HIATUS: Season hangs in balance for some states, GEICO Nationals; No movement in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – As the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings are on hold. With most states cancelling or completed state tournaments, there are a few holdouts but with each day the continuation of the season is less likely.

With no games played for the last week, there is no movement in the Elite 25 boys’ rankings.

Here’s an updated list of the states that cancelled state tournaments before completion: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri (Class 5, Class 4), New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (Class 6A, Class 5A, Class 4A), Tennessee (Division I), Texas (UIL), Wisconsin and Wyoming (Class 4A, Class 3A).

In some instances, state tournaments were partially played but the larger classes were cancelled.

Those postponed or suspended include Arkansas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and West Virginia. You might think it is false hope these postseasons will be played out; if it would bring closure to a season that was placed in limbo two weeks ago. We’re hoping at least one of these states makes a bold move to finish what it started. It can be in April or May—who cares—just play ball. That goes for the GEICO High School Nationals that were moved to Roebuck, South Carolina. The 12^th annual event was moved from Christ the King High School in Middle Village, New York to Dorman High School from April 2 to 4. There is no word if the tournament will be played but Paragon Marketing, which runs the event, will likely have an announcement shortly.

In Pennsylvania, the PIAA issued a statement on March 23 said there is a “stay at home” directive from the Governor and “the possible restart of the winter championships will continue to be on hold. No date has been determined to restart any sports activities at this time. PIAA will continue to receive information from the Governor’s office, the Department of Health and the Department of Education to provide updated information,” the statement said.

That means PIAA schools might finish the final three rounds of the basketball boys and girls’ tournaments this spring.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return at a later date. We will notify you through social mediums and at www.bluestarmedia.org. Check back regularly, we’ll get the information out as soon as possible.

Stay safe, stay indoors and wash your hands multiple times per day if you are out and about. We are fighting an invisible enemy. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings, March 24, 2020

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (25-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Eagles won four in-state tournaments, including the City of Palms Classic before Christmas. The GEICO Nationals are on hold. Otherwise, coach Kevin Boyle assembled one of the greatest teams in schoolboy history.

2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (30-3)*

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles.

3. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (37-3)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Warriors captured prestigious in-season tournaments in Hawaii and Missouri and are looking to play in the GEICO Nationals.

4. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (27-2)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Regular season is complete. The Tigers are invited to the GEICO Nationals.

5. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-3)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Crusaders were scheduled to play in the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals but that was cancelled.

6. Dorman, Roebuck, S.C. (30-1)*

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won fourth straight Class 5A state championship. The Cavaliers are set to host the GEICO Nationals if they are played.

7. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (22-3)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Buffaloes are headed to their second straight GEICO Nationals.

8. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (30-4)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Advanced to the CIF Open Division championship game after winning the CIF-Southern Section and Southern California Region titles.

9. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (27-8)*

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won Virginia Independent Division I state championship. Fought tooth and nail with No. 2 DeMatha all season in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

10. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (31-3)*

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Won Grind Session World Championship. The Crew’s first-ever trip to GEICO Nationals is on hold.

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

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won the Bob Kirk Invitational in Maryland last month and are awaiting word on the GEICO Nationals.

12. Camden, N.J. (29-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Advanced to the Group 2 semifinals after winning the South Jersey Section title.

13. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (35-3)*

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won fourth straight LHSAA Division I championship.

14. Lancaster, Texas (36-1)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Advanced to the Class 5A semifinals after winning the Region II championship.

15. Etiwanda, Calif. (30-4)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Advanced to the Southern California Open Division final.

16. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (19-6)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Ascenders are headed to GEICO Nationals in hopes of defending their title.

17. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (25-8)

Previous: 17

Low-down:Season complete. Junior guard Devin Askew, a Kentucky recruit, was named the Trinity League’s Most Valuable Player.

18. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (28-3)*

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won Nevada Class 4A state championship.

19. Curie, Chicago (30-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Advanced to the Class 4A sectional final. The Condors were four wins from the Class 4A state championship before the season was cancelled.

20. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (30-4)*

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Won New Jersey State Prep A championship.

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

Previous: 23.

Low-down: The Philadelphia Catholic League champions advanced to the PIAA Class AAA quarterfinals before the tournament was cancelled.

22. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (38-4)*

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won the Baltimore Catholic League tournament and regular season titles.

23. Eden Prairie, Minn. (28-0)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A, Section 2 championship.

24. Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn. (25-3)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Won the Class 3A, Section 4 title.

25. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (18-9)

Previous: 25.

Low-down:Won Class AA New York Archdiocesan tournament championship.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (29-6)*
2. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (25-10)*
3. Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore (25-2)
4. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (22-5)
5. The Patrick School, Hillside, N.J. (20-8)

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

Midwest

1. Moeller, Cincinnati (26-1)
2. Bloomington (Ind.) South (26-0)
3. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (25-1)
4. River Rouge, Mich. (20-1)
5. Vashon, St. Louis (24-5)

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

Southland

1. North Mecklenburg, Huntersville, N.C. (30-1)
2. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. 28-3)*
3. Ashland (Ky.) Blazer (32-0)
4. Lee, Montgomery, Ala. (33-1)*
5. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (24-7)*

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

Far West

1. Sheldon, Sacramento, Calif. (28-5)
2. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (25-7)
3. Garfield, Seattle (25-4)*
4. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (22-8)
5. Salpointe Catholic, Tucson, Ariz. (30-1)*

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

* Won a state, national or recognized 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 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.