BENSALEM, Pa. – Two weekends remain in the season and the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings are simmering for a torrid stretch run.
This is why you play the games. The anticipation is high and the results will be scrutinized.
On one hand, state championships in Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota and California will add to the final say. At least eight teams from those states could impact the Elite 25. So will the GEICO Nationals.
The 10th annual GEICO High School Nationals—previously known as DICK’S Nationals (2014-17) and the National High School Invitational (2009-13)—will tip off on March 29 with eight teams competing in the boys’ bracket, including the top-five in the Elite 25.
Here’s the breakdown of the GEICO Nationals that are housed at Christ the King High School’s Father John Savage Gymnasium in Middle Village, N.Y.:
March 29 (on ESPNU)–No. 3 University School (Fort Lauderdale)-No. 4 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix), 12 p.m.; defending champion No. 15 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.)-No. 5 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), 2 p.m.; No. 10 Garfield (Seattle)-No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 4 p.m.; and No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy-Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), 6 p.m.
The semifinals are March 30 at 3 and 5 p.m. on ESPN2 and the title game is March 31 at 1 p.m. on ESPNU.
This week no teams joined the rankings. Expect a changes for the final rankings.
Speaking of which the Elite 25 final rankings will be released on April 3. Once again the remaining state tournaments, especially New York, Pennsylvania and California will figure prominently along with the GEICO Nationals.
My travels lead to the McDonald’s All-American Game this weekend in Atlanta and then a quick turnaround and back to New York for the GEICO Nationals on March 29. I consider each of these events the pinnacle of high school basketball. It’s an unbelievable and fitting end to season and the ultimate send-off game for senior players.
Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 20, 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. Coach Kevin Boyle’s team won the tournament for three straight years 2013-15.
2. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (43-1)
Previous: 2.
Low-down: Idle. The Warriors are invited to the GEICO Nationals on March 29. They last won the event in 2016.
3. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (33-1)*
Previous: 3.
Low-down: Idle. Next up the GEICO Nationals next week in New York. The Sharks are making their inaugural appearance in the event.
4. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (25-1)*
Previous: 4.
Low-down: Idle. The Matadors were selected for the GEICO Nationals.
5. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (31-4)
Previous: 5.
Low-down: Idle. Next up for the Pilots are the GEICO Nationals in New York.
6. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (33-5)* * *
Previous: 8.
Low-down: Season complete. The Stags won three postseason titles. That’s a remarkable haul for the nation’s all-time greatest program coached by Mike Jones.
7. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (34-4)*
Previous: 9.
Low-down: Season complete.
8. East, Memphis, Tenn. (31-3)*
Previous: 9.
Low-down: Won third consecutive Class AAA state championship, topping Whitehaven, 72-50, in the final. James Wiseman scored 19 points and Chandler Lawson had a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Also stopped Bearden (Knoxville), 72-60, in the semifinals, and Blackman (Murfreesboro), 52-33, in the first round in the Class AAA first round. Rumor persist coach Penny Hardaway could be headed to the collegiate level soon taking over at University of Memphis after Tubby Smith was shown the door last week. Season complete.
9. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (28-2)
Previous: 11.
Low-down: The Panthers are two wins from a repeat in Class 4A after dispatching Middletown, 79-60, in the PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals and Scranton Prep, 44-32, in the second round. Played Bethlehem Catholic Monday in the semifinals. The winner gets Quaker Valley or Sharon in the final Thursday night at the GIANT Center in Hershey.
10. Garfield, Seattle (28-1)*
Previous: 12.
Low-down: Idle. The Class 3A state champions are headed to New York for the GEICO Nationals.
11. Clarkston, Mich. (23-1)
Previous: 13.
Low-down: Won Class A, Region 4 championship, beating St. Mary’s (Orchard Lake), 58-35, and Troy, 71-46, in the semifinals. The Wolves advance to the state quarterfinals versus Flint Carman-Ainsworth on Tuesday.
12. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (26-4)
Previous: 14.
Low-down: Scottie Pippen Jr., yes that’s the former Chicago Bull and Hall of Famer’s son, pumped in a clutch 22 points and the Trailblazers toppled No. 22 Etiwanda, 58-55, in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division final. They also recorded a quality win over then-No. 7 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 72-70, in the semifinals. Next up is Sheldon (Sacramento) in the CIF Open Division final Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
13. Simeon, Chicago (29-4)*
Previous: 6.
Low-down: Upset by rivals Whitney Young (Chicago), 71-66, in overtime in the Class 4A Chicago State SuperSectional. The Wolverines strength of schedule and body of work keeps them in the Elite 25. Season complete.
14. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (29-2)
Previous: 7.
Low-down: The Knights were ousted in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division semifinals by No. 12 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 72-70. Season complete.
15. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (23-3)
Previous: 15.
Low-down: Idle. The Lakers are headed back to the GEICO Nationals in New York.
16. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (29-4)* *
Previous: 16.
Low-down: Won third New Jersey State Tournament of Champions title, defeating regionally ranked Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 61-54. It was the Lions’ first TOC chip since 2015. LSU-bound Naz Reid finished with 22 points, 5 boards and 2 rejections. Next weekend Reid is off to Atlanta for the McDonald’s All American Game. The Lions also stopped Nottingham (Hamilton), 75-62, in the semifinals. Alanzo Frink scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half. Season complete.
17. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (30-4)*
Previous: 17.
Low-down: Won Class 9A championship. Season complete.
18. Allen, Texas (34-5)*
Previous: 18.
Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship. Season complete.
19. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-2)
Previous: 19.
Low-down: Idle. The Crusaders play in the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals Friday in Glens Falls. Winning this one is a major chip on the national scene. This year the “Feds” are loaded with quality.
20. Cox Mill, Concord, N.C. (29-3)*
Previous: 20.
Low-down: Season complete.
21. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (24-2)
Previous: 21.
Low-down: Does not complete for a state title. Season complete.
22. Etiwanda, Calif. (30-4)
Previous: 22.
Low-down: Lost to No. 12 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 58-55, in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division final and defeated Fairfax (Los Angeles), 62-34, in the semifinals. Season complete.
23. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-7)
Previous: 23.
Low-down: Season complete.
24. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (25-5)*
Previous: 24.
Low-down: Idle. The Crusaders aren’t done, rebooting Friday in the State Federation AA semifinals against No. 19 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville) in Glens Falls. The final is Saturday.
25. Denton (Texas) Guyer (38-2)
Previous: 25.
Low-down: Advanced to the Class 6A, Region I final. Season complete.
Dropped: None.
High-Fives by Region
East
- Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (28-3)*
- Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (28-9)
- St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (35-5)*
- Notre Dame, Fairfield, Conn. (27-0)*
- Lake Taylor, Norfolk, Va. (26-1)*
Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Midwest
- Orr, Chicago (30-4)*
- Warren Central, Indianapolis (31-0)
- Belleville (Ill.) West (32-2)*
- Curie, Chicago (26-5)
- Creighton Prep, Omaha, Neb. (26-1)*
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Southland
- Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (34-4)*
- Covington Catholic, Park Hills, Ky. (35-4)*
- Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (27-5)*
- South Garland, Garland, Texas (36-4)
- Westlake, Austin, Texas (36-4)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
- Sheldon, Sacramento, Calif. (29-5)
- Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (23-3)*
- Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (30-2)
- Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (26-0)*
- Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (29-4)*
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
(Note some schools have won multiple tournament titles]
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.
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.
