This week's National Top 20 basketball rankings were shaped by surprising results over the weekend as
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) moves to No. 8 after knocking off a pair of top 10 opponents from California.
Top-ranked
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) secured the No. 1 seed in GEICO Nationals over the weekend at the Heartland Hoops Classic, taking down No. 2
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) 74-65. The Buffaloes, who won the inaugural NIBC title with a 9-1 record in conference play, will be favored to capture the program's first national championship.
Top-ranked Sunrise Christian Academy knocked off previous No. 2 Link Academy to remain atop the National Top 20.
Photo by Samuel Mfinanga
Record: 22-1 | Last week: 1
Record: 20-4 | Last week: 3
Likely to receive a favorable seed in GEICO Nationals after wrapping up the regular season tied for second place at 7-3 in NIBC play. The Ascenders own a pair of victories over defending GEICO Nationals champion No. 4 Montverde Academy this season.
Record: 27-1 | Last week: 2
Suffered their first setback of the season against top-ranked Sunrise Christian Academy despite a team-high 22 points from Michigan signee
Tarris Reed Jr.. The Lions recovered with a 59-48 victory over No. 13 Wasatch Academy. The first year program has a pair of contests against ranked opponents remaining, facing No. 6 AZ Compass Prep on March 12 and No. 10 Southern California Academy on March 13 at the Top Gun Showcase.
Record: 19-4 | Last week: 4
The two-time defending national champions will be a tough out at GEICO Nationals after concluding the regular season 7-3 in the NIBC. The Eagles currently have two more GEICO Nationals titles than any other program with five (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2021).
Record: 16-4 | Last week: 5
The Lakers are a lock to receive a sixth consecutive GEICO Nationals invite after going 6-4 in the NIBC. The Hoosier State powerhouse has a handful of games remaining in regular season play before making the trip to Fort Myers, Fla. in March.
Record: 22-3 | Last week: 7
Had the week off following wins over Vertical Academy (Charlotte, N.C.) and Moravian Prep (Hudson, N.C.) at the Court XIV Classic. The Dragons are sitting in a strong spot to receive their second consecutive GEICO Nationals invitation barring a collapse down the stretch.
Record: 27-7 | Last week: 8
Riding a 13-game winning streak, the Warriors have seven games remaining in regular season play including a pair of tough matchups against Liberty Heights (Charlotte, N.C.) on Thursday and St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) on Monday.
Record: 20-1 | Last week: 12
Made a strong case to earn a fifth invitation to GEICO Nationals over the weekend with a pair of wins at the East vs. West Classic.
Record: 17-4 | Last week: 10
Virginia Tech-bound 7-footer
Patrick Wessler led the way with 12 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a 69-46 win over Lake Norman Christian.
Record: 20-4 | Last week: 9
Split a pair of games at the East vs. West Classic over the weekend, defeating No. 17 Patrick School 72-56 before falling to No. 8 St. Benedict's Prep 61-50. The Rams have a pair of games against ranked opponents remaining at the Top Gun Showcase, taking on No. 14 Hillcrest Prep on March 12 and No. 3 Link Academy on March 13.
Record: 21-5 | Last week: 6
A return trip to GEICO Nationals is now in serious jeopardy for the Crew after a pair of losses over the weekend, falling to No. 8 St. Benedict's Prep and No. 17 Patrick School at the East vs. West Classic. The Crew are still in the mix for an invitation to the national championship event but are currently on the outside looking in.
Record: 14-10
| Last week: 11
Although the Tigers suffered their 10th loss of the season to No. 3 Link Academy 59-48 over the weekend, they drop just one spot in the rankings due in part to a brutal schedule that includes a 4-9 record against teams ranked in the National Top 20 or MaxPreps Top 25.
Record: 17-3 | Last week: 13
Under-the-radar senior
Maurice Odum continues to shine this season as he exploded for 37 points and five assists in a 91-79 victory over No. 18 Oldsmar Christian. The Flame are atop the SIAA standings at 9-2.
Record: 24-3 | Last week: 14
Although the Bruins have little chance to qualify for GEICO Nationals, an opportunity to ascend the rankings awaits at the Top Gun Showcase next month. They face No. 10 Southern California Academy on March 12 and No. 6 AZ Compass Prep on March 13.
Record: 22-6
| Last week: 16
Junior guard
Freddie Dilione continues to prove he's one of the best players in the Class of 2023. He dropped 33 points in a 79-67 victory over Lake Norman Christian (Davidson, N.C.) last week.
Record: 22-6 | Last week: 15
Rebounded from a loss against No. 20 DME Academy 75-66 with a win over Victory Rock Prep (Sarasota) 90-66. The White Tigers are currently second in the SIAA with a record of 10-3 in conference play.
Record: 16-9 | Last week: 19
After falling to No. 10 Southern California Academy 72-56, the Celtics secured a big win over No. 11 Prolific Prep 52-32 the following night at the East vs. West Classic. Also secured a quality win over Bergen Catholic (Oradell) earlier in the week.
Record: 14-6 | Last week: 20
Split a pair of games against ranked SIAA opponents last week, falling to No. 13 West Oaks Academy 91-79 before knocking off No. 19 The Rock 77-72. The Eagles are now 9-3 in conference play.
Record: 20-8 | Last week: 17
After slipping to No. 18 Oldsmar Christian over the weekend, the Lions conclude regular season play with a matchup against Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville) tonight.
Record: 18-9
| Last week: NR
Re-enter the rankings after puling off an upset over No. 16 Central Pointe Christian Academy 75-66 to move to 9-5 in SIAA play. Wrap up regular season play tonight against Downey Christian (Orlando).
