TOP DOG: No. 9 Corona Centennial (CA) Huskies win ‘big chip’ in stunning fashion; NIBC Series final weekend could reshape Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – The National Interscholastic Basketball Conference will have the last say as the schedule moves into the maddening month of March.

So will the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division.

That’s where we are with the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ basketball rankings as the calendar flips into the most relevant month of the season.

There was no movement in the Elite 25. All 25 team held their position from the previous week but the rankings will receive a major reshuffling based on the results.

Those results will surely receive jolt from the almighty NIBC, where three Elite 25 teams are in action this weekend in Greenville, S.C., from Thursday to Saturday as the mega league concludes its second season inside the Davis Field House. The 10-game schedule is here.

The two most intriguing games involve No. 5 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.). The Crusaders enter the weekend in second place with a 7-2 mark and will face No. 6 Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) Friday and No. 3 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) Saturday. Both games begin at 5 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ESPN+. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland, Md.) are both winless in the NIBC but play one another Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. OHA has three games at the event and Walsh winds up with two.

No. 1 Montverde (Fla.) Academy wrapped up the title with an 11-1 record won’t be there. Ditto for No. 20 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), who has completed its schedule. Both teams await the GEICO High School Nationals in March in Fort Myers, Fla.

The eight-team GEICO Nationals is taking shape and as of Feb. 28, the field could be Montverde, IMG, Long Island Lutheran, Prolific Prep (Calif.), Sunrise Christian, AZ Compass Prep, Link Academy (Mo.) and likely the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions (No. 2 St. Paul VI or No. 25 St. John’s College).

The High School Invitational will feature state champions from New Jersey, Washington, District of Columbia, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Hawaii, Mississippi and Nevada. The event will be played in April at a site to be determined.

In California, the CIF Region brackets are out and the South Region Open Division is loaded with four Elite 25 teams. Obviously, No. 9 Corona Centennial is the top seed and earned a bye to the semifinals on Saturday. No. 12 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) and No. 13 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) meet in the semifinals with the loser heading home.

Elsewhere, No. 7 Ben Davis (Indianapolis) opens the Indiana Class 4A playoffs this week. No. 19 Columbus (Miami) goes for a second straight Florida Class 7A title this weekend.

In New Jersey, the section playoffs wrap up this week and the state championships are on Saturday and Sunday. No. 23 Roselle Catholic goes for the Non-Public B title.

No. 2 St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) will play in the Virginia Independent Schools Division I Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday and No. 25 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) is the top seed in the District of Columbia State Athletic Association AA playoffs that will push through this week with four rounds, culminating Sunday.

Iverson Classic

Last week, the 7th annual Iverson Classic announced its full roster with the players being assigned teams at a later date.

The roster includes:

Solomon Ball and J.P. Estrella of Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.); Omaha Biliew of Waukee (Iowa); Xavier Booker of Cathedral (Indianapolis); D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw of Camden (N.J.); Coen Carr of Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.); Stephon Castle of Newton (Covington, Ga.); Mookie Cook of AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.); Justin Edwards of Imhotep (Philadelphia); Caleb Foster of Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.); Robert Dillingham, Jalen Lewis and Trey Parker of Overtime Elite; Kwame Evans Jr., Chris Johnson and Sean Stewart of Montverde (Fla.) Academy; DeShawn Harris-Smith of St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.); Elmarko Jackson of South Kent (Conn.); A.J. Jackson of Southern California Academy (Northridge, Calif.); MacKenzie Mgbako of Roselle (N.J.) Catholic; T.J. Power of Worcester (Mass.) Academy; Sam Walters of The Villages (Fla.) Charter and Wesley Yates III of Beaumont (Texas) United.

Nine of the 24 players named last week are from current Elite 25 teams.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys’ rankings will return on March 7. Expect change.

Stay safe and get out to a state playoff or championship game.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Boys’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 28, 2023

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (22-2)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Idle. Up next is the GEICO High School Nationals.

