No. 14 Harvard-Westlake (CA) shakes Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings, advances to CIF-Southern Section Open Division final; No. 25 Westfield (TX) Mustangs move in

BENSALEM, Pa. – March Madness, the most wonderful time of the year for high school basketball, has arrived. Albeit early this year.

With 13 teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings in the postseason or about to embark on a run at a state or conference tournament championship, the prelude of Frenetic February is in full swing. And if you live in Nevada, five state champions will be crowned this weekend in Reno. That includes No. 10 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), who needs two wins to add another piece of hardware to their collection. It was also clinch a coveted spot in the first-ever GEICO High School National State Champions Bracket.

However, the big news came from the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division, where No. 14 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) skies 10 positions in the Elite 25 after taking down No. 15 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) in round-robin pool play while advancing to the section final. The Wolverines (24-2) face No. 9 Corona Centennial for the Open Division crown in the leadup to the Southern California Region Tournament that starts next month.

It’s clearly must-see basketball that will take place in the Inland Empire on Friday night.

No. 25 Westfield (Houston) joins the Elite 25 as the University Interscholastic League playoffs begin this week in Texas. The Mustangs (28-1) won a district title and are ready to play in the Class 6A, Region II bi-district round on Tuesday. The Texas 6A state tournament should be another bonanza event with at least three Elite 25 teams in the mix.

Harvard-Westlake’s clutch win caused a ripple effect in the Elite 25 with seven teams dropping one slot. The top-13 teams remained the same as did No. 22 St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) and No. 23 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) both of whom are chasing titles this week. No. 24 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) shifted up one spot after two winning games at an event it hosted.

Now news out of New York.

 Last week the New York State Federation of Secondary Schools Athletic Association (NYSFSSAA) has announced the cancellation of its 2022 boys’ and girls’ State Federation Tournament of Champions.

The press release said:

Fordham University in the Bronx, scheduled host of the 2022 Federation Basketball Championships, recently informed the Federation of their inability to host this year’s championship event.  Following efforts of finding an alternate venue and attempting to meet the needs of all four association’s COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, it was determined it would not be possible to host the tournament at a level that would benefit the participating students and schools.

“As we continue to address the impact of COVID-19, the Federation Executive Board continues to face challenging decisions impacting interscholastic athletics,” said Jim Foster, NYSFSSAA Executive Secretary.  “We remain hopeful and optimistic the Federation Tournament of Champions will be held in March 2023 to bring the four associations best teams together.”

The NYSFSSAA boys tournament was held in Glens Falls for 30 years (1981-2010) while the girls tournament was held in Glens Falls for 16 years (1995-2010) before both were moved to the Times Union Center in 2012. In 2017, Glens Falls won the bid back for a three-year period before Fordham was successful in securing the bid in 2019 and was scheduled to begin hosting in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in cancellations in 2020, 2021 and now 2022. Fordham has committed to hosting the event in 2023.

The NYSFSSAA Basketball Tournament of Champions is an event comprised of representatives from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the New York City Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL), Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), and the New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association (AISAA) in Classes AA, A, and B.

Very sad after the two previous years were cancelled for pandemic issues.

Change

Two weeks ago, we reported that iconic coach Steve Smith of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) was retiring effective July 1, 2022. His replacement will apparently be former OHA assistant Yerrick Stoneman. Stoneman was Smith’s assistant for 11 seasons and knows the OHA tradition and demands of the position. He currently coaches at Ridge View (Columbia, S.C.), where he captured regional titles ever since his arrival along with three consecutive Class 4A state championships from 2018-20.

“I didn’t have to think twice about it because coach Smith called me and told me he would like for me to take over. If he has the confidence in me to do it, I think I can get the job done. I’m never going to replace him. You aren’t to replace someone who has done that for so long and done it so well,” said in a published report for The (Columbia) State.

Stoneman was the obvious choice and will make the transition a seamless one.

