Top-ranked Montverde Academy looks like a lock. Who will join the Eagles in NYC?
Video: High school basketball Top 25No. 1 this week could also be top seed for GEICO Nationals.The postseason has arrived in high school basketball and the field for the GEICO High School Nationals will come into focus in the weeks ahead.
Formerly known as Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals, this year's event will be held March 29-31 at Christ the King High School in New York City.
Only eight teams will earn an invite but as things stand today at least a dozen are serious contenders. Here's a look at who's likely in, who still has work to do and who could be on the wrong side of the bubble.
After nine consecutive appearances at GEICO Nationals (previously known as Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals), Findlay Prep could be in danger of missing out this time around.
Photo by: Lonnie Webb
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)MaxPreps Ranking: 1
Record: 32-0
Signature Wins: Jefferson (Portland, Ore.), No. 17 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), No. 18 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), No. 11 Simeon (Chicago, Ill.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 14 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)
The Eagles wrapped up an unbeaten regular season and put together one of the strongest resumes in the country. Expect head coach Kevin Boyle's team to be the No. 1 seed in NYC.
Almost a done dealSunrise Christian Academy Elite (Bel Aire, Kan.) MaxPreps Ranking: 2
Record: 21-2
Signature Wins: Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), No. 18 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), No. 14 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), No. 8 St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.), No. 3 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Head coach Luke Barnwell's squad has been white hot in the month of February and moved from the GEICO Nationals bubble to a near-lock to make the tournament. With just five regular season games remaining, the Buffaloes appear destined for the Big Apple.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)MaxPreps Ranking: 3
Record: 36-1
Signature Wins: Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Webster Groves (Mo.), No. 18 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), No. 4 University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), St. Petersburg (Fla.)
The Warriors have played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, taking down teams from 15 different states and winning three prestigious national tournaments (Chick-Fil-A Classic, Les Schwab Invitational and Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions). Barring a major collapse in their last seven games, the Warriors will return to New York.
University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)MaxPreps Ranking: 4
Record: 26-1
Signature Wins: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 10 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), No. 13 Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.), No. 21 Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.), Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Highlighted by tournaments wins at the City of Palms Classic and John Wall Holiday Invitational, University has put together an impressive body of work. The Sharks will likely receive an invite but first must secure a FHSAA Class 5A state championship to solidify their case.
Must win state titleShadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)MaxPreps Ranking: 9
Record: 21-1
Signature Wins: Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), Westminster Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge, La.), Buckeye (Ariz.)
The Matadors are in the midst of a dominant stretch, winning 54 of their last 56 contests dating back to 2015-16. Shadow Mountain is seeking to win its third consecutive state championship and back-to-back invitations to New York.
McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) MaxPreps Ranking: 10
Record: 24-2
Signature Wins: Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta, Ga.), Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.), Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.), No. 11 Simeon (Chicago, Ill.), Trotwood-Madison (Trotwood, Ohio)
The Indians begin their quest for a first-ever Class AAAAAAA state championship this weeks. McEachern has won 13 in a row and could be in position to become the third Georgia team to participate in the event.
Living on the bubbleFindlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)MaxPreps Ranking: 14
Record: 28-4
Signature Wins: Oak Park (Calif.), No. 7 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.), Abington (Pa.), No. 9 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)
The Pilots have never missed this event dating back to 2009. The three-time champions find themselves in a precarious situation on the bubble but will likely sneak in for the 10th-consecutive appearance.
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)MaxPreps Ranking: 8
Record: 23-2
Signature Wins: Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington, W.Va.), Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.), Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.), Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, Mo.), Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.)
The Gray Bees are 202-26 under current head coach Mark Taylor and have appeared in the event three times over his six years with the program.
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)MaxPreps Ranking: 18
Record: 18-3
Signature Wins: Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.), Glendale (Springfield, Mo.), Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.)
The defending event champions sit right on the fence of earning their sixth invitation in the last seven years. Although the Lakers have three losses, they fell to each of the top three teams in the nation and have a few signature wins to make their case.
Richland (Wash.)MaxPreps Ranking: 23
Record: 22-0
Signature Wins: Orem (Utah), Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), Ferris (Spokane, Wash.)
The Bombers need to run the table en route to the Class 4A state title for any shot at receiving an invite to NYC. The road won't be easy with fellow unbeatens Gonzaga Prep (Spokane) – who they meet Friday – and Federal Way also vying for the same title.
Upson-Lee (Thomaston, Ga.)MaxPreps Ranking: 22
Record: 26-0
Signature Wins: Kaukauna (Wis.), Corbin (Ky.), St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.), Huffman (Birmingham, Ala.), Warner Robins (Ga.)
Upson-Lee has put together an impressive resume highlighted by City of Palms Classic Signature Series and Lake City Classic titles. The next step for the Knights is to complete their unbeaten season and capture the Class AAAA state championship.
Garfield (Seattle, Wash.)MaxPreps Ranking: 6
Record: 21-1
Signature Wins: Folsom (Calif.), Bellevue (Wash.), Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.), Jefferson (Portland, Ore.), O'Dea (Seattle, Wash.)
Garfield's hopes took a hit this week with a loss to Seattle Prep (Seattle) in district tournament play. Head coach Brandon Roy turned down an opportunity to participate in the event a year ago while at Nathan Hale (Seattle).
