PANTHER POWER: No. 3 St. Paul VI Catholic (VA) reels in Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title; No. 22 Archbishop Stepinac (NY), No. 25 AZ Compass Prep re-enter Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Whenever the mid-January holiday known as Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend rolls around, we celebration. We celebrate the life and legacy of a great American civil rights leader and man of God.

We can also honestly celebrate one of the final weekends of high school basketball on the national level. And if you were in the Springfields—Massachusetts at the Hoophall Classic, Virginia at the St. James MLK Classic or Missouri at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions—you rejoiced for schoolboy hoops at the highest levels.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings have a new order as the weekend’s games spoke.

No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy went 3-0 at the Hoophall Classic, capped by a scintillating 76-71 come-from-behind victory over No. 6 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) in a game that featured the No. 1 players from the Classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026. No surprise all the NBA team were present and more than 100 college coaches at Springfield College’s iconic Blake Arena.

The Eagles improved to 18-0 and closed the game on a 10-4 spurt after trailing 66-65 with 3:30 left. Duke-bound Cooper Flagg had a double-double but sealed it late with a steal off a good defensive read.

“We wanted it more,” Flagg said afterwards. “We’re competitors to the final whistle and give 100 percent on every single play. It was the best game all year; there was a lot of talent on the floor.”

Prolific pushed Montverde to the limit and held lead with two minutes left but the Eagles would not be denied a chance at a perfect season.

No. 2 St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) traveled to Missouri and bagged the Bass Pro TOC title with three quality wins over three days. In the final, coach Glenn Farello’s team beat No. 25 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 71-53. The Panthers were up a point after one quarter but used a 23-10 run in the second for a commanding 38-24 lead at the break. They ventured to the Hoophall Classic on Monday but dropped a tough 70-61 decision to No. 2 Columbus (Miami).

The Bass Pro TOC all-tournament team:

Darren Harris (MVP), Garrett Sundra and Ben Hammond, PVI; Amare Witham, Glendale (Mo.); Tyrique Brooks, Springfield (Mo.) Central; Kaden Powers, Rainier Beach (Seattle); Nicholas Randall, Vashon (St. Louis); Dylan Warlick and Chiante Tramble, Edmond (Okla.) North; Ace Bailey, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.); and Brandon McCoy and Elize Harrington of St. John Bosco.

No. 22 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) re-emerges after two weeks out of the Elite 25 and did so with two statement wins last week. They also rallied late at the Hoophall Classic to beat then-No. 20 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and topped league rival St. Raymond (Bronx, N.Y.). Oh, did we mention the two will meet again Friday at Stepinac in must-see basketball. Forget about tickets, it’s SRO. The result will surely shake the New York CHSAA Archdiocese AA standings and with a month left in the regular season get the playoff juices flowing.

The Elite 25 were updated as of Monday evening (Jan. 15).

Looking ahead here are a few more items.

Last week, USA Basketball announced the USA men’s and women’s rosters and coaching staffs for the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit. The 25thNike Hoop Summit is scheduled for April 13, at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

The 2024 USA Men’s Nike Hoop Summit roster features several players from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings:

Airious “Ace” Bailey, David Castillo, Isaiah Evans, Cooper Flagg, Johnuel “Boogie” Fland, Dylan Harper, Ian Jackson, Morez Johnson Jr., Tre Johnson, Asa Newell, Patrick Ngongba II and Jayden Quaintance.

The Nike Hoop Summit will air live on FS1 with the women’s game tipping at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and followed by the men’s game at approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Here are the rosters for both teams. The international rosters will be released at a future date.

This weekend there are key events in Illinois, Florida and California.

The Quincy (Ill.) Shootout will be played over two days in Quincy with one game in St. Louis. Elite 25 teams Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) and Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) will be in the house. The schedule is here.

No. 21 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) host the Ascender Classic on Friday and Saturday. It’s a really good mix of in-state schools, top girls’ teams and IMG’s teams.

In California, there are two events with northern and southern flavor but plenty of talent and Elite 25 teams.

In San Pablo, Calif., Prolific Prep host the three-day event (Friday-Sunday) Crush in the Valley at Contra Costa College and is considered a Grind Session event. The Crew makes two appearances against Arizona powers and the Northern Cal teams dotting the schedule.

The Rolling Hills Prep State Preview Classic is a one-day event with nine games at Colony High School in Ontario on Saturday. Three Elite 25 teams are scheduled.

Here’s the nine-game lineup (all times are Pacific Time).

