BENSALEM, Pa. – This week there’s an even swap of big-time programs in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings.

Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) are dumped following rough performance. Neumann-Goretti lost twice last week—the Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament final and the Class AAA District 12 City Title Game. This was shocking news for the Saints, a model of consistency since the turn of the century. Losing in the PCL final is one thing but the City Title game is another. They will enter the PIAA Class AAA state tournament with a chip on their shoulders and out to prove they can repeat. Meanwhile, Mater Dei was humiliated in the sectional playoffs by 48 points. Enough said. The Monarchs will soul search before the region playoffs start next week.

The additions are No. 21 Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) and No. 22 Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.). Roman, which re-enters the Elite 25, won a second straight Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament and Class District 12 Class AAAA titles last week and move into the PIAA Class AAAA tournament on a high note. The Cahillites are the favorite in a loaded field to repeat in AAAA. Chris McNesby is one of the nation’s brightest coaching talents and his team is starting to peak at the right time. The same can be said for coach Sharman White of Miller Grove, who goes for a seventh state title in eight years. The 29-2 Wolverines need to win Georgia’s big prize (a Class AAAAA state title) on Saturday in Macon, Ga., in order to reach the next level.

Gazing into the crystal basketball, it’s becoming clear that the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament will feature Oak Hill Academy, Findlay Prep, Montverde Academy, St. Benedict’s, Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.) and La Lumiere School. 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 on March 10 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 March 11 and the title game is March 12. The quarterfinal pairings will be announced shortly.

The Elite 25 rankings are back next week on March 8. 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 game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings, March 1, 2016

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (39-1)

Previous: rank 1.

Low-down: Lindell Wigginton led the conga line of double-digit scorers with 20 points and the Warriors waxed Deeper Life Academy (Chocowinity, N.C.), 131-62. The regular is dwindling down to four games before the Warriors take a short respite to recalibrate for the Dick’s Nationals in New York.

2. Chino Hills, Calif. (30-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: For the 16th time this season, the Huskies hit the century mark (state record is 18 times) to humble previously ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 102-54, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. They also crushed Inglewood, 112-78, in the quarterfinals. Next is the Open Division final on Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim against No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth).

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. (25-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The competition level was low and the offense amped as the Pilots racked up two wins scoring 120 and 132 points. It was Senior Night on Monday in the season closer. The Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament can’t come too soon for coach Andy Johnson’s crew. However, they’ll have to wait until March 31 when it tips in Middle Village, N.Y.

5. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (34-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Eagles are off to the regional tournament after dispatching Anderson (Austin), 78-38, in Class 6A Region II Area playoff. In the bi-district playoff, they clobbered Klein, 63-37. The next opponent is Klein Forest in the Region II quarterfinals.

6. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (26-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Jagan Mosley, a Georgetown recruit, flipped in a game-high 20 points and the Friars walloped Marlboro, 81-40, to cap a perfect regular season and post three victories last week. The top-seeded Friars have a bye to the Non-Public B North quarterfinals, where they play Eastern Christian (North Haledon) or Saddle River Day on Thursday. The sectional semifinals are Saturday.

7. U of D Jesuit, Detroit (19-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Cubs became the second team to win a fourth straight league tournament title, defeating De La Salle (Warren, Mich.), 70-45, in the Detroit Catholic League A-B final, as Michigan State-bound G Cassius Winston bucketed 17 points on his 18th birthday. In the semifinals, Winston scored 10 of his 24 points in the first quarter staking the Cubs to a 62-29 win over Divine Child (Dearborn, Mich.).

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

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won a second postseason crown by capturing the National Independent Christian Schools Athletic Conference Tournament championship over Upper Room Christian (Huntington Station, N.Y.), 67-49. Junior David Beatty poured in 19 points and senior James Scott added 18. In the semifinals, the Gray Bees beat Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.), 73-47, as coach Mark Taylor earned his 150th victory at the school. Beatty scored 19 points and Scott, who last week committed to Kennesaw State, had 12. 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., from March 10 to 12.

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

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Trailblazers stopped No. 8 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 78-69, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals and Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 74-70, in the quarterfinals. All five starters hit for double figures in the semifinals, including 20 points from Devearl Ramsey. Next is the sectional final Saturday vs. No. 2 Chino Hills at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

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

Previous: 10.

Low-down: In the regular season finale, the suspense ended quickly during an 86-18 victory over Westside (Gary). The Lakers should be extended an invitation to the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, which starts March 31 in New York City.

11. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (28-3)*

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship since 2000, defeating then-No. 15 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 71-57. Anthony Cowan Jr. dropped in a game-high 21 points, which included two 3s and 7-of-7 on free throws. The defending champions Cadets play in the D.C. State Athletic Association state tournament on Tuesday. The semifinals are Thursday (at the Verizon Center) and the final is Sunday (Smith Center, George Washington University).

12. Stevens Point, Wis. (22-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Perfection reigned supreme for the Panthers, who finished 12-0 in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, following an 88-47 blowout of Wausau East. Next is the Division I Section 1 first round Friday against Appleton North. The quarterfinals are Saturday against Wausau West or Chippewa Falls.

