No. 9 Harvard-Westlake (CA) wins Mission League title and moves up Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings; No. 25 IMG Academy conquers Puerto Rico

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was a crazy week in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section. Whenever the playoff brackets are revealed that means league tournaments were played and surprise results helped write the script.

Suffice it to say, the Southern Section Open Division eight-team draw was split into pool play that gets underway Friday. Five teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings have made while a sixth was added to the Division 1 bracket.

Here’s the Open Division Pools A and B.

Pool A

No. 9 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), Corona Centennial, No. 23 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) and No. 13 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth).

Pool B

No. 12 Roosevelt (Eastvale), JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), No. 10 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and Ss. Pius XI and Matthias Academy (Downey).

The schedule has pool games on Friday, Feb. 13 and Feb. 16. The pool winners meet on Feb. 23 at California Baptist University in Riverside. Last week, Mater Dei clinched the Trinity League title with two wins Roosevelt took the Big VIII Tournament and Harvard-Westlake captured the Mission League Tournament title.

It only set up what will happen over the next month, including the regional playoffs. All told there are 12 divisions in the Southern Section.

As for Division 1, No. 17 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) opens the 27-team field, including byes, with Crean Lutheran (Irvine) Wednesday. The second round is Friday followed by the quarterfinals on Feb. 13, semifinals on Feb. 16 and the final on Feb. 23 or 24.

This week the district playoffs get underway in Florida and No. 2 Columbus (Miami) is aiming for a third straight FHSAA Class 7A state championship. Several others are ready to transition to the postseason. We’ll keep you abreast of it all.

This week’s Elite 25 rankings feature one familiar face as No. 25 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) went to the island of Puerto Rico and won two key games, including a six-point triumph over then-No. 5 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) with Darius Acuff Jr. earning player of the game in both contests. The Ascenders re-enter having rough patches but they are ready for the next batch of games in the Nike EYBL Scholastic.

Five teams were static this week, including the top-3. Nineteen teams were on the move with 12 advancing. The biggest risers were No. 12 Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.) up 11 positions and two others from California went up eight apiece. No. 19 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) cratered 15 positions after losing twice at the Metro Classic in Somerset, N.J. No. 24 Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) split four games but remain in the Elite 25 for its strength of schedule and the power league they play in.

There two events of note this weekend.

First, the Morgan Wootten Showcase will take place Saturday at Bishop O’Connell School in Arlington, Va., or just a long jump shot over the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. There are five games, including two girls, with the day tipping off at 12 p.m. O’Connell is the host school and coached by Morgan’s youngest son, Joe Wootten. The Knights will play Grace Brethren Christian (Clinton, Md.) at 4:30 p.m. For more information click here.

Finally, moving west there’s the Heartland Hoops Classic in Grand Island, Neb. The 17^th annual edition if the all-day event tips Saturday morning. It’s six games wall to wall with the nightcap between Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) and Bellevue (Neb.) West at 7:45 p.m. CT at the Heartland Events Center. Here’s more on how to purchase ticketsand the schedule.

That’s it for another week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return Feb. 13.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 6, 2024

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (24-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Won two games at the Metro Classic in Somerset, N.J., stopping No. 6 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 75-54, and St. Rose (Belmar, N.J.), 84-55. Cooper Flagg had 28 points and 7 rebounds, Derik Queen produced 22 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists and Robert Wright III scored 15 points against St. Rose.

2. Columbus, Miami (20-4)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Defeated Florida Christian (Miami), 84-45, in the regular-season finale. The District 16-7A tournament tips off Thursday but the Explorers won’t play until Thursday in the semifinals. The title game is Feb. 10.

3. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (22-2)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Panthers defeated St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 83-66, The Heights School (Potomac, Md.), 95-59, and Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 74-55, in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play. The Panthers also travelled to Towson, Md., where they beat St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 73-57.

4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (14-3)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Defeated then-No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 61-48, and then-No. 21 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 75-60. That’s two quality wins over Elite 25 teams. Additionally, coach John Buck won his 300^th game on Jan. 27.

5. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (19-3)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: The Warriors blew out three opponents last week for a 3-0 record.

6. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (15-4)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: At the Metro Classic, the Lakers lost to No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 75-54, but beat No. 18 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 74-66, in two overtimes.

7. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (24-5)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: At the Puerto Rico Showcase in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the Crew lost to No. 25 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 98-92, and rallied to beat DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.), 65-60. A.J. Dybantsa was the player of the game after putting up 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists versus DME.

8. Plano (Texas) East (30-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Defeated Plano, 61-50, and Coppell, 77-50, improving to 11-0 in District 6-6A. Three games remain in the regular season and then the Class 6A bi-district playoff game.

9. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (25-3)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Won Mission  League Tournament title, defeating Crespi (Encino), 72-54, in the final. Robert Hinton scored 19 points and Christian Horry and Nikolas Khamenia each had 14. Also beat No. 17 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 60-56, in the semifinals. Trent Perry scored a game-high 22 points. In the first round, the Wolverines stopped Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills), 70-33, as Hinton flipped in 14 points. Up next is Corona Centennial Friday in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool A opener.

10. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (26-2)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won the Trinity League championship for the 42^nd time, defeating No. 23 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 72-66, and Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 73-59. Luke Barnett threw in 21 points with six 3-pointers versus SJB and junior Brandon Benjamin had 23 points and 10 rebounds in the latter game. The Monarchs tip the CIF-Southern Section Open Division with Ss. Pius X-Matthias Academy (Downey) Friday in Pool B play.

11. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (18-3)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: In one of the biggest games of the season, the Crusaders defeated then-No. 14 Christ the King (Middle Village), 99-66, as Boogie Fland had 25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, while Jasiah Jervis added 16 points. Also beat Mount St. Michael Bronx), 90-50, and Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn), 87-61, and are 12-0 in the league. At the Public vs. Catholic Hoops Showdown, the Crusaders stopped Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn), 77-55, with Game Most Valuable Player Danny Carbuccia contributing 13 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.

12. Roosevelt, Eastvale, Calif. (29-2)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Won the Big VIII League Tournament title, beating Corona Centennial, 63-50, in the final. The Mustangs host JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano) in the CIF-Southern Section Pool B opener.

13. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (24-2)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: The Trailblazers were upended by Crespi (Encino), 64-61, in overtime in the Mission League Tournament semifinals. Up next are the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs with three games in Pool A beginning Friday.

14. Dynamic Prep, Irving, Texas (17-1)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated RW Goines STEM Academy (Arlington), 87-36. It’s a busy week with three district games on tap.

15. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (21-2)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: The Rams improved to 8-0 in Region 4-AAAAAAA with two wins. Regular season is down to two games this week.

16. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (21-3)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Idle. The District 7-7A tournament opens this week.

17. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (24-3)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: In the Mission League semifinals, the Knights lost to No. 9 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 60-56. Mercy Miller scored 33 points. Up next is the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, starting with Crean Lutheran (Irvine) Wednesday in the first round. The second round is Friday.

18. Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N.H. (18-6)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: In Nike EYBL Scholastic in New Jersey, the Wolverines defeated then-No. 4 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 68-58. Daniel Jacobsen’s 16 points on 8 of 9 shooting paced a balanced that also featured 15 points from both Iowa State-bound Nojus Indrusaitis and Sebastian Wilkins. Also lost to No. 6 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 74-66, in two overtimes.

19. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (17-6)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: At the Metro Classic in Somerset, N.J., the Lions fell to then-No. 21 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), 68-58, and No. 4 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 61-48.

20. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (18-1)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Upset by Carmel, 42-35, but bounced back the next day to beat Fort Wayne North, 93-59.

21. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (20-4)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Defeated DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 69-60, and Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 54-52, moving to 8-2 in the WCAC. Lost to No. 4 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 75-60.

22. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (12-3)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Idle.

23. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (23-5)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Closed out the regular season losing to No. 18 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 72-66, and beating Orange Lutheran, 87-59. In the latter contest, Brandon McCoy bucketed 27 points. As for the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs, the Braves host No. 13 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) Friday in Pool A play.

24. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (18-4)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Lost at No. 13 Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains), 99-64, and Nazareth Regional (Brooklyn), 72-65, in league play. Also beat Monroe (Bronx), 56-51, and Xaverian (Brooklyn), 60-39. The Royals split their four games with the regular season finishing up on Feb. 13.

25. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (15-7)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Ascenders are back in the Elite 25 after a thrilling 98-92 victory over No. 7 Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) at the Puerto Rico Grind Session. Darius Acuff Jr. was the player of the game after tossing in 28 points and dishing out 12 assists. Acuff contributed 26 points, 5 assists and 2 steals in an 85-71 when the Ascenders beat Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).

Dropped: No. 25 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. The Patrick School, Union, N.J. (21-2)
2. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (16-2)
3. St. Rose, Belmar, N.J. (21-2)
4. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (18-3)
5. St. Raymond, Bronx, N.Y. (18-3)

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 (24-2)
2. St. Mary’s Prep, Orchard, Lake, Mich. (17-1)
3. Thornton, Harvey, Ill. (23-3)
4. Fishers, Ind. (18-1)
5. Homewood (Ill.)-Flossmoor (24-3)

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

Southland

1. Ridge View, Columbia, S.C. (21-1)
2. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (18-5)
3. Stony Point, Round Rock Texas (29-1)
4. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (18-2)
5. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (27-3)

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

Far West

1. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (25-1)
2. Liberty, Henderson, Nev. (17-2)
3. Windward, Los Angeles (25-3)
4. JSerra Catholic, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (24-4)
5. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (20-10)

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

Records through Sunday’s games.

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.