BENSALEM, Pa. – Beware the month of February. It’s shortest in terms of days with 28, but in the high school boys’ basketball world it packs a wallop.

That’s sentiment moving forward and the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings are at the forefront. Last week, was moving week in the Elite 25 as 23 teams slid in and out and up and down slots in the rankings. It just shows that national events and tournament are making a difference and teams are willing to play one another and add to their strength of schedule.

Three teams from three different sections of the country have been added to the Elite 25 rankings: No. 28 Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.), No. 21 Fairfax (Los Angeles) and No. 23 Bogan (Chicago). Mountain Brook is Alabama’s top-ranked team regardless of classification; Fairfax won a big game last week and upped their record to 20-1 and Bogan is entering the Chicago Public League playoffs next week and on a title game collision course with No. 10 Curie (Chicago).

All three newbies are in the mix for postseason hardware in their respective states and sectionals. No. 6 Salesian College Prep (Richmond, Calif.) continues to impress and leaps eight spots in the Elite 25 while No. 16 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) craters 12 spots after a less-than-impressive showing at the Montverde (Fla.) Invitational Tournament, which was won by the host school on Saturday.

Heading into February, the conversation shifts to the postseason and conference playoffs. For a vast majority of the nation, winning a state championship is the ultimate. Yet for some the GEICO High School Nationals is the end all.

Though the GEICO Nationals eight-team boys’ field won’t be selected for a least another month, the picture is crystal clear and nebulous at the backend. 

If I’m handicapping the teams that are already in, based on past tournament history (I’ve never missed a single game at the event whether it was held in Maryland or New York in 10 years) here’s the qualified list of schools: La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), Montverde (Fla.) Academy, Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.). 

All six of those schools are in provided there are no late season meltdowns. However, the final two spots will be awarded to state champions of those state associations that have agreed to let their schools play in the GEICO Nationals.

Right now the leading candidates are McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), Federal Way (Wash.), Shadow Mountain (Phoenix) and Carmel Christian (Matthews, N.C.). That means only two schools from that shortlist will get the call. McEachern, top-ranked in the Blue Star Media Elite 25, has the best resume and can play with all the aforementioned independent schools. There are others from states such as Washington, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, but the final weeks of the season and postseason will determine the latecomers.

Three schools from the A-list of contenders for the GEICO Nationals will be participating this weekend at the Bob Kirk Invitational Tournament, hosted by Bishop Walsh in Cumberland, Md. Here are Thursday’s first round pairings. This event will give you a taste of what to expect at GEICO in March. If you are near Chattanooga, Tennessee this weekend, check out the Dr. Pepper TEN Classic at the McCallie School. 

Both events are on this weekend’s bucket list.

The Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on February 5.

Again, thank you for your loyal readership and we’re down to the final two months of the season. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor 

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, January 29, 2019

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (22-0)

Previous ranked: 1.

Low-down: The nation’s No. 1 team concludes the regular season this week with three games against Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw) Tuesday, Hillgrove (Powder Springs) Thursday and Campbell (Smyrna) Saturday. Last week the Indians pounded No. 15 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (22-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: The Lakers continue to roll and take their show back East to play in the Bob Kirk Invitational Tournament this weekend in Cumberland, Md. They open with Virginia Academy (Ashburn, Va.) on Thursday. The final is Saturday.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-2)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament, capturing three games in overwhelming fashion. This weekend the Eagles play No. 7 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) at the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoop Fest in Tampa, Fla. The game will be shown live on Saturday on ESPN2 at 4:30 p.m. Additionally, Precious Achiuwa was selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Game.

4. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (24-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Ascenders head north to play at the Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn., facing McCallie School (Chattanooga) and Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta). Jeremiah Earl-Robinson, Armando Bacot and Josh Green were all selected for the McDonald’s All American Game.

5. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (23-2)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The regular season comes to a close this weekend with a game against No. 15 Rancho Christian (Temecula) at Pasadena City College on Saturday. Both losses this season were to No. 3 Montverde (Fla.) Academy. 

6. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (24-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: It was quite a productive week with four wins but the Pride is headed to the home stretch with games against St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) Tuesday and El Cerrito Friday.

7. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (19-2)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The Warriors were impressive snagging two wins at the Nike Extravaganza in Santa Ana, Calif., stopping Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 92-67, and Modesto (Calif.) Christian, 97-72. Earlier last week, Cole Anthony was selected for the McDonald’s All American Game.

8. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (19-2)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Stags rattled off three wins in the competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, improving to 9-0. The schedule is kicked up on Tuesday at Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.).

9. Federal Way, Wash. (18-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: The Eagles closed out the regular season with a pair of blowout wins. Jaden McDaniels, the prized forward, was named to the McDonald’s All American Game.

