is great player, but more importantly, he is a gentleman,” said Ryan Fretz, head coach at Desert Oasis High. “I have been extremely impressed how he has become a leader, an example and a mentor within our local basketball community. The respect he shows opposing coaches, teams and players should be applauded. He is the best player in our state and it was very difficult to game plan for him. His athleticism and length is much greater than folks realize.”

THE FUTURE: Collins has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Gonzaga University this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Kyle Guy

THE BASICS

School: Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-3,
Weight: 150 pounds

Athletic achievement: He averaged 23.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting nearly 60 percent from inside the arc this past season, leading the Bears (19-7) to the Class 4A sectional final. A 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game selection and an Indiana Mr. Basketball finalist, Guy is the nation’s No. 24 recruit in the Class of 2016 as rated by ESPN. He scored 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting in Lawrence Central’s season-ending loss to Southport in the sectional final.

Academic excellence: Guy has maintained a B average.

Exemplary character: A devoted parishioner of his church community, he has volunteered locally on behalf of an elementary school literacy-outreach program and as a youth basketball coach.

THE PRAISE

“Kyle Guy is the best shooter and scorer I have seen in my 28 years of coaching,” said Lawrence Central High head coach Al Gooden. “He can shoot the three-pointer, hit the pull-up jumper and get to the basket to finish. He is also a great team leader and an outstanding young man.”

THE FUTURE: Guy has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at the University of Virginia this fall.

The Gatorade State Boys Basketball Players of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 fall season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.

For the complete list of Gatorade State Boys Basketball Player of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Hugh Hogland

THE BASICS

School: ‘Iolani School (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Grade: Junior
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 220 pounds

Athletic achievement: He led the Raiders to a 22-9 record and the Division 1 state championship this past season. Hogland averaged 15.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Player of the Year, he was also the Most Outstanding Player in the Division 1 state tournament.

Academic excellence: Hogland has maintained a 3.08 GPA.

Exemplary character: A mentor for young science students, he has volunteered locally on behalf of beach cleanup initiatives, youth basketball camps and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu.

THE PRAISE

“The way Hogland changed the game for his team this year was unmatched,” said Ryan Hirata, head coach at Mid-Pacific Institute. “He really stepped up in the state tournament when they needed him most. He altered shots and created havoc on the defensive end, while scoring at will on the low block and setting up his teammates on the offensive end. He was a force.”

THE FUTURE: Hogland will begin his senior year of high school this fall.

DeAndre Ayton possesses one of the most unique skill-sets of any prospect in the class of 2017. Because of this, Ayton, who averages 30 points, 20 rebounds, five blocks and five assists a game for Phoenix’s Hillcrest Prep, has offers from the likes of Maryland, Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas.

It’s pretty easy to see why.

Here is a look at Ayton’s highlights from our friends at Courtside Films.

Thon Maker, one of the remaining unsigned players in the class of 2016, has scheduled three more visits and reportedly plans to have his decision by late April.

According to Adam Zagoria at sny.tv, Maker will visit Arizona State, UNLV, and finally Notre Dame in late April, and his decision is expected shortly thereafter.

“We’ve been to both St. John’s and Indiana so we know them,” Maker’s guardian Ed Smith told Zagoria. “Time permitting Thon may decide to visit one of them.”

Maker, a 7-footer out of the Athlete Institute of Ontario, has already visited Kansas, and he has taken unofficial visits to Indiana and St. John’s.

Troy Brown Jr. from Centennial (Las Vegas) is ranked as the No. 2 point guard and the No. 13 player overall in the Class of 2017 by the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Brown has 13 offers, including Duke, Arizona, Cal, Alabama, Kansas, Louisville, UCLA and more.

These highlights from our friends at CourtsideFilms show you why:

Montverde Academy’s Ben Simmons (left) led the school to three consecutive Super 25 titles (Photo: David Butler, USA TODAY Sports)

With the approaching end to the 2015-16 boys basketball season, USA TODAY High School Sports will name its sixth national champion of the decade.

So which has been the best program in the last five years and is continuing its success this year? We thought we’d find out by taking the final Super 25 rankings for the seasons that ended in 2011 through 2015 and then the current rankings to provide a snapshot.

During that time, 112 teams have finished in the final Super 25 or are currently ranked. Only three programs have appeared in all six: Montverde Academy (Fla.), Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).

The chart below shows you where each team was ranked in each year and provides an average of each’s position. Teams that ended the season without a ranking were awarded a 26.

