NAISMITH STRONG: Spalding Hoophall was a Classic; national event produces several Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ impactful matchups with No. 1 Link Academy (MO) rolling

BENSALEM, Pa. – If the month of January is measured by the results and doings at last weekend’s Spalding Hoophall Classic then the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings greatly benefitted.

So, it was fitting that 18 games over the Martin King Jr. Weekend at the birthplace of basketball at the Hoophall inside Springfield College’s iconic Blake Arena impacted the Elite 25 rankings. When you gather the amount of talent in one facility, it’s frightening to think what can happen. Well, it was fantastic games, instant classics, ESPN cameras, highly ranked players that will be playing at major college programs and the NBA and the presence of the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference that made the five-day event a success.

And that’s the main reason we waited for Monday’s results to release the updated rankings. Normally, the Elite 25 weekly cutoff is through Sunday but we altered that day for this weekend of coast to coast hoops.

Nineteen teams from the Elite 25 were represented at the Hoophall. Essentially, event director Greg Procino put together a slam-dunk weekend. Kudos, to the Springfield College alumnus, you made Dr. James Naismith very proud of your efforts.

Aside from the Hoophall Classic, there was another event in Springfield, Missouri that shook the Elite 25 rankings and set an attendance record in the process. When No. 14 St. Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) beat No. 17 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), cc-cc, on Saturday in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, it reshuffled the rankings. PVI hopped up 10 slots with the championship game victory before a record crowd of 10,828  at Missouri State’s JHQ Arena. Having attended this event on several occasions, the people in southwest Missouri love their hoops and they roll over the red carpet for the out-of-state teams and traveling media.

In all, 18 teams moved positions in the Elite 25 with No. 12 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and No. 14 St. Paul VI making the biggest jumps of 10 spots and No. 25 Camden (N.J.) sliding down 19 slots.

There are two newbies.

No. 22 Centerville (Ohio) and No. 24 Simeon (Chicago), both from the Midwest Region, move into the Elite 25.

Centerville moved to 11-0 on Sunday with a thrilling 62-59 victory over powerhouse Southern California Academy (Los Angeles) at the Flyin’ to the Hoop Classic in Kettering, Ohio. The biggest performance of the event may have been turned in by 6-feet-7 forward Rich Rolf of Centerville, who pumped in 29 points and thrilled the crowd with his highwire act. Rolf is an unsigned senior with several mid-major offers. After this weekend, he’ll get some serious looks from larger programs. The Elks are the defending Ohio Division I champions and currently the state’s top-ranked team.

Simeon is back in the Elite 25 after a 14-1 start. The Wolverines are no strangers to the Elite 25 but make their 2021-22 debut and are Illinois’ No. 2 ranked team in Class 4A. The Wolverines play a loaded schedule and, in the Chicago Public School League, one of the best in the nation.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Jan. 25, 2022.

Here’s to everyone getting vaccinated and scheduling to get their booster. In the meantime, stay safe and mask up whenever possible.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 18, 2022

1. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (24-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: At the Flyin’ to the Hoop in Kettering, Ohio, the Lions trounced ISA Academy (Willoughby, Ohio), 80-54, and Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, 78-45. Junior Trey Green contributed 17 points and 6 assists and Arkansas-bound Jordan Walsh netted 19 points in the former game and Felix Okpara had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Jordan Walsh canned 18 points in the latter. Walsh earned player of the game honors at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., after a 15-point, four-steal performance in a 70-64 win over No. 21 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.). The Lions play at the Quincy (Ill.) Shootout this weekend against Real Salt Lake (Utah) on Friday and St. Rita (Chicago) on Saturday.

2. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (14-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: The Buffaloes defeated Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.), 72-68, and Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 63-62, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The latter win was in the National Basketball Interscholastic Conference when Mark Mitchell netted 27 points, making 11 of 16 shots, and clearing 12 rebounds. The Kansans led by 18 points and held off a late Wasatch charge. Mark Mitchell had 23 points and 8 rebounds in the former.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (15-2)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Ascenders pulled out a 57-53 win over No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy at the Hoophall Classic NIBC in Springfield, Mass. Keyonte George, a Baylor signee, was named player of the game after scoring 17 points on 6 of 11 shooting.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (12-4)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Indiana-bound guard Jalen Hood-Schifino turned in one of the finest performances of the weekend at the Spalding Hoophall Classic with a rare triple-double against a quality opponent, posting 12 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in an 86-65 blowout of then-No. 14 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.). Lost to No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 57-53, at the Hoophall Classic NIBC.

5. Richardson, Texas (20-1)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Defeated Pearce (Richardson), 71-42, and MacArthur (Irving), 68-58, in District 7-6A play. Dean Balo scored a game-high 24 points against MacArthur. Nine games remain in the regular season

6. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (12-3)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Lost to then-No. 22 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, V.), 66-61, at the Hoophall Classic NIBC. Notre Dame-bound guard J.J. Starling flipped in 20 points. Also, held off No. 5 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), 54-52, for a quality win. Down 17-16 after one quarter, the Lakers went on a 19-6 spurt for a 35-23 lead at the break. Aden Holloway had 14 points and 4 assists.

7. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (18-2)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: At the Hoophall Classic, the Dragons beat National Christian (Fort Washington, Md.), 68-46, as Marquis Cook had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Also lost to then-No. 8 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 54-52. The Dragons are off for two games this weekend in northern California at the Crush in the Valley.

8. Duncanville, Texas (19-1)

Previous rank: 9.

The Low-down: Defeated Cedar Hill, 106-85, and Waxahachie, 77-52, in District 11-6A action.

9. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (16-1)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: The Huskies have won 13 straight games after beating Roosevelt (Eastvale), 80-43, in the Big VIII League action.

10. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (16-0)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Darrion Williams and John Mobley scored 12 points apiece when the Gaels routed Centennial (Las Vegas), 87-50. The Gaels were up 28-15 after one quarter.

11. Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (18-0)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated Larkin (Elgin), 64-43, and Oak Park, 64-40. In the latter win, Gonzaga-bound center Braden Huff tossed in 23 points and Cade Pierce had 14.

12. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (17-7)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Pittsburgh-signee Judah Mintz bucketed 22 points as the Warriors rallied to beat then-No. 9 La Lumiere School (La Porte, In.), 66-61, at the Hoophall Classic NIBC. Caleb Foster added 13 points and Devin Ree 12. Trailing by a point (32-31) at halftime, the Warriors unleashed a 22-11 run in the third quarter and went on to beat then-No. 16 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 70-55. Chris Livingston had 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks.

13. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (12-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: The Cardinals rolled to two wins in the New York Archdiocese League Class AA, beating Iona Prep (New Rochelle), 57-51, and Holy Cross (Flushing), 96-54. The also beat De La Salle (Chicago), 81-40, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Ian Jackson sank 11 of 18 shots with four 3-pointers for 30 points.

14. St. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (11-2)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Won the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title, beating then-No. 11 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), 72-65, before a record crowd of 10,828 in Springfield, Mo. Darren Harris-Smith (23 points) and Dug McDaniel (18), the Tournament Most Valuable Player, teamed for 41 points in the final. In the semifinals, Harris-Smith (15 points) two free throws with 10 second remaining for the winning points in a 55-54 victory over Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.). Harris-Smith netted 18 points in an opening round win over Springfield (Mo.) Catholic, 60-55.

15. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (11-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: The Lions really earned their national ranking this week, capped by a 79-70 triumph over Kenwood (Chicago) at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts. Jamarques Lawrence had 20 points and 6 rebounds to beat one of Illinois’ top teams. It was gut check time for the Lions, who trailed by seven points through three quarters against a nationally ranked opponent. That’s when they rallied to beat then-No. 17 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.J.), 62-59, at the Metro Classic in Trenton, N.J.  The Lions used an 18-8 run to push past the New York powerhouse. Jamarques Lawrence and Simeon Wilcher scored 16 points apiece.

16. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-1)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: At the Hoophall Classic, the Eagles drubbed then-No. 6 Camden (N.J.), 66-48. Marvel Allen (22 points), Taylor Hendricks (18) and Carl Cherenfant (15) teamed for 55 points. Calvary jumped to a 19-8 lead after one period and never looked back.

17. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (17-2)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Went 2-1 to take second place at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo.

18. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (10-1)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: The Eagles fell to hen-No. 22 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 70-55, at the Hoophall Classic In the mighty Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, the Eagles went 2-0, stopping The Heights (Potomac, Md.), 82-52, and then-No. 14 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 87-73. Quinn Clark scored 22 points and Northeastern-bound forward Jared Turner added 16 against DeMatha. This week the Eagles host Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) on Tuesday.

19. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (10-2)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: At the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., the Crusaders thrashed Chaminade College Prep (St. Louis), 88-40. Jayden Reid contributed 19 points and 3 steals. Also, lost to then-No. 16 Roselle (N.J.) Catholic, 62-59, at the Metro Classic in Trenton, N.J. Reid scored a game-high 21 points with three 3-pointers and Jayden Pierre and James John Jr. had 13 apiece in the loss.

20. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (11-2)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Crusaders had a mixed bag or results. At the Hoophall Classic, the Crusaders bounced Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 67-50. Benjamin Lyttle and Joel Baez each scored 15 points. Baez then was hero in a 64-62 thriller at Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) with 17 points, 8 boards, 6 assists and 5 steals. However, the Crusaders did drop a 62-60 shock decision at Mount St. Michael (Bronx). Lyttle scored 14 points and Isaiah Alexander had 13.

21. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (18-3)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: The Crew went 2-1 last week, including a 70-64 setback to No. 1 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.).

22. Centerville, Ohio (11-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Mighty Elks, who are Ohio’s defending Division I champions, sprung an upset of sorts in dramatic fashion behind a superhuman effort at the Flyin’ to the Hoop Classic in Kettering, Ohio. The Elks are in the Elite 25 after taking down highly touted Southern California Academy, 62-59. Senior forward Rich Rolf pumped in a game-high 29 points. At 6-7, Rolf made a statement at the event with his steady play and electrifying dunks.

23. North Little Rock, Ark. (13-3)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Arkansas signee Nick Smith scored 19 points Oregon-bound Kel’el Ware had 12 in a 90-48 Little Rock Southwest.

24. Simeon, Chicago (14-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Wolverines, coached by Robert Smith, return to the Elite 25 rankings after solid start to the season as Illinois’ No. 2-ranked Class 4A team. Last weekend, they defeated Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone, N.J.), 70-61. Jaylen Drane buried 22 points, Mile Rubin scored 14 points (7 of 9 shooting) and hauled down 9 rebounds and Aviyone Morris clicked for 12 points and 6 rebounds.

25. Camden, N.J. (7-2)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Lost to then-No. 20 Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 66-48, as Rasheer Fleming scored 13 points and No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 52-40, to halt the win streak at 44 games at the Metro Classic in Trenton. Aaron Bradshaw had 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Panthers salvaged an Elite 25 ranking by stopping Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.), 63-55, at the Hoophall.

Dropped out: No. 14 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and No. 25 Reading (Pa.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Prep Charter, Philadelphia (10-2)
2. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (5-1)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (19-3)
4. St. Benedict’s Prep, Newark, N.J. (9-1)
5. Bristol (Conn.) Central (9-0)

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

Midwest

1. Kenwood, Chicago (13-5)
2. Carmel, Ind. (10-3)
3. Glenbrook South, Glenview, Ill. (16-1)
4. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (13-1)
5. Curie, Chicago (17-2)

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

Southland

1. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (15-3)
2. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (21-2)
3. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (17-1)
4. Pebblebrook, Mableton, Ga. (15-2)
5. Westfield, Houston (19-1)

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

Far West

1. Poly, Riverside, Calif. (19-1)
2. Garfield, Seattle (11-0)
3. Damien, La Verne, Calif. (18-1)
4. Southern Cal Academy, Los Angeles (16-3)
5. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (16-2)

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

Records through Monday.

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. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.