No. 1 Link Academy (MO) ascends Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings; No. 2 Gonzaga (DC) wins Les Schwab Invitational with another mega event this weekend in Phoenix

BENSALEM, Pa. – The month of December went out with a loud roar.

Yes, Lions do roar and that’s exactly what No. 1 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) did over the weekend at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York. A week after being displaced atop the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings, the Lions returned to that lofty spot after knocking off then-No. 1 Columbus (Miami), 57-49.

Columbus, which were on top one week after winning the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., ventured north for two high-powered games and lost. No. 13 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) also beat the Lions. LuHi was teetering on the brink of dropping out of the Elite 25 but had an effort for the ages in the third quarter and left Columbus in the dust.

No. 3 Columbus dipped two spots and remained near the top because of the strength of schedule and winning the City of Palms.

The Top-6 teams were rearranged, giving the Elite 25 a fresh look with some powerhouse programs providing the drama.

For the second week, the Elite 25 rankings included results from Monday’s game. There were too many important games played at national events. The results did determine the Elite 25 order, especially within the Top-10.

So, here’s what transpired in the Elite 25 since Christmas. Ten teams remained in the same position; seven rose in the Elite 25 and six dropped one slot. LuHi moved up eight spots after beating No. 1.

No. 24 Hoover (Ala.) and No. 25 DePaul Prep (Chicago) join the rankings after winning holiday tournament titles. Hoover is unbeaten and the two-time Alabama Class 7A defending champions while DePaul Prep has one loss (to Kenwood of Chicago) and has won the last two Illinois Class 3A chips.

There were three national tournaments in particular that helped reshape the Elite 25 rankings. No. 5 Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) collected The Classic at Damien Platinum Division title in La Verne, Calif. The Mustangs edged No. 6 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) by one point in overtime. Truly, an instant classic!

In Illinois, DePaul Prep made its first trip to the Pontiac Holiday Tournament a memorable one, capturing the championship and is the top team from Chicagoland.

In Portland, Oregon, No. 2 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) made the long trip cross country and went 4-0 to take the Les Schwab Invitational crown. The Purple Eagles won the title game by 20 points over La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.). Coach Steve Turner’s team is firing on all cylinders. And they aren’t done out West. One more event that will shake the core of high school basketball is on tap for Valley of the Sun.

Looking ahead, that major event is this weekend in Arizona. The event is a collaboration between the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, producers of Section 7 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, producers of Hoophall West.

The inaugural Nike Tournament of Champions Hoophall West will debut Thursday-Saturday in Phoenix. The mega field features eight teams from the current Elite 25, including No. 1 Link, No. 2 Gonzaga, No. 5 Roosevelt, No. 6 St. John Bosco, No. 7 Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah), No. 8 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), No. 15 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) and No. 16 Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.). Here’s the entire list of schools.

Once again, there could be a new No. 1 come Saturday night.

Okay, that’s it for the month of December. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Before signing off for the week, condolences to the family or former President Jimmy Carter on his passing at 100 years old on Sunday, Dec. 29. Carter was not an effective president. He was wracked with out-of-control inflation and the hostage crisis in Iran. He was a folksy kind of fella and peanut farmer from rural Plains, Georgia. He was the governor of his home state and his lack of national experience dragged him down after one term in 1980.

One thing is for sure is his faith in God, honesty and humanitarianism. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and United States Naval Academy graduate remained loyal to his family, friends, country and hometown. Ultimately, it will be his legacy. Godspeed, Mr. President.

Happy New Year to all; may it be a healthy and prosperous one. Personally, it’s time to turn the page on 2024. Hopefully, 2025 brings better times.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Dec. 31, 2024

1. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (10-2)

Previous rank: 4.

The Lowdown: The Lions are back on top of the Elite 25 rankings. Amare Bynum scored a game-high 22 points, bucketing 5 of 6 from beyond the arc to take down then-No. 1 Columbus (Miami), 57-49, at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York. The Lions trailed 35-31 after three quarters but used a 26-14 run in the fourth to ice it.

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

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Won the prestigious Les Schwab Invitational championship in Portland, Oregon, topping La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 64-44, in the final. It is the second tournament chip for the Eagles this month.

3. Columbus, Miami (13-2)

Previous: 1.

The Lowdown: The Explorers took it on the chin last weekend. At the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York, they lost to then-No. 21 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 77-66. Caleb Gaskins scored 21 points in the shock setback and to then-No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 57-49. Also, the Explorers thumped Bullis School (Potomac, Md.), 70-44, as Duke-bound Cameron Boozer threw in a game-high 18 points.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (8-2)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Eagles won’t play until Monday, Jan. 6.

5. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (15-1)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: Won the prestigious Platinum Division final at the Classic at Damien in La Verne, Calif., stopping No. 6 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 56-55, in overtime. It is the second major tournament title this month for the Mustangs. Brayden Burries, one of the nation’s top unsigned seniors, scored 24 points and cleared 10 rebounds.

6. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: Lost in the Platinum Division final at the Classic at Damien in La Verne, Calif. to No. 5 Roosevelt (Eastvale), 56-55, in overtime. Christian Collins had 20 points and 9 rebounds and Chris Komin flipped in 17 points. The Braves went 3-1 at the event.

7. Utah Prep Academy, Hurricane, Utah (13-4)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: Idle. Up next is the Nike TOC Hoophall West in Phoenix this weekend.

8. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (13-1)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: The Knights have two games this week.

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-3)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders are gearing up for a brutal stretch of games in the vaunted Nike EYBL Scholastic in January,

10. Dynamic Prep School, Irving, Texas (18-3)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Jacoby Colman scored 16 points in a 75-56 victory over Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York. Also, beat Lawrence-Woodmere (N.Y.), 74-66, as sophomore wing tossed in 13 points in only 12 minutes.

11. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (12-2)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Bobcats play next at the EYBL Scholastic La Porte Invitational in Indiana on Jan. 9.

12. The Patrick School, Hackettstown, N.J. (10-2)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: The Celtics claimed two victories at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York City. In an exciting finish, Jaysean Williams swished a 3-pointer at the horn to stop Penn Charter (Philadelphia), 71-68.

13. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (7-4)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: In a season-saving game, the Crusaders took down then-No. 1 Columbus (Miami), 77-66, at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York City. Trailing 32-23 at halftime, the Crusaders went on a 26-13 tear in the third quarter as Kaden Mingo tossed in 16 (four 3-pointers) of his game-high 25 points. Dylan Mingo added 20.

14. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (16-3)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: The Crew went 2-0 at the Grind Session in Hilo, Hawaii. Only seven players made the trip for fear of volcanic activity on the Big Island.

15. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (15-1)

Previous: 14.

Lowdown: The Wolverines swept three out-of-state opponents at the Desert Holiday Classic in Rancho Mirage. This weekend they have three games at the Hoophall Classic Tournament of Champions in Arizona.

16. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (11-0)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Idle.

17. San Antonio (Texas) Brennan (17-2)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: The Bears are 4-0 in District 28-6A and will play district foes for the remainder of the regular that ends on Feb. 12.

18. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (11-1)

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Rams resume play this weekend with two games.

19. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (10-3)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Idle.

20. Owasso, Okla. (8-3)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Won the 59^th annual Tournament of Champions, toppling Millwood (Oklahoma City), 57-49, in the final. The Rams won’t play again until Tuesday, Jan. 7.

21. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (8-2)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Idle.

22. Fishers, Ind. (9-0)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Won Henry Community Health Hall of Fame Classic, defeating Greenfield-Central, 85-80, in the final. In the semifinals, the Tigers beat Warsaw, 54-51. Up next is South Dearborn (Aurora) on Thursday and then a seven-day break.

23. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (7-3)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: The Panthers used a 24-6 run in the fourth quarter to turn back Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), 72-55, at the Jordan Holiday Classic in New York. Jordan Smith had 18 points and 5 rebounds while canning 8 of 16 shots. Up next is Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, Md.) on Jan. 4 at the Behan Strong in Washington, D.C.

24. Hoover, Ala. (18-0)

Previous: Not ranked

The Lowdown: The Bucs enter the Elite 25 after claiming the Big Orange Classic championship on their home floor. The two time Class 7A state champions received 19 points from senior point guard Jarret Fairley.

25. DePaul Prep, Chicago (14-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Won the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, edging Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 59-56, in the final. Rashaun Porter, a 6-7 junior, had 17 points and 9 rebounds and junior Rykan Woo produced 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

Dropped out: No. 16 Kenwood (Chicago) and No. 25 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. John Marshall, Richmond, Va. (10-0)
2. Mount Zion Prep Academy, Lanham, Md. (12-0)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (11-1)
4. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (13-3)
5. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (5-3)

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

Midwest

1. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (11-5)
2. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (6-1)
3. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn. (8-0)
4. Rich, Ill. (7-4)
5. Kenwood, Chicago (13-1)

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

Southland

1. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-0)
2. Reidsville, N.C. (8-0)
3. Allen, Texas (18-1)
4. Huntsville, Ala. (18-1)
5. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-1)

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

Far West

1. St. Joseph, Santa Maria, Calif. (11-1)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (11-3)
3. La Mirada, Calif. (13-3)
4. Veritas Academy, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. (7-5)
5. Annie Wright School, Tacoma, Wash. (9-1)

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 Boys’ High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December 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 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.