BENSALEM, Pa. – Flip a coin. That probably the best way to separate the teams at the top of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason boys’ basketball rankings. All three schools are in academy-style settings with major-league talent and aggressive schedules that will put them in the firing line each night.

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) begins the 2018-19 season atop the Elite 25 rankings by a razor’s edge over the reigning Elite 25 National Champion Montverde (Fla.) and No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), which bulked up in the postseason and sorted things out. That quite a trio!

Last year, Montverde Academy held the top spot wire to wire en route to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship. Don’t expect the same results this season but with the enhanced scheduling near the top of the rankings and others chasing the academy level programs it’s a different world.

The Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return pre-Christmas. The heavy holiday tournament calendar and showcase events in November and December necessitate it.

Enjoy Thanksgiving and spending time with your family and friends. The holidays will be here sooner than you think but the hoop season has already launched in some states.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Preseason Rankings, Nov. 8, 2018

(Records and statistics are from the 2017-18 season. All players are seniors unless denoted.)

1. Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Va. (44-2)

Low-down: This is a scary good team. The Warriors are the preseason No. 1 and play another schedule that affords them the lofty ranking. The only way to stay there is winning the GEICO Nationals in April in New York. Annually coach Steve Smith, a future Naismith Hall of Famer, is tasked of replacing an entire lineup. This season’s counting on PG Cole Anthony, a national player of the year candidate who transferred in from Archbishop Molloy in New York, junior Evan Johnson, 6-5 junior Darrick Jones, Jr., 6-3 Cam Thomas and 6-6 Norwegian import Tobias Rotegaard in the backcourt and on the wings. The man in the middle is burly 6-11 Kofi Cockburn (from Christ the King in New York) and 6-7 BJ Mack, 6-6 Christian Brown and 6-10 Dylan Cardwell fortify the frontline. The Warriors, who opened the season 5-0 and averaging nearly 100 points per game, make their debut at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Florida; play No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts; there are two games at the Nike Extravaganza in California in late January; and a ginormous matchup on ESPN with No. 2 Montverde (Fla.) Academy at the ARS Rescue Rooter National Hoopfest in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 2. That’s called aggressive scheduling it all leads up to the GEICO Nationals.

2. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (36-0)

Low-down: The defending Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions and GEICO National title holders are loaded for bear. Four high-major players, including national player of the year RJ Barrett (now at Duke), graduated but coach Kevin Boyle reloaded with several transfers and returns one starter, 7-feet Serbian Balsa Koprivica (Florida State recruit). Coming aboard this season is 6-8 Precious Achiuwa, 6-5 junior Moses Moody, 6-7 Justin Mitchell, 6-5 junior Moses Moody, 6-5 junior Cade Cunningham, 6-9 Omar Payne (Florida), 6-4 Harlond Beverly, 6-5 junior Justin Powell and 6-8 Caleb Houstan from Canada. Boyle put together another highly anticipated schedule with excursions to the ARS National Hoopfest in Maryland; Iolani Classic in Honolulu; Cancer Research Classic in Wheeling, W.Va., facing Elite 25 teams Norcross (Ga.) and La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.); Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts for two games; three contests in their own Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament (MAIT) in late January; and finally back to New Jersey for the Metro Classic against powers Roselle Catholic and No. 12 Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.) in early February. That should prep the Eagles for another run at the GEICO Nationals.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (22-5)

Low-down: Last year the Ascenders were left out of the GEICO Nationals for good reason. This season it’ll be hard to image the prestigious national championship event without them. Coach Sean McAloon’s monster lineup includes North Carolina-bound C Armando Bacot and 6-6 shooter Josh Green, an Arizona signee. There’s more with 6-9 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova) and a pair of juniors Noah Farrakhan and 6-3 Jaden Springer in the backcourt. G Dior Johnson is a talented scorer from New York. The loaded schedule includes a trip to the City of Palms Classic and a road game at No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) in December.

