No. 23 Great Crossing (KY) leaps into Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings; Chipotle Nationals ready to captivate the nation with 12 mega games

BENSALEM, Pa. – The state tournaments are over. They ended last weekend in the commonwealths of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The former had a small impact on the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings.

With the winter interscholastic season nearly done and one mega event left, No. 23 Great Crossing of Georgetown, Kentucky enters the Elite 25 after securing its first-ever Kentucky state championship in dismantling Bowling Green, 71-61, in the final. The Warhawks (35-4) closed with 27 straight wins and the Kentucky Wildcats fan base still smarting from a loss in the NCAA Men’s regional semifinals, caught a glimpse of the future at Ruppe Arena in Lexington. Malachi Moreno put on a show for four days at the UK’s home venue and bagged Most Valuable Player accolades with another double-double in the final.

The Warhawks started 8-4 with losses in national holiday tournaments in South Carolina and Florida but went home and peeled 15 wins in Region 11 and then advanced to the state tournament. When then-No. 18 Fishers (Ind.) was upset in overtime by a point in the Indiana Class 4A championship game on Saturday, March 29, it opened the door for a newbie from south of the state line to enter.

Otherwise, the Elite 25 is intact with some movement in the lower eight teams with the CHIPOTLE High School Nationals ready to dominate the national scene, tipping Wednesday, April 1 at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis.

All 10 teams from the boys’ rankings compose the field and three of four from the latest Elite 25 girls. Here’s the updated schedule and luckily all 12 games can be viewed live either streamed or on the ESPN family of networks.

Wednesday, April 1, first round (All times Eastern)

6:15 p.m., No. 9 Montverde (Fla.) Academy vs. No. 20 Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas)

8 p.m., No. 19 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. No. 18 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah).

Thursday, April 2, quarterfinals

2 p.m., No. 2 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) vs. No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookhaven, N.Y.), ESPN2

4 p.m., Game 1 winner vs. No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), ESPN2

6 p.m., No. 8 CIA Bella Vista (Phoenix) vs. No. 6 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), ESPNU

8 p.m., Game 2 winner vs. No. 1 Columbus (Miami), ESPNU

Friday, April 4, semifinals

10:30 a.m., Family Faith girls (Dallas) vs. No. 1 Montverde Academy, ESPNU

12:30 p.m., No. 6 IMG Academy girls vs. No. 5 Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.), ESPNU

2:30 p.m., boys semifinal, ESPN2

4:30 p.m., boys semifinal, ESPN2

Championship Saturday, April 5

10 a.m., girls final, ESPN2

12 p.m., boys final, ESPN

Once again, the CHIPOTLE Nationals will deliver and the Elite 25 National Championship will likely be decided this weekend.

Elsewhere, the 48^th McDonald’s All American Games will be played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday, April 1. The girls game tips at 6:30 p.m. ET. The boys tip at 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here. The games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

There are several players from Elite 25 teams in the prestigious senior all-star game.

Boys Rosters

 East: 6-7 Shon Abaev; 6-2 Darius Acuff Jr.; 6-5 Darius Adams; 6-9 Nate Ament; 6-9 Cameron Boozer; 6-4 Cayden Boozer; 6-7 Jalen Haralson; 6-6 Isiah Harwell; 6-4 Trey McKenney; 6-10 Malachi Moreno; 6-4 Braylon Mullins; 7-0 Eric Reibe.

Coach: Herman Harried, Lake Clifton (Baltimore).

West: 6-6 Alijah Arenas; 6-3 Mikel Brown, Jr.; 6-10 Niko Bundalo; 6-4 Brayden Burries; 6-10 Chris Cernac, Jr.; 6-9 A.J. Dybantsa; 6-8 Nikolas Khamenia; 6-7 Koa Peat; 6-6 Darryn Peterson; 6-4 Meleek Thomas; 6-9 Caleb Wilson; 6-5 Tounde Yessoufou.

Coach: Danny Broussard, St. Thomas More (Covington, La.).

In Arizona, two major stories from last week regarding No. 15 Perry (Gilbert). The Pumas will be shopping for a new head coach as Sam Duane Jr., who guided his team to national fame and a fourth straight state championship, has resigned as head coach.

According to published reports, Duane is taking a position in the Mesa Public Schools, pending a board approval. Duane’s new position will see him involved in junior high school athletics mentoring coaches with an emphasis on integrity and character.

