REACHING THE SUMMIT: No. 1 Spire Academy (OH) climbs Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings; Panini Hoophall Classic on tap for 14 ranked teams

BENSALEM, Pa. – The second leg of boys’ high school’s “Holy Trinity” is tipping off later this week at the birthplace of the sport in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The three main events on the schoolboy schedule annually are the Culligan City of Palms Classic (pre-Christmas in Fort Myers, Fla.), the GEICO High School Nationals (early April to crown a national champion) and now the second is the Panini Hoophall Classic wrapped around the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend while attracting some of top teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ and girls’ rankings.

The Hoophall Classic is a magical five-day event to be held mainly at the iconic Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College.

In addition to local participants, the event will feature teams from 17 states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The Hoophall Classic has produced 12 of the last 15 No. 1 overall picks, including 11 straight from 2011-21. This year, Panini Hoophall Classic will feature 53 players in ESPN’s Top 100 from the Class of 2026 (nine of the top 10), 18 from the Class of 2027 Top 60, and five from the Class of 2028 Top 25. Since 2004, 120+ Hoophall Classic participants have gone on to play in the NBA,

Panini Hoophall Classic

The event tips off on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Springfield with five boys games involving Massachusetts school. In all, there are eight girls’ teams and 14 boys from the most recent Elite 25 rankings that landed this week.

The event and the sessions tend to sell out so buy tickets in advance.

THURSDAY (All boys games at Blake Arena, Springfield, College)
3 p.m. – East Catholic (Conn.) vs. Shaker (N.Y.), BallerTV

4:45   – Chicopee Comp (Mass.) vs. South Hadley Mass.), BallerTV

6:30   – Putnam Vocational (Mass.) vs. HS of Science & Technology (Mass.), BallerTV

8:30   – Springfield Central (Mass.) vs. Pope Francis (Mass.), BallerTV

FRIDAY (All girls games)

1 p.m. – Springfield Central vs. Northwest Catholic (Conn.), BallerTV

2:30    – Christ the King, NY vs. Mater Dei (Calif.) BallerTV

4         – St. James (Va.) vs. IMG Academy (Fla.), BallerTV

5:30    – Westtown School (Pa.) vs. Bullis School (Md.), BallerTV

7         – Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), NBA.com, NBA YouTube

8:30    -No. 2 Bishop McNamara (Md.) vs. No. 1 Ontario (Calif.) Christian, NBA App, NBA.com, NBA YouTube

SATURDAY, SESSION 1 (Boys)

9 a.m.   – Notre Dame (Fairfield, Conn.) vs. Mater Dei (Calif.), BallerTV

10:30    – Blair Academy (N.J.) vs. TMI Episcopal (Texas), BallerTV

12 p.m. – Long Island Lutheran, (N.Y.) vs. Arizona Compass Prep, BallerTV

1:30      – Christ the King vs. Millennium (Ariz.), BallerTV

SATURDAY, SESSION 2 (Boys)

4 p.m.  – No. 21 Columbus (Fla.) vs. No. 6 Sierra Canyon, NBA App, NBA.com, NBATV
5:30     – No. 12 Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) vs. No. 19 IMG Academy, NBA.com, NBATV

7          – Notre Dame (West Haven, Conn.) vs. Inglewood (Calif.), NBA.com, YouTube
9          – No. 3 Link Academy (Mo.) vs. No. 17 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, NBA YouTube

SUNDAY, SESSION 1 (Boys)

9 a.m.   – Central Catholic (Mass.) vs. Bergen Catholic (N.J.), League Ready/YouTube

10:30    – Imhotep Prep (Pa.) vs. Providence Christian (Tenn.), League Ready/YouTube

12 p.m. – No. 2 Brewster Academy (N.H.) vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.), League Ready/YouTube

1:30      – Bishop McNamara vs. Rainier Beach (Wash.), League Ready/YouTube

SUNDAY, SESSION 2 (Boys)

4 p.m.   – No. 8 CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.) vs. No. 19 IMG Academy, League Ready/YouTube

5:30      – Long Island Lutheran vs. No. 17 Montverde, Academy, League Ready/YouTube
7           – No. 1 Spire Academy (Ohio) vs. No. 24 Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.), YouTube
9           – No. 3 Link Academy (Mo.) vs. No. 7 AZ Compass Prep, League Ready/YouTube

MONDAY

9 a.m. – The Newman School (Mass.) vs. Southeastern Prep (Fla.), BallerTV
11       – Dynamic Prep (Texas) vs. Prolific Prep (Fla.), ESPN2

1 p.m. – No. 5 St. Paul VI Catholic (Va.) vs. St. Mary’s (Ariz.), ESPN2
3         – No. 21 Columbus (Fla.)vs. St. John Bosco (Calif.), ESPNU
5         – No. 1 Spire Academy (Ohio) vs. No. 2 Brewster Academy (N.H.), ESPN2

For the first time, the event will expand to overflow sites at Western New England University and Duggan Academy, to accommodate a record number of marquee matchups on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

There’s more events going on this weekend and here are few you might consider.

