BENSALEM, Pa. – The latest Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. There’s a new top-ranked team that performed well at a national event in Florida and will put their unbeaten record on the line this weekend.

No. 1 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) popped up 14 slots on the strength of winning the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. This weekend the Indians travel to the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va., and will play No. 23 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) Friday and No. 13 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) Saturday. The latter game is a rematch of the COPC final, which the Indians won, 68-47, on Dec. 22.

Five newcomers are featured in the Elite 25 rankings, including No. 13 Imhotep Charter that re-enters after a brief stay on the outside.

The Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on January 8. 

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 1, 2019

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (10-0)

Previous ranked: 15.

Low-down: Won the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., crushing No. 13 Imhotep Charter, 68-47, in the championship game. Tournament Moat Valuable Player Sharife Cooper scored 20 points in the final and Auburn-bound Isaac Okoro joined him on the all-tournament team.

2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (15-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won the Iolani Classic Honolulu, Hawaii before Christmas, recording a pair of impressive wins. PF Isaiah, who was the MVP at Iolani, also recorded a double-double with 24 points and 17 rebounds as the Lakers edged then-No. 13 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), 83-79, at the Hoop City Classic in South Dakota.

3. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (15-1)

Previous: 1.

Low-down: Coach Steve Smith’s team went 2-1 in the debut at the City of Palms Classic in Florida before Christmas and are enjoying a rare three-week break. They lost to No. 13 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 70-60, at the COPC. The Warriors are back at on Jan. 11 with refresh legs and run of seven games in 17 days.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (9-1)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: The Eagles lost to No. 2 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 58-51, in the Iolani Classic semifinals but bounced back to take down No. xxhdgb Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), 57-49. Well, coach Kevin Boyle will have his team razor-focused on Saturday when they play No. 2 La Lumiere at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va. On Friday they’ll face Norcross (Ga.).

5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (10-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Stags stayed local after Christmas and enjoyed the home court advantage in capturing the DeMatha Christmas Holiday Classic crown, nipping Wilson (Washington, D.C.), 56-54, as Earl Timberlake nailed a jumper to beat the first overtime buzzer in the final. Timberlake was the MVP of the three-day event and joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Carsten Kogelnik, Justin Moore and Hunter Dickerson.

6. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (15-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The Tigers enter the New Year after capturing the Emerald Coast 16 championship prior to Christmas in Niceville, Fla.  Next is a series of three games against Utah’s top public school programs, staring at Timpview (Provo) on Friday.

7. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won the John Wall Holiday Invitational TJ Warren Bracket, beating South Central (Winterville, N.C.), 63-58, in the final in Raleigh, N.C. Bryan Antoine (24 points) and Scottie Lewis teamed for 47 points. The next test is Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) on Jan. 12.

8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Ascenders went 3-1 at the City of Palms Classic prior to Christmas. The national schedule continues this weekend in Tampa with three games at the Prep Hoops Sun Bash, starting on Thursday.

9. Belleville (Ill.) West (15-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won the Centralia (Ill.) Holiday Tournament, beating Alton Ill.), 62-57, in the final. Lawrence Brazil III scored a career-high 30 points. The Maroons next huge test is the Bass Pro Tournament of Championships, starting on Jan. 17, in Springfield, Mo.

10. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (16-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won the Les Schwab Tires Invitational winning four games, including the final over the No. xxxhdb University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 68-52, in the final in Hillsboro, Ore. The Trailblazers also went 3-1 in the Iolani Classic in Hawaii.

11. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won the Tarkanian Classic Platinum Division title, defeating No. 12 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), 61-39, in the championship round. Isaiah Cottrell and Noah Taitz each scored 16 points in the final, sharing  tournament MVP honors.

12. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won The Classic At Damien Platinum Division, topping Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 77-69, in the final. The Eagles also placed second in the Tarkanian Classic Platinum Division.

13. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (7-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Panthers went 3-1 at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, taking home the second-place trophy. Pennsylvania’s top-ranked team re-enters the Elite 25 after a one-week absence. 

14. Carmel Christian School, Matthews, N.C. (20-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: The Cougars were upended in the Arby’s Classic (Bristol, Tenn.), falling to Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.), 61-57, in the final. That setback ended the win streak at 24 games, dating back to last season. Next up is Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, N.C.) on Friday.

15. Curie, Chicago (14-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down:  Won 88^thPontiac (Ill.) Holiday Tournament, topping then-No. 21 Bloom (Chicago Heights, Ill.), 58-44, in the championship game. Ramean Hinton tossed in nine of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter and Justin Harmon had 18 points.

16. Warren Central, Indianapolis (8-0)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Won the Raymond James Hall of Fame Classic in New Castle, beating Center Grove, 52-51, in the final and Valparaiso, 59-55, in the semifinals.

17. Rainier Beach, Seattle (7-0)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Vikings coasted to their seventh straight victory, defeating Roosevelt (Seattle), 72-64. On the horizon is the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. (Jan. 17-19).

18. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (7-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Kentucky-bound F Kahlil Whitney totaled 44 points in two victories at Slam Dunk at the Beach in Lewes, Del. The Lions enter the Elite 25 and get back to work with three games this week, including First Love Christian (Washington, Pa.) on Saturday morning at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.

19. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (13-1) 

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Won Torrey Pines Holiday Classic National Division, defeating Mission Bay (San Diego), 82-62. MVP Jaelen House, an Arizona State recruit, scored 29 points in the final.

20. Bella Vista Prep, Scottsdale, Ariz. (13-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Chick-fil-A Classic National Division title in Raleigh, N.C. The second year program is on the rise.

21. Sunrise Christian, Bel Aire, Kan. (9-2)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Buffaloes were 2-1 at the Chick-fil-A Classic. This weekend they play two games against Elite 25 teams at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va.

22. Allen, Texas (21-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The defending Texas Class 6A champions were spot on when winning the In-N-Out Burger Allen Holiday Invitational. The Eagles captured five games in three day capped by a 64-41 win over Lake Travis in the final. Colorado State-bound G Isaiah Stevens was named MVP and netted 25 points in the title game.

23. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (12-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Lost in overtime to No. 2 La Lumiere School (La Porter, Ind.), 83-79, at the Hoop City Classic in South Dakota. TCU-bound PJ Fuller scored 28 points. The Pilots continue a rigorous schedule in January.

24. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-3)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The Sharks struggled at two national tournaments in Florida and Oregon going 4-3 but remain in the Elite 25. 

25. Vashon, St. Louis (9-1)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Wolverines held their own at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, dropping the opener to then-No. 4 University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 96-69, but rallied to beat quality three teams from Florida, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Dropped:No. 14 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.); No. 20 Timberview (Mansfield, Texas); No. 21 Bloom (Chicago Heights, Ill.); No. 23 Greensboro (N.C.) Day School; and No. 24 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (8-1)

2. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (9-2)

3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (11-1)

4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (8-1)

5. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (7-3)

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

Midwest

1. Bogan, Chicago (14-1)

2. Bloom, Chicago Heights, Ill. (14-1)

3. Carmel, Ind. (7-0)

4. Park Center, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (8-0)

5. Nicolet, Glendale, Wis. (8-1)

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

Southland

1. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (15-3)

2. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (19-0)

3. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (13-1)

4. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (11-2)

5. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (16-2)

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

Far West

1. Federal Way, Wash. (10-1)

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (15-1)

3. Westchester, Los Angeles (13-1)

4. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (14-0)

5. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (9-2)

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.