Archbishop Moeller, Carmel, Long Island Lutheran and Imhotep Charter strengthen national standing after winning state titles.
The high school basketball season is complete for 99.9 percent of teams as state tournament play has finished across the country.
Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) jumped into the Top 10 after wrapping up back-to-back state title runs over the weekend, extending its winning streak to 49 consecutive games over the past two seasons. The Fighting Crusaders knocked off St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron) 52-44 in the title game to become the first team to finish unbeaten in OHSAA Division I since Zanesville did it in 1995.
After falling in the state title game last season, Carmel (Ind.) saw a major boost in the rankings this week after wrapping up the IHSA Class 4A state title. The Greyhounds took down Ben Davis (Indianapolis) 60-55 to capture their fourth state title in program history.
In New York, the Federation state tournament was the main attraction over the weekend as Long Island Lutheran (Brookville) left no doubt in the Class AA Federation state championship game, taking down Christ the King (Middle Village) 51-31 for a state-leading eighth Federation championship. While the nation's leading scorer
— Joe Girard III guided Glens Falls to its first Federation championship as well.
Imhotep Charter was the only newcomer in this week's rankings, as the Panthers wrapped up a third straight PIAA state title with a 67-56 victory over Monsignor Bonner/ Archbishop Prendergast Catholic (Drexel Hill) in a rematch of the Panthers District 12 title game loss. The win extended their state tournament winning streak to 15 games and boosted their overall record to 51-7 in the PIAA state tournament all-time.
With plenty still to play for, eight teams have games remaining with GEICO Nationals set to take place April 4-6 at Christ the King High School in New York.
Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings
After
wrapping
up the school's first unbeaten regular season, the Lakers were rewarded
with the top seed in GEICO Nationals. They face No. 19 Bishop Gorman in
the April 4 first-round matchup.
3. (3) Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 21-2Enter
GEICO Nationals looking
to repeat as champions after winning their record fourth event
title last season. Montverde opens play with a rematch of last year's
GEICO Nationals title game, taking on No. 13 University.
Looks to capture first win at GEICO Nationals after a 2016-17
first-round upset by seven-seed Greensboro Day. The Ascenders draw No. 11
Sunrise Christian Academy to start.
Season complete. OHSAA Division I state champions.
9. (8) Nicolet (Glendale, Wis.), 26-1Season complete. WIAA-WI Division 2 state champions.
Takes on No. 4 IMG Academy in the first round. Although
the Buffaloes have five losses on the season, wins
over No. 13 University, No. 23 Duncanville, No. 25 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) and Guyer (Denton, Texas) bolster a strong resume.
12. (11) DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 33-5
Season complete. WCAC regular season, Maryland Private School, Alhambra Catholic Invitational champions.
13. (12) University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 27-4
FHSAA Class 5A state champions draw on No. 3 Montverde Academy in a rematch of last year's GEICO Nationals championship game in their first round showdown in the Big Apple.
Season complete. NCHSAA Class 4A state champions.
15. (20) Carmel (Ind.), 26-1
Season complete. IHSAA Class 4A state semifinal champions.
16. (22) Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 25-2
Season complete. New York state federation Class AA Tournament of Champions winner.
17. (15) Shadow Mountain (Phoenix), 26-3
Season complete. AIA Class 4A state champions.
19. (17) Southwest Guilford (High Point, N.C.), 32-0
Season complete. NCHSAA Class 4A state champions.
20. (18) Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 30-4Return to the Big Apple for their 10th appearance
in GEICO Nationals, tying the record for most appearances. Oak Hill
opens with a tough first-round matchup, taking on No. 10 Wasatch Academy
on April 4.
Despite not initially receiving an invite to GEICO Nationals, the eight-time defending state champions replace McEachern after the top-ranked Indians dropped out last
week. The Gaels draw top-seeded La Lumiere in the opener.
Dropped out: Mansfield Timberview
Andre Curbelo, Long Island Lutheran
Photo by Mike Braca
