BENSALEM, Pa. – The best place to watch boys’ basketball is Springfield. Whether you are attending the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Missouri or the five-day bonanza known as the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, the hoop universe is rejoicing.

In Missouri, the 35^thannual Bass Pro TOC features four Elite 25 teams and another from regional rankings in one powerful eight-team bracket. No. 1 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) is the main draw and has the bull’s-eye squarely on them. Other powerhouse programs are Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.), East (Memphis, Tenn.), Belleville (Ill.) West, Rainier Beach (Seattle) and Shadow Mountain (Phoenix). The JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State will be jumping with upwards of 10,000 for Saturday’s final. 

That’s a quality event and here’s another. 

In Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball, it’s marathon of games. The real action begins on Saturday through Monday. Fourteen teams from the Elite 25 will compete at famed Springfield College’s Blake Arena.

The entire Hoophall lineup is here.

Elsewhere, one of the better events that flies under the radar is the 15^thBig Apple Basketball Invitational that runs Saturday and Monday over the MLK Weekend. The event is held in Manhattan, New York at two different locations. BAB are good people who help student-athletes gain exposure at events such as this one. There are 28 current NBA players that have participated at the Invitational over the years.

The lineup on Saturday at Xavier High School (West 16^thStreet between 5^thand 6^thAvenues: St. Charles (Waldorf, Md.) vs. Brooklyn (N.Y.) Law & Tech, 2 p.m.; Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) vs. Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), 3:45; Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) vs. Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.), 5:30; and Norfolk (Va.) Academy vs. Our Savior Lutheran (Bronx), 7:15.

Monday at Baruch College: Glenelg Country Day (Ellicott City, Md.) vs. Lawrence (N.Y.) Woodmere, 12 p.m.; Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.) vs. St. Raymond (Bronx), 1:45; and Putnam (Conn.) Science vs. Our Savior Lutheran (Bronx), 3:30.

Although the all the matchups are superb, my pick for game of the weekend is Bergen Catholic vs. Hayes. Two Christian Brothers’ schools located on two sides of the Hudson River and will compete for state titles in their respective state tournaments in these hoop hotbeds.

There are no additions to the Elite 25 rankings but that should change next week following multiple national games and matchups between ranked teams.

The Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on January 22 and we’ll have the latest in the world of schoolboy hoops. Get out and attend a game or an event this weekend and keep Dr. King and his legacy in your thoughts. 

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, January 15, 2019

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (14-0)

Previous ranked: 1.

Low-down: The top-ranked Elite 25 club stopped Marietta, 80-72, and Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw), 103-59. The Indians have rivalry game Tuesday at Hillgrove (Powder Springs) before heading off to Springfield, Missouri for the star-studded, loaded Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. The TOC is one of the nation’s most attended tournaments with crowds approaching 10,000.

2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (18-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: The Lakers beat Michigan City (Ind.), 81-50. Next challenge is No. 4 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) at the Hoophall Classic on Jan. 21. 

3. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (16-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: It was three-week layoff but the Warriors returned to the hardwood and topped Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.), 65-59, at Rock the Ribbon in Lexington, Va. This weekend’s appetizing game is with No. 8 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) Sunday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

4. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (14-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Coach Mike Jones has his team firing on all cylinders especially in league wins over Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 62-58, and St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 78-65. The Stags get a huge test on Jan. 21 against No. 2 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

5. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (18-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Stopped Utah schools Tooele, 110-44, and Bountiful, 92-54. This weekend the Tigers play Fairfax (Los Angeles) at the Rolling Hills Prep State Preview Classic in California. 

6. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (12-2)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Nothing is better than home cooking as evidenced during wins over Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg), 82-29, and Miramar, 79-20. Precious Achiuwa totaled 39 points and 17 rebounds in those games. Next is the Hoophall Classic on Jan. 21 versus Elite 25 team Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) on ESPNU.

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Bryan Antoine pumped in 26 points in a slim 56-55 win over Bergen Catholic (Oradell) in the Boardwalk Hoop Group Showcase. The game featured 16 lead changes, including four in the fourth period. Also beat MacDuffie School (Granby, Mass.), 54-42, at the Empire Challenge in Bronx, N.Y.

7. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (19-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Four wins were capped by decisions over Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.), 86-74, and Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.), 74-44. The Ascenders play this weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

8. Belleville (Ill.) West (17-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Idle. The Maroons are off to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions this week at JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State in Springfield, Mo.

9. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (19-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Defeated Viewpoint (Calabasas), 90-68, in the lone game of the week. The Trailblazers have two league games before hitting the road for a national showcase game with No. 6 Montverde (Fla.) Academy at the Hoophall Classic on Jan. 21.

10. Carmel Christian School, Matthews, N.C. (23-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: The shots from downtown were dropping in a 63-52 victory over Greensboro (N.C.) Day. The Cougars sank 10 3-pointers and DeAngelo Epps scored 16 points. Next is a showdown with Independence (Charlotte) Saturday at the Carmel Christian MLK Showcase.