4. University School, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (35-2)

Low-down: It was a banner season in Broward County with a Class 5A championship and a playing in the GEICO Nationals final. Coach Jim Carr, who collegiately in the Northeast at Rhode Island and Rutgers, takes over after spend a year as an assistant with the Sharks. Speaking of big game, Carr inherits ail-everything C Vernon Carey, Jr., who is a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All American Game and is a serious national player of the year candidate. Carey averages a double-double at 6-10 and is another future NBA lottery pick (probably in 2020). At 6-7, junior Scottie Barnes made a splash at the GEICO Nationals and is headed to a high-major program. Six-six F Jace Howard is an impact player on a loaded roster. The Sharks are headed to the Les Schwab Invitational after Christmas in Hillsboro, Oregon and berth in the GEICO National means they’d successfully defend their Florida 5A title.

5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (33-5)

Low-down: The Stags enter the season with talent and last season’s remarkable run included the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, Maryland Private School and Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament championships. Coach Mike Jones won’t allow his club to rest on those laurels but will start anew with a championship-caliber roster that features 6-4 combo guard Justin Moore (Villanova), 7-1 junior C Hunter Dickinson, 6-6 junior F Earl Timberlake and G Carsten Kogelnik, a Brown recruit. Besides the unforgiving WCAC, the Stags play at the Cancer Research Classic, Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts over the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend two ARS National events in Maryland and Texas.

6. Norcross, Ga. (28-4)

Low-down: The Blue Devils reached the Class AAAAAAA final and this year coach Jesse McMillan has the talent to reach the summit. The quarterback is talented PG Kyle Sturdivant, who will sign with USC. Sturdivant is surrounded by bigs Daniel Ramsey (Xavier), a transfer, and 6-9 Issa Muhammad, a mid-major post. At 6-6, BJ Boston can stroke from deep and stretches the defense. Events like the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia and Chick-fil-A Classic in South Carolina will test the team’s mettle.

7. Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia (31-2)

Low-down: It’s been well over a decade since a Philadelphia Public League entrant was the clear cut top-ranked Pennsylvania school. That’s because the Philadelphia Catholic League reigned for years but that’s changed with coach Andre Noble at the controls. The Panthers have won six PIAA titles in the last decade, including last year’s Class AAAA crown. An 11thshould arrive with 6-4 sniper Dahmir Bishop (Xavier) and 6-7 Donta Scott (Maryland) leading the way. A trip the City of Palms Classic in December and game against crosstown rival Roman Catholic punctuates the first month.

8. La Lumiere School, La Porte, Ind. (23-4)

Low-down: Isaiah Stewart, the pride of Rochester, New York, is a 6-9 monster and a surefire lottery pick in 2020. He’s a one-and-done kid with boundless talent. That’s good for the Lakers, who will also rely on 2G Paxson Wojcik (Loyola, Ill.) and 6-5 swing Gerald Drumgoole, another Rochester area product. Javoc Kukic, 6-10, is the post and headed to Cal-Santa Barbara. Six-six wing Kamari Lands is a future star. 6-5 The schedule features a trip to Hawaii for the Iolani Classic and in January it’s national games with No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and No. 2 Montverde (Fla.) Academy in the Cancer Research Classic. The Lakers should qualify for the GEICO Nationals with a well-stocked lineup and challenging schedule, but advancing to the GEICO semifinals or final would be the goal.

9. Sunrise Christian, Bel Aire, Kan. (23-2)

Low-down: A year ago, the Buffaloes were ranked in the Elite 25 after knocking off then No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) at the Heartland Hoop Classic in Nebraska. Later it was discovered the team was playing with a fifth-year player and the season was torn asunder. This year they’ll be eligible for the GEICO Nationals and play in at least five major events, including the Chick-fil-A Classic in Columbia, South Carolina after Christmas. F Jordan Turner (Baylor), G Grant Sherfield (UCLA) and dynamic 6-11 junior N’Faly Dante are the main men.