2. St. Paul VI Catholic, Chantilly, Va. (28-2)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: The Panthers landed in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship after defeating DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 72-70, in the semifinals and Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 77-52, in the quarterfinals. Maryland-bound DeShawn Harris, who earlier last was named the WCAC Player of the Year, had 27 points and 12 rebounds in the semifinals. The Panthers played No. 25 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) Monday in the final and opened the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday and the title game Saturday in Petersburg.

3. AZ Compass Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (21-3)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: On Senior Night, the Dragons defeated AOSS Prep (Corona, Calif.), 82-49. Up next are NIBC games on Friday and Saturday in Greenville, S.C. Additionally, senior guard Tru Washington committed to New Mexico.

4. Link Academy, Branson, Mo. (24-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Idle.

5. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (18-2)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Idle. The Crusaders close out the NIBC circuit with three games this weekend in Greenville, S.C.

6. Sunrise Christian School, Bel Aire, Kan. (18-6)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Buffaloes play two games this weekend in the NIBC Series in Greenville, S.C.

7. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (26-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Defeated Indianapolis Tech, 70-54, and Bosco Institute (Crown Point, Ind.), 88-53. The Giants open the postseason on Wednesday in the Class 4A Perry Meridian Sectional against Southport. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday.

8. Duncanville, Texas (28-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Season complete.

9. Centennial, Corona, Calif. (29-3)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won third straight CIF-Southern Division Open Division championship, nipping No. 12 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 58-56, in the final. The game was tied at 56 with 5 second left when senior Aaron McBride, a Loyola Marymount recruit,  stole a pass at the defensive end, raced down court and slammed home the winning points at the horn. McBride’s hero game featured 18 points and 11 rebounds. Up next the CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals on Saturday.

10. Prolific Prep, Napa, Calif. (31-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Won twice at the City of Lights Classic Grind Session in Las Vegas, beating PHH Prep (Phoenix), 113-74, and Balboa School (San Diego, Calif.), 89-52. In the former game, Aden Holloway contributed 26 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. The Crew is a lock for the GEICO Nationals in March.

11. Simeon, Chicago (28-3)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won the Illinois Class 3A regional, defeating Englewood STEM (Chicago), 70-33, the final and Solorio (Chicago), 97-32, in the semifinals. Up next is St. Laurence (Burbank) Tuesday in the 3A sectional semifinals, with the winner moving into Friday’s final in Glen Ellyn. In recruiting news, senior point guard Jalen Griffith, one of Illinois’ top uncommitted players from the Class of 2023, announced last week he’ll sign with Jacksonville.

12. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (26-6)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Edged by No. 9 Corona Centennial, 58-56, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final. The game was knotted at 56 and he Braves had the ball in the waning seconds when a turnover led to a buzzer-beating dunk at the other end. The Braves are back it Saturday with No. 13 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City) in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division playoffs.

13. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (30-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Idle. The Wolverines play No. 12 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) Saturday in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals.

14. John Marshall, Richmond, Va. (24-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Cruised to the Class 2, Region 2 championship, burying Brunswick (Lawrenceville), 113-51, in final, Thomas Jefferson (Richmond), 104-47, in the semifinals and Prince Edward County (Farmville), 124-41, in the quarterfinals. The Class 2 state playoffs tip this week, capped by the final on March 11 at VCU’s Siegel Center in Richmond.

15. Camden, N.J. (23-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Season complete.

16. Imhotep Institute Charter, Philadelphia (24-3)*

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won third straight Philadelphia Public League, defeating West Philadelphia, 72-43, in final. Kentucky-bound Justin Edwards was named the game’s Most Valuable Player finishing with 24 points. It was ‘Tep’s 11th Public League title. In the semifinals, the Panthers defeated Dobbins Tech (Philadelphia), 69-51, as Florida Gulf Coast-bound guard Rahmir Barno scored 16 points and surpassed 1,000 career points. Now comes the grind as the Panthers face Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia) Thursday in the PIAA District 12-5A final (or City 5A championship) and then the Class 5A state tournament. The Panthers will be heavy favorites the rest of the way.

