BENSALEM, Pa. – The biggest question regarding the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings is whether McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) can close out the season with a state championship.

That would mean the Indians would have a spotless record in 32 games but as everyone knows once the Georgia Class AAAAAAA tournament gets to the Elite Eight or quarterfinals, the contests are tight and the nerves of steel become jumpy and frayed. That’s the best part of state tournament basketball—the games are ratcheted up and the sense of  urgency creeps into the huddle. If McEachern wins out, it would play until March 9. Then an invitation to the GEICO High School Nationals would follow.

Last weekend the Maryland and North Carolina private schools and Hawaii conducted their state championships. All the Catholic Leagues along the East Coast—Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore and New York City—crown champions this week or by March 10. This week the states of Arizona, Alabama, Nevada, Utah and Washington are next.

And that will reflect when the Elite 25 rankings are released. 

The lone addition is no stranger to the Elite 25 and the winner’s podium. No. 25 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix) returns to the rankings after winning the Arizona 4A state championship by 26 points. The Matadors went 26-3 overall. It was another great run in the Grand Canyon State for the Phoenix school.

Only No. 18 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) dips 10 spots in the Elite 25. It was a tough week for the Stags, who dropped their regular season finale to league rivals Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.) and then they lost in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference semifinals to St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). SJC and Gonzaga (Washington) played in Monday’s final. DeMatha still has two postseason tournaments left on the docket. Coach Mike Jones will have his team’s undivided attention this week.

Moving forward the GEICO High School Nationals are around the corner. Actually the invites will be handed out sooner than later and the eight-team bracket is taking shape. Based on history, independent schools from the Elite 25 such as La Lumiere School, Oak Hill Academy, Montverde Academy, IMG Academy and Wasatch Academy are all near locks. Sunrise Christian is another team in the mix.

The remaining three teams would be McEachern and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) provided both win state titles in Georgia and Nevada, respectively, or University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Federal Way (Washington). The buildup to the GEICO Nationals is half the fun and the other half is attending the event April 4-6 at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y. (that’s New York City for those not familiar with the Queens neighborhood).

The Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on March 5. That means we are a month out from the close of the season at the GEICO Nationals.

Thank you to all our readers; we cannot do it without you. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor 

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, February 26, 2019

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (29-0)

Previous ranked: 1.

Low-down: Auburn-bound Isaac Okoro had 18 points and the Indians led from start to finish to beat Cherokee (Canton), 83-51, in the Class AAAAAAA second round. Next is Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. The semifinals are Saturday in the Buford City Arena.

2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (28-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: For the first time in program history, the Lakers went unbeaten in the regular season capped by an 81-25 drubbing of Roosevelt (Gary, Ind.). Next is the GEICO Nationals in New York. That’s a five-week layoff.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-2)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Idle. Next stop is New York to defend their GEICO Nationals championship.

4. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (28-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Idle.

5. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (31-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won the CIF-North Coast Section championship, topping Campolindo (Moraga), 64-53, in the final and St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda), 54-41, in the semifinals. The Pride received a rare bye to the CIF-Northern California Region semifinals, where it plays Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) or Modesto Christian.

6. Curie, Chicago (29-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Idle. Next are the Class 4A Fenwick Regional semifinals Wednesday. The final is Friday.

7. Federal Way, Wash. (24-2)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Overwhelmed Jackson (Mill Creek), 69-49, in Class 4A regional playoff game. The Eagles head to the 4A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome starting on Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday. 

8. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (28-3)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won the CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship, defeatingBishop Montgomery (Torrance), 64-57. Cassius Stanley bucketed a game-high 29 points. Next is Torrey Pines (San Diego) Wednesday in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division quarterfinals. The semifinals are Saturday and the final is March 5.

9. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (29-3)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: All-American F Trendon Watford collected 21 points and snatched 9 rebounds leading the Spartans back the Class 7A Final Four for the third straight year and sixth time in seven seasons following 57-36 victory over Vestavia Hills in the regional final. Next is a 7A semifinal date with Lee (Montgomery) Thursday at BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

10. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (26-5)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Idle. Next is Westchester (Los Angeles) Wednesday in CIF-Southern California Region Open Division first round. 

11. Fairfax, Los Angeles (27-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won the CIF-City Section championship, topping archrival Westchester (Los Angeles), 60-53. Steve Baik became the first coach to capture the top-level titles in both the City and Southern Sections. The Lions host Corona Centennial Wednesday in the CIF-Southern California Open Division first round. The semifinals are Saturday night.

12. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (28-4)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: The Warriors head into the home stretch and will play three games to put the finishing touches on the regular season and then a respite before ramping up for the GEICO Nationals that start on April 4 in New York. Last Saturday, Cameron Thomas pumped in 24 points and Kofi Cockburn had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in an 87-57 victory over Bull City Prep (Durham, N.C.).

13. Moeller, Cincinnati (22-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Downed Middletown, 60-32, in the Division I Dayton 1 District opener. 

14. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (23-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Won their own LuHi Postseason Invitational, beating Albany (N.Y.) Academy, 75-68. Tyler Stephenson-Moore fired in 20 points, Andre Curbelo had 15 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds while Zed Key’s 15 points put him over the 1,000-point career barrier. The Crusaders are off until the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals on March 22 or 23 in Glens Falls.

15. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (26-3)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Tigers closed out the regular burying in-state foes Kearns, 94-56, and Jordan (Sandy), 107-78. In the latter game, Richie Saunders crushed it with 36 points. Now coach Curtis Condie and crew await an invitation to the GEICO Nationals that tip on April 4 in New York.

16. Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, N.Y. (22-2)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won Brooklyn-Queens AA Diocesan Tournament, beating Xaverian (Brooklyn), 61-49, in the final.  Julian Champagnie scored 20 points. In the semifinals, the Lions stopped Holy Cross (Flushing), 65-47. The Lions earned a bye to the New York intersectional quarterfinals Sunday at Fordham University the Bronx.

17. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (23-5)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Buffaloes won two games last week with regular finale on Thursday.

18. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (26-5)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Upset in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference semifinals, losing to St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 53-52. Beat Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 81.42, in the quarterfinals. In the regular season finale, the Stags fell to Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 66-63, and finished 18-2 in the WCAC—tied with Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.). DeMatha handed Paul VI both league losses.

19. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (24-3) 

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Won a second straight Shore Conference Tournament, defeating Manasquan, 70-60. Scottie Lewis logged a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds, Bryan Antoine netted 17 points and Ahmadu Sarnor added 18. In the semifinals, Antoine pumped in 20 points to lead four players in double-digits during a 78-50 victory over Freehold Township. Next is the Non-Public B South first round hosting Timothy Christian (Piscataway) Wednesday. The quarterfinals are Friday.

20. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (23-3)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Won a second consecutive Union County Tournament, knocking off The Patrick School (Elizabeth), 71-66. Josh Pierre-Louis, a UNLV recruit, dropped in 20 points. In the semifinals, Colby Rogers scored 17 points and Kentucky-bound Kahlil Whitney added 15 in a 64-43 victory over Union Catholic (Scotch Plains). Rogers surpassed 1,000 career points last week. The Lions open the Non-Public B North state bracket against Morristown-Beard School Wednesday. The quarterfinals are Friday.

21. Cox Mill, Concord, N.C. (24-2)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Won South Piedmont Conference Tournament, beating A.L. Brown (Kannapolis), 86-57, and Jay M. Robinson (Concord), 95-65, in semifinals.

22. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (23-4)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Stopped Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens), 87-53, in the Class 5A, Region 4 quarterfinals. Next is Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Tuesday in region semifinals.

23. Carmel, Ind. (20-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Defeated Dwenger (Fort Wayne), 54-24. The Class 4A Carmel Section semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday.

24. Nicolet, Glendale, Wis. (21-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Wrapped up the regular season, crushing Whitefish Bay, 84-57, and Cedarburg, 85-43.

25. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (26-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the 4A state championship, drubbing Deer Valley (Glendale), 64-38. In the last six years, the Matadors are 140-6 with five state titles. Arizona State-bound Jaelen House scored 15 points to win a fourth straight crown along with teammate Jovan Blackshear, who signed with Grand Canyon University. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 24 Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (20-4)

2. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (20-5)

3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (33-5) *

4. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (26-6)

5. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (22-5)

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

Midwest

1. Morgan Park, Chicago (26-4)

2. Bogan, Chicago (24-3)

3. Benton Harbor, Mich. (19-1)

4. Warren Central, Indianapolis (22-2)

5. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (22-1)

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

Southland

1. Guyer, Denton, Texas (30-4)

2. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (32-2)

3. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (30-5)*

4. Carmel Christian, Matthews, N.C. (31-3)*

5. Bartlett, Tenn. (29-2)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (25-4)…MON

2. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (25-6)

3. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (22-2)

4. Westchester, Los Angeles (23-4)

5. Pinnacle, Phoenix (26-3)

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. 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 Senior Writer Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.