BENSALEM, Pa. – This just in: one school is out of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. After making a huge splash in recent weeks, then-No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) drops from the rankings due to fifth-year players—both of who played in Canada prior to enrolling at Sunrise.

It is widely known the Elite 25 does not rank schools with fifth-year players so unfortunately the Buffaloes are dismissed. The Kansas State High School Activities Association recognizes Sunrise Christian, but member schools do not play Sunrise’s elite team, which features boarding student-athletes and travels extensively to national events.

This decision to drop a team will likely affect the GEICO Nationals (previously known as DICK’S Nationals), which will start sending out invitations in a few weeks. The GEICO Nationals tip on March 29 at the Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y.

If the eight-team tournament was selected today, Montverde (Fla.) Academy, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) and Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) are in. Expect another private school and that may include a school from the South Atlantic.

The top public school is Shadow Mountain (Phoenix) after winning the Arizona 4A state title last weekend. The final three will be likely chosen from University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), Garfield (Seattle), Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) and Olympus (Salt Lake City, Utah.

No. 13 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) re-enters the Elite 25 after knocking off previously undefeated then-No. 4 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. No. 24 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) is a newcomer and the favorite to the win the New York State Federation Class AA title later next month in Glens Falls. No. 25 Etiwanda (Calif.) slides eight spots after getting upset in the sectional playoffs but will get another shot in the CIF-Southern Region tournament in March.

The Elite 25 rankings return on March 6 and state playoffs will be featured. Enjoy the games.

Hope to see you at one soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys Basketball Rankings, Feb. 27, 2018

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (32-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Eagles are idle until the GEICO Nationals tipping on March 29 in New York.

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

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Keldon Johnson, a McDonald’s All-American, scored 25 points and Kansas-bound David McCormack posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in an 86-60 win over Legacy Charter (Greenville, S.C.).

3. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (29-1)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Monsignor Routed Pace (Miami Gardens) in the Class 5A, Region 4 first round as junior Vernon Carey had nine points and nine rebounds in less than two quarters.

4. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (25-1)*

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Won second straight 4A state title, rallying to beat Salpointe Catholic (Tucson), 83-79. The Matadors trailed by as many as 22 points in the second half and 17 heading into the fourth before staging the comeback for their 70th consecutive win against instate competition. Jaelen House had 30 points and 14 rebounds. Also defeated Moon Valley (Phoenix), 73-47, the in the semifinals. Coach Mike Bibby’s team won’t play again until the GEICO Nationals in New York.

5. Denton (Texas) Guyer (36-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: In the Class 6A playoffs, the Wildcats edged DeSoto, 48-45, the Area game, and Southlake Catholic, 89-56, in the bi-district contest.

6. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (28-4)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Defeated Arizona Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), 103-80. The regular season closes out on Wednesday.

7. Simeon, Chicago (25-3)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Idle. The Illinois Class 4A playoffs open this week.

8. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (27-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Lost to Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 77-74, in double overtime in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals.

9. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (29-3)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: In the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference semifinals, the Panthers were stopped by No. 19 Gonzaga (Washington), 66-58, and in the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Panthers topped Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 72-47, in the quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 11.

Low-down: In the WCAC playoffs, the Stags moved into the final, defeating Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 74-63. Justin Moore pumped in 34 points. Also beat Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 72-58, in the quarterfinals and played on Monday night for the title.

11. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (25-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Pasted Westlake (Atlanta), 87-49, in the Class AAAAAAA second round. Next up is Norcross in the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals on Wednesday.

12. East, Memphis, Tenn. (25-3)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won the District 16-AAA championship, defeating Whitehaven (Memphis), 56-29. The Mustangs opened the Region 8-AAA tournament with an 83-36 thumping of Kirby (Memphis). Junior James Wiseman scored 19 points in the region game.

13. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (23-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Upended then-No. 4 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 77-74, in CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. Duane Washington pumped in 3-pointers at the buzzer to force overtime and a second overtime. The Trail Blazers face Mater Dei (Santa Ana) Friday in the sectional final in Long Beach.

14. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (28-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Crushed Alhambra (Martinez), 75-34, CIF-North Coast Section Division III quarterfinals. The Pride plays Hayward in the semifinals Wednesday. The final is Saturday.

15. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (23-3)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Two more wins for the Lakers.

16. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (25-2)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won second straight Public League championship, defeating King (Philadelphia), 66-37, and Mastery North (Philadelphia), 54-46, in the semifinals. Bernard Lightsey was named championship game Most Valuable Player. The Panthers play Conwell-Egan (Fairless Hills, Pa.) in the Class AAAA City Title game on Friday.

17. Clarkston, Mich. (17-1)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Defeated Romulus, 90-53, North Farmington, 55-27, and Southfield Arts and Technology, 72-25. The Wolves have three scheduled games left in the regular term.

18. Westlake, Austin, Texas (33-3)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Rallied to defeat Converse Judson, 81-74, in the Class 6A Area playoffs and San Antonio Churchill, 92-70, in the bi-district playoff.

19. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (25-5)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Advanced to the WCAC title game, beating then-No. 6 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 66-58, in the semifinals and St. John’s College (Washington), 60-49, in the quarterfinals. Played archrivals No. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) on Monday in the final.

20. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (23-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Defeated Impact Academy (La Vegas, Nev.), 80-53, and Jordan (Sandy), 68-43, as California commit Matt Bradley had 26 points on Senior Night.

21. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (22-4)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won first-ever Union County Tournament, knocking off reigning champion Patrick School (Elizabeth), 68-58. Also it took a 20-11 third-quarter run was the difference in a 65-56 win over Linden in the semifinals. G Jason Battle flipped in a career-high 18 points. The Non-Public B North tournament starts this week with a likely meeting on Saturday against Hudson Catholic (Jersey City) or Patrick School in the semifinals.

22. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (24-4)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Defeated Riverview (Sarasota), 88-53, in the Class 9A, Region 2 quarterfinals. Next up is rivals Dr. Phillips (Orlando) in the semifinals. The final is Friday.

23. Garfield, Seattle (25-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Overwhelmed Wilson (Tacoma), 88-54, in the Class 3A regionals. The Bulldogs open the 3A state tournament Thursday morning in Tacoma.

24. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: New York’s top-ranked Class AA team has an impressive resume punctuated by an Elite 25 ranking. Saturday they beat Albany Academy, 71-49. Tykei Greene scored 18 points and Ty Etienne added 17.

25. Etiwanda, Calif. (28-2)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Upset by Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 76-66, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. The Eagles have a quick turnaround playing No. 8 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) in the third-place game Tuesday.

Dropped: No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan.; and No. 25 Wesleyan Christian Academy, High Point, N.C.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Hudson Catholic, Jersey City, N.J. (20-4)
2. Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (26-0)
3. Bonner-Prendergast, Drexel Hill, Pa. (21-3)
4. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (21-5)
5. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (22-5)

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

 Midwest

1. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn. (22-1)
2. Orr, Chicago (24-4)
3. Warren Central, Indianapolis (25-0)
4. Curie, Chicago (23-4)
5. Creighton Prep, Omaha, Neb. (21-1)

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. (26-3)
2. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (32-4)
3. Pebblebrook, Mableton, Ga. (26-2)
4. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (31-1)
5. Meridian, Miss. (30-1)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (22-6)
2. Jefferson, Portland, Ore. (22-3)
3. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (24-0)
4. Olympus, Salt Lake City (23-0)
5. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (21-2)

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. 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. Teams with fifth-year players cannot be ranked. 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 @clawlor.