That gives Montverde the narrow edge over Findlay with its three consecutive Super 25 titles. (As an aside, each also was ranked in 2010. Add in 2010 and Findlay has the better composite ranking.)

The top three are not the only elite programs that have been mainstays in the Super 25 this decade.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) has been in the final rankings each of the last five years but recently fell from this year’s rankings.

Huntington Prep (W.Va.) has made appearances in each of the last four years but is not currently ranked. Simeon (Chicago) has made four appearances and is currently No. 24. St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) has been ranked three times but its composite is higher than Simeon’s based on three appearances in the top five.

Here are the other teams that have been ranked three times:

• Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.)
• St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.)

• La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.)
• Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)
• DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)
• Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
• Corona del Sol (Temple, Ariz.)

The McDonogh girls lacrosse team has started 2016 where they left off — with wins (Photo: Donald Hoelting)

The still-undefeated McDonogh Eagles from Owings Mills, Md., keep their lock on the top spot in this week’s Super 25 girls high school lacrosse rankings provided by 3dRising.com.

McDonogh has won 134 consecutive games and looks on pace to keep the streak rolling this season with another incredible roster of college-bound players who came out of the gate strong to start the year.

MORE: Full Super 25 Girls Lacrosse Rankings

The Eagles’ most recent win – a 13-8 victory – comes against one of Florida’s most respected programs, Vero Beach. American Family Insurance Preseason ALL-USA first team midfielder Savannah Buchanan led the way with three goals, while the Eagles got two goals from three other players: Andie Aldave (a Preseason ALL-USA second-team selection), Julia Hoffman and Rachel Anderson.

Several Super 25 teams picked up wins this week as the season begins to get underway in the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic, while states in the South have been at it for several weeks, including No. 20 Milton (Ga.). Milton is now 4-0 after pulling off an impressive three shutouts in a row to begin the year.

While this week’s rankings remain largely intact from the preseason rankings, one slight change occurs. St. Mary’s of Annapolis, Md. – after defeating previous No. 25 Georgetown Visitation (D.C.) 15-8 – enters the rankings at No. 25. The win against the Tigers came after a season-opening victory against a Hill Academy (Ontario) that played extremely tough against a number of Mid-Atlantic teams.

The Saints will have a chance to show what they can do March 30, when they host No. 1 McDonogh.

The Jr. NBA has announced its inaugural Jr. NBA Skills Challenge for boys and girls basketball players from ages 9-14. The challenge features dribbling, shooting and rebounding skills.

Local competitions run through May 1 and can be held by any organization registered for the Jr. NBA. Organizations can register for free at www.JrNBA.com. A boys and girls champion from each age group (9-10, 11-12, and 13-14) from every local competition will advance to the regional competitions in Atlanta, Chicago, Connecticut, Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., from May 8 to June 5.

According to a news release, three winners from each age and gender group will receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to participate in the National Finals (June 22-24).  Finalists will also have the opportunity to attend the 2016 NBA Draft in Brooklyn.

The Jr. NBA said the competition is 45 seconds that begins with dribbling around cones followed by speed dribbling.  The remaining time will be used for participants to shoot from designated spots on the court, getting points based on level of difficulty. After time expires, participants will shoot a free throw for bonus points.

The entire varsity and junior varsity coaching staff at Conestoga High in suburban Philadelphia is out after the school district’s internal investigation found that football players had hazed teammates over an extended period of years, according to Philly.com.

Varsity head coach John Vogan resigned, the district told parents in a letter sent Thursday. Also the baseball coach, Vogan had been suspended since the hazing allegations came up.

The district said five other coaches had been fired from their coaching jobs in all sports through the fall season. However, the school intends to continue to play football. A search for a new staff has yet to begin.

RELATED: District attorney charges three players

If the fired coaches want to return, they must reapply for their jobs.

“The locker rooms had an insufficient adult presence throughout the football season, creating an environment where hazing activities could occur,” Tredyffrin/Easttown district officials said in the letter, according to Philly.com.

There was no evidence that any adult knew about the hazing, school officials said. The football team took part in weekly rituals in which players considered certain sexual behavior allowed. Prosecutors say the team called it, “No-Gay Thursday.”

Three senior football players at Conestoga High were charged in a hazing incident involving a freshman, prosecutors said March 4, according to Philly.com.

Prosecutors say the assault took place in October when two of the seniors held the freshman down and the third penetrated his rectum with a broom handle. The players were charged with assault, unlawful restraint, making terroristic threats, and related offenses. All were charged as juveniles.