10. Guyer, Denton, Texas (38-2)

Low-down: Low-down: Last March, the Wildcats were cruising until they were derailed in the Class 6A, Region I final. If coach Grant Long can win it all in Texas, he’ll rely heavily on PG De’Vion Harmon (Oklahoma) and 6-8 Jalen Wilson (Michigan). At 6-7, junior JaKobe Coles will provide a double-double taking the pressure off his teammates. Before Christmas, the Wildcats will participate in national games at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in nearby Duncanville and a trip to Arizona for the Hoophall West and a date with No. 15 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

11. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (34-4)

Low-down: Coach Glenn Farello’s team captured the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I title and went undefeated in the regular season in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The WCAC is stacked again but the backcourt of junior Jeremy Roach and Virginia Tech-bound Anthony Harris, Jr. is really special. So is George Mason-recruit Josh Oduro, a 6-8 muscle man, and junior 2G Josiah Freeman. The Panthers will compete in the City of Palms Classic in Florida pre-Christmas.

12. Ranney School, Tinton Falls, N.J. (28-5)

Low-down: This is it for the Panthers. Their time has come and caps a long journey of building a program from essentially scratch and logging long hours and mileage in the AAU season. Six-six Scottie Lewis (Florida pledge) and 6-4 wing Bryan Antoine (Villanova) are the main scorers and preseason All-Americans. At 6-8, junior Phillip Wheeler is a solid post and will be test with a beefed up schedule that includes No. 2 Montverde (Fla.) Academy and reigning state champion Roselle Catholic. Winning the Non-Public B crown is a glamorous chip but ultimately this squad is eyeing the State Tournament of Champions title and the time is now.

13. Wasatch Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (24-2)

Low-down: Since Wasatch does not compete for a Utah state championship, the ultimate goal is the GEICO Nationals and first-year coach David Evans is now in charge and took nationally ranked Lon Peak (Highland, Utah) to the tournament in New York. Evans is one of the hot coaches in the business and will work with 6-9 junior Maddy Sissoko, 6-8 Bernardo Da Silva and 6-5 Tre Williams. The nationally tinged schedule brings the Tigers to Nebraska, Florida, California, Nevada and Maryland for high-powered games.

14. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (27-4)

Low-down: The Trailblazers won the CIF Open Division championship putting to rest years of frustration in California’s biggest stage. The lineup features Arizona-bound C Christian Koloko, 6-8 junior F Terren Frank, PF KJ Martin, 6-5 2G Cassius Stanley and 6-0 junior Scottie Pippen, Jr. The opening month is chock full of big games especially at the Iolani Classic in Hawaii and Les Schwab Invitational post-Christmas in Oregon.

15.  Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (29-4)

Low-down: The good news is the Gaels are finally eligible for the GEICO Nationals. That could happen if the Gaels annex an eight-consecutive state title. Coach Grant Rice has the manpower with 6-3 2G Noah Traitz, who is being recruited by BYU, Minnesota, USC and Nevada, and 6-1 sophomore PG Zaon Collins, who is the floor general. Up front it’s 6-8 Isaiah Cottrell, a power forward that is getting looks from West Virginia and Washington. The early season matchup with Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) and No. 10 Guyer (Denton, Texas) will give Rice a gauge.

16. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (26-3)

Low-down: The Indians will battle No. 6 Norcross for Georgia’s Class AAAAAAA title with horses like Auburn-bound F Isaac Okoro and 6-9 post Jared Coleman-Jones, who is headed to Northwestern. PG Sharife Cooper is one of the special players from the Class of 2020. The schedule includes the City of Palms Classic in Florida and Cancer Research in West Virginia plus several instate showdowns.

17. Olive Branch, Miss. (26-4)

Low-down: At 6-8, DJ Jeffries—shoo-in McDonald’s All-American—the is one of the most coveted recruits in the nation and recently flipped his decision to nearby Memphis. Jeffries is versatile enough to play all five positions on the floor and is the go-to scorer for the defending Class 5A state champions. Six-feet Joee Cooper (8.7 ppg, 8.1 apg) is the team’s quarterback and his scoring should go up as the wins pile up. A loaded schedule will keep the Conquistadors in the Elite 25.

18. Belleville (Ill.) West (32-2)

Low-down: When the Maroons won the Illinois Class 4A title last March, they instantly became the hunted. With 6-8 EJ Liddell (Ohio State), a future McDonald’s All American, PG Lawrence Brazil and F Keith Randolph back a repeat is not out of the question. They will be tested over the MLK Weekend at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo.