17. West Ranch, Valencia, Calif. (29-2)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Idle. The Wildcats take the court with St. Augustine (San Diego) Wednesday in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division first round. The winner gets No. 9 Corona Centennial Saturday in the semifinals.

18. Ss. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (21-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Saints needed overtime but survived a scare from West Catholic (Philadelphia), 69-56, in the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals. The game was knotted at 52 after regulation. Sultan Adewale scored 18 and Amir Williams chipped in with 17. They faced Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) Monday in the final at The Palestra and will play Overbrook (Philadelphia) Wednesday in the PIAA Class 4A District 12 playoff game. The district game will only determine a playoff seed in the upcoming 4A state tournament.

19. Columbus, Miami (24-4)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Won the Class 7A, Region 4 championship for the second straight year, stopping Deerfield Beach, 71-43, in the final and Doral Academy, 68-29. The Explorers look to defend their state championship with Colonial (Orlando) Friday in the 7A semifinals in Lakeland. The final is Saturday.

20. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (16-7)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Idle.

21. West Linn, Ore. (24-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: The curtain dropped on the Oregon regular season last weekend and playoff basketball is here. The Lions defeated Tualatin, 89-78, and Oregon City, 58-50. The Lion tip the Class 6A playoffs with Century (Hillsboro) Wednesday in the first round. The second round is Saturday. It takes five wins to secure the 6A crown.

22. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (22-4)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won NYCHSAA Class AA Brooklyn-Queens Diocesan title, defeating St Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows), 73-72. Senior Devin Vanterpool sank two free throws with 6.3 second left to rally the Royals. In the semifinals, the Royals defeated Xaverian (Brooklyn), 63-59. The Royals play Sunday in the CHSAA Intersectional AA quarterfinals at Fordham University’s Rose Hill Gym.

23. Roselle (N.J.) Catholic (19-5)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: In the NJSIAA Non-Public B South quarterfinals, the Lions defeated Morris Catholic (Denville), 98-63. The Lions faced St. Thomas Aquinas (Edison) Monday in the semifinals. The North final is scheduled for Wednesday and the state final is Friday.

24. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (26-2)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: In the NJSIAA Non-Public A North Section quarterfinals, the Ironmen edged

Hudson Catholic (Jersey City), 43-41. Dylan Harper scored 17 points and Isaiah Brown had 14. The Ironmen played Bergen Catholic (Oradell) Monday in the section semifinals with the winner playing the North final Wednesday. The state final is Friday.

25. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (28-2)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Cadets reached the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference final on Monday. In the semifinals, they beat Gonzaga (Washington), 54-53, and Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.), 68-63, in the quarterfinals. Pat Behan was named the WCAC Coach of the Year. Following the league final, the Cadets play in the DCSAA Class AA playoffs starting Wednesday with the quarterfinals.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (22-3)*
2. St. Benedict’s, Newark, N.J. (21-3)*
3. Mount St. Joseph, Baltimore (34-4)
4. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (17-9)
5. Reading, Pa. (25-1)

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

Midwest

1. Cass Tech, Detroit (21-0)
2. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (31-1)
3. De Pere, Wis. (24-0)
4. Moline, Ill. (30-3)
5. Kenwood, Chicago (26-6)

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

Southland

1. Lake Highlands, Dallas (29-3)
2. Wheeler, Marietta, Ga. (23-6)
3. Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (25-4)
4. Beaumont (Texas) United (32-1)
5. Warren Central, Bowling Green, Ky. (29-1)

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

Far West

1. Perry, Gilbert, Ariz. (29-1)
2. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (26-4)
3. Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks, Calif. (22-10)
4. Durango, Las Vegas (21-6)*
5. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (27-7)*

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

Records through Sunday’s games

 * Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

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 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.