No. 7 Mater Dei (CA) zooms up Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings with 3-0 week; No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL), Cooper Flagg takes home state Maine by storm

BENSALEM, Pa. – The first week of January was seemingly one of those after the holiday tournament rush that occupied the latter half of December.

Last month, there were key tournaments or events in South Carolina, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and California. These are the dates that really help transform the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings. It’s the first chunk of dates surrounding Christmas that give the Elite 25 a shake—adding and subtracting teams based on their performance in national events.

Well, January was good to No. 7 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) which moved up six spots after taking care of business in Trinity League play with three wins. The Monarchs are 17-1 because they wacked then-No. 18 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 83-62, Saturday night at the Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Two youngsters, sophomore Brannon Martinsen (19 points) and junior Brandon Benjamin (18) were too much for the league rivals. Some quested how good coach Gary McKnight’s team would be and the veteran mentor has rolled out a fundamentally sound team heading into the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend.

No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy will have a busy MLK Weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Three games in three days against three teams from the Elite 25. And two of those games will county in the EYBL Scholastic standings. Last weekend, Cooper and Ace Flagg of Montverde went home for two games in Portland, Maine. Although the Flaggs grew up about two hours to the north of Portland, the outpouring for two games was outstanding. Copper put on a show both nights and Ace had his moments too. Great move by coach Kevin Boyle to bring his team north and showcase the Flagg twins before they head off to college in the fall.

There will be eight EYBL Scholastic games this weekend at the Hoophall.

Meanwhile, the MLK is a big-time hoop weekend with several events. The premier event is the Hoophall Classic to be played at the birthplace of the sport. It’s 32 games over five days, starting Thursday, at Springfield College’s famed Blake Arena.

For entire schedule check here but we’ve highlighted several games involving Elite 25 teams.

Friday

3 p.m.: East Catholic (Conn.) vs. Christ the King (N.Y.)

6 p.m.: Catholic Memorial (Mass.)  vs. Mater Dei (Calif.)

7:30 p.m.: Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.)

Saturday, Session 2

4 p.m.: Columbus (Fla.) vs. Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)

5:30 p.m.: Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Brewster Academy (N.H.)

9 p.m.: Grayson (Ga,) vs. Perry (Ariz.)

Sunday, Session 2

3:45 p.m.: Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) vs. IMG Academy (Fla.)

5:30 p.m.: Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) vs. Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.)

7:30 p.m.: Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. Prolific Prep (Calif.)

9:15 p.m.: Oak Hill Academy (Va.)  vs. Brewster Academy (N.H.)

Monday

11 a.m.: Harvard-Westlake School (Calif.) vs. McEachern (Ga.)

1 p.m.: St. Paul VI Catholic (Va.) vs. Columbus (Fla.)
3 p.m. Arizona Compass Prep vs. Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)
5 p.m.: Link Academy (Mo. )vs. IMG Academy (Fla.)

Additionally, there are other events branded must-see hoops:

Thursday-Saturday, Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, Springfield, Mo: Three teams, St. Paul VI Catholic, McEachern and St. John Bosco, from the Elite 25 head to the campus of Missouri State University.

Friday-Sunday, Grind Session in Daytona Beach, Fla.: Always a plethora of talent on the floor and this time at DME Academy.

Friday-Monday, Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational in Kettering, Ohio: There’s a heavy influence of Ohio and Kentucky schools but Elite 25’s Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) has two dates.

Friday-Monday, St. James MLK Classic, Springfield, Va.: The event has several teams from the DMV. Here’s the latest schedule with a heavy emphasis on the girls.

Since there no additions to the Elite 25, we’ll wrap it up.

However, we are expecting bounce backs from three teams that were tripped up last week: No. 22 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) slipped 18 spots; No. 23 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) down 17 and No. 25 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) down seven. All three built up equity in the first month but now must right their ships. No. 12 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) had an extended break but came out, leaping 11 spots, and winning two EYBL Scholastic matchups in La Porte, Ind.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Jan. 16.

If you didn’t see them, here are the Blue Star Media Elite 25 final football rankings.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 9, 2024

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (15-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Defeated then-No. 4 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 93-51, and CATS Academy (Braintree, Mass.), 105-58, at the Maine Event in Portland, Maine. Duke-bound Cooper Flagg totaled 52 points in his homecoming games. The Eagles will play three games at the Hoophall Classic this weekend in Springfield, Mass.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (11-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: In the EYBL Scholastic, the Crusaders defeated then-No. 8 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 82-65, as V.J. Edgecombe put up 21 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.

Also stopped Legacy Early College (Greenville, D.C.), 84-51.

3. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (11-1)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Panthers wiped out St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.), 87-19, and Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 79-47, in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play. Up next is the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., starting on Thursday for three days.

4. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (13-4)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Jasper Johnson, a 6-6 junior G, put on a show in his home state Sunday afternoon flipping in 37 points (10 3-pointers) when the Lions defeated Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, 90-52, at Court XIV Classic in Versailles, Ky.

5. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (14-1)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Defeated Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 65-51, as Kaden Magwood dropped in 21 points. He also scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in a 75-71 victory over Orangeville Prep (Ontario) at the EYBL Scholastic.

6. Columbus, Miami (13-4)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Defeated Mater Lakes (Miami), 85-54, Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale), 61-58, and Lake Worth, 69-56

7. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (17-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: The Monarchs went 3-0 in the Trinity League, notably defeating then-No. 18 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 83-62. Junior Brandon Benjamin bucketed 18 points off the bench, draining 9-of-10 shots. Also beat JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 78-67, and Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, 62-41, as Brannon Martinsen popped in 15 points in the latter win.

8. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (17-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Defeated Alemany (Mission Hills), 71-31, and Heritage Christian (Northridge), 74-62. The Wolverines have two games this week in the Mission League before heading to the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

9. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (17-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Defeated Loyola (Los Angeles), 77-40, and De La Salle (Concord), 74-70, in two overtimes.

10. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (12-2)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Idle.

11. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (18-1)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Defeated Northeast (Oakland Park, Fla.), 68-62, Real Run Winter Classic in Long Beach, Calif. Brayden Burries’ basket with 5 seconds left helped beat St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.), 62-61.

12. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (7-2)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: The Tigers returned from an extended holiday break beat then-No. 22 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 90-77. Isiah Harwell (22 points, 14 rebounds) and Augustin Ekwe (16, 10) each recorded double-doubles. Ohio State-bound John Mobley Jr. scored 30 points in a 72-65 win over then-No. 6 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.).

13. Dynamic Prep, Irving, Texas (12-1)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Idle.

14. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (18-2)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Idle. The Crew is off until Jan. 14.

15. Ridge View, Columbia, S.C. (15-0)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Defeated Lugloff (S.C.)-Elgin, 66-57.

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (14-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Defeated Brookwood (Snellville), 81-41, and North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.), 68-51.

17. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (12-2)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Idle.

18. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (10-0)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Defeated Warren Central (Indianapolis), 62-47.

19. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (8-1)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Defeated Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood), 70-57, improving to 3-0 in CHSAA Class AA Brooklyn-Queens Division. Also beat Jefferson (Brooklyn), 69-66. Qinfang Pang had 21 points and 6 rebounds.

20. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (8-2)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: The big news out of North Jersey is All-American and Rutgers recruit G Dylan Harper is out with an injury. However, the Ironmen defeated DePaul Catholic (Wayne), 68-34, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), 54-45, and Montclair Immaculate, 56-51. Junior Brady Loughlin totaled 52 points in three games.

21. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (6-7)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Lost to then-No. 23 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 90-77, in the EYBL Scholastic. Donovan Freeman pumped in 27 points in the loss. Also beat Canyon International Academy (Glendale, Ariz.), 77-64.

compete in the star-studded field at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

22. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (11-2)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Lost to Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 65-57, and No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 93-51.

23. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (9-3)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: In the EYBL Scholastic, the Lakers were blown out by No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 82-65, as Jerry Easter II had 18 points. Also lost to then-No. 23 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 72-65.

24. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (10-3)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Defeated Alexander (Douglasville), 58-46.

25. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (15-3)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Lost to No. 7 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 83-62, and defeated both Servite (Anaheim), 83-57, and JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 67-51. The Braves are 2-1 in the Trinity League.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Bishop O’Connell, Arlington, Va. (12-2)
2. The Patrick School, Union, N.J. (13-1)
3. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (11-0)
4. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (10-0)
5. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (19-0)

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

Midwest

1. Curie, Chicago (15-1)
2. De Pere, Wis. (11-0)
3. Homewood (Ill.)-Flossmoor (14-1)
4. Fishers, Ind. (12-0)
5. Mount Carmel, Chicago (17-2)

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

Southland

1. Plano (Texas) East (22-0)
2. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (11-2)
3. North Mecklenburg, Huntersville, N.C. (11-2)
4. Huntsville, Ala. (21-1)
5. Stony Point, Round Rock Texas (21-1)

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

Far West

1. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (15-4)
2. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (15-1)
3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (16-1)
4. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (13-4)
5. Liberty, Henderson, Nev. (10-1)

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

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 (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.