10. Curie, Chicago (24-1)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: DaJuan Gordon (25 points) and Ramean Hinton (18) teamed for 43 points to stop Corliss (Chicago), 80-69. The Condors went 8-0in the Public League Red South/Central and open with Fenger (Chicago) in the Chicago Public League playoffs on Feb. 7.

11. Cox Mill, Concord, N.C. (17-1)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Defeated Northwest Cabarrus (Concord), 76-44, and Central Cabarrus (Concord), 77-56.

12. Belleville (Ill.) West (21-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: EJ Liddell, an Ohio State recruit, flipped in 29 points to rally the Maroons past Springfield Southeast, 74-73. Liddell scored 22 points in the second and hit two free throws with 29.8 seconds left to complete the comeback. Keith Randolph, Jr., s Illinois football recruit, added 13 points in the win. The Maroons play Simeon (Chicago) on Saturday.

13. Warren Central, Indianapolis (17-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 81-43, and Muncie Central, 79-53.

14. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (17-1)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Colby Rogers netted 22 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to rally the Lions to a 48-47 win over Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone). Kentucky-bound Kahlil Whitney, who was named to the McDonald’s All American Game, bucketed a career-high 32 points and Josh Pierre-Louis added 30 for a powerful 1-2 punch during a 97-66 waxing of Camden at the Hearts 2 Hands Invitational in Union, N.J.

15. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (20-4)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Lost to No. 3 Montverde Academy, 79-56, in the Montverde (Fla.) Academy Invitational Tournament championship game.

16. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (21-2)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: It was a disappointing trip to Florida, where the Tigers went 1-2 in the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament. This weekend it’s another long road trip to the Bob Kirk Invitational Tournament in Maryland.

More

17. Sunrise Christian, Bel Aire, Kan. (16-3)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Defeated then-No. 25 University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 70-62, on the road. This weekend the Buffaloes play at the Bob Kirk Invitational Tournament in Maryland and open against Rock Creek Christian (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

18. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (24-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Since returning to Alabama following the busy holiday schedule, coach Bucky McMillan’s team has won all nine games in January. The regular season finishes up on Friday hosting Pinson Valley (Pinson) and then Spartans look to defend their Alabama Class 7A state title. Trendon Watford, an undecided senior forward, was named to play in the McDonald’s All American Game on March 27 in Atlanta.

19. Carmel Christian School, Matthews, N.C. (26-2)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Four games are left in the regular season.

20. Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, N.Y. (18-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: After sweeping three CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens AA rivals, the Lions have a showdown Friday night at Christ the King (Middle Village), a team they have a three-game lead over in the league table. Four games remain in the regular season. 

21. Fairfax, Los Angeles (20-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Lions slide into the Elite 25 rankings after taking down archrivals and No. 24 Westchester (Los Angeles), 50-48. They’ll play again this week to settle the Western League title and likely a third time in the CIF-City Sectional playoffs in February.

22. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (15-2) 

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Upset by Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone), 62-60. Otherwise it was a joyful week down the shore as both Bryan Antoine (Villanova recruit) and Scottie Lewis (Florida) were named to play in the McDonald’s All American Game. The Panthers look to rebound Wednesday, but it won’t be easy, when No. 14 Roselle (N.J.) Catholic is the opponent in a game to be played at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

23. Bogan, Chicago (21-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Most Chicago Public Schools take a week off before the city playoffs open next week. The Bengals’ lone league loss was to No. 10 Curie (Chicago), a team they could see in the finals on Feb. 17.

24. Westchester, Los Angeles (18-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Upended by rivals Fairfax (Los Angeles), 50-48. The Western League rematch is Thursday.

25. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (15-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Went 2-1 at the Montverde (Fla.) Academy Invitational Tournament, finishing in fifth place.

Dropped: No. 18 Allen (Texas);No. 20 Gorman (Las Vegas); and No. 25 University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (16-4)

2. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (19-3)

3. South Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y. (16-2)

4. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (16-4)

5. La Salle College, Wyndmoor, Pa. (17-0)

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

Midwest

1. Moeller, Cincinnati (15-0)

2. Nicolet, Glendale, Wis. (14-1)

3. Morgan Park, Chicago (22-3)

4. Carmel, Ind. (14-1)

5. River Rouge, Mich. (12-1)

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

Southland

1. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (23-1)

2. Guyer, Denton, Texas (24-4)

3. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (28-1)

4. Timberview, Mansfield, Texas (26-2)

5. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (28-3)

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

Far West

1. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (19-3)

2. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (23-3)

3. Etiwanda, Calif. (22-2)

4. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (16-2)

5. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (18-4)

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

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 Senior Writer 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.