FLAGG DAY: No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL) headlines Blue Star Media Preseason Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings with top recruit; 10 NIBC members bolster national footprint

BENSALEM, Pa. – Hail, hail the games are here!

Well, that’s not an exaggeration for jillions of high school basketball junkies, who cannot wait to get their fix of another season.

The 2023-24 has begun in some states on the stroke of Halloween. There must be symmetry between the orange, bouncy orb and the orange gourd. Enough of the Halloween humor.

With the autumnal weather giving way to cooler temperatures, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings takes you indoors and pulls back the curtain on the upcoming season.

The Preseason Elite 25 is here and revealed with a familiar team at the helm: No. 1 Monteverde Academy Eagles of Florida. The Eagles went 23-3 last year but reloaded with several transfers and will lean on national player of the year candidate Cooper Flagg, a 6 foot 8 inch forward and Duke recruit.

Coach Kevin Boyle has built the central Florida international boarding school into a national power and has a 311-26 record with six GEICO High School Nationals Tournament since his arrival in 2011. His overall record between MVA and St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) is 821-158.

Once again, the Eagles will be in contention for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship and a seventh GEICO Nationals crown.

MVA competes in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference and it just so happens 10 members help compose the Preseason Elite 25, including a newcomer.

There was an addition to the NIBC in the offseason as Brewster Academy of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire officially accepted an invitation to participate in the nation’s top basketball league.

In a statement, Bobcats coach Jason Smith said: “We are extremely excited to be joining the premier high school basketball league in the nation, the NIBC! We are very grateful for this opportunity and humbled to be included with this selective group of elite programs and institutions!”

The NIBC stipulates that all players must be enrolled in grades 9-12. Brewster said it will continue compete in the NEPSAC, fielding an AAA Prep team that will include the school’s top postgraduate talent.

According to the school’s website, since 2001 Brewster has sent 180 alumni to NCAA Division I programs; 20 alums have played in the NBA, including Donovan Mitchell, T.J. Warren, Will Barton and Devonté Graham.

Also, Brewster has won seven National Prep Championships and seven NEPSAC Tournament Championships since 2010. The team has averaged 30 wins a season for the past 15 years.

The NIBC’s young legacy, entering its third season, keeps growing.

The breakdown of the Elite 25 by region: East 8; Midwest and Southland 6 apiece and Far West 5 (3 from California).

One quick fact is the Elite 25 has nine teams (top-4 teams) and three more from the regionals rankings in the 16-team field of the 50^th annual City of Palms Classic played Dec. 18-23 in Fort Myers, Fla. We’ll be attending that one.

That’s it for now.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings will return in December with the initial update as the holiday tournament schedule kicks in. Obviously, if there are happenings that affect the Elite 25 or newsworthy stories beforehand, we’ll have it.

Enjoy the season and check here regularly and on X (formerly Twitter) @clawlor.

Although we’re a few weeks out, have a Happy Thanksgiving and God’s Blessings to your family and friends. Don’t forget to move your clock back on Sunday morning to Standard Time. The motto: spring ahead and fall back.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Preseason Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Nov. 1, 2023

All players are from the Class of 2023 and statistics from the 2022-23 season unless denoted

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (23-3)

The Low-down: The Eagles start at the top with the top-ranked player in the nation. That should never surprise anyone as long as the brilliant and future Naismith Hall of Fame coach Kevin Boyle is running the show. The Eagles are a blessed program that has produced several NBA first round selections and no-doubt that 6-8 Cooper Flagg, the consensus No. 1 player in the senior class (by the way ol’ Coop reclassified over the summer) and committed to Duke on Oct. 30. He’s from Maine and the Eagles will play a game there for likely national player of the year, according to all the ranking services. At 6-9, Derik McQueen is finally a senior and a hot prospect. Ditto goes for Baylor-bound Philly PG Rob Wright III, 6-7 wing Liam McNeeley (Indiana commit), 6-9 PF Asa Newell (Georgia) and 6-2 G Curtis Givens III, who will sign with LSU. The schedule is chock full on national matchups in the NIBC and a visit to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., its own Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT), Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., and a matchup with No. 2 Link Academy in Las Vegas on Dec. 8. Boyle’s Boys are ready to vanquish last year’s early exit from the GEICO Nationals and winning the prestigious, mythical national championship tournament for a seventh time would be a big letdown.

2. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (27-1)

The Low-down: In two years, the basketball-centric school from southwest Missouri ascended the schoolboy scene and annexed the GEICO High School Nationals championship and Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship under the leadership of then-first year Bill Armstrong. Now for the encore. There is no shortage of talent, starting with 6-4 PG Labaron Philon (Kansas) and 6-6 G Tre Johnson and 6-9 C James Brown (North Carolina). The Lions also have 6-4 G T.O. Barrett (Missouri), 6-8 Jalen Shelley (Arkansas) and juniors 6-0 Aaron Rowe and 6-4 Jasper Johnson. The Lions will be in the mix for the NIBC title but also will play in the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Texas and the City of Palms Classic in Florida and Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. The Lions will travel nationwide and go up-tempo with this group. Catch’em if you can.

3. Columbus, Miami (26-4)

The Low-down: In the last 25 years, Miami Dade County has become a hotbed for hoops. The AAU scene thrives, the Heat are perennial NBA winners and the Miami Hurricanes reached the 2023 Men’s Final Four. Add the Explorers to that list. Coach Andrew Moran’s squad features an NBA theme with four sons of two former NBA players (Carlos Boozer and Jason Richardson). At 6-9, Cameron Boozer, who averaged a double-double, is arguably the top player from the Class of 2025 and his twin brother, 6-3 Cayden Boozer, is a top-16 player. Some college will likely get a sweet “package deal.” PG Jase Richardson, 6-4, will follow his dad’s path to Michigan State. F Malik Abdullahi and 6-5 sophomore wing Jaxon Richardson will add to this team’s depth. The two-time Florida Class 7A champions play two Elite 25 teams at the Holiday Hoopsgiving (Nov. 24-25) and play No. 1 Montverde on Dec. 1 and then travel to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., where the field is loaded.

4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (23-3)

The Low-down: The first year in the NIBC saw the Crusaders go 10-2 in the NIBC and finish in second place. They also claimed the New York State Federation Class AA Tournament and advanced GEICO Nationals. This year the New York Feds are no longer, so it’s GEICO or bust. LuHi has the pieces to make that run with 6-6 V.J. Edgecombe, 6-11 junior C Alier Maluk (Florida State), 6-4 junior Kiyan Anthony (Carmelo’s son), 6-0 junior Nigel James Jr. and 6-9 Godswill Eheriene. Also back are 6-5 junior Jacob Ross, 6-3 sophomore Dylan Mingo and 6-1 Kayden Mingo. John Buck is just the coach to blend the transfers with the established players to form another championship unit.

5. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (35-2)

The Low-down: You have to like coach Ryan Bernardi’s go-for-it mantra. Each year the Northern California school located in the Napa Valley wine region and the Crew simply reloads and plays one of the most demanding traveling schedules in the nation. Depth, size and major college-ready talent dot the Crew’s roster. The main players are 6-7 Derrion Reid, 6-11 Aiden Sherrell (Alabama), 6-3 PG Zoom Diallo, 6-2 SG Mikey Lewis (Saint Mary’s), the 6-7 transformative junior Dybantsa, 6-7 sophomore Tyran Stokes and 6-7 junior Winters Grady. Scheduling highlights include travel to Canada and Puerto Rico plus the Montverde (Fla.) Invitational, Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts, Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas and the Grind Session Championships. All that prep will lead to a GEICO Nationals’ title. This year is definitely in play.

6. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (31-4)

The Low-down: A year ago, the Panthers were tested and passed with flying colors after Won Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I and finally qualified for the GEIC Nationals after a long, grueling Washington Catholic Athletic Conference slate against the likes of Gonzaga, St. John’s College, DeMatha. Bishop O’Connell and Bishop McNamara. Coach Glenn Farello does not shy away from high-level competition and this year he returns to the City of Palms in Florida. The roster features 6-10 Power-5 recruit Patrick Ngongba in the post, 6-3 sophomore Jordan Smith, 6-5 Darren Harris (Duke), 5-10 PG Ben Hammond (Rhode Island), 6-7 Isaiah Abraham (Connecticut) and 6-8 F Garrett Sundra (Notre Dame). Sophomore Anthony Brown and transfer (from Bishop O’Connell) Adlan Elamin give the Panthers a legit shot at the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship. That’s high praise.

7. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (18-8)

The Low-down: The Ascenders ended their season falling in the GEICO Nationals semifinals and secured plenty of transfer to fuel this year’s run to the event and more success in the NIBC. The key additions include 6-2 junior Darius Acuff, 6-8 Donovan Freeman (Syracuse), 6-4 sharpshooter Cole Certa (Notre Dame) and 6-6 Chase McCarty (Houston) and join returnees 6-8 Khani Rooths, 6-7 junior Amari Allen and 6-4 sophomore Felipe Quinones. The Ascenders will compete in the star-studded field at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

8. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (18-10)

The Low-down: Coach Patrick Holmes needed change moving forward and that he did. The Lakers missed out on the GEICO Nationals (an event they won) and were so-so in the NIBC. The backcourt of Jalen Haralson and 6-5 junior Darius Adams will remedy the situation providing experience and athleticism. Add 6-2 G Clemson-bound Ace Buckner to mix and the Lakers have already improved. There’s more depth with Chuck Love, 6-4 Melvin Bell, 6-4 junior Jerry Easter II and 7-foot, 260-pound Steven Solano. Plenty of athletes and la arge inside presence will match the NIBC talent. The Lakers won’t attending a holiday tournament, opting to concentrate on the NIBC and come back refreshed for January and February.

9. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (14-10)

The Low-down: The Tigers really never did on track last season and absorbed punishing losses in the NIBC but coach Paul Peterson remains positive and should be with a solid cast returning. In order to reverse last year’s results, the frontcourt of 6-5 SF Taj Degourville (San Diego State), 6-20 C Malick Diallo (Texas Christian, Mali native) and 6-7 junior wing Chris Nwuli. Peterson’s thoughts start with Ohio State-bound John Mobley and Isiah Harwell. Mobley can flat-out shoot it from all angles and score in bunches. Harwell is the nation’s No. 7 player from the Class of 2025 and plays solid defense and facilitates his teammates.

10. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (33-2)

The Low-down: The CIF Open Division state champions would love to repeat but that will be a difficult task. Just winning the Mission League and getting out of the Southern Region will see coach Dave Rebibo’s team relying on the wealth of returning depth. That starts with 6-4 G Trent Perry, who chose USC over several high-profile college programs. Perry is flanked in the backcourt by Robert Hinton (Harvard). At 6-8, PF Nikolas Khamenia is a top-100 player from the junior class and recently visited Gonzaga. Christian Horry, 6-5 SF, was the sixth man and son of NBA World Champion Robert Horry. The Wolverines are scheduled for the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts, Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon and Nike Extravaganza in nearby Santa Ana before the Mission League tips on Jan. 31.

11. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (23-7)

The Low-down: The Indians won’t be denied this year after reaching the GHSA Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. Rutgers-bound 6-9 Airious “Ace” Bailey (22 ppg, 14 rpg, 3 bpg) is double-double machine but has help with three transfers in 6-1 Jeremiah Wilkinson (Cal-Berkeley), 6-2 Jaye Nash and 6-5 John McQueen while 6-4 G Moses Hipps adds backcourt depth. Before Christmas, the Indians will participate at the prestigious City of Palms Classic, which it won in 2018. The field is as strong as ever so hoisting the hardware will be difficult.

12. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (24-16)

The Low-down: After a miserable year by OHA standards and 1-11 mark in the NIBC, the Warriors back and ready to erase that mirage-of-a-season. Coach Yerrick Stoneman, who was an assistant under future Hall of Famer and retired OHA pilot Steve Smith, returns for his second campaign. At 6-11, junior Francis Chukwudebelu is garnering plenty of attention and possesses a rim protector’s mentality. PG Christian Anderson is headed to Michigan while 6-7 Micah Robinson, a Texas Christian recruit, has a high basketball IQ and can score the basketball at will. The Warriors need to qualify for the GEICO High School Nationals and chalk up a favorable mark in NIBC play. They have a xxx-xghg record as of Nov. ghgjg.

13. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (28-4)

The Low-down: It was a banner year in Queen City as the Mustangs won the Class 4A state and SoMeck 4A conference and tournament titles. The triumvirate of 6-4 combo guard Bishop Boswell (Tennessee), 6-7 Sir Mohammed (Notre Dame) and 6-7 junior Sadiq White Jr., who is the state player from the Class of 2025 and has interest from Syracuse, Alabama, Florida State and South Carolina. If the Mustangs repeat in 4A, playing in the sliwdgj ae;lgh Tournament (Dec. 27-29) will prep them for the postseason.

14. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (26-7)

The Low-down: The Braves may be a football powerhouse but hoop team can ball too. Coach Matt Dunn’s team s young and can do some special things over the next two seasons. Combo guard Elzie Harrington (15.5 ppg), a 6-4 Top-20 junior, is considering UCLA, Harvard, Arizona State and USC as the team’s top scorer. Six-four PG Brandon McCoy is the nation’s No. 2 sophomore with UCLA and Kansas looking for his pledge. Also back are 6-7 Kade Bonam (13.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg) After reaching the CIF-Southern Region Open Division first round, the Braves want more a good start is playing in the Bass Pro TOC in Springfield, Missouri from Jan. 11-13 and the Iolani Classic before Christmas in Hawaii.

15. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (29-4)

The Low-down: Last season, the Quakers clicked for the trifecta taking the Champions Invitational and second straight DCSAA Class AA and league championships. The foundation of Georgetown-bound 6-7 F Caleb Williams, 6-4 Jake Williams, 6-3 junior PG Acaden Lewis, 6-0 junior Caleb Gillus and 6-4 junior sharpshooter Jalen Rougier-Roane will keep the momentum flowing. With success comes an upgraded slate as the Quakers will participate in seven events, including road trips to Chicago and New York City.

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (24-6)

The Low-down: The Rams advanced to the Class AAAAAAA semifinals but needed an extra oomph to push them over the finish line with another competitive bracket brewing. PG Gicarri Harris directs the Rams and has offers from programs such as Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Purdue and Miami while 6-2 combo G Anthony Alston (Appalachian State) and 6-0 PG C.J. Hyland (Western Carolina) have college plans. Meanwhile, 6-7 top-ranked junior Jacob Wilkins is the go-to scorer and headed to Georgia like his father and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.

17. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (22-10)

The Low-down: One of the nation’s top coaches, Patrick Massaroni, is one of the crafty schedulers and molders of talent. Annually, he pushes his teams into major national events and players into the Division I. This season he’s raised the bar another level after capturing the CHSAA AA championship—one of the nation’s top postseason chips. Kentucky-bound G Johnuel “Boogie” Fland and McDonald’s All-America shoo-in is one of the nation’s premier recruits and is off to Kentucky. He has help in future D1 recruits, 6-0 junior Danny Carbuccia and 6-7 F Braylan Ritvo. The Crusaders fixtures include two games at the Hoophall West in Arizona, another at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts and Jordan Brand Holiday Classic in New York City and another trip to the City of Palms in December. That kind of schedule plants championship seeds.

18. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (19-9)

The Low-down: A loss in the Class AAAAAA semifinals to Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) ended the Vikings’ season but the core of that team returns and looks to rise atop the thriving Philadelphia hoop scene and Catholic League. Coach John Mosco rolls out the city’s best guards in Miami-bound 6-5 Jalil Bethea, 6-2 Deuce Maxey and 6-4 Drexel-commit Josh Reed can all score at three levels. The frontline is bolstered by 6-8 promising freshman 6-8 Jayden Jenkins and 6-5 junior Milan Dean, who has offers from Manhattan and Robert Morris with the list growing. The schedule is loaded with a trip to the King Cotton Classic in Arkansas and Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. Yet the Catholic League title is always the goal and the final is Feb. 26 at The Palestra, widely known as the Cathedral of Basketball on the University of Pennsylvania campus.

19. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (30-4)

The Low-down: The Huskies secured a third straight CIF-Southern Division Open Division championship and advanced to the regional final. Coach Josh Giles has put together a formidable schedule, including The Classic at Damien, and picked up a key transfer. At 6-8, transfer Carter Bryant is California’s top-ranked recruit and will sign with Arizona and a three-point sniper with athleticism. Six-four Eric Freeny (UCLA) is capable of carrying the load from the wings and from downtown.

20. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (25-5)

The Low-down: Another NIBC member earns a spot in the Elite 25 preseason rankings. The Dragons are guard-driven with Arizona-bound 6-2 Jamari Phillips and 6-3 Jeremiah Fears pushing the tempo for first-year coach Pete Caffey. The Dragons picked up a late transfer in junior combo-guard Cam Miles (from Olympia, Orlando, Fla.) while PG and leader Del Jones verballed to Clemson. With a bevy of transfers and strong backcourt play, the Dragons have reloaded.

21. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (26-12)

The Low-down: Life in the rigorous Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is never but it’s never an issue for coach Steve Turner and the Purple Eagles. His junior backcourt of Derek Dixon and Nyk Lewis drive the offense and 6-9 junior transfer bolsters the interior game with the Big Ten and ACC courting him. The Gonzaga DC Classic annually attracts tops teams in December and is a good measuring stick so will the King Cotton Classic in Pine Bluff, Ark., after Christmas and a trip to the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts over the Martin Luther King Weekend.

22. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (35-2)

The Low-down: The Bobcats will field a legit high school team that will play in the NIBC and is Nike Elite sponsored. G Elijah Crawford (Stanford) became the most recent player to commit to big-time program along with forward Nojus Indrusaitis (Iowa State). Junior F Dwayne Aristode is a Dutch import moving the recruiting needle from Power-5 programs and 6-11 Cole Kirouac will sign with Georgia Tech. G Jeremiah Jenkins will stay in New England and is off to Brown next fall.

23. Kokomo, Ind. (24-5)

The Low-down: The Class 4A runners-up are poised to make another run at winning it all with 6-8 PF Flory Bidunga, a Kansas recruit and explosive, power player.

5-8 junior Zion Bellamy, 6-5 bruising F Karson Rogers and two-sport star Reis Beard (also plays football) will form the core. The Wildkats host the Phil Cox Memorial Tournament prior to Christmas and the North Central Conference will keep them on their toes.

24. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kn. (19-8)

The Low-down: Kyle Lindsted is the head coach and returns after Luke Barnwell went to Texas Tech as an assistant. Barnwell’s departure is offset by a coach that previously guided the program before leaving for the pro and college levels. The Buffaloes won’t be a major factor in the NIBC but have PG David Castillo (Kansas State), 6-4 Elijah Elliott (Florida Atlantic), 6-5 junior Caleb Williams and junior G Jeremiah Green. The length is a pair of 6-9 juniors Miikka Muurinen (from Finland) and Spencer Ahrens. Qualifying for the GEICO Nationals would be a season capper after running the gauntlet on the national scene.

25. Richmond Heights, Ohio (29-0)

The Low-down: In suburban Cleveland, the Spartans are the two time defending Division IV state champions and return the starting five, led by 6-7 sophomore transfer F T.J. Crumble and 6-4 junior Dorian Jones, who has offers from Ohio State, Cincinnati, Arizona State and Dayton to name a few. Also back is juniors guards De’Erick and Barber Demarris Winters and 6-5 wing Hosea Steele. The schedule won’t be easy but a third title is looking  good for coach Quentin Rogers.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. John Marshall, Richmond, Va. (28-0)
2. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (26-3)
3. Lincoln Park, Midland, Pa. (30-1)
4. Archbishop Ryan, Philadelphia (17-11)
5. Bishop O’Connell, Arlington, Va. (16-14)

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

Midwest

1. De Pere, Wis. (29-0)
2. Kenwood, Chicago (28-7)
3. St. Mary’s Prep, Orchard, Lake, Mich. (14-10)
4. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (19-8)
5. Thornton, Harvey, Ill. (14-12)

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

Southland

1. Oak Cliff Family Faith Academy, Dallas (32-3)
2. North Mecklenburg, Huntersville, N.C. (29-3)
3. Duncanville, Texas (28-1)
4. Brennan, San Antonio (32-8)
5. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (19-10)

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

Far West

1. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (30-1)
2. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (26-3)
3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-7)
4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (23-11)
5. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (27-10)

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

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November 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 2021 season. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.