“BOOGIE” NIGHT IN BROOKLYN: No. 8 Archbishop Stepinac (NY) wins PSAL vs. CHSAA Champions Challenge; No. 18 Imhotep re-enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was a slow week for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings.

Let’s get to an inaugural event in New York City. The PSAL vs. CHSAA Champions Challenge—or the public against the Catholic school champions—was played over the weekend and early this week in Brooklyn. City champions were crowned on the boys’ and girls’ side.

In the feature boys’ game, No. 8 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains) captured the 4A chip beating Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn), 75-64. It marked the final performance for All-American and Kentucky-bound guard Boogie Fland, who scored 22 points, but his teammate Braylan Ritvo was the game’s Most Valuable Player with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Both players were invaluable to a team that went 19-1 in league play and won a second consecutive Intersectional AA title.

Fland is a generational talent headed to several senior all-star games and will play once more in the Empire State on April 20 in the Jordan Brand Classic.

As for the Champions Challenge, it was played on the campus of Long Island University in Brooklyn but a larger venue such as Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center could house games in the future. Several coaches think this would be a proper venue to crown city champions. Hopefully fruitful talks can take place sooner than later.

Great event, see you there next year.

There were state championships in Alaska, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota and Kentucky. Congratulations to the winners, coaches, player and fans for great seasons!

There’s one state tournament remaining and it’s in the Hoosier State.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association boys’ state championships will be played on Saturday at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Last weekend, the NCAA Men’s First and Second Round games occupied the downtown arena and home of the Indiana Pacers.

The IHSAA four pairings and ticket information are here.

Session 1 (All times Eastern and subject to change)

10:30 a.m.: Class 1A
Bethesda Christian (23-7) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (18-9)

12:45 p.m.: Class 2A  
Brownstown Central (27-4) vs. Wapahani (26-2)

 Session 2

6 p.m.: Class 3A
Scottsburg (24-5) vs. South Bend St. Joseph (20-9)

8:15 p.m.: Class 4A
Ben Davis (23-5) vs. Fishers (28-1)

One state to the south of Indiana, Lyon County (Eddyville, Ky.) won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Single-Class state championship Saturday night in Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Travis Perry, a future Kentucky Wildcat, flipped in a game-high 27 points in a 67-58 win over Harlan County in the final. It was Lyon County’s first-ever state championship in the Single Class final. Perry canned 10 of 18 shots and drained 5 of 9 from three-point range. For Lyon County it was their fourth overall and third straight appearance in the Sweet 16.

Kentucky’s state championships, UK HealthCare Boys’ Basketball Sweet 16 Tournament, are special. One overall state champion in both boys and girls are crowned. Regardless of the school size, it’s one bracket that starts with district tournaments. Eventually the 16 regional champions reached Lexington and Saturday’s schedule had two semifinals played in the morning and early afternoon. After clearing the arena, the winners return for their fourth game in two days and the coveted hardware.

The final pitted schools located in towns with rural populations less than 3,000.

Amazing!

In Pennsylvania, Lincoln Park (Midland) successfully defending its PIAA Class AAAA title walloping Archbishop Carroll (Radnor), 80-50, last Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey. LP went 28-3 and were a team we monitored throughout the season and had them in the East Region High-Five rankings in December but a slow start saw led them to drop out. Carroll (21-9) is a member of the vaunted Philadelphia Catholic League and will likely land in the Elite 25 Preseason rankings in next November. All five starters will return with all holding college offers.

Elsewhere, the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game boys and girls teams are slated for next week.

The 48 players, 24 boys and 24 girls, will participate in the games on April 2 at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Jam Fest, featuring the slam-dunk and 3-point contests, is April 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The McDonald’s All American Girls Game will air on April 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the boys will immediately follow on ESPN at 9 p.m.

Several of the players from both games represent Blue Star Media Elite 25 teams, including three from No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy boys and No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) girls.

Boys rosters

East
Jalil Bethea, Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.); John Bol, Overtime Elite Academy (Ga.); Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, N.C.); Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley and Derik Queen, Montverde (Fla.) Academy; Boogie Fland, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.); Ian Jackson, Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.); Tahaad Pettiford, Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.); Drake Powell, Northwood High School (N.C.); Jayden Quaintance, Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.); Bryson Tucker, Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.).

Coach: Sharman White, Pace Academy (Atlanta).

West

Ace Bailey, McEachern (Ga.); Flory Bidunga, Kokomo (Ind.); Carter Bryant, Corona (Calif.); Zoom Diallo, Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.); VJ Edgecombe, Jr., Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.); Donavan Freeman, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.); Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.); Richard Johnson, Link Academy (Branson, Mo.); Karter Knox, Overtime Elite Academy (Ga.); Trent Perry, Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, Calif.).

Coach: Tommy Brakel, North Crowley, (Fort Worth, Texas).

Chipotle Nationals

The CHIPOTLE Nationals, a supercharged three-day event tips off Thursday April 4 at Brownsburg High School in Brownsburg, Ind. The semifinals are April 5 and the finals are April 6. Defending champions are Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) boys and Montverde (Fla.) Academy girls.

All eight boys teams are ranked in the Elite 25.

All games will be broadcast on the ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU).

The schedules.

Boys

April 4

(All times are Eastern; seed number precedes each team)

2 p.m.: 2-St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) vs. 7-IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

4 p.m.: 4-Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) vs. 5-Columbus (Miami)

6 p.m.: 3-Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) vs. 6-Link Academy

8 p.m.: 1-Montverde Academy vs. 8-AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.).