The school said students also were disciplined following the internal investigation but would not provide details. According to Philly.com:

School officials said they would invite officials from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to review school practices, develop classroom lessons for all high school students that promote respect, and work with the Anti-Defamation League to emphasize tolerance and diversity.

A girls high school basketball coach in Louisiana has been arrested for sexually molesting a student, producing child pornography and having sex with a juvenile, Slidell (La.) police said Friday.

Raymond Winzy, 35, was hired at his alma mater, Slidell High, in July. The school announced Thursday that Winzy has been relieved of his duties.

At a Friday news conference, police said Winzy faces 14 charges: Two counts of molestation of a juvenile by an educator, nine counts of production of child pornography and three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, according to NOLA.com.

Police also urged any potential additional victims to come forward.

“It’s bad enough when someone takes advantage of a child, but it’s 10 times worse when it is someone in a position of public trust, in this case a teacher,” Police Chief Randy Smith said, according to WDSU. “It is disgusting. …

“If you use your position of power to take advantage of someone, you can expect to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will not tolerate it.”

Winzy also coached at First Baptist Christian and Franklinton on the high level and in college as an assistant at Dillard.

In a letter posted on the school’s website, Principal William Perry said administrators learned of the allegations and contacted the Slidell Police Department. Police said the investigation began March 4 and warrants executed on Winzy’s home and electronic devices found nude photographs and videos of students on his cell phone and inappropriate text messages and social media posts.

Here is the text of the letter:

This letter is to inform you about a situation involving the arrest of a teacher who worked at Slidell High School. Administrators learned of allegations involving inappropriate behavior and immediately contacted the Slidell Police Department. This person is no longer an employee of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System.

The School System is cooperating with the Slidell Police Department as their investigation continues. We are dedicated to our efforts to maintain a safe, secure and productive learning environment at Slidell High School. lf you have any questions or concerns about this situation, please contact me. Thank you for your support of our students and our school.

Now this is a crossover dribble, two of them in fact.

Westerville South’s Anthony Mills was so quick with his crossovers that the Garfield Heights defender fell down. He then dished to Andre Wesson for a two-handed baseline dunk during an Ohio Division I state semifinal in Columbus.

Westerville South (25-4) started with a 10-0 run and would not trail in an 87-78 victory. Westerville plays unbeaten Lima Senior (29-0) for the state title Saturday.

Here is another angle:

The Huntington Beach (Calif.) baseball team will be without right-handed pitcher/third baseman Logan Pouelsen for the rest of the season after he underwent Tommy John surgery Friday.

A UCLA signee, Poulsen did not allow an earned run last season.

Pouelsen hurt the elbow Feb. 29 on a pitch he threw against Orange Lutheran. He had an MRI three days later.

Huntington Beach was ranked No. 4 in the Preseason Super 25 in part because of its deep pitching staff that includes junior right-hander Hagen Danner, a UCLA commit; left-hander Nick Pratto, who transferred from Mater Dei (Santa Ana); and junior Cory Moore, a transfer from Yucaipa.

But the team is off to a 3-4 start, including being no-hit Friday by Marina (Huntington Beach), and fell out of the most recent Super 25 rankings.

Huntington beat will look to get on a roll as part of the prestigious National High School Baseball Invitational, which begins this week at the USA Baseball complex in Cary, N.C.

Bishop Gorman Gaels quarterback Tate Martell (Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)

We recently told you about the test that defending Super 25 football champion Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) will face in its first five games. Among the challenges is a trip to Texas to face Cedar Hill.

The game is five months away but the trash talking on social media is in full force, as chronicled by the Dallas Morning News.

One of the players at the center of it is Gorman quarterback Tate Martell, who is not known for being shy with his thoughts. The Texas A&M-bound senior to be actually might be the one who started things off. Martell’s tweets have been deleted, but the Morning News captured the tweets.

Martell responded to an article about Cedar Hill’s highly rated receivers Camron Buckley, Jaylon Jackson, and Charleston Rambo with this:

They are going against the best secondary Week 1, Bishop Gorman!
•@alexperry4lv
•@BubbBolden
•@gmf_4
•@malikhaus_8 https://t.co/s8MBbWvlHB

— Tate Martell™ (@TheTateMartell) March 18, 2016

Rambo responded:

The back and forth went from there, including this from Cedar Hill linebacker Dimitri Moore:

At one point, Martell noted all the out of state teams that Gorman has beaten in recent years. The Cedar Hill response: