HOOSIERS: Two Indiana teams re-enter Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings ahead of Class 4A semistates; No. 23 DePaul Prep (IL) captures Chipotle Clash of Champions title

BENSALEM, Pa. — A late season shakeup in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings features a Midwestern flavor.

In basketball-crazy Indiana, two teams have been added to the Elite 25. No. 20 Carmel (Ind.) is back after a 60-49 victory over previously-undefeated and then-No. 5 Homestead (Fort Wayne). The Greyhounds then won the Class 4A Logansport Regional by one point for their third regional title in four years.

No. 21 Lawrence North (Indianapolis) also returns after winning the Class 4A Southport Regional. For the Wildcats it was the program’s first regional crown since 2006. Saturday is the semistates with both teams on a collision course for the 4A final later this month provided they take care of business this weekend. Carmel won the regular season between against Lawrence North, 63-49, on Feb. 4.

In Illinois, No.. 23 DePaul Prep (Chicago) won the Chipotle Clash of Champions behind the efforts of TY Johnson, a Loyola (Ill.) recruit. The Rams won three games with 24 hours to land a spot in the Elite 25, including an opening round win over ranked Whitney Young (Chicago). The eight-team tournament featured top teams from Chicagoland. The event was an attempt to give teams a shot at a postseason title in lieu of no playoffs this season in Illinois. DePaul Prep is done with its season but the Chicago public schools finish their seasons on Saturday or one week longer than the rest of the state.

That’s it two weeks in the books for the second week in March. The GEICO High School Nationals are on the horizon and Elite 25 rankings continue to reflect the fifth month of the basketball season that will stretch into June.

The Elite 25 boys’ rankings are back on March 23.

Until then keep safe, mask up, practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly, get vaccinated when you get the call and support your local businesses. We’re almost back!

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 16, 2021

1. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (11-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Season complete.

2. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-1)*

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won the inaugural National Interscholastic Basketball Conference Championship, beating No. 3 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 61-57. Junior G Dariq Whitehead flipped in 18 points as the Eagles won for the second time in three meetings against the Kansas team. Next up for coach Kevin Boyle’s team will be the GEICO Nationals in April.

3. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (19-3)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Gradey Dick, a Kansas recruit, dropped in 18 points but it wasn’t enough when the Buffaloes fell to No. 2 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 61-57, in the NIBC Championship in Memphis, Tenn. The teams could meet for a fourth time this season later this month at the GEICO Nationals in Fort Myers, Fla. Regular season complete.

4. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (20-2)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Regular season is complete. GEICO Nationals is the next stop in nearby Fort Myers, Fla.

5. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (28-1)*

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Glenn Taylor Jr. poured in 20 points, making 4-of-5 3-pointers, when the Dragons crushed Ypsi Prep (Ypsilanti, Mich.), 76-35, at Flyin’ to the Hoop in Dayton, Ohio. The Dragons will play in the GEICO Nationals.

6. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (28-2)*

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Won Class AAAAAAA state championship, beating Berkmar (Lilburn), 52-47. The Eagles will get an invitation to the GEICO Nationals.

7. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (16-0)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won the Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament, beating Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, 68-59, in the final. In the semifinals, the Vikings defeated Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia), 77-47.

8. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (18-6)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Idle. The Tigers await a GEICO Nationals invitation.

9. Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis (14-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: It was a big week for 7-1 C Chet Holmgren, who was named the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Trophy Player of the Year. The undecided senior is the consensus top player from the Class of 2021. And Holmgren played like it in two easy wins. The Redhawks torched Richfield, 75-43, as Hercy Miller and Holmgren scored 15 points apiece. They also trounced previously-undefeated Minneapolis North, 82-47, as Holmgren recorded a rare triple-double with 22 point, 12 blocked shots and 11 rebounds. Next is the Minnesota Section 4-AAA playoffs that tip this week.

10. Duncanville, Texas (29-1)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship, topping Westlake (Austin), 66-53. It was Panthers’ second title in three years. Last year’s tournament was canceled by COVID-19 concerns. Senior Zhuric Phelps, a SMU recruit, earned Most Valuable Player honors after tossing in a game-high 27 points. Season complete.

11. Camden, N.J. (13-0)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Season complete.

12. Orlando (Fla.) Christian Prep (27-0)*

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won FHSAA Class 2A state championship. Season complete.

13. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (11-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: A snappy 3-0 week was capped by a 99-55 triumph at Annapolis Area Christian and a monster night for 6-8 Derik Queen. The freshman PF outscored the entire AAC team alone with an eye-popping 56 points and 12 rebounds! The Panthers close out the regular season Wednesday against rivals Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore).

 14. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (1-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Idle. Three games last weekend were postponed over coronavirus issues.

15. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (4-0)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Swept the Brother Stoldt Best-of-Seven Series, edging Iona Prep (New Rochelle), 59-58, in Game 4. Series MVP and Boston University recruit had 13 points and 6 rebounds but Isaiah Alexander bucketed a game-high 18 points and had 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. The Crusaders continue to look for games.

16. Pace Academy, Atlanta (30-1)*

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won second straight Georgia Class AA state championship, beating Columbia (Decatur), 73-42. Florida State-bound Matt Cleveland contributed 24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks and4 assists. Madison Durr added 15 points and 5 assists. Season complete.

17. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (20-8)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Idle. The Warriors are preparing for the GEICO Nationals in Florida.

18. The Patrick School, Hillside, N.J. (14-1)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Defeated Prestige Prep (Linden), 92-44. Season complete.

19. St. Mary’s Prep, Orchard Lake, Mich. (10-0)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Eaglets beat Detroit Central Catholic (Novi), 81-70, and Ferndale, 81-40. Game with U-D Jesuit (Detroit) was canceled.

20. Carmel, Ind. (24-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A Logansport Regional, defeating Jefferson (Lafayette), 50-49, as Brian Waddell drained two free throws with 17 seconds left to rally the Greyhounds. Waddell’s 23 points help his team win a third regional title in four years. In the semifinals, the Greyhounds upended then-No. 5 Homestead (Fort Wayne), 60-49. Ncxt up is West Side (Gary) Saturday in the 4A semistates.

21. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (27-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Wildcats re-enter the Elite 25 rankings after capturing the Class 4A Southport Regional, beating Plainfield, Butler-bound D.J. Hughes scored 21 points. It was the program’s first regional title since 2006. In the semifinals, the Wildcats eliminated Ben Davis (Indianapolis), 58-44. Next is Bloomington South Saturday in the 4A semistates.

22. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (7-4)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Season complete.

23. DePaul Prep, Chicago (14-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Chipotle Clash of Champions, beating Evanston (Ill.), 51-36, in the final. Brian Mathews scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds and Loyola-bound TY Johnson added 9 points and 6 rebounds. In the semifinals, Johnson’s 17 points paced the Rams over Fenwick (Oak Park), 45-42. The Rams opened the two-day event beating then-No. Whitney Young (Chicago), 55-43, as Johnson scored a game-high 32 points. Season complete.

24. Simeon, Chicago (6-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Upset by Evanston, 56-47, at the Chipotle Clash of Champions in Chicago.

In the quarterfinals, whipped St. Patrick (Chicago), 57-38, as Michigan-bound Isaiah Barnes threw in 16 points. Barnes (24 points, 9 rebounds) and Ahamad Bynum (15 points, 6 rebounds) combined to score 39 points and the Wolverines defeated Homewood-Flossmoor, 59-51. Game with Corliss (Chicago) was postponed to Saturday.

25. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (6-8)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Lakers await the GEICO Nationals in Florida.

Dropped: No. 5 Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.); No. 21 Whitney Young (Chicago) and No. 23 Richardson (Texas).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (9-1)
2. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (0-0)
3. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (16-1)*
4. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (11-0)
5. Reading, Pa.  (23-2)

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

Midwest

1. St. Catherine’s, Racine, Wis. (28-1)*
2. Waukee, Iowa (16-2)*
3. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (25-1)
4. Millard North, Omaha, Neb. (27-2)*
5. Whitney Young, Chicago (13-1)

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

Southland

1. Millbrook, Raleigh, N.C. (19-0)*
2. Beaumont (Texas) United (31-0)*
3. Lexington (Ky.) Catholic (19-1)
4. Westlake, Austin, Texas (30-2)
5. Richardson, Texas (26-2)

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

Far West

1. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (0-0)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (0-0)
3. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (16-0)
4. St. Mary’s, Phoenix (18-1)
5. Davis, Kaysville, Utah (22-4)*

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

* Won state championship or major postseason tournament title

Records are through Sunday

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. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.