BENSALEM, Pa. – The state of Illinois state championships provided the drama and added new wrinkles to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. With two weeks remaining, it comes down to the wire.

In Peoria, No. 17 Curie (Chicago) and No. 25 Althoff Catholic (Belleville, Ill.) enter the Elite 25 after taking home the hardware in Class 4A and Class 3A, respectively. Curie re-enters and erases the pain it felt two years ago when Cliff Alexander (now with the Portland Trail Blazers) had a Chicago Public League title vacated and no chance to win a state title for eligibility issues. Now the Condors, who knocked off city power Simeon in the regular season, are atop the mountain. Same goes for Althoff, which lost in last year’s 3A final. Althoff hovered around the Midland Region rankings all season and busted through at the end.

In Pennsylvania, No. 15 Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) and No. 24 Neumann-Goretti both repeated in Class AAAA and Class AAA, respectively. Actually it was a third straight and sixth in seven years for the Saints, who split two games with their Catholic League rival this season.

The amazing 6-9 Jayson Tatum of No. 14 Chaminade closed out a brilliant career with 40 points as the Red Devils won their second Class 5 state title since 2009. It will be a pleasure seeing Jayson next week when I’m in Chicago for the McDonald’s All American Game. If you have a chance to attend the games on March 30 in the Unites Center, do it. You’ll have a blast!

Now it comes down to the California Open Division final between No. 2 Chino Hills and No. 22 De La Salle (Concord) Saturday (11 p.m. ET) and a particular national tournament the following weekend in New York City.

Blue Star Media ranked teams are featured prominently in the Dick’s Nationals

boys field as three-time defending champion Montverde (Fla.) Academy will attempt to win an unprecedented fourth title, while top-ranked Oak Hill Academy (Mount of Wilson, Va. ) will look to win their first ever title. Also, three teams that won state titles will participate in the tournament, including St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.), Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) and unranked Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.). La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) and another three-time winner Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.).

The broadcast schedule:

The three-day, single-elimination tournament begins March 31, at 12 p.m. ET (boys quarterfinals on ESPNU) and continues on April 1, at 11 a.m., all from Christ the King High School (girls semifinals on ESPNU and boys semifinals on ESPN2). On April 2, competition shifts to Madison Square Garden, where a girls (ESPN2 at 10 a.m.) and boys champion (12 p.m. on ESPN) will be crowned.

There’s more on the Dick’s Nationals next week.

The Elite 25 rankings are back next week on March 29. After that only the ranking is left on April 3. The girls’ rankings appear on Wednesday. Check back to www.bluestarmedia.org for the latest in basketball news and announcements. Many postseason bulletins will be released throughout the spring.

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

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings, March 22, 2016

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (42-1)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Idle. The Warriors next assignment is Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) in the opening round of the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament that tips on March 31 at Christ the King High in Middle Village, N.Y.

2. Chino Hills, Calif. (34-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Li’Angelo Ball dropped in 27 points and the Huskies toppled then-No. 13 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 82-52, in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division final. Lonzo Ball scored 23 points and Eli Scott had 19 to knock out Foothills Christian (El Cajon), 82-62, in semifinals. Next is state final against No. 23 De La Salle (Concord) at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (25-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Idle. The Eagles are off until the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament starting March 31 in New York.

4. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (28-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Idle. The Pilots closed out the regular season and wait for the Dick’s Nationals later this month.

5. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (32-0)*

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Friars are State Tournament of Champions for the 13th time and for the first time since 2012. Asante Gist’s 16 points were difference in a 55-38 win over Linden in the TOC final. Gist became the state’s first player to win a TOC title at two difference schools—the first in 2013 at rival Roselle Catholic. In the semifinals, Daniel Mading led three players in double figures with 16 points and the Friars defeated Teaneck, 67-30. Season complete.

6. U of D Jesuit, Detroit (25-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Cassius Winston, a finalist and favorite to nab Michigan’s Mr. Basketball Award, tallied 20 points and the Cubs toppled Western (Detroit), 47-39, in the Class A Regional 4 final. In the semifinals, the Cubs thumped Livonia Churchill, 74-49, as Winston struck for 20 points and Greg Eboigbodin added 14. Next is Ypsilanti in the state quarterfinals Tuesday in Detroit. The state semifinals and final are this weekend in East Lansing.

7. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (35-1)*

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Idle. The Gray Bees are in a holding pattern until they play No. 8 La Lumiere School (La Port, Ind.) in the loaded Dick’s Nationals field.

8. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (25-3)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Idle. The Dick’s Nationals are next for the Lakers.

9. DeSoto, Texas (36-2)*

Previous: 9.

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

10. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (32-5)*

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Won second straight Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament championship and 23rd overall. Also crowned the Maryland Private Schools Tournament champions. Season complete.

11. Stevens Point, Wis. (28-0)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Panthers are repeat champions in Division I after dismantling Muskego, 89-64, in the title game. It was 41-21 at halftime and that was it. The three-pronged wrecking crew of Green Bay-bound Trev Anderson (20 points), Joey Hauser (13) and Sam Hauser (23) teamed for 56 points. Trev and Sam went 100-6 in the their prep careers. The Panthers closed on a 37-game win streak and took 55 straight against Wisconsin competition. Quite a feat! In the semifinals, the Panthers slammed Sheboygan North, 75-48, as Trev Anderson scored 23 points and Hauser brothers Sam (14 points and 11 rebounds) and Joey (17 points and 13 rebounds) both had double-doubles combining for 31 points and 24 boards. Season complete.

12. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (30-5)* .

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Tournament championship. Placed third at Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. Season complete.

13. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (28-3)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: David Singleton’s 25 points weren’t nearly enough in an 82-52 pasting at the hands of No. 2 Chino Hills in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division final. In the semifinals, the Knights clocked Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 72-56. Season complete.

14. Chaminade, St. Louis (27-5)*

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Jayson Tatum’s final prep game cemented his legacy as a Missouri schoolboy legend … heck he’s the best player in the nation and then some. Tatum, will bring his talents to Duke in the fall, scored a game-high 40 points as the Red Devils won their second Class 5 state championship and the first since 2009 in beating Kickapoo (Springfield, Mo.), 72-59. Tatum scored 27 of his 40 points in the first half and snatched 14 rebounds. In the semifinals, the Red Devils clipped league rival Saint Louis University, 75-49. Season complete.

15. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (29-4)*

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won a second straight PIAA Class AAAA championship, defeating Allderdice (Pittsburgh), 73-62, in the final. Penn State-bound Lamar Stevens contributed 27 points and 7 rebounds. In the semifinals, the Cahillites pulled away in the third quarter and defeated Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.), 64-45. Tony Carr, also a Penn State recruit, netted 14 points. Season complete.

16. Miller Grove, Lithonia, Ga. (30-2)*

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Idle. The Wolverines, the Class AAAAA Georgia champions, play in the Dick’s Nationals on March 31 in New York.

17. Curie, Chicago (28-5)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship, stopping Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 65-59, in the final. DePaul-bound Devin Gage (23 points) drained a trio of 3-pointers during the decisive 19-0 run that propelled the Condors to the title. Six-seven sophomore Traevon Martin added a double-double, 10 points and 14 rebounds. In the semifinals, the Condors stopped Auburn (Rockford), 55-53, as Nolley Landers II dropped into two free throws with 8 seconds left four a 55-51 lead. Elijah Turner flipped in 22 points. Season complete.

18. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (38-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Finished Class 6A state runner-up. Season complete.

19. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (27-3)*

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Won the National Association of Christian Athletes Division I championship. Up and coming program is coached by Zach Ferrell. Season complete.

20. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (31-1)*

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A state championship. It was the Royals first state title in five years, seventh since 2002 and ninth overall.

21. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (26-4)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Advanced to the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. The Trailblazers are likely the preseason No. 1 in 2016-17.

22. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (31-2)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Colby Orr scored his team’s final five points, including a free throw with 4.9 seconds left and the Spartans nipped Modesto Christian, 41-40, in the CIF-NorCal Region Open Division final. So what’s their reward? A gargantuan game against No. 2 Chino Hills in the Open Division final Saturday back at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. The Spartans also popped Sacramento, 63-56, in the semifinals.

23. H.D. Woodson, Washington, D.C. (32-0)*

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won D.C. State Athletic Association Tournament, becoming the city’s first public school since 1985 to go undefeated. Also won the DCIAA Tournament. Season complete.

24. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (27-4)*

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Saints closed out a spirited postseason winning their third-straight PIAA Class AAA state championship and sixth in seven years, walloping Mars, 99-66. Zane Martin pumped in 33 points and Quade Green hit for 25. The Philadelphia Catholic League entrant sizzled from the field and 3-point land draining 60% of their shots. In the state semifinals, Green (19 points) and Florida Gulf Coast-bound Rasheed Browne (17) teamed for 36 points to hold back city rival Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 76-69. Season complete.

25. Althoff Catholic, Belleville, Ill. (32-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Class 3A state championship, crushing Lincoln-Way West (New Lenox), 62-37, in the final. Junior Jordan Goodwin tossed in 19 points and hauled down 10 rebounds and Tarkus Ferguson scored 11. Coach Greg Leib’s team scored on a 20-game win streak after losing to nationally ranked Chaminade (St. Louis) on Jan. 9. In the semifinals, the Crusaders defeated St. Joseph (Westchester), 66-62. Goodwin pumped in a game-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds. It was sweet revenge for dropping the 3A final in 2015 to St. Joseph. Season complete.

Dropped out: No. 14 Simeon, Chicago; and No. 15 Morgan Park, Chicago.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Linden, N.J. (25-6)*
2. Sacred Heart, Waterbury, Conn. (26-2)*
3. Patrick School, Elizabeth, N.J. (23-6)
4. St. Augustine, Richland, N.J. (30-2)*
5. Eleanor Roosevelt, Greenbelt, Md. (24-3)*

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 (30-4)
2. Apple Valley, Minn. (28-2)
3. New Albany, Ind. (26-1)
4. Omaha (Neb.) South (28-1)*
5. Westerville (Ohio) South (26-4)*

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

Southland

1. Lancaster, Texas (36-2)*
2. Greenforest Christian Academy, Decatur, Ga. (30-2)*
3. Grandview Prep, Boca Raton, Fla. (34-0)*
4. Fort Bend Elkins, Missouri City, Texas (36-3)
5. Natchitoches (La.) Central (28-3)*

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

Far West

1. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (29-3)
2. West Linn, Ore. (27-3)*
3. Foothills Christian, El Cajon, Calif. (25-5)
4. Federal Way, Wash. (29-0)*
5. Modesto (Calif.) Christian (32-2)

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 in early 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, administrators and prep sports writers. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.