No. 15 Mater Dei (CA) moves up four spots in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings; Archbishop Stepinac (NY), St. Francis Prep (NY) impressing during CHSAA spring season

BENSALEM, Pa. — Six games in six days, you think No. 15 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) wants to ball?

When the pandemic shifted the California Interscholastic Federation basketball season to springtime, players, coaches and fans were salivating for any action, period. Well, Mater Dei is making up for lost time and coach Gary McKnight, one of the winningest boys’ coaches in high school history, makes sure his teams are playing lots of games. That’s more than any NBA team handles in two weeks.

Last week, the Monarchs (23-0) played on six consecutive days, including twice in the competitive Trinity League and at the Nike Extravaganza, against quality competition. It helps when you have a roster chock full of Division I talent, but Mater Dei thinks big and wants to be prepared for the CIF-Southern Section playoffs that get underway later this month. The main competition from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings is No. 11 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth). Mater Dei ascends the Elite 25 by four spots after a busy week that leads into the final week of the regular season and a perfect mark in the Trinity League with two games left.

California is the big kahuna still playing but New York, Oregon and Washington finishing up spring seasons. In New York, the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association is nearing the end of its spring season. Pool play will conclude next weekend and eight teams will advance to a separate pair of championships. The finals are May 27 at Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.). To follow the action, click here. Blue Star Media updates the scores and standings daily.

There are more state champions to laud from the Southwest.

Five were crowned last week in New Mexico: Class 5A, Cleveland (Rio Rancho); Class 4A, Del Norte (Albuquerque); Class 3A, Hot Springs (Truth or Consequences); Class 2A, Rehoboth Christian; and Class 1A, Magdalena. Next season, Las Cruces, runners-up in 5A, returns five starters and its top nine in the rotation. Junior William Benjamin is the team’s big-time prospect.

As we head closer to the grassroots circuit, Under Armour Association announced its summer schedule of four events.

The UAA circuit:

Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-31, Pacers Athletic Center, Westfield, Ind.

UAA 1, July 8-11, LakePoint Sports Complex, Emerson, Ga.

UAA 2, July 16-18, Fieldhouse USA, Frisco, Texas

UAA Finals, 23-25, Pacers Athletic Center, Westfield, Ind.

Sad news from Chicago, where Bogan coach Arthur “Goodie” Goodwin passed away last Friday. Goodwin’s teams made appearances in the Elite 25 rankings, most recently in the 2019-20 when the Bengals went 28-3 and the previous (2018-19) with a 30-4 mark and berth in the Class 3A final.

Booker, 54, was known as one of great guys in the Chicago Public League and fostered tremendous relationships with his players. In 12 years, Goodwin shepherded the Bengals to a 258-81 record and one city championship.

God’s speed, coach.

Elsewhere, the recruiting news never seems to end and in the last two weeks, there’s plenty to report. In Utah, Nolan Hickman of No. 10 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant) is the latest high-profile recruit to commit to Gonzaga. The 6-foot-2 guard de-committed from Kentucky earlier this month and just adds to the Zags monster class.

Hickman joins 7-0 Chet Holmgren of No. 6 Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis), considered the nation’s top recruit from the Class of 2021, Hunter Sallis of Millard North (Omaha, Neb.) and center Kaden Perry of Battle Ground (Wash.), plus Rasir Bolton, a graduate transfer from Iowa State. Most recently Hickman played in the Iverson Classic, a senior all-star game in Memphis, Tenn. He decided to reopen his recruiting when two Kentucky assistants left for other jobs. Hickman, who played three seasons at Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.) before transferred to Wasatch chose the Zags over Auburn and Kansas.

In Wisconsin, 6-9, 190-pound forward Patrick Baldwin Jr., is staying home to play for his father at UW-Milwaukee. Baldwin of Hamilton (Sussex, Wis.)is a McDonald’s All American chose UWM over powerhouse programs Duke and Georgetown. Baldwin is the highest ranked recruit (Top 5 according to most services) to sign with a Horizon League school. It’s expected he’ll be a one-and-done, entering the 2022 NBA Draft. Baldwin is a skilled perimeter player who can consistently knock down the 3-pointer.

TyTy Washington of No. 5 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) committed to Kentucky. Washington, who verbally committed to Creighton, reopened his college decision in March. The 6-3 guard selected the SEC power over Baylor, Kansas, Arizona, Oregon and LSU. Washington had a breakout senior campaign and helped the Dragons qualify for the GEICO High School Nationals and win the Grind Session World Championship. Washington is another player expected to spend one year in college before declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft.

Finally, another McDonald’s All American is declaring for the NBA G League Ignite team. Jaden Hardy, a 6-4 guard from Coronado (Las Vegas), is opting for the pros. Hardy did not play his senior year after the Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association canceled the 2020-21 season due to the coronavirus.

Hardy is a pure scorer and considered Kentucky, UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State.

