No. 4 Link Academy (MO) secures Nike EYBL Scholastic title and Chipotle Nationals invite; Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings feature major shifts

BENSALEM, Pa. – The only way Link Academy of Branson, Missouri might have secured an invitation to CHIPOTLE High School Nationals is crashing the party.

That’s exactly what the Lions, No. 4 in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings, did last week, winning four games in four days to win the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference championship in North Augusta, S.C. The Lions were one of 10 teams from the conference to convene at the Riverview Park Activities Center and barely qualified, needing to work out of a dreaded play-in game and triumph three more times to earn the automatic bid to CHIPOTLE Nationals next month in Fishers, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis after defeating No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.).

Heading into the EYBLs, the Lions were a long shot to push past the quarterfinals and needed to win the event because CHIPOTLE feature a whittled down eight-team bracket from April 3-5 at Southeastern Hamilton High School. That meant only seven at-large invites were going out and combined with their conference regular season and tournament showings, the Lions needed to at least advance to last Saturday’s final.

The Lions did and figure to be one of four or five EYBL teams invited along with Elite 25 teams Columbus (Miami) and Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.). Others in the hunt appear to be Washington Catholic Athletic Conference stalwarts St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) and Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.). PVI won the WCAC regular season and tournament championships giving them the edge but Gonzaga won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association AA title. Both could wind up receiving invites.

Paragon Marketing of Chicago, who created and operates the CHIPOTLE Nationals, is expecting to release the boys and girls (four teams) on Wednesday, March 12, leaving three weeks of preparation. It appears four teams—Link, Columbus, Prolific Prep and EYBL runners-up Long Island Lutheran—are locks. At least one WCAC team should earn a bid, leaving EYBL teams vying for three slots. Elite 25 teams Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), defending champions Montverde (Fla.) Academy and CIA Bella Vista Prep (Phoenix) are likely choices but Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) is also in the mix … perhaps barely. Could there be a surprise addition from Georgia, Arizona, Utah or Washington? Highly unlikely.

Here are the EYBL Scholastic standouts from the weekend or the all-tournament team:

Jerry Easter and Chris Cenac Jr. (Most Valuable Player), Link; Kayden Mingo and Kiyan Anthony, LuHi; and Miles Sadler, CIA Bella Vista Prep.

Speculation is rife in the days leading up to the CHIPOTLE Nationals announcement and there will be a few disappointed non-invitees. It’s beginning to sound like March Madness and the bubble teams grousing when their name is not called. Regardless, Blue Star Media will post the final brackets and ship it out over X. Follow me at @clawlor.

There are a few postseason tournaments brewing this week.

The California Interscholastic Federation state tournament runs Friday and Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Elite 25 teams will be playing in the Open Division games on Saturday evening. The schedule and ticketinformation. General admission is $16.

 Friday, March 14 (All times Pacific Daylight)

10 a.m. Division V Girls

12 p.m. Division V Boys

2 p.m.   Division III Girls

4 p.m.   Division III Boys

6 p.m.   Division I Girls

8 p.m.   Division I Boys

Saturday, March 15

10 a.m. Division IV Girls

12 p.m. Division IV Boys

2 p.m.   Division II Girls

4 p.m.   Division II Boys

6 p.m.   Open Division Girls

8  p.m.  Open Division Boys

The championship game pairings will be determined on Tuesday, March 11. All 12 championship games televised by Spectrum Networks and SportsNet.

In Piscataway, N.J., the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state finals will be held for three days (Friday-Sunday) at Jersey Mike’s Arena on the Rutgers University campus.

The championship pairings will be determined by Wednesday, March 12. Tickets are here.

Friday is four games in Non-Public A and B boys and girls; Saturday is Groups 1 and 3; and Sunday wraps up with four more in Groups 2 and 4.

In New York City, the Public Schools Athletic League Class 4A final is Thursday, March 13 at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John’s University in Flushing, Queens. The game tips at 7:15 p.m. EDT. The 3A final is 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16 on the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University. The 2A final is 2 p.m. and 1A is 12 p.m. both at the same venue.

The Grind Session World Championship has shaped its 16-team bracket for first round and quarterfinal games at High School High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, running for three days, starting Friday. No. 3 Prolific Prep is the lone Elite 25 team in the field. The Crew plays The Patrick School (Hackettstown, N.J.) Saturday at 6:45 p.m. MDT. The quarterfinals are Sunday.

The winners move into the semifinals which will be played March 22-23 at Haskell Indian Nations University in Topeka, Kansas. Prolific won the event last year.

One of the great state tournaments will touch down in one of the great college venues in the Midwest. The Illinois High School Association will crown four champions this week tipping on Thursday, March 13 at State Farm Center on the campus of University of Illinois in Champaign.

