No. 1 Link Academy (MO) captures Bass Pro Tournament of Champions title; No. 21 Kenwood (IL) debuts in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Oh, what a weekend. The national celebration of the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a great American, was on full display.

That’s the way it should be.

And then it comes to the final great weekend of multiple nationally themed events for schoolboy basketball, where the Springfield Three (from the states of Massachusetts, Missouri and Virginia) or a trio of action packed events were responsible for the reshuffling of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings.

That reference is coincidental because the Hoophall Classic (Mass.), Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Mo.) and St. James MLK Classic (Va.) all were hosted in cities sharing the same name. The former two are among the most prestigious and well established events all season.

At the Hoophall, 16 teams from the Elite 25 were represented at Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College, the birthplace of basketball. It also hosted the AXE National Interscholastic Basketball Conference Series Hoophall as six from the Elite 25 played.

At the Bass Pro TOC, top-ranked Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) made the short 45-minute trip to Springfield and captured the title. Baylor-bound guard Ja’Kobe Walter (from McKinney, Texas) was named Most Valuable Player. The Lions (18-0) beat Elite 25 teams Christ the King (Middle, Village, N.Y.) in the semifinals and Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) in the final. The event annually is most well attended on the campus of Missouri State. We were presented when over 10,000 showed up for the finals (nearly 30,000 for the three days). Quite impressive!

There were hundreds of local events too. We’re sure they were well attended too.

Two of the nation’s largest cities and fertile basketball turfs represent a new and familiar face to the Elite 25.

No. 21 Kenwood (Chicago) is the lone newcomer to the Elite 25 rankings but No. 25 Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) re-enters.

In Chicago, it was a crazy week in the Public League as the Kenwood Broncos defeated nemesis and No. 13 Simeon, 46-43, for the first time in program history. You can bet the two will replay in the Public League playoffs in March.

Christ the King Royals went 2-1 at the Bass Pro TOC, claiming third while upping their mark to 11-3. Coach Joe Arbitello’s crew started the year in the Elite 25 but dropped out after the holidays but return. The Royals have played games in London, England and Los Angeles, California and now in southwestern Missouri, where they make an appearance every other year (next time is 2025). Yes, it’s a tradition forged by the late, great Father John Savage and former coach Bob Oliva. The Royals lost to Link but were down six points with three minutes left and had a chance to win.

If you didn’t watch the Royals on ESPN+ last weekend, you’re in luck. On Sunday, they host league rival Archbishop Stepinac (White, Plains, N.Y.) on ESPNU at 8 p.m. ET. This could be a preview of a New York Catholic High School Athletic Association AA City final or semifinal matchup.

Regardless, both teams will have challenges on the horizon.

Finally, the McDonald’s All-American Games will announce their rosters on Jan. 24. The nation’s elite 24 boys and 24 girls will be revealed on the NBA Today on ESPN between 3-4 p.m. ET.

They were 722 nominees from the Class of 2023 announced last week. Next year, coaches are encouraged to nominate their seniors. We’re aware of some coaches that submit all seniors on their roster. It’s a simple process.

This year the games are slated for Houston, Texas on March 28, with the girls game at 6:30 p.m. and the boys game at 9 p.m. The girls game will air on ESPN2 and the boys on ESPN.
Once the chosen 48 are announced, we’ll have it here and send it out on social mediums.

That’s it for another week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Jan. 24.

Check out a game in your area because the season is dwindling to about six weeks remaining in some states and much less in others.

Remain safe.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 17, 2023

1. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (18-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won the 38th annual Bass Pro Tournament of Champions championship, beating No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 72-66, in the final. The Lions captured all three games at an event in their backyard in southwestern Missouri. Junior point guard had 16 points and 8 assists and totaled 19 assists for the tournament. MVP Ja’Kobe Walter (Baylor signee) netted a team-high 17 points and Cade Phillips added 13 points and 8 assists.

2. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (20-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Defeated Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 72062, at the St. James MLK Classic in Springfield, Va. Also stopped Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.), 71-33, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. At the Hoophall, Zion Sensley scored 18 points and Xavier-bound point guard Trey Green added 10 point, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (14-2)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: In the AXE NIBC Series Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., the Eagles stopped the-No. 24 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 85-63, and No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 64-51. In the former game, sophomore Cooper Flagg contributed 10 of his 21 points in the first quarter when the Eagles pulled away with an 18-0 run. Power forward Kwame Evans Jr. had 19 points and junior wing Liam McNeeley 13. Before departing for the Hoophall, the Eagles defeated Winter Haven (Fla.), 99-61.

4. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (14-3)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: It was a bus weekend for the Dragons, who competed in Ohio and Massachusetts in two major events. At the AXE NIBC Series Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., they beat Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 55-35. Zayden High scored a game-high 15 points but Tru Washington (10 points) busted opened a tight game at the onset of the fourth quarter to bump the score to 38-30 with two quick baskets. Also, the Dragons beat Omnia Academy (Espoo, Finland), 73-40, at Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational in Kettering, Ohio.

5. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (16-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Defeated Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 75-40, and St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown), 69-52, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.

6. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (15-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Maryland-bound DeShawn Harris-Smith had 23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals to help take down Roselle (N.J.) Catholic, 72-59, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Darren Harris scored 16. The Panthers racked up a pair of wins in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, beating DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 76-61, and The Heights School (Potomac, Md.), 109-58.

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

Previous: 9.

Low-down: UConn-bound guard Jayden Reid scored 17 points and dished out 7 assists when the Crusaders beat Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 64-56, at the AXE NIBC Series Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

8. Sunrise Christian School, Bel Aire, Kan. (12-5)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Placed second at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., losing to No. 1 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 72-66, in the final. The Buffaloes went 2-1 at the three-day event at Missouri State’s Great Southern Bank Arena. Matas Buzelis scored a game-high 24 points (9 of 16 shooting with three 3s) and snared 6 rebounds. Layden Blocker, an Arkansas recruit, scored 16.

9. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (18-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won the Marion County Tournament, defeating North Lawrence (Indianapolis), 62-40, in the final. It was the Giants fourth win in five days and the first title since 1995. They won the four games by the average margin of nearly 17 points. Sophomore Mark Zackery tossed in 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter. The Giants also beat Southport, 63-52, in the semifinals.

10. West Linn, Ore. (13-0)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Defeated Cleveland (Portland), 71-52, in the lone game of the week.

11. Duncanville, Texas (19-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Defeated Mansfield, 101-43, and Skyline (Dallas), 86-46.

12. Columbus, Miami (16-3)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Sophomore Cameron Boozer put up 33 points and 15 rebounds as the Explorers defeated San Ysidro (Calif.), 74-67, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Cayden Boozer, his twin, added 14 points.

13. Simeon, Chicago (16-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Miles Rubin had 17 points and 8 rebounds and Sam Lewis added 10 points and 6 boards in a 52-39 win over Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Jalen Griffith provided 9 points and 5 assists for the Wolverines. Before heading to New England, the Wolverines were upset by Kenwood (Chicago), 46-43, but rebounded to beat Hyde Park (Chicago), 68-50, in the Chicago Public League.

14. John Marshall, Richmond, Va. (14-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Defeated Jackson-Reed (Washington, D.C.), 87-75, at the St. James MLK Classic in Springfield, Va. Also defeated Freeman (Richmond), 69-42.

15. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (20-1)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: In the Mission League, the Wolverines pounded Crespi (Encino), 63-43, and Loyola (Los Angeles), 62-43. The Wolverine have a busy league schedule this week with Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) and No. 24 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth).

16. Ss. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (11-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Junior Robert Wright III manufactured a solid stat line of 17 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals when the Saints bounced Vashon (St. Louis), 55-45, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Also topped Lansdale (Pa.) Catholic, 61-47, in the Philadelphia Catholic League.

17. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (11-4)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: In the AXE NIBC Series Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., the Ascenders defeated Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.), 77-40. The Ascenders sizzled from the floor, sinking 31-of-42 (73.8%) of their shots. Jamie Kaiser Jr. pumped in a game-high 16 points and Jamier Jones added 15. The also beat Newton (Covington, Ga.), 61-52. Kaiser scored 15 points and Blue Cain added 14.

18. Centennial, Corona, Calif. (17-3)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Defeated then-No. 13 Camden (N.J.), 66-62, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Duke-bound Jared McCain tossed in 27 points with six 3-pointers and grabbed 6 rebounds and Aaron McBride scored 11. Before departing for the East Coast, the Huskies beat Roosevelt (Eastvale), 76-52, and Norco, 80-27, in Big VIII Conference play.

19. Camden, N.J. (11-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Kentucky-bound recruits D.J, Wagner (27 points, 6 rebounds) and Aaron Bradshaw (15 points, 8 rebounds) teamed for 42 points and 14 rebounds but the Panthers lost to then-No. 21 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 66-62, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Panthers split two games at the prestigious event.

20. Imhotep Institute Charter, Philadelphia (12-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Kentucky-commit Justin Edwards put on a show with 24 points, 12 rebound 4 assists and 6 steals when the Panthers edged Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.), 6157, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Also beat Math, Civics & Science (Philadelphia), 77-68, in Public League A play.

21. Kenwood, Chicago (15-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Dai Dai Ames, a Kansas State-bound guard, produced 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals but nailed two free throws with five seconds left to ice the program’s first-ever win over then-No. 8 Simeon (Chicago), 46-43. Tyler Smith chipped in with 13 points. The Broncos have a challenge Saturday at Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.).

22. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (12-1)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Isaiah Brown’s 22 points paced the offense in a 60-54 win over Montclair (N.J.) at the Dennis Gregory Memorial Classic in Caldwell, N.J. Also defeated archrival Bergen Catholic (Oradell), 72-50, as junior Dylan Harper supplied 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Brady Loughlin scored 14 points and Brown had 13.

23. West Ranch, Valencia, Calif. (20-1)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Wildcats went 3-0 last week while extending their Foothill League win streak to 31 games.

24. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (17-4)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Defeated Loyola (Los Angeles), 71-52, and Crespi (Encino), 64-47, in the Mission League. Bronny James scored 18 points in the latter win.

25. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (11-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Royals re-enter the Elite 25 after an impressive third-place finish at the 38th Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. UCLA-bound Brandon Gardner was named all-tournament. This week it’s a return to NYCHSAA AA schedule at Mount St. Michael (Bronx) and home with Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains) Sunday night on ESPNU (8 p.m. ET).

Dropped: No. 24 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) and No. 25  Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (11-1)
2. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (5-4)
3. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (15-1)
4. St. Maria Goretti, Hagerstown, Md. (18-2)
5. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (18-3)

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. (7-5)
2. Whitney Young, Chicago (15-4)
3. Park Center, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (10-0)
4. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (9-0)
5. Cass Tech, Detroit (10-0)

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

Southland

1. Lake Highlands, Dallas (19-3)
2. Beaumont (Texas) United (21-1)
3. Carmel Christian, Matthews, N.C. (21-3)
4. Carter, Dallas (20-2)
5. Kell, Marietta, Ga. (14-2)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (21-1)
2. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (18-3)
3. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-5)
4. Garfield, Seattle (13-0)
5. Basha, Chandler, Ariz. (19-1)

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

Records through Sunday’s games

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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.