BENSALEM, Pa. – The biggest take from the holiday boys’ basketball schedule is the rest of the nation is just living in No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy’s universe. Really, the gulf between the Eagles and the rest of the teams in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings is wide.

Over the holidays, Montverde won its fourth City of Palms Classic title in Fort Myers, Florida since 2012. Then followed that title with another earlier this week at the John Wall Holiday Classic in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is a most impressive run for coach Kevin Boyle’s team, who improved to perfect through 13 games. Montverde will play two games this weekend in Memphis, Tennessee before playing at events in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland, plus hosting a three-day tournament at the end of January.

Running the table is not out of the question and is expected.

For the first time in recent memory the Elite 25 added six teams. It was a holiday makeover based on the quality of competition that teams faced and sought out. Five new teams and one from the preseason rankings are in:

No. 13 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, No. 14 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), No. 15 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), No. 17 Curie (Chicago), No. 22 Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) and No. 24 Duncanville (Texas). Rancho Christian rejoins the Elite 25 after one ranking period on the bubble.

This week the 17 Elite 25 teams were reshuffled with two teams static. No. 10 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) dropped seven slots, while No. 17 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and No. 18 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) alleviate six slots. Four teams from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference occupy spots in the Elite 25.

The next three weekends will feature national event that will impact the Elite 25. Actually on Dec. 31 is the final of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Elite 25 teams St. John’s College and Dorman vying for the hardware. That result will be reflected next week in the rankings.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return Jan. 7 and every Tuesday for the remainder of the season, culminating with the GEICO High School Nationals from April 4-6 in New York.

In the meantime, have a Happy New Year and joyous 2020. Spend it with family and friends that matter the most.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings, Dec. 31, 2019

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (13-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won the John Wall Holiday Classic Davis West bracket, crushing then-No. 2 The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.), 77-32. Oklahoma State-bound Cade Cunningham popped in 22 points. Patrick School played with three starters. Also captures the Won City of Palms Classic, defeating then-No. 7 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 63-55. Scottie Barnes, a Florida State signee, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. This weekend the Eagles play two games at the National Hoopfest in Memphis, Tenn.

2. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (21-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won Iolani Prep Classic, beating then-No. 11 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 76-68, in the championship game. Cameron Thomas was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player capped by a 30-point, seven-rebound performance in the final. The Warriors resume their schedule on Jan. 10 against Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) at Rock the Ribbon Roundball Shootout in Lexington, Va.

3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Upended in the final of the Platinum Division at the Classic at Damien in La Verne, Calif., by No. 14 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), 85-81, in overtime. Kentucky-commit BJ Boston scored 15 of his 26 points in the first half and senior transfer Ziaire Williams made his season debut with 28 points. Before Christmas the Trailblazers captured two showcase games at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. Next up this weekend is a trip to Minnesota for two high-charged games against national competition, including No. 4 The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.).

4. The Patrick School, Hillside, N.J. (5-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Celtics played minus three key starters and lost in the John Wall Holiday Classic David West bracket final, 77-32, to No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Junior forward Jonathan Kuminga scored 19 points in the setback. Also recorded a huge in-state victory over then-No. 18 Roselle (N.J.) Catholic, 72-64. The Celtics have a quick turnaround playing Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.) on New Year’s Day at the New Year’s Jump-Off at Bergen Catholic High in Oradell, N.J. They also face No. 3 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) on Friday in Minneapolis, Minn.,  in a nationally televised game on ESPN2.

5. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (7-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The Panthers lost to then-No. 14 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), 70-64, at the Slam Dunk to the Beach in Lewes, Del. Junior Trevor Keel (19 points) and Duke-bound Jeremy Roach (17) teamed for 36 points.

6. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (13-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Won the City of Palms Classic Signature Series, stopping then-No. 3 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kn.), 61-59, in the final.

7. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (15-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Tigers finished second at the Iolani Prep Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. This weekend it’s trip to West Virginia for two games in the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling.

8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Went 3-1 for second place at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. Tennessee-bound Jaden Springer had 16 points and seven boards in the title game 63-55 title-game loss to No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy before Christmas. The Ascenders travel to Memphis, Tenn., this weekend for two games in the ARS National Hoopfest against East (Memphis) and Briarcrest Christian (Eads, Tenn.).

9. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (8-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Lost to Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix), 55-44, in the Chick-fil-A Classic National Division final. The Lakers play two high profile opponents this weekend at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va.

10. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (10-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: The Buffaloes lost to then-No. 15 Hamilton Heights Christian (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 61-59, the City of Palms Classic Signature Series before Christmas. This weekend coach Luke Barnwell’s club plays two games against Elite 25 team at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.

11. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (17-1)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Took third place at the Chick-fil-A Classic in South Carolina, losing to then-No. 9 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 63-59, in the semifinals.

12. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (13-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: The Rams, Georgia’s top-ranked Class AAAAAAA team, carry a modest five-game won streak into the New Year with a massive local fixture with powerhouse Shiloh (Snellville) Friday.

13. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (13-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Huskies were busy over the holidays winning two tournaments. First, they captured the Tarkanian Classic Platinum Division, stopping then-No. 8 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 71-55, in the final. After Christmas it was a triumph at King Cotton Holiday Classic in Arkansas, stopping University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 64-53.

14. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (14-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Eagles are back in the Elite 25 after knocking off previously unbeaten No. 3 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 85-81, in overtime in the Classic at Damien Platinum Division in La Verne, Calif. Gonzaga-bound guard Dominick Harris (30 points) made two free throws with four-tenths of a second remaining in the extra session to clinch it. Seven-foot Evan Mobley, a USC recruit and future NBA lottery pick, bagged MVP honors with 16 points and several dunks.

15. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Monarchs had mixed results over the holiday but in their all-time attempt captured the Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro, Ore., defeating Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 70-58, in the final. It was the team’s second in-season tournament chip. The Monarchs won each game in the talented field by at least 12 points. Kentucky-bound Devin Askew earned Most Valuable Player honors, netting 22 points in the final and Harrison Hornery (USC commit) added 16 points and six rebounds. Coach Gary McKnight takes his team home for a brief stopover before heading east to the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.

16. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (11-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Advanced to the championship game of the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., defeating then-No. 13 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 53-51, in the semifinals. Ishmael Leggett (17 points) made four free throws in the final 49 seconds to seal it. Played No. 23 Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) Tuesday night in the final.

17. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (9-2)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won DeMatha Christmas Classic, defeating St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Alexandria, Va.), 72-63, in the final. The Stags went 3-0 at the event and will play this weekend at the Cancer Research Class in Wheeling, W.Va.

18. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (14-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: The Panthers absorbed their lone loss at the City of Palms Classic Signature Series semifinals to No. 10 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.), 73-55. The MIAA A Conference Red Division schedule kicks in during January.

19. Curie, Chicago (11-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Pontiac (Ill.) Holiday Tournament for the second straight year, topping Bloom (Chicago Heights), 72-67, in the final. Ramean Hinton, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in the title game.

20. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (6-2)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Coach Patrick Massaroni showed why he’s one of the nation’s by pushing all the right buttons to defeat previously unbeaten No. 5 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 70-64, at the Slam Dunk to the Beach in Delaware. North Carolina-bound guard RJ Davis led four double-digit scorers with 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. This weekend it’s a rivalry game with Iona Prep (New Rochelle, N.Y.) Friday at the Westchester County Center.

21. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (3-1)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Lost to then-No. 2 The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.), 72-64, but rebounded for two wins at the Slam Dunk to the Beach in Lewes, Del. This weekend the Lions have two game against nationally ranked opponents at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.

22. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Mason Hooks posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 boards during a 72-40 blowout of Myrtle Beach (S.C.) in the Beach Ball Classic consolation bracket semifinals. Coach Dave Rebibo’s club played Izard County (Brockwell, Ark.) Tuesday in the consolation final. They suffered the first loss of the season in the opening round to Poly (Baltimore), 56-46,

23. Dorman, Roebuck, S.C. (11-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Cavaliers have a 3-1 record against Elite 25 teams and played No. 16 St. john’s College (Washington, D.C.) in the Beach Ball Classic championship Tuesday in South Carolina. Prior to Christmas, they beat then-No. 25 Greensboro (N.C.) Day School in the title game of the Chick-fil-A Classic American Division in Columbia, S.C. The lone loss is a 63-52 decision to No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilkson, Va.).

24. Duncanville, Texas (13-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Whataburger Tournament Orange Division title, defeating South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie), 70-51, in Mansfield, Texas. Texas Tech-bound guard Micah Peavy was named MVP.

25. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (9-3)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Finished third at the City of Palms Classic in Florida. The Eagles return to action against league rivals Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.) Friday.

Dropped: No. 8 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas); No. 9 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia); No. 13 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.); No. 20 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.); No. 22 Huntington (W.Va.) Prep; and No. 25 Greensboro (N.C.) Day School.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (5-2)
2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (8-2)
3. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (8-2)
4. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (5-3)
5. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (7-1)

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

Midwest

1. Sussex (Wis.) Hamilton (6-0)
2. Collinsville, Ill. (13-0)
3. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (7-0)
4. La Crosse (Wis.) Central (5-0)
5. Evanston, Ill. (13-0)

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

Southland

1. Moravian Prep, Hudson, N.C. (17-1)
2. Norcross, Ga. (15-1)
3. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (17-2)
4. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (17-2)
5. Lancaster, Texas (18-2)

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

Far West

1. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (7-1)
2. Etiwanda, Calif. (12-2)
3. Sheldon, Sacramento, Calif. (11-2)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-2)
5. O’Dea, Seattle (5-2)

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 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.