The pairing for Classes 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A will be determined on Monday, March 10 at the Super-Sectional round. Kenwood (Chicago) is on the verge of the Elite 25 won’t play in Class 4A until Friday, March 14 at 6 or 7:45 p.m. CDT. The third-place game is the next day at 9:30 a.m., and the final is 8 p.m.

For tickets click here. All games will be streamed on the NFHS Network. The Weigel IHSA TV Network channel finder.

Elsewhere, the NABC announced legendary St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) coach Bob Hurley Sr. will receive the 2025 NABC Mike Krzyzewski Award – renamed this year after being previously known as the NABC Metropolitan Award.

Hurley is one of the most influential coaches in American high school basketball history. He won 26 state titles and accomplished eight unbeaten seasons over 45 years. Hurley has helped countless coaches improve through his clinics and educational resources, and he continues to invest in the game’s next generation through The Hurley Family Foundation. The 2010 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee is the father of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley and Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley.

Boyle on the Move

Last week, there was big news out of Geneva, Ohio where Kevin Boyle of Montverde (Fla.) Academy was named the Director of Basketball and National High School head coach at Spire Academy.

This is a game-changer for Boyle, who was rumored to leave since last season but stuck around one more year in Florida.

Spire’s prepared statement:

“…marking one of the most significant coaching moves in high school basketball history. Kevin Boyle, an eight-time National High School Coach of the Year and the architect of multiple national championship teams, brings a winning pedigree and an unrivaled track record of developing NBA talent.

“Boyle will arrive at Spire following his tenure at Montverde Academy, where he has built a dynasty, developing more than 50 Division I athletes and future NBA stars, including Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Cade Cunningham, and Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. His Montverde teams won eight high school national championships, and in 2021, his program made history when seven of his players were selected in a single NBA Draft—the most ever from one school at any level. Prior to Montverde, he led St. Patrick High School (N.J.) to five NJSIAA state championships.

“With Spire’s world-class facilities, elite coaching staff, and rising national profile, Boyle’s appointment reinforces the Academy’s vision of becoming a top destination for high school basketball’s best talent.

“I want to thank Jonathan Ehrenfeld and the entire SPIRE team for this incredible opportunity,” Boyle said. “My goal isn’t just to win championships—it’s to create an elite program that transforms student-athletes into successful collegiate and professional players. The business of basketball is evolving rapidly, and Spire has the leadership, resources, and vision to be at the forefront of that change,” the statement read in part.

Boyle’s change will open up the Montverde Academy gig and the list of candidates will be long. As for Boyle, he said the school’s vision realigns with his. His sons, Kevin Jr. and Brendan, will be his assistants. Kevin Jr. is expected to become the head coaching in waiting when his dad steps down.

All the best to an all-time best.

This week there are no additions to the Elite 25 boys rankings but there are four weeks left, so change is coming. There are at least 11 teams on the verge of winning a postseason title, including CHIPOTLE Nationals. Thirteen moved up with No. 4 Link vaulting 14 positions after winning the EYBL Scholastic. Seven dropped with two sliding 15 slots. Nine have already won postseason tournament titles with more to come.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on Tuesday, March 18.

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.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Monday March 17 is the day to honor the patron saint of Éire. Erin go Bragh is an Irish phrase that means “Ireland forever.” Wear green!

Get your NCAA men’s and women’s brackets ready because we’ll make predictions after Selection Sunday, March  16.

Bye for now.

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

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, March 11, 2025

1. Columbus, Miami (27-3)*

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: Won fourth consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship, defeating Windermere, 68-36, in the final. Cameron Boozer scored 20 points and Cayden Boozer added 12 and 6 assists. In the semifinals, the Explorers defeated Seminole (Sanford), 78-48. Cameron Boozer scored 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting and collected 13 rebounds. The Explorers are headed to the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

2. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (33-2)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Defeated No. 5 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 71-59, in the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division semifinals. Brayden Burries scored 29 points. Up next No. 16 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Tuesday, March 11 for the right to play in the State Open Division final later this week in Sacramento.

3. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (30-5)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Crew won twice at the Grind Session St. George in Hurricane, Utah. Winters Grady fired in 31 points with six 3-pointers and Obinna Ekezie Jr. added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in a 78-69 victory over Academy of Central Florida (Orlando). Up next is the Grind Session National first round and quarterfinals this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Won the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament, defeating No. 7 Long Island Lutheran, 74-71, in the final. Houston-bound Chris Cernac Jr. (named MVP) had 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting and cleared 6 rebounds. Jerry Easter added 15 points. Also defeated Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 54-45, in overtime in the semifinals as Easter scored 15 points; No. 21 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 59-51, in the quarterfinals and No. 22 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), 46-39, in the first round. 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: Lost to No. 2 Roosevelt (Eastvale), 71-59, in the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division semifinals. In the first round, the Wolverines defeated No. 16 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 70-55. Season complete.

