BENSALEM, Pa. – It was moving week for three teams in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball teams.

After hanging in the rankings for a majority or all of the season until this point, the Elite 25 turned the page on a trio that included Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.), Garfield (Seattle) and Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio). All three were bounced from the postseason last weekend, with Wayne losing way too early in the Division I. The Warriors were Ohio’s top-ranked team but that were vanquished in 32 minutes. Patrick School, New Jersey’s No. 2 team, lost to a Union County rival Roselle Catholic in the sectional semifinals. The most bitter loss occurred in Tacoma, Wash., where Garfield, the defending Class 3A champions, lost to crosstown rival Rainier Beach, which went onto to win the state chip. Garfield took third.

So as three doors close, three more open for No. 22 Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), No. 24 Apple Valley (Minn.) and No. 25 H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.). Hamilton Heights and Woodson are done for the season, while Apple Valley competes in Minnesota’s Class 4A state tournament this week, needing three wins. The Eagles could face No. 23 Hopkins (Minnetonka)—a team they have already lost to this season—in the state semifinals, which will be the de facto 4A title game. Hamilton Heights captured the prestigious NACA Division I national championship and Woodson became Washington’s first public school to run the table with a sparkling 33-0 mark.

This week key state or league tournament championships in Minnesota, Texas, Oregon, Louisiana, New York and New Jersey are on tap. Expect the unexpected to happen and we’ll have the results here next week.

As for the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, Oak Hill Academy, Findlay Prep, Montverde Academy, St. Benedict’s, Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) and La Lumiere School are in. Now we’re hearing H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.), Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.), Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) and Hamilton Heights Christian (Chattanooga, Tenn.) are in the pool to complete the eight-team bracket. I’m thinking Miller Grove and Wasatch will get the nods. Woodson might want to keep it undefeated season in tact, but may relent for the opportunity to compete in the nation’s top high school tournament. The invitations will be going out this week. The tournament starts in three weeks on March 31 in New York.

The final two invites will go to schools from Georgia, South Carolina, Florida or Utah. Keep an eye on the Utah Class 5A tournament, where Lone Peak can punch a ticket by winning the hardware. Miller Grove is in the driver’s seat if they pull through in Georgia’s Class AAAAA bracket.

In Maryland, one of the nation’s top postseason tournaments—better than nearly every state tournament for impact and prestige—tips off Thursday at Frostburg State University. The Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, a fixture on the national scene since 1961, announced their field earlier this week. Schools from the Baltimore and Washington Catholic leagues dominate the eight-team bracket along with annual host Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.).

Others involved are defending Alhambra champion DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), current WCAC champion St. John’s (Washington, D.C.), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.) and Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore).

The semifinals are Friday and the title game follows Saturday.

The Elite 25 rankings are back next week on March 15. After that only four rankings are left. The girls’ rankings appear on Wednesday. Check back to www.bluestarmedia.org for the latest in basketball news and announcements. Many postseason bulletins will be released in March.

Until next week, hope to see you at a postseason game soon. –-Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings, March 8, 2016

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (40-1)

Previous: rank 1.

Low-down: The Warriors celebrated Senior Night last weekend and did not disappoint following a 194-74 win over Handle It Prep Academy (Marietta, Ga.). Mississippi State-bound Mario Kegler had 23 points, Khadim Sy dropped in 18 and Braxton Key contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds. Two games this week will close out the regular season and the Warriors will prep for the Dick’s Nationals in New York later this month.

2. Chino Hills, Calif. (31-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship, beating then-No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 105-83. It was the Huskies 17th game with at least 100 points, needing more to equal the state single-season record. They host Immanuel (Reedley) in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round on Friday.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (23-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Idle. The Eagles are off until the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament starting March 31 in New York.

4. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (28-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The Pilots closed out the regular season and wait for the Dick’s Nationals later this month.

5. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (37-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won Class 6A Region II, beating Westlake (Austin), 80-65, in final. Next is Houston Math, Science & Technology in the Class 6A semifinals at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Friday.

6. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (28-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Jagan Mosley poured in 31 points to pace the Friars over Queen of Peace (North Arlington), 85-44, in the Non-Public B North semifinals. They also slammed Eastern Christian (North Haledon), 87-20, in quarterfinals as Juvaris Hayes hit for a game-high 14 points. Next is Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood) in the sectional final on Thursday at Rutgers University in Piscataway. The state final is Saturday in Toms River.

7. U of D Jesuit, Detroit (20-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Won the Operation Friendship championship game, throttling Public League champion East English Village, 92-76. Cassius Winston contributed 30 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. The Cubs opened the Class A district on Monday against Southfield.

8. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (31-1)*

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The Gray Bees will tune-up for the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament by participating in the St. James Invitational in Hagerstown, Md., starting Thursday against Cesar Chavez (Washington, D.C.).

9. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (25-3)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Idle. The Dick’s Nationals are next for the Lakers.

10. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (26-3)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Lost in the in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final, falling to No. 2 Chino Hills, 105-83. The Trailblazers host Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) Friday in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. They could see Chino Hills in the region final on March 19.

11. Stevens Point, Wis. (24-0)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: The Panthers took care of Chippewa Falls, 105-57, in the Division I regional final and Appleton North, 72-36, in the semifinals. Next is Superior in the Section 1 semifinal on Thursday. The final is Saturday against Oshkosh North or Appleton West.

12. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (28-4)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Upset by Friendship Collegiate, 77-70, in the D.C. State Athletic Association Tournament quarterfinals. The Cadets will regroup for this weekend’s Alhambra Catholic Invitational in Frostburg, Md., starting on Thursday.

13. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (26-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Idle. The Knights are back at it Friday hosting Westchester (Los Angeles) in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. The winner faces Sierra Canyon School or Cathedral Catholic.

14. Simeon, Chicago (26-3)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A Calumet City Regional, beating Brother Rice, 44-28, in the final. The Wolverines advanced to the Chicago Heights Sectionals against Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)

15. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (28-5)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Stags played Capitol Christian (Landover) Monday night for the Maryland Private Schools Tournament championship. In the semifinals, Washington-bound G Markelle Fultz had a triple-double with 16 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to turn back Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro), 71-53. Also defeated WCAC rival Good Counsel (Olney), 67-47, in the first round. This weekend it’ll be three games in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament in Frostburg, Md., and then it’s a wrap on the campaign.

16. Morgan Park, Chicago (24-3)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won the Class 3A Julian Region, overwhelming Harlan (Chicago), 100-46, as Jarrie Randall tossed in 24 points and Charlie Moore had 17. Next are the St. Laurence Sectional semifinals against Mount Carmel on Tuesday, with the survivor meeting Bogan (Chicago) or Chicago Vocational in the final on Friday.

17. DeSoto, Texas (34-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Won Class 6A Region I championship, defeating South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie), 53-47, in final. The Eagles face Cibolo Steele in the Class state semifinals on Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

18. Chaminade, St. Louis (23-5)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Won the Class 5 District 6 title for the third time in four years, besting Hazelwood East (St. Louis), 67-35. Duke-bound F Jayson Tatum finished with 31 points and 5 boards while Tyler Cook had another double-double, 16 points and 11 boards. In the semifinals, Tatum (24 points) and the Iowa-bound Cook (19 points, 11 rebounds) combined for 43 points to blow out Ritenour (St. Louis), 102-49. The Red Devils carry a seven-game win streak into Wednesday’ sectional game with Hazelwood Central (Florissant).

19. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (25-4)*

Previous: 21.

Low-down: The Cahillites opened their state title defense, clubbing Academy Park (Sharon Hill, Pa.), 73-58, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA Tournament. They advance to the second round for Central Buck West (Doylestown) on Wednesday in Bensalem. The quarterfinals are Saturday.

20. Miller Grove, Lithonia, Ga. (30-2)*

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won Class AAAAA state championship, edging previously unbeaten Allatoona, 50-48. The Wolverines had won six straight state titles from 2009-14. Aaron Augustin (16 points, 4 assists, 4 steals) and Connecticut-signee Alterique Gilbert (15 points, 4 assists, 5 steals) teamed for 31 points, 8 dimes and 9 steals. The Wolverines are a heavy favorite to secure an invitation to the Dick’s Nationals. Regular season is complete.

21. Peabody, Alexandria, La. (34-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Defeated Port Allen, 70-59, in the Class 3A quarterfinals and

Madison (Tallulah), 62-25, in the second round. Jacoby Ross had 21 points, making 12 of 13 free throws and Kevin Norman added 16. The Warhorses play Wossman (Monroe) on Wednesday in the state semifinals in Lake Charles. The winner plays University Lab (Baton Rouge) or St. Louis Catholic (Lake Charles) in the final on Saturday.

22. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (27-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the National Association of Christian Athletes Division I championship. The Hawks remain in the mix for a berth in the Dick’s Nationals, albeit a long shot. Season complete.

23. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (28-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Amir Coffey flipped in 28 points and Vinnie Shahid had 25 for the Royals who won the Section 6 championship, beating Robbinsdale Cooper, 87-82. Next is the Class 4A state tournament, which tips on Wednesday with North St. Paul in the quarterfinals at the Target Center in Minneapolis, concludes Saturday.

24. Apple Valley, Minn. (28-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Eagles are back in the Class 4A state tournament, aiming for a third title in four years. Junior Gary Trent Jr. pumped in a game-high 39 points and sophomore Tre Jones added 16 points and 9 assists to overwhelm Eagan, 109-79, in the Section 3 final. The Eagles carry a 22-game win streak into the states with the long loss to No. 23 Hopkins (Minnetonka) in December.

25. H.D Woodson, Washington, D.C. (32-0)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won D.C. State Athletic Association Tournament, beating Friendship Collegiate, 60-47. Became the District’s first public school since 1985 to go undefeated. Season complete.

Dropped out: No. 15 Wayne, Huber Heights, Ohio; No. 18 Patrick School, Elizabeth, N.J.; and No. 24 Garfield, Seattle.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (23-4)
2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-3)
3. Sacred Heart, Waterbury, Conn. (21-2)
4. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, Pa. (23-3)
5. Patrick School, Elizabeth, N.J. (23-6)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. Fenwick, Oak Park, Ill. (27-2)
2. Althoff Catholic, Belleville, Ill. (27-2)
3. Osseo, Minn. (29-0)
4. New Albany, Ind. (23-1)
5. Omaha (Neb.) South (25-1)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (33-2)
2. Greenforest Christian Academy, Decatur, Ga. (30-2)*
3. Grandview Prep, Boca Raton, Fla. (34-0)*
4. Lancaster, Texas (34-2)
5. Fort Bend Elkins, Missouri City, Texas (35-2)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Foothills Christian, El Cajon, Calif. (23-4)
2. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (26-3)
3. West Linn, Ore. (23-3)
4. Modesto (Calif.) Christian (30-1)
5. Federal Way, Wash. (29-0)*

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

* Won a state, national or conference/league postseason tournament championship

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Boys Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season in early April. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators, administrators and prep sports writers. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.