ASCENSION: No. 15 Camden (NJ) records signature win and rises in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings; NIBC resumes this weekend at Jersey Shore in Metro Classic

BENSALEM, Pa. – The action is picking up in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings now that we’ve flipped the calendar to the month of February.

It’s the month that separates the contenders from the pretenders and this weekend there are two events that should stir the Elite 25 ranking.

That’s also the time the GEICO High School Nationals begin to take shape. We’re expecting the event to include a new wrinkle: a separate public school tournament.

GEICO Nationals

If that holds true, the National Academic Bracket will include Link Academy (Mo.), Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.), IMG Academy (Fla.), Montverde Academy, La Lumiere School (Ind.), Oak Hill Academy (Va.), AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.), Prolific Prep (Calif.), Southern California Prep and St. Benedict’s (N.J.)

The Public State Champions Bracket will features schools from Florida, Georgia, Utah, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina and Arizona. The leading candidates, depending on winning state titles, includes Calvary Christian Academy (Fla.), Dr. Phillips (Fla.), Greensboro Day School (N.C.), St. Frances Academy (Md.), Pebblebrook (Ga.), Bishop Gorman (Nev.), Garfield (Wash.), Gonzaga (D.C.), Dorman (S.C.), Sunnyslope (Ariz.), Davis (Utah) and Orem (Utah).

It’s early but the list for the event is growing and will take clearer focus in the coming weeks.

The national scene shifts to Toms River, New Jersey at the Metro Classic Showcase in the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena. The event four-day event tips off on Thursday and concludes Sunday.

Nine teams from the current Elite 25 rankings will be present and that includes nine games from the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference, three each of the first three days.

The five most intriguing matchups (all times Eastern) of the weekend that could impact the Elite 25 rankings are:

Thursday: No. 15 Camden (N.J.) vs. Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone, N.J.), 7 p.m.

Friday: No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.), 1 p.m.; and No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) vs. La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 9 p.m.

Saturday: No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 5 p.m., and No. 12 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) vs. No. 13 Roselle (N.J.) Catholic, 9 p.m.

Additionally, four games will be contest at Toms River East Intermediate School to ease the overflow at the main venue, and 12 games will air on ESPNU or stream live on the ESPN Plus.

For more a complete Session 2 schedule and ticket information visit here.

In Chicago, there’s super doubleheader on Saturday evening, where the No. 12 Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) play No. 16 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) at Wintrust Arena. Tip time is 8 p.m. CT. In the opening game, Glenbrook South (Glenview, Ill.) and Curie (Chicago) will play at 6 p.m. The games will be streamed live on ESPN Plus.

Golden Arch Madness

Last week, the boys’ roster for the 45^th McDonald’s All-American game was announced. The game will be played on March 29 at Wintrust Arena. The boys’ game will air on ESPN at 9 p.m. EDT. The girls’ is on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

If you are interested, the POWERADE Jam Fest is slated for March 28 at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.

The roster is listed alphabetically:

Amari Bailey, Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.); Anthony Black, Duncanville (Texas); Adem Bona, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.); Jaden Bradley, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.); Gradey Dick, Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.); Keyonte George, IMG Academy; Dereck Lively II, Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.); Chris Livingston, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.); Brandon Miller, Cane Ridge (Nashville, Tenn.); Dillon Mitchell, Montverde (Fla.) Academy; Mark Mitchell, Sunrise Christian Academy, Arterio Morris, Kimball (Dallas); Julian Phillips, Link Academy (Branson, Mo.); M.J. Rice, Prolific Prep (Calif.); Nick Smith, North Little Rock (Ark.); J.J. Starling, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.); Ernest Udeh, Jr., Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.); Jarace Walker, IMG Academy; Cason Wallace, Duncanville (Texas); Jordan Walsh, Link Academy,  Kel’el Ware,  North Little Rock (Ark.); Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy, Cameron Whitmore, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.) and Kijani Wright, Sierra Canyon School.

Twenty players from the current Elite 25 teams were named. No shock considering the national landscape and prestige of the senior all-star game’s status.

Congratulations to all the players and coaches for the honor. Chicago is a great host city. It promises to be a blast!

There are no additions to the Elite 25 rankings but that usually changes as February moves on. There were teams sliding up and down with No. 15 Camden (N.J.) hopping up nine slots and No. 25 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) cratering eight after two losses to the same Florida school.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Feb. 8. Wednesday (Feb. 2) is Groundhog Day. Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil won’t see his shadow and spring will arrive early. We need it.

So, here’s to everyone getting vaccinated or scheduling to get their booster shot. Vaccinating is working as the Omicron variant numbers are tumbling in most places. Stay safe and mask up whenever possible.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 1, 2022

1. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (26-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: The Lions were idle last week but have two games this weekend at the Metro Classic in Toms River, N.J. against First Love Christian Academy (Washington, Pa.) on Friday and The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) on Saturday.

2. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (17-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: It was a light week on the hardwood for the Buffaloes who defeated Spring Creek Academy (Plano, Texas), 73-40. That won’t be the case this weekend with two NIBC games at the Metro Classic in Toms River, N.J.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (21-2)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Defeated Highlands Christian (Pompano Beach), 99-32, to cap a 4-0 week. The Ascenders are slated to play three times at the Metro Classic in Toms River, N.J. The schedule reads No. 6 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) on Thursday; The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) on Friday and No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) on Saturday. The first and third games are in the NIBC.