In Springfield, Va., it’s The St. James 2026 MLK Classic. Games will be played over three days with 15 enticing matchups with several teams from the DMV.

Check out the  schedule at the St. James flagship location near Washington, D.C.

One of the most attended events of the schedule is the 41^st Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. The three-day, eight-team tournament is annually loaded with talent and Elite 25 teams. The title game can attract 10,000 to the southwestern Missouri venue.

The games will be housed in Missouri State University’s Great Southern Bank Arena, running Thursday through Saturday. No. 5 St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) and No. 13. Principia School (St. Louis) are two of the five Elite 25 teams in town.

Get Bass Pro TOC tickets here.

In Kettering, Ohio, Flyin’ To The Hoop 2025 is an event in its 23^rd year with 18 games over four days tipping on Friday, Jan. 16 at Kettering Trent Arena. The schedule is here. Tickets are available so get ’em while they last.

No. 1 Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio) scaled the Elite 25 and became the third different top-ranked team this season. Spire, coached by future Naismith Hall of Famer Kevin Boyle, is 16-1 and is headed to the Hoophall Classic this weekend for two games including a matchup with No. 2 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) on Monday, Jan. 19.

Since there are no additions, 10 teams remained in their previous position, five dropped with one team slipping six slots and two more five, and 10 rose in the Elite 25 with Brewster climbing five after a thrilling 61-60 win over previous-No. 1 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.).

This week there are no additions to the Elite 25 but should change next time around. We’re banking on it.

Here’s a last thought about a man, who was a special mentor to many.

 RIP, Coach Lesure

A special shout-out to the family of Whit Lesure, who passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 5 at the age of 66.

Mr. Lesure was the head boys basketball coach at Bridgton Academy; a post-graduate school and prep school powerhouse located in rural Maine since 1997.

He was a New England basketball Hall of Fame member and his Bridgton teams won four NEPSAC championships in five years in the early 2000s.

The prepared statement released by the school said:

“The entire Bridgton Academy community is devastated by the loss of Basketball Coach Whit Lesure, 66, who passed away early this morning after a medical emergency at his home on campus. Coach Lesure won four NEPSAC AAA championships during his 29-year tenure at Bridgton Academy, earning him admission into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. He was beloved by his players, as well as the students who turned to him for support in his role as advisor, dorm parent, and college counselor.

“He was deeply admired and respected by his colleagues on campus and fellow basketball coaches everywhere. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Marybeth and the Lesure family. Coach Whit’s passing leaves an enormous hole in our hearts and in our community.”

Last fall, Bridgton named its court at Memorial Gymnasium after Mr. Lesure. Personally, I dealt with him on a few occasions over the years but found he returned phone calls quickly and always put his players first. Prayers go out to his family and friends.

Rest easy, Coach.

 That’ll do it for the first full week of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and will likely have a different look with so many teams traveling to events this weekend.

Bye for now. Be the good.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 13, 2026

1. Spire Academy, Geneva, Ohio (16-1)

Previous rank: 2.

Lowdown: Coach Kevin Boyle has taken a third high school boys’ team atop the Elite 25 rankings. Spire slides into the top spot after defeating Mount Carmel (Baltimore), 52-38, at the Clash of the Titans in Towson, Md. Also stopped Mount Zion Prep (Lanham, Md.), 79-46.

2. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (15-1)

Previous: 7.

Lowdown: Defeated Tennessee Collegiate Academy (Millington, Tenn.), 69-59, and No. 1 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 61-60, at the Nike EYBL Scholastic La Porte Invitational in Indiana. Fairfield-bound Brayden Jones’ slam dunk basket in the final seconds rallied the Bobcats from a 60-59 deficit.

3. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (14-1)

Previous: 1.

Lowdown: Upended by No. 2 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 61-60, on a last-second dunk but defeated Iowa United (Des Moines, Iowa), 73-54, at the Nike EYBL Scholastic LaPorte (Ind.) Invitational.

4. Prolific Prep, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (20-2)

Previous: 3.

Lowdown: At the Mustang Madness Grind Session in Paducah, Ky., the Crew defeated Huntington (W.Va.) Expression Prep, 104-61, and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 96-80. In the former game, Kansas-bound forward Davion Adkins posted 16 points and 11 rebounds and Caleb Holt scored 25 points and in the latter Bruce Branch III had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

5. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (14-1)

Previous: 5.

Lowdown: The Panthers defeated Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 72-54, and Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 74-57, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. They also dispatched Davidson (N.C.) Day, 56-52, as Jordan Smith Jr. scored 34 points on 12-of-22 shooting, and had 6 rebounds and 3 steals to earn game MVP honors at the Capitol Hoops Challenge in Hyattsville, Md. This weekend coach Glenn Farello’s team is doing the “Springfield Double,” meaning the Bass Pro TOC and Hoophall in cities with the same name but in Missouri and Massachusetts, respectively. Can you say frequent flier miles?

6. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (15-1)

Previous: 6.

Lowdown: The Blazers opened Mission League play defeating Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 78-74, and St. Francis (La Canada), 50-47.

7. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (12-1)

Previous: 8.

Lowdown: Defeated The Wilson Academy (Conyers, Ga.), 79-37, at the Lute Olson Legacy Classic in Long Beach, Calif. DeMarcus Henry, the game’s MVP, collected 16 points and 8 rebounds.

8. CIA Bella Vista Prep, Phoenix (11-2)

Previous: 9.

Lowdown: The Bears won both games last weekend at the Nike EYBL Scholastic La Porte Invitational in Indiana.

9. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (13-1)

Previous: 4.

Lowdown: Lost to Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 67-60, but topped No. 24 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 68-49, and CATS Academy (Boston), 89-62, at the Nike EYBL Scholastic La Porte (Ind.) Invitational. Jacob Webber, a Purdue recruit, scored 24 points with six 3s.

10. Dynamic Prep School, Irving, Texas (15-1)

Previous: 10.

Lowdown: Up next is two games at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

11. Seven Lakes, Katy, Texas (24-0)

Previous: 11.

Lowdown: The Spartans captured two games, upping their record to 7-0 in District 19-6A.

12. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (9-4)

Previous: 12.

Lowdown: Michigan State-bound Jasiah Jervis collected 23 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in beating Nazareth Regional (Brooklyn), 83-61. Also, topped Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn), 82-59. Jervis picked up the slack for three injured starters with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and Josh Rivera bucketed 20 points.

13. Principia School, St. Louis (12-1)

Previous: 13.

Lowdown: Defeated East St. Louis (Ill.), 88-54. The Panthers will play Kickapoo (Springfield) Thursday at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions first round.

14. Sunnyslope, Phoenix (17-1)

Previous: 14.

Lowdown: Defeated Brophy College Prep (Phoenix), 74-66.

15. Bartlett, Tenn. (15-2)

Previous: 15.

Lowdown: Up next is three games at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo

16. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 17.

Lowdown: The Eagles play at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions this week in Springfield, Mo.

17. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (7-4)

Previous: 19.

Lowdown: The Eagles had a big week with two quality wins over No. 19 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 83-62, and The Villages (Fla.), 59-45. Up next is three EYBL Scholastic games at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

18. Millenium, Goodyear, Ariz. (15-2)

Previous: 20.

Lowdown: Defeated Desert Vista (Phoenix), 67-56. The Tigers play Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) Saturday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

19. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (13-5)

Previous: 21.

Lowdown: Defeated No. 22 Southeastern Prep Academy (Orlando, Fla.), 63-58, as Stanford-bound 6-8 forward Aziz Olajuwon contributed 21 points and 7 rebounds.

20. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (13-3)

Previous: 22.

Lowdown: The Wildcats won twice, improving to 5-0 in Class AAAAAA, Region 5 play and are to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions for three games starting on Thursday.

21. Columbus, Miami (13-4)

Previous: 23.

Lowdown: Went 1-1 last week in a pair of games with Broward County schools. Up next are two games at the Hoophall Classic this weekend/\.

22. Southeastern Prep Academy, Orlando, Fla. (24-7)

Previous: 16.

Lowdown: Lost to No. 19 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 63-58, at the La Porte (Ind.) Invitational.

23. Webb School, Knoxville, Tenn. (18-2)

Previous: 18.

Lowdown: Defeated Tennessee Heat (Nashville), 69-42.

24. Sunrise Christian School, Bel Aire, Kan. (9-4)

Previous: 24.

Lowdown: Lost to No. 9 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 68-49, at the Nike EYBL Scholastic La Porte (Ind.) Invitational.

25. Bishop O’Connell, Arlington, Va. (13-3)

Previous: 25.

Lowdown: Defeated DePaul Prep (Chicago), 67-65, in the Steve Pappas Shootout in Chicago.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (9-1)
2. Ss. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (10-1)
3. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (5-6)
4. Notre Dame, West Haven, Conn. (8-2)
5. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (17-5)

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

Midwest

1. Wisconsin Lutheran, Milwaukee (11-0)
2. Fishers, Ind. (12-0)
3. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (19-1)
4. DePaul Prep, Chicago (15-3)
5. East Lansing, Mich. (11-0)

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

Southland

1. Greensboro (N.C.) Day (24-2)
2. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (15-1)
3. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (19-3)
4. Gadsden City, Gadsden, Ala. (22-2)
5. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (16-3)

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

Far West

1. Rainier Beach, Seattle (12-1)
2. Redondo Union, Redondo Beach, Calif. (17-3)
3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (12-4)
4. Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (19-3)
5. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (19-2)

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 High School Boys Basketball Rankings are released weekly from October 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 Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April of the 2025-26 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.