Tournament updates

Finally, the 60^th Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament will be a go at Frostburg State University in Cumberland, Maryland from March 10-12. That’s always been a powerhouse postseason tournament and we’re hearing at least four of the eight teams have received invitations: No. 18 St. Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) and Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) as an independent school.

That means four more will join the field and likely three from the Baltimore Catholic League with St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) and Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore) leading candidates. By the way, the Baltimore Catholic League semifinals and final will be played at Loyola University’s Reitz Arena on March 4 and 6 in Baltimore. The WCAC Tournament will be contested this week, starting Thursday. The bulk of the tournament will be this weekend at Robinson High School in Fairfax, Va.

In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals are set for Wednesday at The Palestra. The pairings are Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) vs. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), 6:15 p.m., and West Catholic (Philadelphia) vs. Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia), 7:45 p.m.

The winners advance to the championship doubleheader tilt on Feb. 28 at The Palestra, tipping at 8 p.m. The girls’ final is 6 p.m. If you plan on attending the semifinals or finals, tickets are going fast.

That’s it for the third week in February. There’s lots more going on in March.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on March 1.

Stay safe and mask up wherever you are mandated. Expect a second booster shot in the fall, according to news reports. In the meantime, enjoy the state playoffs. We’ll have an update next time on the two GEICO Nationals tournaments in April.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 22, 2022

1. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (24-1)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Luke Barnwell won his 200^th game at Sunrise when the Buffaloes clobbered McCallie School (Chattanooga), 69-36 at the Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Buffs also drilled Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga), 68-33.

2. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (28-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Defeated Tennessee Prep (Cordova, Tenn.), 77-55.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (22-4)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Idle.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-4)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Idle. The Eagles await the GEICO Nationals on March 31 in Fort Myers, Fla.

5. Richardson, Texas (30-1)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Cason Wallace (29 points) and Rylan Griffen (20 points) combined for 49 points in an 82-61 win over Jesuit (Dallas). The Eagles played Grand Prairie in the Class 6A Region I bi-district playoff game.

6. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (19-4)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: The Lakers peeled off three wins last week, beating Western Reserve Academy (Hudson, Ohio), 62-44, Rich Township (Matteson, Ill.), 96-58, and Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.), 77-45. The regular season wraps up with two games this week. Then it’s a month off before participating in the GEICO Nationals starting on March 31 in Fort Myers, Fla.

7. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (22-3)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Kylan Boswell scored 21 points and UCLA-bound guard Dylan Andrews added 20 to help defeat Inglewood (Calif.) College Prep, 104-47.

8. Duncanville, Texas (28-1)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: The District 11-6A champions crushed Waco, 105-32. The Panthers open the playoffs against Shoemaker (Killeen) in the Class 6A bi-district playoff game on Tuesday.

9. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (29-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: In the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool A, the Huskies defeated Damien (La Verne), 71-48 and Crean Lutheran (Irvine), 92-46, to finish with a 3-0 record. The Huskies entertain No. 14 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) for the Open Division title on Friday.

10. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (29-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Won the NIAA Class 5A Southern League championship, defeating Liberty (Henderson), 77-61. Darrion Williams scored 15 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter. The Gaels advance to the Class 5A state semifinals where they will face Spanish Springs (Sparks) on Friday in Reno. The final is Saturday.

11. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (29-7)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated Liberty Heights Athletic Institute (Charlotte, N.C.), 86-75, and Virginia Episcopal (Lynchburg), 106-64. Kentucky-bound forward Chris Livingston totaled 41 points in the two wins. The Warriors have three games this week.

12. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (20-2)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: In the Class 4A, Region 4 quarterfinals, the Eagles stopped Hallandale, 70-28. They play North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek) in the Region 4 semifinals on Tuesday.

13. Camden, N.J. (21-2)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: The Panthers defeated Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill) twice, 90-63 and 78-66, and Rutgers Prep (Somerset), 70-54. In the second win over Camden Catholic, junior center contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Panthers clinched at least a share of the Olympic National title.

14. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (24-2)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: In CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool B play, the Wolverines defeated

Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 68-43, and No. 15 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 63-60. In the latter game, junior forward Brady Dunlap scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Cameron Thrower netted 18 points. They play at No. 9 Corona Centennial for the Open Division title on Friday.

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

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: In CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool B play, the Blazers beat Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 60-53, and lost to No. 14 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 63-60.

16. Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (30-1)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Downed Simeon (Chicago), 60-32, and Proviso West (Hillside), 69-37. Bobby Durkin dropped in 19 points, Braeden Huff had 14 and Ryan Renfro added 8 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the regular-season finale.

17. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (21-2)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: The Lions beat Oratory Prep (Summit), 73-56, in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals. Also beat The Patrick School (Hillside), 66-62, as Nebraska-bound Jamarques Lawrence scored 26 points.

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

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: The Panthers defeated Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 69-64, and St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 78-54, in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference action. Coach Glenn Farello’s team won their fifth WCAC outright or co-championships in the regular season and are the No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament.

19. Centerville, Ohio (23-0)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: The Elks beat Fairborn, 73-33, in the Division I sectional first round. They face Belmont (Dayton) in the semifinals on Tuesday.

20. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (22-3)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Crusaders opened the postseason with a 73-54 victory over St. Peter’s (Staten Island) in a New York Archdiocesan Quarterfinals. Elsewhere, Isaiah Alexander contributed a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 71-57 win over St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows). In a 56-54 nail-biter victory over rival St. Raymond (Bronx), freshman Danny Carbuccia had 16 points and senior guard Samuel Gibbs added 9 points and 9 rebounds.

21. North Little Rock, Ark. (23-3)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Defeated Northside (Fort Smith), 77-45, and Bryant, 72-41.

22. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (21-1)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Ty-Laur Johnson scored 25 points and handed out 10 assists and Ladji Kalilou-Dembele had 22 points and 15 rebounds in an 82-67 win over Morris Catholic (Denville). The Gray Bees play Lawrenceville Prep in the New Jersey Prep A tournament semifinals on Wednesday.

23. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (22-2)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Defeated Christ the King (Middle Village), 70-51. The Cardinals earned a bye to the New York Archdiocese Class AA semifinals after winning a tiebreaker for the regular-season league title. The final is Saturday at Christ the King. Additionally, Tobe Awaka was named league player of the year.

24. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (23-5)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: At the Crush in Valley II, the Crew bounced back from two losses in New Jersey to stop Veritas Prep (Calif.), 68-55, as Kansas-signee M.J. Rice bucketed 28 points.

In an 82-62 win over SFBA (Daly City, Calif.), USC-bound forward Tre White was named Powerade Player of the Game after posting 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals.

25. Westfield, Houston (28-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Lone Star State’s third-ranked Class 6A enter the Elite 25 after off-the-charts regular season and District 14-6A after a 14-0 run. The Mustangs embark on a road to the state semifinals with their first assignment versus Conroe in the 6A Region II bi-district playoff round. With a win they will play later this week in the Area round.

Dropped out: No. 21 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (18-5)
2. Imhotep Prep Charter, Philadelphia (21-4)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (31-5)
4. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (17-3)
5. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (24-1)

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

Midwest

1. Glenbrook South, Glenview, Ill. (29-2)
2. Whitney Young, Chicago (20-9)*
3. Chesterton, Ind. (22-0)
4. Simeon, Chicago (23-5)
5. Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central (17-1)

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

Southland

1. Pebblebrook, Mableton, Ga. (25-2)
2. Beaumont (Texas) United (29-3)
3. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (31-3)
4. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (23-5)
5. George Rogers Clark, Winchester, Ky. (28-1)

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

Far West

1. Garfield, Seattle (21-0)
2. Campolindo, Moraga, Calif. (25-1)
3. Poly, Riverside, Calif. (26-3)
4. Brophy Prep, Phoenix (24-2)
5. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (14-10)

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

Records through Sunday’s games

 * Won state, national or recognized conference/league postseason tournament championship

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 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.