No. 2 Prolific Prep (CA), No. 17 Archbishop Stepinac (NY) win big chips; Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings with minimal movement

BENSALEM, Pa. – If the season were a live game, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings are down to the last two TV timeouts and the driver is warming up the bus.

We have two ranking periods left and then it’s a shift to the summer circuit and USA Basketball happenings worldwide.

There were several state championships conducted in the Midwest with a few more in the East remaining plus the Grind Session World Championships in Topeka, Kansas.

No. 2 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) won its third consecutive World Grind Championship and No. 17 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) secured the treble by winning a second straight CHSAA vs. PSAL Challenge or the unofficial New York City title. That’s a huge chip for Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni, who has stamped himself as a big-time national coach.

This week, it’s three state championships to wind down the season with the CHIPOTLE Nationals remaining from April 2-6 in Fishers, Ind.

And if you are a basketball fan and live anywhere near Indianapolis, the next two weeks will be a basketball bonanza. First, the NCAA Men’s Midwest Regional will be played Friday, March 28 and Sunday, March 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium. They will drop a circuit to cut the stadium in half and it should hold around 30,000.

The following week the CHIPOTLE Nationals in suburban Indianapolis and National Invitational Tournament (NIT) will be housed for two nights inside historical Hinkle Fieldhouse (yes, the movie Hoosiers was filmed there on the Butler University campus). The semifinals are Tuesday, April 1 and the final is two days later (Thursday, April 3, ESPN, 9 p.m. ET) on the second day of the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

Yet the Indiana High School Athletic Association will crown four state champions on Saturday, March 29 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.

There are two sessions with the smaller classifications going in the morning and early afternoon. Tickets are reserved and $15 per session.

Session 1 (All times are Eastern)

10:30 a.m. Class 1A, Clinton Prairie (26-2) vs. Orleans (24-4)

Approximately 12:45 p.m., Class 2A, Manchester (25-2) vs. University (20-9)

Session 2

6 p.m., Class 3A State, South Bend Saint Joseph (26-3) vs. Indianapolis Crispus Attucks (22-6)

Approximately 8:15 p.m., Class 4A, No. 18 Fishers (30-0) vs. Jeffersonville (23-5).

If you can’t make, stream any or all four games live (for a cost) here.

Just to the south, the Commonwealth of Kentucky will put on a show for four consecutive days.

In Lexington, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association takes over famed Rupp Arena from Wednesday, March 26 through Saturday, March 29. On the first two days of the UK Healthcare Sweet Sixteen, there will be four first-round matchups.

St. Xavier (Louisville) plays Jeffersontown on Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. The Tigers are 31-2 and unbeaten in Kentucky with an 18-game win streak. Get the tickets here.

The quarterfinals are Friday, March 28 with tip times of 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The semifinals are Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The final is 7:30 p.m.

Chocolate Town USA or Hershey hosts the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championships with 12 boys’ and girls’ finals, running for three days, tipping Thursday, March 27 at the GIANT Center. There are six sessions of two games. Tickets can be accessed here. The all-session passes can be purchased online here.

Thursday, March 27
Class 2A Girls, 12 p.m.
Class 1A Boys, 2 p.m.
Class 3A Girls 6 p.m.
Class 4A Boys 8 p.m.

Friday, March 28
Class 1A Girls 12 p.m.
Class 2A Boys 2 p.m.
Class 6A Girls p.m.
Class 5A Boys 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 29
Class 4A Girls 12 p.m.
Class 3A Boys 2 p.m.
Class 5A Girls 6 p.m.
Class 6A Boys 8 p.m.

The most fascinating fact is six of the championship games involve Philadelphia Catholic League schools: two girls in Class 4A and 5A; and four boys in Class 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A. The league will have at least one school playing on each day and are guaranteed at least two champions. That’s because rivals Father Judge and Roman Catholic play for the Class 6A crown on Saturday, 8 p.m. Judge won twice this year, including the Catholic League championship game at iconic Palestra, considered the Cathedral of Basketball.

Meanwhile, Neumann-Goretti boys and girls will compete for titles in Class 5A on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, respectively. Neumann plays Lansdale Catholic for the crown and it would mean two league teams secure the hardware. Expect quite the contingent from South Philadelphia (Neumann’s location) to be in the house.

Just wondering: Is Archbishop Nelson Jesus Pérez is a basketball fan? He has plenty of reasons to cheer and attend the games. Amen, Your Excellency.

There are no additions to the Elite 25 boys rankings but there are two weeks left. One team moved up this week, one dropped and 23 remained in the same position. Elite 25 teams have annexed 12 postseason championships and nine of the 12 teams looking to add a title this season compete in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference and are off to CHIPOTLE Nationals next week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, April 1. No Fooling!

March Madness

Sunday night, the NCAA Men’s Sweet Sixteen was finalized.

The upset specials from the first round predicted were Drake, McNeese State, Colorado State and Arkansas. All held up. Even Texas Tech and Maryland advanced and might go damage moving forward.