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

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Kentucky-bound Skyy Clark drilled a buzzer-beating, 3-pointer in overtime and the Eagles captured the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament title over then-No. 15 Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale), 79-76, in the final. Clark was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The Eagles went 3-0 in their event and head north for three games, including two in the NIBC, in New Jersey at the Metro Classic starting on Thursday versus Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.).

5. Richardson, Texas (24-1)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Cason Wallace bucketed 28 points and Rylan Griffen added 22 in a 79-36 victory over Irving. In a 96-43 blowout of Irving Nimitz, Griffen tallied a game-high 28 points.

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

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Idle. The Lakers have two NIBC games at the Metro Classic in Toms River, N.J.

7. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (19-3)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Idle. The Dragons have two games this weekend at the Court XIV Classic.

8. Duncanville, Texas (23-1)

Previous rank: 8.

The Low-down: In District 11-6A play, the Panthers beat DeSoto, 76-55, and Midway (Waco), 61-42.

9. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (24-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: The Huskies are playing their best ball of the season while off four wins. They stopped Coronado (Henderson, Nev.), 80-71, at the Nike Extravaganza in Santa Ana, Calif. There are two games left in the regular season.

10. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (21-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Darrion Williams flipped in 24 points and John Mobley had 21 as the Gaels defeated Liberty (Henderson), 80-71. Also beat Whitney Young (Chicago), 89-59, at the Nike Extravaganza in Santa Ana, Calif.

11. Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (24-0)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated Lyons Township (La Grange), 62-50, and St. Charles (Ill.) North, 62-30. In the latter game, Caden Pierce contributed 16 points and 5 steals; Bobby Durkin added 13 points and 7 rebounds and center Braden Huff had 13 points and 6 rebounds in balanced attack.

12. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (22-7)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: The Warriors rattled off four wins last week, scoring 90 points or more on three occasions. Coach Steve Smith takes his team to New Jersey for three games at the Metro Classic, including two in the NIBC.

13. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (15-1)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: The game with Manasquan was postponed until Jan. 31. However, the Lions defeated Union, 85-52, and Plainfield, 91-53, in league action.

14. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (14-2)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Lost in the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament to No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 79-76, in overtime at the buzzer. There’s no shame for the south Floridians from Broward County with this super effort against the host school.

15. Camden, N.J. (12-2)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Junior guard D.J. Wagner scored a game-high 31 points as the Panthers defeated Woodrow Wilson (Camden), 100-54. Wagner’s 21 points were enough to hold off No. 16 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), 66-62,

16. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (20-3)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Split two games, losing to then-No. 24 Camden (N.J.), 66-62, and beating Campbell Hall (Studio City), 122-45. Amari Bailey scored 23 points in a losing effort

17. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (21-3)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Idle.

18. St. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (16-3)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Panthers swept a pair of Washington Catholic Athletic Conference contests with Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 90-60, and Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 82-69. A showdown with No. 23 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) will be rescheduled after a weather postponement but Tuesday’s game with DeMatha (Hyattsville) is just as important.

19. Centerville, Ohio (17-0)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: The Elks sweep three games last week, knocking off Beavercreek, 73-46

Northmont (Clayton), 75-52, and Moeller (Cincinnati), 63-35.

20. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (16-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: The Cardinals saw their win streak halted at 15 games in a 67-56 loss to then-No. 25 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains). Also beat Mount St. Michael (Bronx), 72-51, and Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn), 102-74. The Cardinals hit the century mark for the first time this season.

21. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (15-3)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Isaiah Alexander scored 20 points and Samuel Gibbons contributed 14 points and 6 assists during a 67-56 win over then-No. 13 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx). Also beat Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood), 68-53, and St. Peter’s (Staten Island), 82-61. Gibbs stuffed the stat sheet against St. Peter’s with16 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. The Crusaders improved to 9-2 in CHSAA Class AA Archdiocese of New York league play and trail No. Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) by a game.

22. North Little Rock, Ark. (17-3)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: The win streak reached nine games after beating Cabot, 82-34, and Bryant, 73-65.

23. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (11-3)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Defeated Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 84-62. The Eagles’ game with No. 19 St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) was postponed by heavy snow.

24. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (18-4)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Went 2-1 at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament. The Panthers toppled then-No. 17 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 66-60, in the first round and 70-58 in a consolation game of the six-team tournament. In the latter win, Denzel Aberdeen scored a game-high 24 points.

25. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (12-4)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Finished with a 1-2 record at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament in Florida. The Crusaders play Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) on Thursday at the Metro Classic in Toms River, N.J.

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (23-3)
2. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (17-3)
3. St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, N.J. (12-1)
4. Bristol (Conn.) Central (12-0)
5. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (12-1)

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

Midwest

1. Simeon, Chicago (20-2)
2. Glenbrook South, Glenview, Ill. (22-2)
3. Chesterton, Ind. (16-0)
4. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (17-1)
5. Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central (12-1)

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

Southland

1. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (24-2)
2. Westfield, Houston (23-1)
3. George Rogers Clark, Winchester, Ky. (19-1)
4. Pebblebrook, Mableton, Ga. (18-2)
5. Beaumont (Texas) United (25-3)

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

Far West

1. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (20-2)
2. Garfield, Seattle (14-0)
3. Poly, Riverside, Calif. (23-2)
4. Campolindo, Moraga, Calif. (18-1)
5. Damien, La Verne, Calif. (23-2)

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 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 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.