ON THE FLY: No. 3 IMG Academy (FL) leaps five spots in Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings; NIBC proving to be top-notch national flight

BENSALEM, Pa. – When the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference was created the sole intent was up the ante for the nation’s powerhouse programs.

And when you win against the best of the best, you are rewarded. Putting your neck on the line in such a high-powered national conference becomes the focal point of the season other than qualifying for the GEICO High School Nationals to end the season in April.

With all eight teams, two teams distinguished themselves going 3-0 and moving up in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings.

What that means two Elite 25 teams are tied for first place in the NIBC as the schedule hits the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend or nearly the midway point in the season for most states. The biggest movers from the NIBC were No. 2 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) up five slots, No. 8 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) and No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) also progressed five.

The NIBC standings through seven games: 1-IMG 6-1. 1-Sunrise Christian 6-1. 3-Montverde 5-2. 3-La Lumiere 5-2. 5-Oak Hill 3-4. 6-Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.) 1-6. 6-Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) 1-6. 6-Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) 1-6.

There are two games over the MLK Weekend and an entire three-day weekend from Feb. 3-5 in New Jersey before the postseason conference playoffs in late February or early March. The remainder of the NIBC schedule is here.

No. 16 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) is lone newcomer to the Elite 25 rankings. The unbeaten Eagles are the third team from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, joining No. 24 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and No. 24 St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.), in the Elite 25.

As for the MLK Weekend, it’s a bonanza of games and events for four days, Thursday through Monday, coast to coast. Three of the most notable events are the Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.), Flyin’ to the Hoop (Kettering, Ohio) and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.).

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on Jan. 18, 2022. The rankings will reflect what occurred for the most part over the MLK Weekend.

Hopefully everyone is vaccinated or scheduled to get one. In the meantime, stay safe and mask up whenever possible.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 11, 2022

1. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (21-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Idle.

2. Sunrise Christian Academy, Bel Aire, Kan. (12-1)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: It’s becoming apparent the Buffaloes are one of the nation’s top teams and after a perfect 3-0 weekend at the NIBC in La Porte, Ind., there’s no further proof needed. Kansas-signee Gradey Dick provided a game-high 20 points, sinking 5 of 10 3-pointers, and Scotty Middleton added 19 with two 3s in a 71-60 win over No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy. The Buffaloes are 6-1 in conference play.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (11-2)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: The Ascenders leave Indiana with three wins over Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.), Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) and Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) in the NIBC and are 6-1 in conference play. The next big matchup is No. 9 Montverde (Fla.) Academy on Jan. 17 at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (11-3)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: The Eagles went 2-1 in the NIBC last weekend. They beat Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.), 78-45, as Florida-bound forward Malik Reneau recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Dillon Mitchell added 14 points and then-No. 13 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 63-55. The loss was to then-No. 7 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.), 71-61.

5. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (19-1)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: The Dragons edged Glenview College Prep (Phoenix), 51-44. This weekend they face No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and No. 8 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

6. Camden, N.J. (5-0)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Junior D.J. Wagner scored 59 points in three games and the Panthers won for the 43^rd consecutive time. Wagner netted 23 points, with a trio of made 3-pointers, 4 assists and 4 steals to hold off previously unbeaten Lenape (Medford), 76-64. The Panthers also stopped Bishop Eustace (Pennsauken), 66-47, after jumping to a 25-9 lead through one quarter. This weekend they play No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy on Thursday in Trenton, N.J., No. 20 Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Saturday and Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) on Jan. 17 at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

7. Richardson, Texas (19-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Defeated Irving, 86-40, and Berkner (Richardson), 87-46.

8. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (11-2)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: In the NIBC, the Lakers went 2-1 to improve to 5-2. Coach Pat Holmes’ club fell to No. 4 Montverde (Fla) Academy, 63-55. The Lakers beat Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.), 74-46, and No. 22 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 70-56. The Lakers are back at it on Saturday afternoon against Oak Hill Academy at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

9. Duncanville, Texas (16-1)

Previous rank: 3.

The Low-down: The Panthers beat Midway (Waco), 54-42, and Mansfield Lake Ridge, 71-55, in District 11-6A.

10. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (14-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: The Huskies won two games by 23 and 32 points. This week they have three games scheduled in the Big VIII League.

11. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Idle. COVID-19 concerns within the team wiped out games last week but there’s trip to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Missouri on the slate starting Thursday.

12. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (15-0)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated Basic (Las Vegas), 99-41. Jason Richardson and Ryan Abelman scored 15 points apiece as everyone entered the scorebook who played.

13. Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (16-0)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Caden Pierce netted 17 points and Bobby Durkin kicked in with 15 as four players hit for double-figures in a 60-45 victory over Benet Academy (Lisle) at the Pappas Shootout in Chicago. The Hilltoppers are slated to play Wednesday and Friday this week.

14. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (6-1)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: After an extended layoff, the Stags play at archrivals Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) on Tuesday night.

15. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (9-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: After dispatching league rivals Archbishop Molly (Briarwood), 78-47, the Cardinals beat Chaminade College Prep (St. Louis), 65-48, and Parkview (Little Rock, Ark.), 78-55, at the Hoophall South in Bentonville, Ark.

16. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (8-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Eagles had one game because of heavy snowfall but made the most of it with a 72-55 win over Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) in a Washington Catholic Athletic Conference contest.

17. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (8-1)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: The Lions won two games in the Union County Conference Watchung Division, stopping Linden, 57-47, and Plainfield, 80-47. In the former game, the Watson brothers Akil (17 points) and Tarik (15) teamed for 32 points and Nebraska-bound Jamarques Lawrence threw in 12. Akil Watson dropped in 18 points in a 96-28 thrashing of Union Catholic (Scotch Plains) at the SFIC Hoopfest in Roselle. The Lions face No. 18 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Thursday at the Metro Classic in the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton.

18. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (9-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Defeated The Knox School (St. James), 80-20. The Crusaders have two national games this weekend in Trenton, N.J. on Thursday, and Springfield, Mass. on Saturday.

19. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (9-1)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: In the Crusader Classic, Braylan Ritvo netted 13 points and 5 rebounds, and Samuel Gibbs, Danny Carbuccia and Isaiah Alexander all scored 11 points in a 60-48 win over archrivals Iona Prep (New Rochelle). The game was knotted at 28 by halftime before the Crusaders used a 25-10 run in the third quarter to pull away. Also stopped Xaverian (Brooklyn), 70-57, as Alexander flipped in a game-high 18 points.

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

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Capped a 3-0 week, dropping Killian (Miami), 70-29, at the Miami Classic.

21. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (16-2)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Idle. The Crew face St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) Saturday at the Kevin Durant MLK Classic in Virginia and then top-ranked Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) on Jan. 17 at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

22. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (15-7)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: The Warriors went 2-1 last weekend in the NIBC. They blew out Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah), 91-49, and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.), 99-68, but fell to then-No. 13 La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.), 70-56. Coach Steve Smith’s team is 3-4 in conference action.

23. North Little Rock, Ark. (12-3)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Defeated Little Rock Central, 68-57. Game with Conway was postponed.

24. St. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (8-2)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Panthers saw two games postponed due to heavy snow in northern Virginia. However, they did play and were upset by Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 64-61. This weekend it’s a return trip to the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo., where they play Springfield (Mo.) Catholic on Thursday in the quarterfinals at Missouri State’s JQH Arena.

25. Reading, Pa. (8-1)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Following a shock loss, the Red Knights topped Berks Catholic (Reading), 67-51, and Governor Mifflin (Shillington), 79-58. It will be a busy week with three games scheduled against Harrisburg, Chester and Conrad Weiser (Robesonia).

Dropped out: No. 24 Beaumont (Texas) United.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Prep Charter, Philadelphia (8-2)
2. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (5-1)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (16-2)
4. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (7-1)
5. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (10-2)

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

Midwest

1. Simeon, Chicago (11-1)
2. Kenwood, Chicago (12-3)
3. Centerville, Ohio (8-0)
4. St. Mary Prep, Orchard Lake, Mich. (6-0)
5. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (12-1)

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

Southland

1. Newton, Covington, Ga. (13-1)
2. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (11-3)
3. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (19-2)
4. Beaumont (Texas) United (18-3)
5. McKinney, Texas (21-3)

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

Far West

1. Poly, Riverside, Calif. (17-1)
2. Damien, La Verne, Calif. (17-1)
3. Garfield, Seattle (10-0)
4. Southern Cal Academy, Los Angeles (14-2)
5. Crean Lutheran, Irvine, Calif. (12-1)

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

Records through Sunday

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 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.