 The Final Four prediction of Duke (from the East Region), St. John’s (West), Michigan State (South) and Tennessee (Midwest) was nearly correct after two rounds. St. John’s was knocked out by Arkansas in the Round of 32. I will amend the West Region as top-seeded Florida is on a roll and the replacement. Thankfully, Xavier, North Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi State were eliminated in the first round but took away bids from other deserving teams as we pointed out last week.

 We’ll update it next week and a brief look ahead to the NCAA Men’s Final Four in San Antonio.

 Finally, things are starting to take shape in southern California. Since the wildfires ravaged the surrounding Los Angeles area in early January, the locals have been displaced and are picking up the pieces of their lives.

We’ve vetted a few places that will make a difference.

Consider donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts or to The Salvation Army. No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome. Here’s another one called Fire Aid.

Stay strong California.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 25, 2025

1. Columbus, Miami (27-3)*

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: Idle. After winning a fourth consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship, the top-seeded Explorers will rest up for the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

2. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (34-5)*

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Won the Grind Session World Championship for the third straight year and fourth time since 2020, defeating Fort Erie (Ontario, Canada), 77-50, in the final. Kansas signee and McDonald’s All-American guard Darryn Peterson had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists and Winters Grady and Tristan Beckford scored 14 points apiece. In the semifinals, the Crew beat DME Academy Daytona Beach, Fla.), 78-72. Grady flipped in 21 points, sinking 5-of-11 3-pointers and Peterson and Chris Kitenge added 19 points apiece. The Crew are off to the CHIPOTLE Nationals next week in Fishers, Ind.

3. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (35-2)*

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Won the CIF Open Division state championship. Season complete.

4. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (21-7)+

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Lions get the automatic bid to the CHIPOTLE Nationals and play again on April 3 in Fishers, Ind.

5. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (31-3)

Previous: 5.

Lowdown: Advanced to the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division semifinals. Season complete.

6. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (27-4)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: The Bobcats will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals, April 2-5, in Fishers, Ind.

7. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-6)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Crusaders will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals, April 2-5, in Fishers, Ind.

8. CIA Bella Vista Prep, Phoenix (21-5)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: It’s a good time for the Bears, who will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

9. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (19-7)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Eagles have the opportunity to defend their CHIPOTLE Nationals championship in April.

10. Calvary Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (22-1)*

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Won the FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Season complete.

11. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (27-6)*

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Season complete.

12. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (29-5)*

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Class AA championship. Season complete.

13. Hoover, Ala. (35-0)*

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Won the Class 7A state championship for the third consecutive year. Season complete.

14. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (29-3)*

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Won the Class AAAAAA state tournament. Season complete.

15. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (27-2)*

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Won the Arizona Open Division state championship for a fourth straight title. Season complete.

16. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (28-8)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Advanced to the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division final. Season complete.

17. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (26-4)**

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: For the second straight year, the Crusaders won the CHSAA vs. PSAL Challenge, defeating Thomas Jefferson (Brooklyn), 69-67, in the city final. UMass-bound Danny Carbuccia and Most Valuable Player Hassan Koureissi each scored 15 points. Also won the New York CHSAA Intersectional AA championship. Season complete.

18. Fishers, Ind. (30-0)

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Defeated Crown Point, 73-48, in the Class 4A Semistate final and South Bend Riley, 82-46, in the semifinals. The Tigers put their perfect record on the line on Saturday, March 29 in the Class 4A state championship against Jeffersonville in Indianapolis.

19. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (22-5)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: The Tigers will participate in the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

20. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (21-7)

Previous: 220.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders are invited to CHIPOTLE Nationals.

21. Dynamic Prep School, Irving, Texas (31-4)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Up next is the CHIPOTLE Nationals on April 2 in Indiana.

22. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (26-7)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Advanced to CIF-SoCal Region Open Division playoffs. Season complete.

23. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (19-8)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Season complete.

24. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (28-3)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Won GHSA Region 4-AAAAAA tournament and regular season titles. Advanced to Class AAAAAA state semifinals. Season complete.

25. San Antonio (Texas) Brennan (33-3)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: Advanced to UIL Class 6A, Division I semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (34-4)**
2. Father Judge, Philadelphia (23-7)*
3. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (25-5)
4. Highland School, Warrenton, Va. (38-5)**
5. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (27-5)*

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

Midwest

1. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (33-5)*
2. DePaul Prep, Chicago (33-4)*
3. Kenwood, Chicago (31-2)*
4. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (16-7)
5. Oak Park, Kansas City, Mo. (32-1)*

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

Southland

1. Reidsville, N.C. (31-0)*
2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (30-2)*
3. St. Xavier, Louisville, Ky. (31-2)
4. Dallas (Texas) Kimball (28-5)*
5. Christ School, Arden, N.C. (28-3)*

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

Far West

1. Utah Prep Academy, Hurricane, Utah (22-12)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (27-7)*
3. Archbishop Riordan, San Francisco (29-2)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-5)*
5. St. Joseph, Santa Maria, Calif. (31-2)

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

Records through Sunday

* Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

[Editor’s note: Each asterisk represents a separate postseason title]

 + Nike EYBL Scholastic Champions

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December 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 at the conclusion of the season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.