Okay, that’s it for the month of May.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings return on June 1. Remember we skip a week for boys’ and girls’ hoops. We’ll finish up in late June.

Until then keep safe, mask up, practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly, get vaccinated and support your local businesses. I received my first Moderna NIAID vaccine two weeks ago and get the second one in early June. If you want to travel, attend sporting events or concerts, it’s going to be mandatory.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, May 18, 2021

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (24-1)* ! @

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Coach Kevin Boyle’s team are Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions!

2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (11-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: The Stags completed an unbeaten season and spent nearly two months atop the Elite 25.

3. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (21-4)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Advanced to the GEICO Nationals final. Three losses were to No. 1 Montverde.

4. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (21-3)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Advanced to GEICO Nationals semifinals.

5. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (29-2)*

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Advanced to GEICO Nationals semifinals and won the Grind Session World Championship. Standout G TyTy Washington committed last week to Kentucky.

6. Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis (20-1)*

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won Minnesota Class AAA state championship.

7. Duncanville, Texas (29-1)*

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship.

8. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (28-3)*

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won Georgia Class AAAAAAA state championship and played at the GEICO Nationals.

9. Camden, N.J. (13-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: There were no New Jersey state playoffs but the Panthers were the state’s top-ranked team.

10. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (18-7)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Earned an invitation to the GEICO Nationals.

11. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (9-0)^

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Trailblazers finish up the regular season this week with three games. UCLA-bound junior Amari Bailey pumped in 24 points and Ramel Lloyd added 21 in a 75-56 win over Brentwood Academy. Bailey also scored 32 points to beat Crossroads School (Santa Monica), 79-55.

12. Orlando (Fla.) Christian Prep (27-0)*

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won FHSAA Class 2A state championship.

13. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (21-9)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Coach Steve Smith is one win short of 1,200 career victories.

14. Carmel, Ind. (26-2)*

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship.

15. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-0)^

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Last weekend, the Monarchs hosted two games in the Nike Extravaganza. Coach Gary McKnight’s team defeated Capistrano Valley Christian (San Juan Capistrano), 71-47, as Nebraska-bound F Wilhelm Breidenbach hit for the daily double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, and St. Augustine (San Diego), 62-51, behind Harrison Hornery’s 21 points. The Monarchs will wrap up play in the Trinity League against Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) Tuesday and St. John Bosco (Bellflower) Thursday. They have an 8-0 mark in the league, but the St. John Bosco will present a huge challenge prior to the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. In a 60-45 win over Servite (Anaheim), Nick Davidson totaled 20 points and 11 rebounds and USC-commit Hornery had 15 points and grabbed 10 boards.

16. Pace Academy, Atlanta (30-2)*

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Won Georgia Class AA state championship and earned an invite to the GEICO Nationals. Sharman White was named an assistant coach for the USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team.

17. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (3-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: New York did not hold Federation State championships.

18. The Patrick School, Hillside, N.J. (14-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: The Celtics were upended once and will be stronger in 2021-22.

19. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (31-4)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Advanced to the GEICO Nationals quarterfinals.

20. DePaul Prep, Chicago (14-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: In a season when Illinois canceled state tournaments, the Rams won the Chipotle Clash of Champions, a tournament featuring Chicago’s top teams.

21. Simeon, Chicago (12-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: The Wolverines went unbeaten against Chicago Public League rivals.

22. Reading, Pa. (26-2)*

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won PIAA Class AAAAAA state championship.

23. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (20-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won the Philadelphia Catholic League and District XII titles but lost in Class AAAAAA final.

24. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (15-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: The MIAA A Conference regular-season champions lost in the Baltimore Catholic League final.

25. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (7-4)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Panthers played a competitive schedule with elite players, including Duke-bound Trevor Keels.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (8-2)^
2. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (12-3)
3. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (16-1)*
4. Bristol (Conn.) Central (15-0)
5. St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, N.Y. (4-0)^

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

Midwest

1. Catholic Central, Grand Rapids, Mich. (20-0)*
2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (6-9)
3. Vashon, St. Louis (16-1)*
4. St. Vincent-St. Mary, Akron, Ohio (25-2)*
5. Millard North, Omaha, Neb. (27-2)*

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

Southland

1. Millbrook, Raleigh, N.C. (19-0)*
2. Beaumont (Texas) United (31-0)*
3. Highlands, Fort Thomas, Ky. (30-4)*
4. Westlake, Austin, Texas (30-2)
5. Richardson, Texas (26-2)

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

Far West

1. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (16-1)^
2. Torrey Pines, San Diego (22-0)^
3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (16-2)^
4. Etiwanda, Calif. (7-1)^
5. St. Mary’s, Phoenix (20-1)*

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

@ Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champion

! GEICO High School Nationals champion

* Won state championship or major postseason tournament title

^ Currently playing a spring season

Records are through Sunday

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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.