9 a.m.: Canyon (Anaheim) vs. Hesperia

10:30 a.m.: Colony (Ontario) vs. St. Francis (La Canada)

12 p.m.: Damien (La Verne) vs. Lynwood

1:30 p.m.: Daugherty Valley vs. Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach)

3 p.m.: Etiwanda vs. Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro)

4:30 p.m.: Roosevelt (Eastvale) vs. St Pius X-St. Mattias Academy (Downey)

6 p.m.: Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) vs. Crean Lutheran (Irvine)

7:30 p.m.: Mater Dei (Santa Ana) vs. Campbell Hall (Studio City)

9 p.m.: West Ranch (Stevenson Ranch) vs. Rancho Cucamonga

As for the Elite 25 rankings this week, No. 1 Montverde isn’t going anywhere. They are the confirmed best team in the land. After that it’s a crapshoot but there are plenty of contenders. No. 22 Archbishop Stepinac and No. 25 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) return to the Elite 25 with 16 teams shifting positions. The high risers included No. 12 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) and No. 13 La Lumiere School (LA Porte, Ind.).

 No. 19 Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) and No. 20 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) both dipped, eight positions. There’s a lot of hoops remaining so get ready for more change.

AZ Compass pushed its way in with an overtime win over then-No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), which had a lost weekend at the Hoophall Classic. AZ is 4-4 in the Nike EYBL Scholastic. LuHi dipped to 4-1 in the EYBL Scholastic.

That’ll do it for another week and what at week!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Jan. 23.

Stay safe. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 16, 2024

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: The Eagles made their annual migration north to play at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. There the Eagles dismantled then-No. 5 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 80-50, No. 10 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 91-58, and then-No. 14 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), 76-71. In the latter game, Cooper Flagg contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 steals. For the first this season, the Eagles trailed in the fourth quarter but shrugged it off and closed on 10-4 run over the final 3:30.

2. Columbus, Miami (16-4)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Junior F Cameron Boozer scored 26 points; Jase Richardson had 20 and Cayden Boozer added 17 in an 81-62 thrashing if then-No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.). The Explorers pulled away with a 29-7 fourth quarter onslaught at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts and stopped No. 2 St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.), 70-61. Also beat Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, 78-70. Bravo, Explorers for a memorable weekend in New England!

3. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (14-2)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Won the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., defeating No. 25 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 71-53, in the final. Duke-bound Darren Harris scored 23 points. The Panthers also beat then-No. 24 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 48-37, in the semifinals and Glendale (Springfield, Mo.), 82-21 in the first round.

4. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (14-4)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down:  Texas-recruit Tre Johnson flipped in 15 points when the Lions defeated No. 21 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 65-49, at the Hoophall Classic. This weekend the Lions have two games at the Quincy (Ill.) Shootout.

5. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (20-1)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: In the Mission League, the Wolverines drubbed Crespi (West Hills), 70-55, and Loyola (Los Angeles), 71-34. The Wolverines played No. 24 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 60-59, in overtime at the Hoophall Classic but jetted back for a league showdown. F Nikolas Khamenia had 21 points and 8 rebounds.

6. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (18-3)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: At the Hoophall Classic, the Crew led in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough in a 76-71 loss to No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Junior A.J Dybantsa had 21 points and 5 rebounds and sophomore Tyran Stoke added 12 points and 6 boards.

7. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (19-1)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: The Monarchs bear Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury, Mass.), 87-69, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Back home, they slammed Servite (Anaheim), 92-49, to remain unbeaten (4-0) in the Trinity League. Luke Barnett scored 19 points and Brannon Martinsen added 17.

8. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (20-0)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Defeated St. Monica (Santa Monica), 58-32. After going 2-0 last week in the Mission League, the Knights have a mega contest at No. 5 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) Wednesday for first place.

 9. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (11-3)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Lost to No. 3 Columbus (Miami), 81-62, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Kayden Mingo flipped in 19 points and V.J. Edgecombe had 14. Played AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) on Monday. Edgecombe, one of the nation’s top-rated senior guards, verbally committed to Baylor over Kentucky and Duke. Also upended by AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), 65-62, in overtime.

 10. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (13-3)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Defeated No. 11 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 73-71, and lost to No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 91-58, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

11. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (14-3)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: In the EYBL Scholastic at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts last weekend, the Warriors lost to No. 10 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 73-71, and No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 80-50.

12. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (14-2)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Derek Dixon’s 19 points led three players in double figures to beat Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.), 72-67, at the Hoophall Classic. The Purple Eagles also went 2-0 in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

13. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (11-3)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: At the Hoophall Classic, the Lakers swept by Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 75-64, and AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), 47-46.

14. Dynamic Prep, Irving, Texas (15-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated Shabach Christian Academy (Landover, Md.), 62-55, and Mount Zion Prep Academy (Lanham, Md.), 64-41, at the St. James MLK Classic in Springfield, Va. Two quality wins over the weekend.

15. Ridge View, Columbia, S.C. (16-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: In Class AAAA, Region 5, the Blazers stayed unbeaten after topping Irmo (Columbia), 66-43.

16. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (17-2)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: At the Flyin’ to the Hoop in Ohio, the Pioneers edged St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 74-68, and Reynoldsburg (Ohio), 75-73. In the latter game, junior Jamier Jones bucketed a game-high 29 points.

17. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (14-0)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won the Marion County Tournament, defeating Franklin Central, 78-53, in the final. All four wins were against Indianapolis schools, including North Central, 73-53, in semifinals; Pike, 68-56, in the quarterfinals; and Lawrence Central, 67-59, in the first round.

18. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (11-1)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Royals defeated East Catholic (Manchester, Conn.), 81-52, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The potent backcourt of Markell Alston (24 points, 11 of 13 shooting) and Jayden Ramirez teamed to net 45 points while hitting 19 of 24 shots for 79.1%. Back in CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens AA play, they beat Holy Cross (Flushing), 62-46, and Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn), 69-52.

19. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (20-2)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: The Mustangs were upended by Corona Centennial, 82-78, but bounced back to beat King (Riverside), 90-59, and Linfield Christian (Temecula), 83-43. In the latter win, Brayden Burries scored 26 points and Myles Walker added 14. The Mustangs have two games this week, including Saturday at the Rolling Hills Prep State Preview in Ontario.

20. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (10-3)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: At the St. James MLK Classic, the Tigers were upended by Jackson-Reed (Washington, D.C.), 69-40, in Springfield, Va., but fought back to win the second game at the event.

21. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-8)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Junior G Darius Acuff struck for a game-high 28 points and handed out 9 assists at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts during a victory over Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 75-65. Lost to No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 65-49. Acuff had an exceptional weekend at Hoophall, averaging 26.5 points and 5 assists.

22. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (10-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Crusaders and coach Patrick Massaroni are back in the Elite 25 after an impressive run in their league and last weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Step knocked off then-No. 20 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 74-67, as Braylan Ritvo scored a game-high 27 points with seven 3-pointers in a game that televised nationally on ESPN2. Earlier in the week, the Crusaders topped archrival St. Raymond (Bronx), 80-76, as Kentucky-bound G and Nike Hoops Summit selection, Boogie Fland, had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Junior G Danny Carbuccia scored 20. Carbuccia had a double-double of 12 points and 11 assists in a 67-41 win over Mount St. Michael (Bronx).

23. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (15-2)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Lost on a buzzer-beater to Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.), 64-63, at the Hoophall Classic

Also beat Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.), 73-38.

24. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (18-4)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Placed second at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., falling to No. 2 St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.), 71-53. Sophomore Brandon McCoy Jr. scored 27 points. Also beat Edmond (Okla.) North, 69-61, in the semifinals and Springfield (Mo.) Central, 68-37, in the first round.

25. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (17-5)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Dragons return to the Elite 25 after splitting two games at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. They recorded a 65-62 overtime win over then-No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) and evened their mark at 4-4 in the Nike EYBL Scholastic with the two results.

Dropped: No. 20 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and No. 24 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. The Patrick School, Union, N.J. (14-1)
2. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (10-3)
3. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (14-0)
4. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (13-0)
5. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (13-2)

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

Midwest

1. Curie, Chicago (17-1)
2. Homewood (Ill.)-Flossmoor (16-1)
3. Fishers, Ind. (13-0)
4. Mount Carmel, Chicago (19-2)
5. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (12-0)

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

Southland

1. Plano (Texas) East (24-0)
2. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (13-5)
3. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (13-2)
4. Huntsville, Ala. (23-1)
5. Stony Point, Round Rock Texas (23-1)

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

Far West

1. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (19-1)
2. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (15-8)
3. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (17-1)
4. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (14-4)
5. Liberty, Henderson, Nev. (11-1)

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

Records through Sunday’s games.

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December until the conclusion of the high school season in 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 and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the season. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.