19. Rancho Christian, Temecula, Calif. (29-5)

Low-down: The Eagles have landed a schedule that should keep them in the national spotlight all season with games at the Hoophall West in Arizona, Tarkanian Classic in Nevada, Montverde Academy Invitational in Florida plus a national matchup with No. 16 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) in January. That’s good because Gonzaga-bound PG Dominick Harris needs to deliver the ball inside to twin towers 6-9 PF Isaiah Mobley (USC signee) and junior 7-footer Evan Mobley. The Eagles will compete in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division.

20. Warren Central, Indianapolis (32-0)

Low-down: The defending Class 4A champions return three starters 6-2 David Bell (football recruit), 6-7 Jesse Bingham and 6-7 Jakobie Robinson. The team features floor balance but won’t leave the Hoosier State with the Hall of Fame and Marion County tournaments on the docket and an out-of-state opponent East St. Louis (Ill.) on a neutral floor on Dec. 22.

21. Whitney Young, Chicago (28-8)

Low-down: The Dolphins were runners-up in Class 4A but are top team from Chicago. Coach Tyrone Slaughter will lean on a trio a versatile proven scorers in G Myles Baker, junior G Tyler Beard and transfer DJ Steward. Throw in 6-5 F Keenan Jones and the Chicago Public League title in within grasp not to mention another trip downstate. Morgan Park (Chicago) and Simeon (Chicago) are the main threats in the city.

22. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (29-2)

Low-down: The Knights advanced to the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division semifinals and will be fueled by the backcourt of Gianni Hunt (Oregon State) and John Vasquez (Montana). Junior F Bradley Ezewiro is the low-post muscle and has an offer from Cal State Fullerton.

23. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (27-5)

Low-down: Coach Patrick Massaroni’s club is the defending New York Federation Class AA champions and won the New York Catholic League in impressive fashion. The backcourt has RJ Davis, Eduardo Minaya and Ed Sanchez while 6-6 sophomore AJ Griffin is a prized recruit and 6-8 Malcolm Chimezie is a name to remember and quite an impressive last summer and in October at a regional prospect showcase in New Jersey. The Crusaders will play at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina after Christmas but the league is the main focus. Massaroni was named New York State’s coach of the year for 2017-18 and a guardian of the game in the Empire State.

24. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (25-2)

Low-down: The two-time Arizona 4A state champions played in the GEICO Nationals for the second straight year but a third might be a stretch with a crowded hopper of teams. PG Jovan Blacksher (Grand Canyon verbal) and G Jaelen House (Arizona State) form Arizona’s top backcourt with plenty of big game experience for the Matadors.

25. Greensboro (N.C.) Day School (27-7)

Low-down: The Bengals have won 10 North Carolina independent school championship since 1989 and three in the last four seasons. Coach Freddy Johnson welcomes back three regulars and a talented sophomore class. Sophomore G Carson McCorkle (10.7 ppg) has already committed to Virginia and 6-9 F Mike Fowler to James Madison. More talented seniors include 6-1 Austin Inge, 6-8 Nicholas Evtimov and 6-5 Noah Dunn. Sophomore G Cam Hayes averaged (11.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and is a valuable transfer with interest already from ACC, Big East and Big 12 programs.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-3)
2. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (29-4)
3. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (28-9)
4. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (24-6)
5. Wilson, Washington, D.C. (33-10)

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 (29-4)
2. Morgan Park, Chicago (25-9)
3. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (26-4)
4. Vashon, St. Louis (20-6)
5. Renaissance, Detroit (15-7)

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

Southland

1. South Garland, Garland, Texas (36-4)
2. Mountain Brook, Birmingham, Ala. (34-4)
3. East, Memphis, Tenn. (31-3)
4. Oak Ridge, Orlando, Fla. (30-4)
5. Carmel Christian School, Matthews, N.C. (24-4)

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

Far West

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (25-8)
2. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (27-7)
3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-7)
4. Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev. (32-5)
5. Rainier Beach, Seattle (22-7)

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.