11. Sunrise Christian, Bel Aire, Kan. (12-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Overwhelmed Sunnybrook Christian Academy (San Antonio, Texas), 81-43. The Buffaloes are off to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions this week in Springfield, Mo.

12. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (12-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Kentucky-bound Kahlil Whitney pumped in 24 points and cleared 11 rebounds to hold off plucky Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), 70-60, at the Empire Challenge in Bronx, N.Y. Also crushed St. Mary’s (Elizabeth), 61-47, as Whitney poured in 15 points, making two 3-pointers. Three games are scheduled this week, notably with Patrick School (Elizabeth) Thursday and Norcross (Ga.) Saturday at the Hoophall Classic.

13. Warren Central, Indianapolis (13-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Advanced to Marion County Tournament final, beating Pike (Indianapolis), 59-35, in the semifinals. The championship game versus Lawrence Central (Indianapolis) was postponed by heavy snowfall until Monday.

14. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (18-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: At the conclusion of the week, the Pride has only five scheduled games remaining until the sectional playoffs.

15. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (10-1) 

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Bryan Antoine pumped in 26 points in a slim 56-55 win over Bergen Catholic (Oradell) in the Boardwalk Hoop Group Showcase. The game featured 16 lead changes, including four in the fourth period. Lost to MacDuffie School (Granby, Mass.), 79-75, at the Empire Challenge in Bronx, N.Y.

16. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (15-2)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: It was a crazy 24 hours for the Eagles as they stopped East (Memphis, Tenn.), 66-56, last Friday at the ARS Rescue Rooter Showcase in West Memphis, Ark. Then they flew back to the West Coast for their first home game of the season and dropped a 72-60 decision to Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) at the Rancho Christian Showcase. SM outscored the Eagles, 26-13, in the fourth quarter. No doubt jet lag kicked in.

17. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (15-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Trounced Thunderbird (Phoenix), 102-50. Next is the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, which tips on Thursday in Springfield, Mo.

It was a light week with a 75-52 triumph over Deer Valley (Glendale). The two-time Arizona 4A state champions face their next challenge at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions over the Martin Luther King Weekend in Springfield, Mo.

18. Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, N.Y. (14-0)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Defeated Christ the King (Middle Village), 78-67, in a CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens Class AA showdown. The Lions have another key matchup with Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) on Friday night.

19. Federal Way, Wash. (14-1)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Washington’s top-ranked Class 4A team buried threeNorth Puget Sound-Olympic opponents.

20. Curie, Chicago (18-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: In a battle Chicago supremacy amongst public schools in the Red South, the Condors topped Bogan (Chicago), 78-70. Junior Ramean Hinton posted a double-double with 21 points and 19 rebounds. Hinton also added another double (16, 10) in a 77-66 win over Kenwood (Chicago). Also throttled Thornton Fractional South (Lansing, Ill.), 79-45, at the Bob Hambric Shootout.

21. Westchester, Los Angeles (18-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: The Comets pounded three Western League opponents but have four games on tap this week.

22. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-3)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Following a weeklong respite, the Sharks devoured La Salle (Miami), 75-49, and Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes), 74-53. Eight of the final nine games are against Florida schools.

23. Allen, Texas (24-2)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Two easy district wins over Prosper, 90-74, and Plano West, 71-42. Nine games left in the regular season none more important that a rematch with Jesuit (Dallas) on Jan. 25.

24. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (7-4)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: After dropping a game on the previous weekend, the Panthers rebounded with Public League wins over Gratz (Philadelphia), 68-29, and Math, Civics & Science (Philadelphia), 60-50.

25. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-3)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Isaiah Cottrell scored 19 points to lead four double digit scorers in an 83-52 blowout of Desert Oasis (Las Vegas). The schedule is highlighted by a rivalry game with Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) Saturday at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. That’s big-time hoops on the Las Vegas Strip. Outside the MLK Weekend events, this is the national game of the week.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (11-1)

2. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-1)

3. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (15-2)

4. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (12-2)

5. Bonner-Prendergast, Drexel Hill, Pa. (10-1)

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

Midwest

1. Bogan, Chicago (17-2)

2. Bloom, Chicago Heights, Ill. (17-1)

3. Vashon, St. Louis (11-2)

4. Carmel, Ind. (10-0)

5. Benton Harbor, Mich. (11-0)

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

Southland

1. Cox Mill, Concord, N.C. (14-1)

2. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (19-3)

3. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (18-1)

4. Guyer, Denton, Texas (20-4)

5. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (23-1)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (20-1)

2. Bella Vista Prep, Scottsdale, Ariz. (16-3)

3. Rainier Beach, Seattle (8-1)

4. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (14-4)

5. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (12-2)

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

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 Senior Writer 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.