BENSALEM, Pa. – Champions were crowned and the big picture came into focus within the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings. The most prominent news was the announcement of the Dick’s Sporting Good High School National Tournament.

The winner of the nation’s most significant tournament will likely gain the Blue Star Media National Championship. Win that tournament and you’ve earned it.

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.), . Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) and another three-time winner Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.).

The television 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.

Two household names in the prep basketball world have been added to the Elite 25. No. 23 De Salle (Concord, Calif.) is on a roll and angling to become the Open Division champion where it will undoubtedly meet No. 2 Chino Hills for the state title in two weeks. No. 25 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) is this year’s Jekyll and Hyde team making this the second time it rejoins the Elite 25. The Saints are two wins from winning another Pennsylvania Class AAA championship but have a local donnybrook with Imhotep Charter in the semifinals on Tuesday at Philadelphia University. Winning Tuesday means they are off to the GIANT Center in Chocolate Town, USA (or Hershey) for the title tilt on Friday.

The Elite 25 rankings are back next week on March 22. After that only four rankings are left. 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.

Until next week, hope to see you at a postseason game soon. Have a safe and responsible St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the March Madness games. –- Christopher Lawlor

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings, March 15, 2016

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

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Warriors closed the regular season with two wins, carrying a 39-game win streak into 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. (32-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Lonzo Ball pumped in 36 points as the Huskies crushed Immanuel (Reedley), 103-71, in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. It was the 18th game with at least 100 points equaling the state single-season record. Next is Foothills Christian (El Cajon) in the semifinals on Tuesday. The regional final is Saturday in Long Beach against No. 13 Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) or Cathedral Catholic (San Diego).

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

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

5. St. Anthony, Jersey City, N.J. (30-0)*

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won an unprecedented 28th state championship and first since 2012, defeating Roselle Catholic with a late surge, 53-37, in the Non-Public B state final. Georgetown-bound G Jagan Mosely scored 9 of his 16 points in the fourth to help clinch it. The top-seeded Friars will go for their 12th State Tournament of Championships title, starting Thursday with the semifinals against Teaneck or West Side (Newark) at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. The final is March 21 in Trenton.

6. U of D Jesuit, Detroit (23-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Cubs won their fifth straight Class A district title, beating Renaissance (Detroit), 59-50, in District 24. Michigan State-bound PG Cassius Winston scored 19 points and Elijah Collins added 11 as the Cubs limited their opponent to 9 points in the first half. Also beat Berkley, 66-29, in the semifinals and Southfield, 74-53, in the first round. They play Monday in the Regional 4 semifinal against Livonia Churchill in Detroit..

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

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won the St. James Invitational in Maryland, edging Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 61-57, in the final. Championship game Most Valuable Player Arnaldo Toro produced 12 points and 6 boards and the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player David Beatty scored 27 points. Beatty had 18 points and 8 rebounds as the Gray Bees stopped Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.), 68-55, in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, they buried Cesar Chavez (Washington, D.C.), 83-42. The 35 wins equaled the program’s single-season mark. Next is the Dick’s National on March 31 in New York.

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

Previous: 9.

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

9. DeSoto, Texas (36-2)*

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship, knocking off then-No. 5 Atascocita (Humble), 73-54. Game MVP Tristen Wallace threw in a game-high 25 points (11 of 17 shooting) and Marques Bolden had 12 points, 9 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. In the semifinals, the Eagles needed overtime to beat Cibolo Steele, 58-53. Marques Bolden posted a clutch double-double with 31 points (11 of 14 shooting) and 16 rebounds. The Eagles have won three state titles. Season complete.

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

Previous: 15.

Low-down: For the Stags, it was the ideal finish to an arduous season. They won a second straight Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament championship, beating John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.), 71-56. It was the program’s 23rd Alhambra title. Coach Mike Jones’ team also stopped league rival Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 83-67, in the semifinals and St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 67-61, in the quarterfinals. The Stags opened the week on March 9, capturing the Maryland Private Schools Tournament crown with a 101-77 convincing win over Capitol Christian (Landover). Season complete.

11. Stevens Point, Wis. (26-0)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Panthers are off to the state tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison after winning the Division I Section 1 crown in an 86-49 victory over Appleton West. In the semifinals, they downed Superior, 68-28. The season winds down Friday with a semifinal meeting with Sheboygan North. The winner meets Marquette (Milwaukee) or Muskego Saturday for the Division I title.

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

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Finished in third place at the prestigious Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament in Frostburg, Md., beating Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 82-74. Upset in semifinals to John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.), 54-52, but beat Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.), 97-21, in the quarterfinals. It was a disappointing end. Season complete.

13. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (27-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: The Knights used a 14-0 run in overtime to knock off Westchester (Los Angeles), 72-58, in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. That means Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) is next in the region semifinals. The final is Saturday at Long Beach State University.

14. Simeon, Chicago (28-3)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A Bloom Sectional, defeating Thornton (Harvey, Ill.), 88-75, in the final. Madison Lowery contributed 17 points and 6 rebounds and Gonzaga-bound Zach Norvell netted 16 points. The Wolverines play United Township (East Moline) at the Illinois State SuperSectional Tuesday in Normal. The winner is in the 4A state semifinals on Friday in Peoria.

15. Morgan Park, Chicago (26-3)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Mustangs are a win away from heading Downstate after beating rival Bogan (Chicago), 73-59, in the Class 3A St. Laurence Sectional final in Burbank. In the semifinals, the Mustangs eliminated Mount Carmel (Chicago), 70-59. Next Lincoln Way-West (New Lenox, Ill.) Tuesday in the Joliet Central SuperSectional. The winner goes to the state semifinals Friday afternoon in Peoria.

16. Chaminade, St. Louis (25-5)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Jayson Tatum showed why he is the nation’s top schoolboy player. The Duke recruit netted 45 points, cleared 10 rebounds and swatted 3 shots propelling the Red Devils over Christian Brothers College (St. Louis), 80-61, in the Class 5 quarterfinals. The Red Devils, who are back in the state semifinals for the second straight year and have won nine in a row, also popped Hazelwood Central (Florissant) 65-51. Next is league rival Saint Louis University on Thursday in the state semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The final is March 19.

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

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Lost in Class 6A state championship to then-No. 17 DeSoto, 73-54. It was a 20-4 second quarter deficit that sunk the Eagles to their lone loss this season. Carsen Edwards tossed in 20 points. In the semifinals, defeated Houston Math, Science & Technology, 78-67, as Edwards flipped in 19 points. Season complete.

18. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (27-4)*

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Penn State-bound seniors Tony Carr contributed 26 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds and Lamar Stevens had a double-double with 24 points ad 11 rebounds, lifting the Cahillites over Parkland (Allentown), 73-60, in the Class AAAA quarterfinals. In the second round, Nazeer Bostick scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half to break away from Central Buck West (Doylestown), 60-41. Carr netted 13 points becoming the program’s 18th player to reach 1,000 career points. The semifinal-round matchup with Plymouth-Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) is Tuesday with winner playing for the state championship on Saturday in Hershey.

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

Previous: 20.

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

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

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Upset in overtime by Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 83-80, in the CIF Southern California Region Open Division first round. Season complete.

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

Previous: 22.

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

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

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A state championship, burying Lakeville North, 64-55, in the final. Three seniors were added to the all-tournament team: Amir Coffey (19 points in the final), Xavier Johnson (10) and Vinnie Shahid (13). It was the Royals first state title in five years, seventh since 2002 and ninth overall. In the semifinals they destroyed then-No. 24 Apple Valley, 84-59. In the quarterfinals, they stopped North St. Paul, 74-42, as Johnson flipped in 20 points. Season complete.

23. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (29-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Advanced to the CIF-NorCal Region Open Division semifinals, beating Salesian College Prep (Richmond), 51-45, in overtime. Jordan Raintho poured in a game-high 21 points on the day of his 18th birthday. Next is Sacramento Tuesday in the semifinals. The winner gets Modesto Christian or Sheldon Saturday in the final at Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena.

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

Previous: 25.

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.

25. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (25-4)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: After an atrocious showing late last month, coach Carl Arrigale has righted the ship. The Saints are back in the PIAA Class AAA semifinals and have looked impressive in three postseason games, winning by an average of nearly 30 points. In the quarterfinals, they routed Lower Moreland (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.), 78-52, as Zane Martin scored 22 points and Quade Green added 18. Next is Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) Tuesday in the semifinals. The championship is Friday in Hershey.

Dropped out: No. 21 Peabody, Alexandria, La.; and No. 24 Apple Valley, Minn.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Augustine, Richland, N.J. (30-1)*
2. Patrick School, Elizabeth, N.J. (23-6)
3. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-3)
4. Sacred Heart, Waterbury, Conn. (23-2)
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. Althoff Catholic, Belleville, Ill. (29-2)
2. Apple Valley, Minn. (28-2)
3. Omaha (Neb.) South (28-1)*
4. New Albany, Ind. (25-1)
5. Lima (Ohio) Senior (28-0)

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. Foothills Christian, El Cajon, Calif. (25-4)
2. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (29-3)
3. West Linn, Ore. (27-3)*
4. Modesto (Calif.) Christian (31-1)
5. Federal Way, Wash. (29-0)*

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.