The matchups are set for GEICO Nationals, which is scheduled for March 30-April 1 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla. The event will crown the national champion in MaxPreps National Top 10 with each of the top six teams participating in the field.
The 14th annual event sees two first-time participants as MaxPreps Top 25 programs No. 3
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) and
Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) join returning national powerhouses
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.),
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.),
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.),
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.),
AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) and
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) in the eight-team field.
The three-day tournament is live streaming on ESPN family of networks (schedule below) and features 16 five-star prospects including top 10 prospects
Matas Buzelis of Sunrise Christian Academy,
Elliot Cadeau of Link Academy and
Cooper Flagg of Montverde Academy
Two-time defending champion Montverde Academy (23-2) make its 12th appearance, tying Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) for the most appearances in event history, and come into GEICO Nationals as the top seed this season. The Eagles face a team they have already beaten twice this season in Sunrise Christian Academy (20-7) in the first round.
After finishing second in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference with a 10-2 conference record in its inaugural season, Long Island Lutheran (20-2) comes into GEICO Nationals as the No. 2 seed. The Crusaders have a first-round rematch against an AZ Compass Prep (22-6) squad they beat 64-51 earlier this season.
After playing the role of spoiler by becoming the first eight seed to beat the top seed in event history last season, Prolific Prep (31-1) earns the No. 3 seed after making it through regular season action with just one loss. The Crew face IMG Academy (17-7) in the first round.
Following a run to the title game last season in the program's inaugural season, Link Academy (24-1) is the No. 4 seed despite their lone blemish coming against top seed Montverde Academy. The Lions have a challenging first-round battle with Paul VI (31-3), who finished unbeaten in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season play.
After both teams reached the GEICO Nationals title game last season, Montverde Academy and Link Academy could rematch in the event semifinals later this month. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
Thursday, March 30
Games on ESPNU
Friday, March 31
Games on ESPN2
2:30 p.m. – Semifinal 1
4:30 p.m. – Semifinal 2
Saturday, April 1
Game on ESPN
Noon – Championship Game
