No. 25 Archbishop Stepinac (NY) re-enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings; No. 2 Harvard-Westlake (CA) earns top seed in CIF-Southern Section Open Division

BENSALEM, Pa. – The regular season is winding down all over with playoffs, state tournaments and conference tournaments ready for launch.

No. 25 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) is one such team that will conclude its regular season this week and open up the New York Catholic High Schools Athletic Association Class AA Archdiocesan Tournament receiving a bye to the semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Bronx. The final is slated for Saturday, Feb. 22.

The Crusaders return to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings with a 20-3 mark and 14-0 in the league. Last weekend, the Crusaders won the Brother Stoldt Trophy after disposing of archrivals Iona Prep (New Rochelle) before 2,350 fans at Iona College.

The Crusaders are the lone addition to the Elite 25 this week. Eleven teams remained in the same position; 10 teams moved up and three dropped. Four teams went up two slots. No. 23 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) fell seven spots and No. 24 Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah) five.

The New York Intersectional tournament or the city championship doesn’t start until Friday, Feb. 21 with the second round on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Thursday, Feb. 27 at two different sites.

In California, three teams from the Elite 25 embark on postseason. On Saturday, Feb. 8, the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division, 10-team pool play was revealed.

With two pools, teams have a bye and will play four games until the pool winners meet on Friday, Feb. 28 for the championship. After that it’s Southern Regional playoffs with winners advancing to the state finals March 14-15 in Sacramento.

The Southern Section Open Division pool play opens Wednesday, Feb. 12. The games continue two days later.

Pool A

La Mirada at No. 2 Harvard-Westlake

JSerra Catholic at Notre Dame

Santa Margarita, bye

Pool B

Heritage Christian at No. 4 Roosevelt

Redondo Union at Sierra Canyon School

No. 21 St. John Bosco, bye

Back on the East Coast, the Philadelphia Catholic League tips off Wednesday, Feb. 12 with two first round games: Archbishop Wood at No. 7 Bonner & Prendergast and Archbishop Ryan at La Salle College.

The quarterfinals are Friday, Feb. 14 with lowest remaining seed at top-seeded St. Joseph’s Prep and the highest remaining seed at Roman Catholic; West Catholic at Devon Prep; and Neumann-Goretti at Father Judge. The semifinals are Wednesday, Feb. 19at The Palestra on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania with tip times at 6 and 8 p.m. The final is Sunday, Feb. 23 back at the Palestra, starting at 2:45 p.m. Roman Catholic has won the last two titles.

Tickets to the semifinals and final are going fast.

Elsewhere, the Heartland Hoops Classic takes place Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Neb. The one-day event features seven games (starting at 9:40 a.m. CT), with five featuring Nebraska inter classification matchups and two national games.

The top games are No. 15 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) vs. Millard North (Omaha) at 6:15 p.m.; and Mount Zion Prep (Lanham, Md.) vs. Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) at 8 p.m. Get tickets here. The cost for general admission is $17.

The Nike EYBL Scholastic series makes a stop for two days on Long Island this weekend for two days.

The Bob McKillop Invitational 2025 will be played at Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, N.Y. There are five games. The schedule:

Friday, Feb. 14 (All times are Eastern)

4:30 p.m.: CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.) vs. No. 19 IMG Academy (Fla.)

6:15 p.m.: Long Island Lutheran girls vs. Paul VI (N.J.)

8 p.m.: No. 6 Long Island Lutheran vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.)

Saturday, Feb. 15

6 p.m. Oak Hill Academy vs. CIA Bella Vista

8 p.m.: No. 6 Long Island Lutheran vs. No. 19 IMG Academy

Click here for ticket information because a sellout is expected.

Iverson Classic

Last week, the 2025 Iverson Classic rosters were announced. The All-American event will be held Saturday, May 3 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va.

The players (in alphabetical order):

6-5 Matthew Able; 6-2 Darius Acuff; 6-5 Kiyan Anthony; 6-9 Nate Ament; 6-3 Jamarion Batemon; 6-10 Niko Bundalo; 6-10 Chris Cernac Jr.; 6-0 Eli Ellis; 6-3 Kingston Flemings; 6-7 Davis Fogle; 6-6 Shelton Henderson; 6-6 C.J. Ingram; 6-8 London Jemison; 6-4 Jasper Johnson; 6-3 Alexander Lloyd; 6-1 Kaden Magwood; 6-5 Darryn Peterson; 7-0 Eric Reibe; 6-10 Mouhamed Sylla; 6-7 Cam Ward; 6-8 Sadiq White; 6-7 Jacob Wilkins; 6-9 Caleb Wilson; and 6-6 Tounde Yessoufou.

Well, we’re out of here for another week. We’re nearly at the midway point of February and Saint Valentine’s Day is Friday. Enjoy that day wherever you celebrate or commemorate it. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

In Southern California, people are in need after the wildfires continue to ravage the surrounding Los Angeles area. After five weeks, people are starting to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Consider donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts or to The Salvation Army. No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome. Here’s another one called Fire Aid.

Be safe California.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 11, 2025

1. Columbus, Miami (22-3)

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: The Explorers coasted to the District 15-7A championship, defeating Miami Senior, 79-51, in the final. The Region 4-7A quarterfinals start Wednesday, Feb. 12.

2. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (27-1)

Previous: 3.