This season, Perry went 27-2 and captured the Arizona Open Division championship.

And one of the primary reasons the Pumas were Elite 25 ranked is 6-8 Koa Peat, who until Thursday, March 26 was undecided on college. Peat won four state titles with Duane at the helm.

Well, he’s venturing far to play college ball after committing on ESPN to the Arizona Wildcats and coach Tommy Lloyd. It’s an instate recruiting coup for the Wildcats, who were knocked out of the NCAA Men’s Division I tournament in the round of 16.

Peat averaged a double-double as a senior, 20 points and 10 rebounds, and also considered Arizona State, Houston, Baylor and Texas. Peat is Arizona’s three-time Gatorade player of the year.

Speaking of Gatorade, Duke-bound forward Cameron Boozer of No. 1 Columbus was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year. It’s a well-deserved honor. The entire roll call of 2024-25 boys state winners is here.

In Hershey, Pa., the Philadelphia Catholic League schools cleaned up at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association winning five of the 12 state crowns. That’s four in boys and one girls side. The Neumann-Goretti girls won Class 4A (over a league rival) and sixth overall. Father Judge boys beat league rival Roman Catholic for the 6A chip. West Catholic won 3A, Devon Prep took 4A and Neumann-Goretti secured 5A for the program’s 10^th title.

Kudos to all the winners and the Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) girls, who ran into a buzzsaw in the Class 5A final in South Fayette of the Pittsburgh area. Wood had won the previous four titles under coach Mike McDonald and will be a strong team again next season and likely nationally ranked.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball final rankings drop Monday, April 7. The end of another season is approaching. The CHIPOTLE National will create a last great reshuffle of the Elite 25. With 10 teams in action, it’s survival mode for three or four days.

March Madness

Sunday night, the NCAA Men’s Sweet Sixteen was finalized. And it flat out stinks. All No. 1 seeds. Boring. No charm. No viewing in this household. The NCAA is doing everything to wreck this event.

See ya!

 The Final Four original prediction of Duke (from the East Region), St. John’s (West), Michigan State (South) and Tennessee (Midwest) was torn asunder two weeks ago but with the adjustment heading into the Sweet Sixteen, we added Florida and the Gators are marching to National Semifinals. So is Duke but Tennessee was ousted by a superlative defensive effort from Houston. In the South, Michigan State lost to top-seeded Auburn.

Duke is the lone saving grace of this monstrosity. Go Blue Devils!

Onward to the 2025-26 season, transfer portal games and the Women’s Final Four. The latter is worth watching. Vastly superior event.

 More pleas for help on the West Coast.

 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, April 1, 2025

1. Columbus, Miami (27-3)*

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: After winning a fourth consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship, the top-seeded Explorers will play this week in the CHIPOTLE Nationals quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: The three-time Grind Session World Champions take their act to the CHIPOTLE Nationals this weekend in Indiana.

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

Previous: 3.

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

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

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: The Lions play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals this week.

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 play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Crusaders had a fruitful tune-up for the CHIPOTLE National last week at a club tournament in East Ruthford, N.J. Now the real competition begins.

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

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: The Bears play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Eagles have the opportunity to defend their CHIPOTLE Nationals crown. Coach Kevin Boyle will resign following the tournament for a gig in Ohio.

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: Won a third straight New York CHSAA Intersectional AA championship. Also bagged the CHSAA vs. PSAL Challenge title for the second year in a row for the New York City title. The Crusaders return with a loaded team. Season complete.

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

Previous: 19.

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

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

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders are invited to CHIPOTLE Nationals.

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

Previous: 21.

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

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

Previous: 22.

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

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

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Season complete.

23. Great Crossing, Georgetown, Ky. (35-4)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Won first-ever Kentucky UK Healthcare Sweet Sixteen state championship, defeating Bowling Green, 71-61, in the final. Most Valuable Player and Kentucky recruit Malachi Morena posted a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Vince Dawson scored with 18 points and was added to the all-tournament team and Gage Richardson threw in 15. The Warhawks won their last 27 games after a sketchy 8-4 start in December. 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: No. 18 Fishers (Ind.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (34-4)**
2. Father Judge, Philadelphia (24-7)**
3. Bullis School, Potomac, Md. (23-7)**
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. Dallas (Texas) Kimball (28-5)*
4. Allen, Texas (34-2)
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.