A new postseason event announced Tuesday could reshape the landscape of high school basketball as four boys and four girls teams will compete at the State Champions Invitational from April 7-9.
An extension of GEICO Nationals, the State Champions Invitational is
expected to expand to two eight-team fields in 2023 with hopes of more state
associations allowing teams to participate in
future seasons. It will be aired on ESPN.
The GEICO Nationals, recognized as the pinnacle of high school basketball on a national level, has historically been difficult for
state champions to qualify, with three state title winners making
the field over the past two events. It will be held March 31-April 3.
Many state associations don't allow their schools to compete in the event, which is mainly comprised with basketball academies, and one state champion has ever
made it to the championship game in GEICO's 12-year history — University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in 2018.
In hopes to provide more teams with an opportunity to compete in national postseason play, the event is open to all NFHS recognized state champions. Teams from Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Nevada, the District of Columbia and Hawaii are currently eligible.
Among the teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings, these teams would qualify for this year's State Champions Invitational: No. 3
Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), No. 4
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), No. 13
Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.), No. 19
Dr. Phillips (Orlando), No. 24
Garfield (Seattle),
Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), Orlando Christian Prep (Orlando),
Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.),
Newton (Covington, Ga.),
Rainier Beach (Seattle) and
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.).
However, if previous years are any indication, more state associations could allow their teams to participate in the event prior to the field's announcement. If states like Texas, California, New Jersey and Ohio allow their schools to compete, it would take steps toward a true national champion to be crowned on the court in both the MaxPreps Top 25 and National Top 20.
A venue has yet to be confirmed, but event organizers are looking in the Orlando or Tampa area. The boys semifinals will be held April 7, followed by the girls semifinals on April 8 and both boys and girls championship games on April 9.
Marvel Allen and No. 3 Calvary Christian Academy are expected to be in the inaugural State Champions Invitational field barring a setback in postseason play.
Photo by Pete Wright
