BENSALEM, Pa. – The sign of great teams is resiliency and the teams that sit at the top of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings.

No. 1 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) appeared on the ropes last weekend, trailing by 17 points in the first half to No. 24 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia). The Indians rallied to win their second game at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, West Virginia and remain atop the Elite 25 rankings.

No. 2 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) is piecing together a historic season and stayed perfect after dispatching No. 6 Montverde (Fla.) Academy by 13 points at the Cancer Research Classic. 

No. 13 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) jumps eight spots after two decisive wins at the Cancer Research Classic. No. 25 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) clings to the Elite 25, dipping 14 slots, but built up enough equity over the holidays to absorb two losses. No. 24 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) did the same but both teams are on the clock.

Four teams, including three from the West Coast, join the Elite 25 rankings: No. 16 Salesian College Prep (Richmond, Calif.), No. 18 Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.), No. 19 Federal Way (Wash.) and No. 21 Westchester (Los Angeles).

Bishop Loughlin had the most impressive week, winning four games to nab the Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic title in New Orleans. The Lions are unbeaten but will be challenged in one of the nation’s tough leagues, New York CHSAA Class AA or the top flight of the New York City Catholic League.

There multiple events nationwide that will add zest to the Elite 25 and the following week, the nation will scatter for myriad events over the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend (January 17-21). We are less than a month from the postseason in some locations. Once the season hits January, it will be over in a blink of an eye.

The Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings return on January 15.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 8, 2019

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (12-0)

Previous ranked: 1.

Low-down: The Indians held serve as the nation’s top-ranked team, defeating then-No. 23 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), 60-53, and then-No. 13 Imhotep Prep (Philadelphia), 61-58, at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va. Auburn-bound Isaac Okoro had 24 points and 11 rebound against Findlay. Sharife Cooper pumped in 25 points in the latter win as the Indians topped the Philly school for the second time this season with a huge second-half rally.

2. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (17-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Coach Patrick Holmes’ team toppled then-No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 64-51, in the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va. Gerald Drumgoole nailed five 3-pointers en route to 21 points. Isaiah Stewart, a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game had 11 points and seven rebounds. Also beat then-No. 25 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 67-54. Next up is Michigan City (Ind.) on Wednesday.

3. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (15-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Idle. The Warriors return to the court Friday to begin a spree of seven games in 17 days.

4. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (12-1)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Villanova-bound Justin Moore threw in 29 points, on 13 of 17 shooting to defeat Norcross (Ga.), 70-67, at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va. The Stags renew their rivalry with Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) in an early season Washington Catholic Athletic Conference showdown.

5. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (16-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Tigers host Utah powers American Fork on Friday and Bountiful on Saturday.

6. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (10-2)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Split two games at Cancer Research Classic, losing for the second time this season to No. 2 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 64-51. The Eagles play home games against Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg) on Friday and Miramar on Saturday.

7. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (8-0) 

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis scored 19 points apiece to lead four players on double figures during a 100-37 rout of Keyport. The schedule picks up this weekend with state powerhouse Bergen Catholic (Oradell) Saturday at the Boardwalk Hoop Group Showcase at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft.

8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (15-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The Ascenders took down three Florida teams at the Prep Hoops Sun Bash in Tampa. This weekend they host the IMG Ascenders Classic.

9. Belleville (Ill.) West (17-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: It took a 29-23 fourth quarter spurt to hold off then-No. 25 Vashon (St. Louis), 79-72, in the final of the Highland Shootout, stretching the win streak to 32 games. EJ Liddell finished with 26 points, 12 rounds and six blocks to earn Most Valuable Player honors. 

10. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (18-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Trounced Mayfair (Lakewood), 75-56, and Rancho Solano Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 80-43, at the Sierra Canyon Super Showcase.

11. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Idle. The Eagles host East (Memphis, Tenn.) on Friday in nationally televised game on ESPN2.

12. Carmel Christian School, Matthews, N.C. (21-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: The Cougars have a showdown at Greensboro (N.C.) Day on Thursday.

13. Sunrise Christian, Bel Aire, Kan. (11-2)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Crushed then-No. 23 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), 63-32, and 

then-No. 13 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 53-44, at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia. Gary Sherfield had a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds versus Imhotep.

