As the high school basketball season begins to wrap up around the country, the National Top 10 rankings are updated for the final time prior to Chipotle Nationals. The field for the national championship event is set to be released tomorrow.
The inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament saw
Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) clinch a berth in Chipotle Nationals for the fourth consecutive season. The Lions made a run to the championship with four wins in four days.
Five-star Houston signee
Chris Cenac earned tournament MVP honors for Link after averaging 14.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots per contest while four-star USC signee
Jerry Easter earned all-tournament honors after tallying 12.8 points, 4.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds per outing.
The only remaining event for National Top 10 teams prior to Chipotle Nationals is the 16-team Grind Session tournament, which is headlined by No. 6
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) along with 15 other academies eligible for the National Top 10.
Check back tomorrow to see which teams from the National Top 10 earned an invitation to Chipotle Nationals. Each of the top five teams in the rankings have carved out impressive resumes. Teams six through 10 will be on the edge of their seats when the bracket is unveiled tomorrow.
Four-star USC signee Jerry Easter was a key cog for Link Academy in their run to the Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament title. (Photo: Terry Cullop)
Record: 21-6 | Last week: 2
Advanced to the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament championship game with victories over Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), No. 2 Brewster Academy and No. 4 CIA-Bella Vista before falling to No. 5 Link Academy 74-71. Four-star Syracuse signee
Kiyan Anthony and four-star Penn State signee
Kayden Mingo were each selected to the all-tournament team.
Record: 27-4 | Last week: 1
Despite losing to No. 1 Long Island Lutheran 58-52 in the opening round at the Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament, the Bobcats appear to be a lock to receive an invitation to Chipotle Nationals.
Record: 25-4 | Last week: 3
The Tigers lost to eventual champion No. 5 Link Academy 59-51 in the first round of the Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament. However they should be safe when it comes to Chipotle Nationals with wins over No. 4 CIA-Bella Vista, No. 5 Link Academy, No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy and No. 9 IMG Academy since the new year.
Record: 21-6 | Last week: 5
Knocked off No. 7 Montverde Academy 63-60 behind 19 points from four-star junior
Miles Sadler to advance to the Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament semifinals before falling to No. 1 Long Island Lutheran 58-52. The Bears should be a lock for Chipotle Nationals.
Record: 22-8 | Last week: NR
Earned an automatic bid in Chipotle Nationals after winning the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament with wins over AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), No. 3 Wasatch Academy, No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy and No. 1 Long Island Lutheran en route to the title.
Record: 29-5 | Last week: 7
Although the Crew have the talent to compete with any team in the field, they sit firmly on the Chipotle Nationals bubble after seeing mixed results against top opponents in the regular season. Prolific Prep is 1-3 against nationally-ranked opponents this season with their lone win coming against MaxPreps Top 25 No. 1 Columbus.
Record: 19-7 | Last week: 4
Following an opening-round loss to No. 4 CIA-Bella Vista, the Eagles may be on the outside looking in when the Chipotle Nationals field is announced tomorrrow. If Montverde doesn't receive an invite, it will mark the end of the Kevin Boyle era at the Sunshine State powerhouse.
Record: 17-7 | Last week: 10
Bump up two spots in the rankings after taking down No. 9 IMG Academy 64-47 in their opening round contest of the Nike EYBL Scholastic tournament behind 20 points, five rebounds and four assists from Sam Houston State commit
Jacob Walker.
Record: 21-7 | Last week: 6
Struggled over their final four games of the season, going 1-3 with losses to No. 1 Long Island Lutheran, No. 4 CIA-Bella Vista and No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy. The Ascenders appear to be on the outside looking in for Chipotle Nationals.
Record: 31-4 | Last week: 9
Won the Nike Invitational Tournament over the weekend by taking down Utah Prep (Hurricane) 75-51 in the title game behind 21 points and 10 rebounds from four-star SMU signee
Jaden Toombs. Despite the win, Dynamic Prep owns a 1-4 record against nationally-ranked opponents.
