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
Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) take home the title in the four team event. This season, the event expands to six teams with two additional state associations allowing their member schools to participate.
New Jersey and Mississippi join Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, Utah, Washington and Washington D.C. as state associations who allow 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 the projected six-team field for the State Champions Invitational along with 10 additional teams that have a chance to earn a bid.
North Carolina signee Simeon Wilcher and No. 17 Roselle Catholic are among the expected headliners. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
Record: 28-2
MaxPreps Top 25: No. 5
Projected seed: No. 1
Breakdown: The Cadets still need to capture the DCSAA Class AA state tournament title to be eligible. The WCAC champion has a pair of signature wins this season over No. 8 Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) and National Top 10 No. 5 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).
Record: 24-4
MaxPreps Top 25: No. 11
Projected seed: No. 2
Breakdown: After being snubbed from the four-team field last season, the Explorers are likely locked into one of the top two seeds if they are able to repeat as champions in Florida's highest classification. Columbus owns signature victories over No. 6 Camden (N.J.) and No. 8 Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.).
Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)Record: 21-5
MaxPreps Top 25: No. 17
Projected seed: No. 3
Breakdown: Although the Lions didn't quite live up to their preseason No. 1 ranking, they rebounded strong from a slow start that saw them lose their first three games. The Garden State powerhouse looks to secure its berth in the SCI on Friday with a victory in the NJSIAA Non-Public B Group title game.
Record: 24-6
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: No. 4
Breakdown: It is unclear whether the Wildcats would accept a bid into the postseason event with star
Isaiah Collier being unavailable due to a conflict with the Nike Hoop Summit. Wheeler will need to win the GHSA Class AAAAAAA state crown before worrying about making that difficult choice.
Record: 23-2
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: No. 5
Breakdown: If the Chargers are able to close out their run to the UHSAA Class 6A state title, they will be in a strong position to receive one of the final two seeds. Corner Canyon has won 18 consecutive games since falling to No. 13 Beaumont United (Beaumont, Texas) back on Dec. 10.
Record: 27-1
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: No. 6
Breakdown: Despite the lack of a signature victory this season, the Panthers are expected to be a strong contender to earn the final seed in the tournament field if they can capture the FHSAA Class 6A state title. Dwyer earned an invitation to the National High School Invitational back in 2011 where it lost to Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) in the first round.
Work left to do
Record: 26-3
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: Must capture the WIAA Class 4A state title to be considered for the field.
Record: 21-6
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: NIAA Class 5A state champions are eligible to be selected to the field but may need some help to earn an invitation.
Record: 28-1
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: The Eagles have an outside chance to make the field if they are able to complete their run to the GHSA Class AAAAA state title.
Record: 26-2
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: Need to win the GHSA Class AAAAA state championship to be eligible.
Record: 25-8
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: Although the Eagles are just 7-7 over their last 14 games, if they are able to capture the DCSAA Class AA title they are likely a lock for the tournament.
Record: 24-5
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: The Rams will have to go through Wheeler to win the GHSA Class AAAAAAA state title.
Record: 24-2
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: Although the Wildcats are a bit of a long shot to make earn a bid in the field, they are a team worth considering if they are able to capture the WIAA Class 4A state title.
Record: 27-4
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: The defending GHSA Class AAAAAAA will receive an invite to return to the SCI this season if they are able to complete their run as back-to-back state champions in Georgia's highest classification.
Record: 25-4
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected Seed: N/A
Breakdown: Now at full strength, the Quakers can't be counted out in the DCSAA Class AA tournament.
Record: 26-4
MaxPreps Top 25: NR
Projected seed: N/A
Breakdown: The Blue Devils would likely have to knock off Columbus to capture Florida's 7A title.