All quarterfinal games will be shown on ESPNU.

The semifinals are April 5 at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The final is April 6 at 12 p.m. on ESPN 2.

Girls

April 4

10 a.m.: 3-IMG Academy vs. 6-Grace Christian (Sanford, N.C.)

12 p.m.: 4-Montverde Academy vs. 5-Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.)

April 5

Semifinals on ESPNU

10:30 a.m.: 1-Long Island Lutheran vs. Montverde or Sidwell

12:30 p.m.: 2-Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) vs. IMG or Grace Christian

The final is April 6 at 10 a.m. on ESPN.

As for the latest Elite 25 rankings, No. 18 Imhotep Institute Charter (Philadelphia) re-enters after capturing a fourth straight Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship. The Panthers won the Class 5A chip and improved to 10-0 all-time in state final games. In the 5A semifinals, coach Andre Noble notched his 500^th career victory and now he has 10 state crowns.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return April 1. Thank you for your readership.

Enjoy March Madness especially the Thursday and Friday Sweet 16 games. Also, Happy Easter to everyone celebrating this Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 26, 2024

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (30-0) #

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Idle. Duke-bound F Cooper Flagg was tabbed the Naismith Player of the Year. He’ll suit again for the Eagles at the CHIPOTLE Nationals April 4-6 in Brownsburg, Ind.

2. Columbus, Miami (27-4)*

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Won third straight Class 7A state championship. The CHIPOTLE Nationals are next.

3. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (33-2)**

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Won a second straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and fourth consecutive Virginia Intendent Schools Athletic Association Division I titles. Regular season is complete and the Panthers are headed back to the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-4)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Regular season is complete. The CHIPOTLE Nationals are next in April.

5. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (33-5)*

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Won the Grind Session World Championship for a second straight year. Up next are the CHIPOTLE Nationals. Regular season is complete.

6. Plano (Texas) East (40-0)*

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship. Season complete.

7. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (33-3)*

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Won a second straight CIF Open Division state championship. Season complete.

8. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (26-4)**

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Won the inaugural PSAL vs. CHSAA 4A Champions Challenge, defeating Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn), 75-64, for the title. Kentucky-bound Boogie Fland ended his brilliant prep career with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists; Braylan Ritvo had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists; Hassan Koureissi collected 7 points and 4 rebounds; and Danny Carbuccia added 6 points and 8 assists. Ritvo was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. The Crusaders went 19-1 in the CHSAA and won a second straight CHSAA AA Intersectional championship. Season complete.

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (20-8)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: The Ascenders are headed to the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

10. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (23-5)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Season complete.

11. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (30-2)*

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Won the Class AAAAAAA state championship. Season complete.

12. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (33-4)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Advanced to the CIF-Southern Region Open Division final and captured the Baseline League championship. Season complete.

13. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (28-7)*

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Won CIF Division 1 state championship. Season complete.

14. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (27-4)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Advanced to the FHSAA Class 7A state final. Season complete.

15. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (27-7)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Season complete.

16. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (23-6)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Regular season is complete. Up next is the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

17. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (27-5)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: The Dragons will rest before the CHIPOTLE Nationals April.

18. Imhotep Institute Charter, Philadelphia (29-3)**

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: Won the PIAA Class 5A state championship, defeating Franklin Regional (Murrysville, Pa.), 59-48, in the final. Connecticut-bound Ahmad Nowell scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. It was the 10^thstate championship for coach Andre Noble and the fourth straight for the Panthers, who re-enter the Elite 25 rankings. In the semifinals, the Panthers beat Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia), 52-48. It was the 500^th career win for Noble and Nowell scored 20 points. Season complete.

19. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (26-6)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Advanced to the Class 7A final. Season complete.

20. Homewood (Ill.)-Flossmoor (33-4)*

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won the Class 4A state championship. It is the program’s first-ever state chip. Season complete.

21. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (27-4)**

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Class AA and Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference championships. Season complete.

22. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (31-4)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Season complete.

23. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (25-6)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Season complete.

24. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (28-6)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Season complete.

25. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (17-7)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Season complete.

Dropped: No. 24 Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Rose, Belmar, N.J. (29-2)*
2. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (29-3)*
3. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (36-5)*
4. Lincoln Park, Midland, Pa. (28-3)*
5. Jackson-Reed, Washington, D.C. (33-3)*

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

Midwest

1. Curie, Chicago (31-3)*
2. DePaul Prep, Chicago (35-2)*
3. Wisconsin Lutheran, Milwaukee (30-0)*
4. St. Mary’s Prep, Orchard, Lake, Mich. (27-1)*
5. Fishers, Ind. (28-1)…March 30-sa-815

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

Southland

1. Central Cabarrus, Concord, N.C. (33-0)*
2. Kell, Marietta, Ga. (28-3)*
3. Lyon County, Eddyville, Ky. (34-3)*
4. Stony Point, Round Rock Texas (38-2)
5. Independence, Thompson’s Station, Tenn. (33-6)*

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

Far West

1. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (31-2)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-6)
3. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-5)*
4. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (24-6))*
5. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (27-3)*

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

Records through Sunday’s games.

 # Nike EYBL Scholastic champions

* Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

[Editor’s note: Each asterisk represents a separate postseason title]

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December until the conclusion of the high school season in 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 and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the season. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.