14. Warren Central, Indianapolis (10-0)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Stopped Lawrence North (Indianapolis), 49-40, and Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers), 58-37. The Warriors tip off the weeklong Marion County Tournament, starting with Speedway on Tuesday.

15. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (10-0)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Kentucky-bound Kahlil Whitney totaled 53 points in two victories. Whitney pumped in 24 points and grabbed six rebounds in an 84-69 win over First Love Christian (Washington, Pa.) at the Cancer Research Classic. He also torched Linden (N.J.) for a season-high 29 points in an 82-44 blowout.

16. Salesian College Prep, Richmond, Calif. (16-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: It’s been a wonderful two weeks for the Pride. First, it won the Chick-fil-Classic American Division in Columbia, S.C. in December. Last weekend, the Pride were back at it, stopping then-No. 15 Curie (Chicago), 63-57, and Callaway (Jackson, Miss.)57-53, at Mustang Madness in Paducah, Ky.

17. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (14-1)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: It was a light week with a 75-52 triumph over Deer Valley (Glendale). The two-time Arizona 4A state champions face their next challenge at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions over the Martin Luther King Weekend in Springfield, Mo.

18. Bishop Loughlin, Brooklyn, N.Y. (11-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic National Bracket in New Orleans, beating Dunham (La.), 67-58, in the championship game. The Champagnie brother act of Justin (23 points, six rebounds) and Julian (16 points, seven rebounds) combined for 39 points and 13 rebounds in the final. Julian was named MVP. The Lions are back at it this week with three games, including a New York CHSAA Brooklyn-Queens Class AA showdown with Christ the King (Middle Village) on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.

19. Federal Way, Wash. (11-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Washington’s top-ranked Class 4A team absorbed a loss to No. 11 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) last month, but have otherwise cruised. C Jaden McDaniels is the centerpiece for the Eagles and slam-dunk for the McDonald’s All-American Game.

20. Curie, Chicago (15-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: DaJuan Gordon, a Kansas State signee, scored 16 points to stop Muskegon (Mich.), 63-58, at the Muskegon Basketball Showcase. It was a bounced back after dropping to Salesian College Prep (Richmond, Calif.), 63-57, at the Mustang Madness in Paducah, Ky. The Condors have a huge matchup Tuesday with rivals Bogan (Chicago).

21. Westchester, Los Angeles (15-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Comets slide into the Elite 25 rankings after winning the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina last week and then jetting home to win two more games over the weekend. The crowded schedule resumes with three Western League games this week. Coach Ed Azzam’s squad faces crosstown rivals Fairfax on Jan. 18 and 25 in league play.

22. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-3)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Idle.

23. Allen, Texas (22-2)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Lost to Dallas Jesuit, 78-72, but rebounded to beat Boyd (McKinney), 82-51.

24. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (7-4)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: It was a long weekend in West Virginia for the Panthers, who dropped two games to national caliber opponents. They fell to No. 13 Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.), 53-44, as Xavier-bound Dahmir Bishop scored 14 points and top-ranked McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 61-58.

25. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-3)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Went 0-2 at the Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va.

Dropped: No. 17 Rainier Beach (Seattle); No. 18. Bella Vista Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.); No. 23 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) and No. 25 Vashon (St. Louis).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (10-1)

2. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (10-3)

3. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (8-0)

4. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (13-2)

5. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (13-2)

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

Midwest

1. Bogan, Chicago (14-1)

2. Bloom, Chicago Heights, Ill. (15-1)

3. Vashon, St. Louis (10-2)

4. Carmel, Ind. (9-0)

5. Park Center, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (9-0)

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

Southland

1. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (17-3)

2. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (15-1)

3. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (11-2)

4. Guyer, Denton, Texas (18-4)

5. Scotlandville, Baton Rouge, La. (22-1)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (18s-1)

2. Bella Vista Prep, Scottsdale, Ariz. (14-3)

3. Rainier Beach, Seattle (7-1)

4. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (12-4)

5. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (10-2)

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

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season. 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 Senior Writer Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.