The Paragon Marketing Group announced a new sponsorship for their High School Basketball Nationals tournament (previously known as GEICO Nationals) on Thursday, announcing that the prestigious event would be changing its title sponsorship to Chipotle. The eight-team, single elimination tournament will now be called Chipotle Nationals.
This year's event will take place at Brownsburg High School in Indiana from April 4-6 with all games streaming on ESPN's family of networks. First round games April 4 will be on ESPNU, semifinal contests April 5 will be live streaming on ESPN2 and the championship game on April 6 is set for ESPN.
The full field is set to be announced in the coming weeks as the season concludes around the country.
Today we took a look at the potential field of the national championship event this season along with four teams who still have an opportunity to earn a spot. Check out the full breakdown below.
Could a third meeting between Montverde Academy and Prolific Prep be looming at Chipotle Nationals this season? (Photo: Lonnie Webb)
Record: 30-0
National Top 10: No. 1
Projected seed: No. 1
Breakdown: The perennial national powerhouse has established itself as the clear team to beat in high school basketball this season with a loaded roster headlined by four five-star seniors. Top-ranked Duke signee
Cooper Flagg has been the catalyst for the Eagles while Indiana signee
Liam McNeeley, Maryland pledge
Derik Queen, Georgia signee
Asa Newell, Baylor signee
Robert Wright III and LSU signee
Curtis Givens round out the regular six-man rotation. Montverde Academy owns a 17-0 record against nationally-ranked opponents this season.
Record: 25-4
MaxPreps Top 25: No. 1
Projected seed: No. 2
Breakdown: After struggling a bit against a brutal schedule to start the season, the Explorers appeared to hit their stride in mid-January with back-to-back victories over Long Island Lutheran and Paul VI at the Spalding Hoophall Classic. Led by reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Cameron Boozer, top 40 Michigan State signee
Jase Richardson and top 20 junior
Cayden Boozer, the Explorers are two games away from capturing their third consecutive Class 7A state title next weekend as they ride a 19-game winning streak into the state semifinals.
Record: 31-2
MaxPreps Top 25: No. 2
Projected seed: No. 3
Breakdown: After finishing unbeaten in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season action for the second consecutive season, the Panthers captured their second straight WCAC Tournament title with a victory over No. 9 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) in the championship game. The Panthers finished in third place at the City of Palms Classic and are one of two teams to give Montverde Academy a real challenge this season. Top 50 Duke signee
Darren Harris, top 15 sophomore
Jordan Smith and three-star Rhode Island signee
Ben Hammond have been the catalysts with top 20 Duke signee
Patrick Ngongba sidelined for the year due to injury.
Record: 19-4
National Top 10: No. 2
Projected seed: No. 4
Breakdown: Three of the Crusaders' four losses have come against the top-ranked teams in either set of rankings, including a recent 90-58 setback to National Top 10 No. 1 Montverde Academy. Outside of those three games, Long Island Lutheran has a 7-1 record against nationally-ranked opponents and owns a pair of double-digit wins over Link Academy. Top 5 Baylor commit
V.J. Edgecombe has been the go-to guy for Long Island Lutheran this season, while four-star juniors
Kayden Mingo,
Nigel James and
Kiyan Anthony are among the key supporting players.
Record: 29-5
National Top 10: No. 3
Projected seed: No. 5
Breakdown: The Crew feature one of the nation's most talented rosters with the top prospect in the Class of 2026
Tyran Stokes and the top prospect in the Class of 2025
A.J. Dybantsa leading the charge. Prolific Prep also features a trio of top 35 seniors in Alabama signees
Aiden Sherrell and
Derrion Reid and Washington signee
Zoom Diallo. Although this team has an extremely high ceiling, they currently own a 3-4 record against nationally ranked opponents this season. The Golden State powerhouse owns key wins over Link Academy, Brewster Academy and AZ Compass Prep.
Record: 21-6
National Top 10: No. 5
Projected seed: No. 6
Breakdown: The defending event champions are currently sitting in a strong position to earn an invitation to Chipotle Nationals with key games remaining against Oak Hill Academy and Wasatch Academy to solidify their status. A talent-laden roster is headlined by their dynamic guard tandem of five-star Texas signee
Tre Johnson and top 10 junior
Jasper Johnson. The Lions have struggled against top competition this season with a 3-6 record against nationally-ranked opponents but a key win over Columbus in the City of Palms Classic semfinals bolsters their resume in a major way.
Record: 22-4
National Top 10: No. 8
Projected seed: No. 7
Breakdown: The Lakers are firmly on the bubble to receive an invitation to Chipotle Nationals this season with a crucial game upcoming this weekend at the Pete Hollis Showcase against IMG Academy. If La Lumiere is able to notch a victory over IMG Academy it should have done enough to receive an invitation but with a loss their chances will decrease. Top 25 junior
Jerry Easter and top 15 junior
Jalen Haralson have been the key cogs on a roster that includes a strong core of junior prospects.
Record: 26-7
National Top 10: No. 6
Projected seed: No. 8
Breakdown: Previously a powerhouse in the NEPSAC prep school scene, Brewster Academy has made a successful transition into high school basketball this season as it is currently the last team projected in the field for Chipotle Nationals. The Bobcats have another big opportunity to improve their case this weekend against Wasatch Academy at the Peter Hollis Showcase but with a loss they are likely to be on the outside looking in. Brewster Academy has split results against other bubble teams as they have key wins over Oak Hill Academy and Link Academy but have suffered setbacks to IMG Academy and La Lumiere.
First Four Out:
Record: 16-4
National Top 10: No. 4
Record: 24-4
National Top 10: No. 7
Record: 21-5
National Top 10: No. 9
Record: 15-8
National Top 10: No. 10
