The State Champions Invitational is back in 2023 and expected to be held in or around the District of Columbia from April 6-8. The event features champions from participating states in a season-ending tournament. All of this year's games will be available live on ESPN platforms.
The inaugural event was held in Florida last season and saw
Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) take home the title. This season, the tournament expands to six teams with two additional state associations allowing their member schools to participate.
Mississippi and New Jersey join Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, Utah, Washington and Washington D.C. as states with associations allowing member schools to participate. Only teams who win state championships in NFHS-affiliated governing bodies are eligible for consideration, though the event is not associated with the NFHS.
The State Champions Invitational is designed to provide a platform for high school teams beyond state tournament play. Hopes are to expand to eight teams in the future as more state associations come on board.
Read on for a look at teams in the running for a spot in the State Champions Invitational
Kaniya Boyd helped Centennial to a Nevada 5A title and was named the MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year. (Photo: Jules Karney)
30-1
MaxPreps Top 25: 18
Breakdown: The Panthers grabbed the Florida 7A title with an impressive 47-43 comeback win over Winter Haven as MaxPreps Florida Player of the Year
Trinity Turner scored 19 of her game-high 22 in the second half. They own quality wins over Mercy (Louisville, Ky.) and Lake Highlands Prep (Orlando).
Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.)Record: 26-3
MaxPreps Top 25: 6
Breakdown: Still have work to do before being eligible but the Quakers have played perhaps the most difficult national schedule of any team. Led by MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist
Jadyn Donovan, Sidwell is also the reigning MaxPreps National Champion. The top seed in the DCSAA tournament hosts Maret on Friday for a chance to play in Sunday's finals against Georgetown Visitation Prep or St. John's.
St. John's (Washington, D.C.)Record: 25-6
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Breakdown: Kyndal Walker and
Delaney Thomas lead a Cadets squad that needs to get past a 24-5 Georgetown Visitation Prep squad that beat Sidwell last week. If SJC wins Friday, the battle with the Quakers looms.
Desert Vista (Phoenix)Record: 27-3
MaxPreps Top 25: 22
Breakdown: One win from grabbing the inaugural Arizona Open Division title. The Thunder take on No. 6 seed Millennium on Saturday. A young squad with no seniors in the top five in scoring, they are paced by freshman
Jerzy Robinson's 22.1 point average. All three losses are to out-of-state opponents.
Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.)Record: 24-1
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Breakdown: After dropping their opener to No. 17 Lone Peak, the Bulldogs ran the table to grab their eighth straight Nevada 5A title. Karen Weitz's squad is led by MaxPreps Nevada Player of the Year
Kaniya Boyd, who averaged 12 points, 4.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game.
St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)Record: 32-0
MaxPreps Top 25: 7
Breakdown: A MVP-worthy effort by
Zoe Brooks propelled the Lancers past No. 9 Paul VI in the South Jersey Non-Public A final. The North Carolina State commit poured in 23 of her game-high 33 in the second half of the 63-61 win. The Lancers have Immaculate Heart Academy in Saturday's Non-Public A final.
Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)Record: 27-3
MaxPreps Top 25: 8
Breakdown: Sophomore point guard
Mia Pauldo has been sensational leading the Crusaders to a top 10 ranking but the team is deep with
Daniella Matus,
Natalie Stoupakis,
Alexis Rosenfeld and Mia's twin sister
Mya Pauldo. They face a battle Saturday against Rutgers Prep in the Non-Public B final.
Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
Record: 20-3
MaxPreps Top 25: 17
Breakdown: Senior
Kailey Woolston leads the Knights into the 6A final on Saturday against 20-5 Skyridge. She is averaging 20.8 points per night. The three losses are to No. 1 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), No. 4 La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.) and No. 6 Sidwell Friends.
Garfield (Seattle)
Record: 16-1
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Breakdown: The Bulldogs are the top seed in the Washington 4A bracket with a Friday game against 19-4 Mead. A win earns them a date with the Lake Washington-Arlington winner.
Katie Fiso has been the catalyst since losing Malia Samuels to knee injury.
Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Ga.)
Record: 30-0
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Breakdown: The Lions have rolled over everyone in their path thus far, outscoring opponents by more than 40 points per game.