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

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: In the quarterfinals of the EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament, the Bobcats fell to then-No. 10 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 58-52. Sebastian Wilkins scored 13 points. The Bobcats await word on their fate for the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

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

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Lost in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament final to No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 74-71. Penn State-bound Kayden Mingo scored 22 points.

Kiyan Anthony contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds when the Crusaders beat No. 8 CIA Bella Vista Prep (Phoenix), 58-52. In the quarterfinals, they defeated then-No. 3 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 58-52. Anthony had 20 points and 9 rebounds while Mingo netted 19 points. Also defeated Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 71-61, in the first round. Anthony flipped in 25 points with two 3-pointers.

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

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: Lost in Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament semifinals to No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 58-52. In the quarterfinals, the Bears bounced No. 9 Montverde (Fla) Academy, 63-60. The Bears received 24 points off the bench and rallied in the second half from four down. Myles Sadler scored 19 points, sinking 8-of-12 shots.

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

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown:

Idle. The Eagles lost to No. 8 CIA Bella Vista Prep (Phoenix), 63-60, in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference quarterfinals. C.J. Ingram had 19 points (3-of-4 on 3s), 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Season complete.

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

Previous: 11.

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

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

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Idle. Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships. Regular season is complete.

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

Previous: 13.

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

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

Previous: 15.

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

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

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Won the Class AAAAAA state tournament, Newton (Covington), 61-56, in the final. Kevin Savage and Colben Landrew scored 19 points apiece. It was the program’s 10^th state title and fourth for coach Larry Thompson. Season complete.

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

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Won the Arizona Open Division state championship, defeating Sunnyslope (Phoenix), 663-44, in the final. It was the Pumas fourth straight state title, Koa Peat and Andrew Harrison scored 20 points apiece. Also stopped Sandra Day O’Connor (Phoenix), 76-57, in the semifinals. Season complete.

16. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (28-7)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: The Knights are in the CIF-SoCal Open Division championship game after defeating St. Joseph (Santa Maria), 66-64, in the semifinals. NaVorro Brown scored 23 points and Tyran Stokes had a double-double with 12 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Also beat Montgomery (San Diego), 76-56, in the first round. Up next is No. 2 Roosevelt (Eastvale) in the region final on Tuesday, March 11.

17. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (25-4)*

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Won the New York CHSAA Intersectional AA championship, outlasting St. Raymond (Bronx), 63-61, in overtime. Tournament Most Valuable Player Jasiah Jervis scored 17 points and Hassan Koureissi had 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Crusaders have reached the title game in every possible year since 2018. In the semifinals, they defeated Christ the King (Middle Village), 72-52. UMass-bound point guard Danny Carbuccia had 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and provided 8 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assist in the championship final. The Crusaders are scheduled to finish up with the PSAL champion on Sunday, March 23 in a city title game.

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

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 5 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 70-55, in the CIF-SoCal Region Open Division first round. Brandon McCoy scored 21 points. Season complete.

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

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Defeated Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah), 75-51.

20. Fishers, Ind. (26-0)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Won the Class 4A Carmel Section title, stopping Noblesville, 55-46, in the final,

Zionsville, 57-41, in the semifinals and Westfield, 54-47, in the quarterfinals. In the title game, Jason Gardner Jr. scored 14 points, Nathan Baker 12 and JonAnthony Hall 11.

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

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 58-52, in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Mariano Manciel scored 17 points. Season complete.

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

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: Lost to Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 64-47, in the Nike EYBL Scholastic Conference quarterfinals. Darius Acuff Jr. scored 20 points. Season complete.

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

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Lost in EYBL Scholastic Conference Tournament first round. Season complete.

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

Previous: 25.

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: 14.

The Lowdown: Lost to Bellaire (Houston), 65-57, in the Class 6A, Division I semifinals. The Bears remain in the Elite 25 because of their body of work but for how long? Season complete.

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Mount Carmel, Baltimore (34-4)**
2. Highland School, Warrenton, Va. (38-5)**
3. Imhotep Institute Charter, Philadelphia (24-5)*
4. Father Judge, Philadelphia (21-7)*
5. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (22-5)

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

Midwest

1. Kenwood, Chicago (31-1)*
2. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (16-7)
3. Oak Park, Kansas City, Mo. (27-1)
4. Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, Minn. (26-1)
5. DePaul Prep, Chicago (30-4)

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

Southland

1. Owasso, Okla. (24-4)
2. Reidsville, N.C. (29-0)
3. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (30-2)*
4. St. Xavier, Louisville, Ky. (29-2)
5. Dallas (Texas) Kimball (28-5)*

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

Far West

1. Utah Prep Academy, Hurricane, Utah (19-11)
2. St. Joseph, Santa Maria, Calif. (31-2)
3. Archbishop Riordan, San Francisco (28-1)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-5)*
5. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (25-7)

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.