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

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Lost to No. 9 Sierra Canyon School (Woodland Hills), 78-69, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals and beat Damien (La Verne), 58-56, in the quarterfinals. The Knights aren’t done as the Southern California Regional tournament on deck.

14. Simeon, Chicago (24-3)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Chicago Public School champions play Reavis (Burbank, Ill.) or Thornton Fractional South (Lansing) in the Class4A Calumet City Regional semifinals on Tuesday. The final is Friday with Thornton Fractional North (Calumet City) or Brother Rice (Chicago) the opponent. The sectional champion advances to the Chicago Heights Sectionals in Bloom Township.

15. Wayne, Huber Heights, Ohio (25-0)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Rodrick Caldwell’s 20 points paced the Warriors over Piqua, 97-47, in the Division I sectional final. Next is a date a at Wright State’s Nutter Center on Saturday against Lakota East (Liberty Township).

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

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Lost to No. 13 St. John’s (Washington, D.C.), 71-57, in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference final.

17. Morgan Park, Chicago (22-3)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: The Mustangs play in the Class 3A Julian Region semifinals on Tuesday. The final is Friday. The region winner moves onto the St. Laurence Sectional on March 8.

18. Patrick School, Elizabeth, N.J. (21-5)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: In a thriller, the Celtics captured the Union County Tournament, outlasting Roselle Catholic, 58-54, in double overtime. In the semifinals, the backcourt of Bryce Aiken (16 points), Jamir Harris (13) and Marcus McClary (12) combined for 41 points and the Celtics clipped Union Catholic (Scotch Plains), 66-58. The focus shifts to the Non-Public South B Tournament as the Celtics face Timothy Christian (Piscataway) Tuesday. The sectional quarterfinals are Thursday and semifinals are Saturday.

19. DeSoto, Texas (31-2)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Only three wins away from the state tournament. The Eagles drilled Hebron, 72-40, in the Class 6A Region 1 Area playoff and dismantled Euless Trinity, 78-43, in the bi-district playoff. Next is the regional quarterfinal Tuesday vs. Justin Northwest.

20. Chaminade, St. Louis (21-5)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Idle. The Red Devils are back in postseason district action on Wednesday.

21. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (24-4)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: It was a monster week for the Cahillites, who re-enter the Elite 25, after winning a second straight Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament championship, beating archrival and then-No. 12 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), 72-65. In the Class AAAA City Title Game, the Cahillites then dismantled King (Philadelphia), 64-53. Next is PIAA Class AAAA state first round on Saturday vs. Academy Park (Sharon Hill).

22. Miller Grove, Lithonia, Ga. (29-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Wolverines are back in the state championship game for the seventh time in eight years after eliminating McIntosh (Peachtree City), 72-52, in the Class AAAAA semifinals. G Alterique Gilbert, a Connecticut recruit, pumped in 21 points, PF Raylon Richardson scored 17 and PG Aaron Augustin added 16. The final will be daunting as undefeated Allatoona (Acworth) takes aim on Friday at the Macon Coliseum.

23. Peabody, Alexandria, La. (32-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: The offense clicked on all cylinders to wipe out KIPP Renaissance (New Orleans), 120-46, in the Class 3A first round. Next is Madison (Tallulah) Tuesday in the second round. The quarterfinals are Friday.

24. Garfield, Seattle (24-2)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: The Bulldogs punched their ticket to the Tacoma Dome, site of the state tournament, running way from Wilson (Tacoma), 118-80, in the Class 3A regional qualifier. That means a date with crosstown rival Cleveland on Thursday afternoon in the state quarterfinals. The winner gets Rainier Beach (Seattle) or Lincoln (Tacoma) on Friday in the semifinals.

25. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (27-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: In the Section 6AAAA playoffs, the Royals thumped Minneapolis Southwest, 90-50, and Robbinsdale Armstrong, 91-69. Junior G Ishmael El Amin totaled 49 points in the wins. The final is Tuesday against Robbinsdale Cooper.

Dropped out: No. 12 Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia and No. 18 Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. H.D Woodson, Washington, D.C. (30-0)*
2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-3)
3. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (22-4)
4. Sacred Heart, Waterbury, Conn. (18-2)
5. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, Pa. (22-3)

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

Midwest

1. Apple Valley, Minn. (27-1)
2. Fenwick, Oak Park, Ill. (25-2)
3. Althoff Catholic, Belleville, Ill. (25-2)
4. New Albany, Ind. (21-1)
5. Merrillville, Ind. (22-1)

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

Southland

1. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (27-3)*
2. Christian Brothers, Memphis, Tenn. (28-1)
3. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (31-2)
4. Greenforest Christian Academy, Decatur, Ga. (29-2)
5. Grandview Prep, Boca Raton, Fla. (34-0)*

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

Far West

1. Foothills Christian, El Cajon, Calif. (22-4)
2. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (27-3)
3. West Linn, Ore. (21-3)
4. Modesto (Calif.) Christian (28-1)
5. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (19-4)

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

* Won 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.