Lowdown: Won a seventh consecutive Mission League championship, defeating Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 67-64, in the final. Duke-bound Nikolas Khamenia (24 points) and Joe Sterling teamed for 44 points. In the semifinals, the Wolverines defeated Crespi (Encino), 68-50. Sterling scored 22 points and Khamenia added 19 points and 12 rebounds.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-4)

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: At the Metro Classic in Somerset, N.J., the Eagles thumped College Achieve Charter (Asbury Park, N.J.), 82-46, as Hudson Green scored 15 points and surpassed 2,000 career points. Also beat Union Catholic (Scotch Plains, N.J.), 82062.

4. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (27-2)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: Won the Big VIII League title, defeating Corona Centennial, 83-51. Brayden Burries scored 39 points. The CIF-Southern Section Open Division pool play starts Wednesday, Feb. 12.

5. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (23-3)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Lost to Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 63-60, to complete a 2-1week in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The Purple Eagles conclude regular season play with archrivals DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.) on Friday, Feb. 14. The vaunted WCAC Tournament tips the following week. The Eagles are 10-1 in league play.

6. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (16-5)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: Defeated John Marshall (Richmond, Va.), 66-63, in overtime. Syracuse-bound Kiyan Anthony flipped in 15 points. The Crusaders have two games at home in the Bob McKillop Classic Nike EYBL Scholastic.

7. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (21-3)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Bobcats defeated Washington County (East Machia, Maine), 87-44.

8. The Patrick School, Hackettstown, N.J. (22-3)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: Jaysean Williams had 12 points, 9 assists and 2 steals when the Celtics beat Canarias Basketball Academy (Canary Islands, Spain), 78-46.

9. Dynamic Prep School, Irving, Texas (25-4)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: Defeated iSchool (Lewisville), 67-36.

10. San Antonio (Texas) Brennan (28-2)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Defeated San Antonio Stevens, 89-51, and San Antonio Taft, 94-22. The regular season concludes on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

11. Hoover, Ala. (31-0)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Won the Class 7A, Area 6 championship, crushing Vestavia Hills, 86-46, in the final. In the opening round, the Bucs stopped Oak Mountain, 47-21. Salim London had 15 points and 4 rebounds in the slowdown game.

12. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (22-3)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: The Rams claimed the Region 5-AAAAAA title with a 12-0 mark after defeating Etowah (Woodstock), 68-55.

13. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (21-2)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Clinched the 6A Premier Region championship, defeating Hamilton (Chandler), 63-32. The Pumas close out the regular season at home with Chandler on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

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

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: The Rams completed a perfect 12-0 season in Region 4-AAAAAA.

15. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (19-4)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Defeated Cottonwood, 90-63. Houston-bound guard Isiah Harwell scored a game-high 25 points.

16. Fishers, Ind. (20-0)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Defeated Westfield (Ind.), 67-64, and Manual (Peoria, Ill.), 85-55.

17. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (17-1)

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Won the District 12-3A tournament with two easy wins. The Region 4 playoffs tip on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

18. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (17-7)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Went 2-0 at the Nike EYBL Scholastic Air Capital Hoopfest in Wichita, Kansas.

19. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (19-4)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Defeated then-No. 16 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 73-69, as Darius Acuff sank the go-ahead free throws with 13 seconds remaining.

20. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (20-5)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Defeated Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 52-41. Three games remain in the WCAC season before the playoffs start on Saturday, Feb. 22.

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

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: The Braves shared the Trinity League title with Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) after defeating JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 71=53. Elzie Harrington and Brandon McCoy tossed in 20 points apiece.

22. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (24-4)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Won twice at the Grind Session in Georgia. Kansas-bound guard Darryn Peterson went off for 58 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and flipped in a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to defeat No. 24 Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah), 88-86.

23. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (16-7)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Went 1-1 at the Nike EYBL Air Capital Hoopfest in Wichita, Kansas.

24. Utah Prep Academy, Hurricane, Utah (18-9)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Went 0-2 at Grind Session in Georgia.

25. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (20-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: The Crusaders are back in the Elite 25 after defeating their archrivals Iona Prep (New Rochelle), 58-49, improving to 14-0 in the CHSAA. Massachusetts-bound Danny Carbuccia had 18 points, 6 assists and 2 steals and junior Jasiah Jervis scored 15 points. The regular season closes out at St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows) on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The New York Archdiocesan AA playoffs tip this weekend in the Bronx.

Dropped out: No. 25 Owasso (Okla.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Thomas Jefferson, Brooklyn, N.Y. (23-1)
2. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (26-4)
3. Highland School, Warrenton, Va. (31-5)
4. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (18-3)
5. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (18-4)

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

Midwest

1. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (14-5)
2. Kenwood, Chicago (25-1)
3. Oak Park, Kansas City, Mo. (19-1)
4. Bolingbrook, Ill. (25-4)
5. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn. (18-1)

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

Southland

1. Reidsville, N.C. (22-0)
2. Allen, Texas (29-1)
3. Huntsville, Ala. (31-1)
4. Lake Ridge, Mansfield, Texas (31-2)
5. Owasso, Okla. (18-4)

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

Far West

1. CIA Bella Vista, Phoenix (17-3)
2. St. Joseph, Santa Maria, Calif. (27-1)
3. Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (22-5)
4. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (22-6)
5. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (22-6)

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

Records through Sunday

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 at @clawlor.