Strictly BBall Newsletter 17

Best of State Championships, National Champ Season, and Updated Top-10

How did the season end for some of the nation’s top teams?

by Griffin Greenberg on March 29

The high school basketball season is coming to a close, so let’s take a look at our updated top 10 rankings, the Chipotle Nationals field, the best state championship games across the country, and more!

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Updated Strictly BBall Top 10 Rankings

This week features more movement in the top-10. AZ Compass and Harvard-Westlake both jump after closing out the regular season (AZ Compass) and postseason (Harvard-Westlake) in a strong fashion. Long Island Lutheran jumps Columbus after strong outings in South Carolina.

1. Montverde Academy (FL)

2. Paul VI (VA)

3. Prolific Prep (CA)

4. Long Island Lutheran (NY)

5. Columbus (FL)

6. Link Academy (MO)

7. AZ Compass Prep (AZ)

8. Harvard-Westlake (CA)

9. IMG Academy (FL)

10. La Lumiere (IN)

Chipotle Nationals Announced

by Griffin Greenberg 

A national champion has to be crowned this season, and we have reached that point starting in April where Chipotle Nationals is upon us. Here is the boys bracket for this year's field, stay tuned for a full preview coming very soon.

State Championships Recap

by Griffin Greenberg 

As the HS hoops season reaches the end, here were some of the most entertaining and biggest championship games by state.

California: Harvard Westlake 50, Salesian 45

One of the best basketball states in the country saw the defending champion Harvard-Westlake Wolverines take down the salesian pride.

McDonald’s All American Trent Perry came up big for the Wolverines in the back and forth battle, hitting multiple big shots down the stretch as part of his 17-point performance. Harvard commit Robert Hinton poured in 19 for HW as they won their second straight CIF Open Division State Title.

Florida: Columbus 72, Oak Ridge 67

One of the nation’s best teams in Columbus found themselves down by two with 15 seconds left in regulation when 5-star junior Cameron Boozer spun his way to the hoop and flushed it home.

A long overtime highlighted by free throws was capitalized on by Columbus. Cameron Boozer led the way with 24 points and 11 rebound while Cayden Boozer had 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 dimes to three-peat Columbus as FHSAA Class 7A Champions.

Arizona: Perry 71, Millennium 67

Perry found themselves in a big hole through one half of play as Cal State Northridge commit Sabien Cain had an incredible first half performance hitting 7 threes for Millenium.

However, Perry fought through it, locking in on defense in the third and hitting big shots in the 4th to win back-to-back AIA Open Division State titles. Perry 5-star junior Koa Peat finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds and 3-star junior D’Andre Harrison added 17 points. Sabien Cain had 33 points and 5-star Cam Holmes had 15 for Millennium.

Virginia: Paul VI 72, St. Anne’s-Belfield 62

Another one of the nation’s best teams in Paul VI saw themselves in a rematch of last year’s VISAA DI State Championship game.

The firepower of PVI was too much for STAB as Duke commit Darren Harris would drop 24 points and Rhode Island commit Ben Hammond would have 15 points and 7 assists. STAB had a couple of late pushes, but the disciplined PVI squad would respond. 4-star junior guard Chance Mallory would finish with 29 points, 22 of those coming in the second half.

Georgia: Grayson 51, McEachern 41

A very highly anticipated rematch occurred between the top teams in Georgia in Grayson and McEachern in the GHSA 7A State Championship. A low scoring affair was the big story in this one, as Grayson was able to limit 5-star Rutgers commit Ace Bailey in the second half. Georgia commit Jacob Wilkins had a 14-point, 12-rebound night for Grayson while Ace Bailey had 18 points.

North Carolina: North Mecklenburg 57, New Hanover 47

North Meck would lead for almost the entirety of the game, highlighted by a dominant 23-point, 8-rebound performance from 5-star Duke commit Isaiah Evans. They took down undefeated New Hanover behind Evans’ strong game. Chadlyn Traylor, Ashton Pierce, and Trey Maxwell’s also added a lot to help North Mecklenburg claim the NCHSAA 4A State title.

Texas: Plano East 53, Round Rock Stony Point 41

Plano East maintained their undefeated season by taking down Round Rock Stony Point in the UIL Texas 6A State Championship. DJ Hall would lead the way with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Plano East displayed their togetherness and chemistry and would seal the game at the line down the stretch.

The Throne National Championship

by Griffin Greenberg 

This year’s Throne Hoops National Championship was held at The Rink at American Dream with Columbus (FL) and Roosevelt (CA) making it all the way to face off in the final.

Roosevelt 53, Columbus 50

In a shocking upset, 5-star Brayden Burries and ‘The Vale’ defeated ‘The Explorers’ in a back and forth matchup.

A tough Burries layup with under a minute would seal the deal and a last second Cayden Boozer half court heave for Columbus ended it. Burries would win tourney MVP averaging 27 PPG and 8 RPG, Myles Walker also had a strong tourney for Roosevelt.

Recruitment Recap

Commitments

Class of 2024 5-star Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA) forward Bryson Tucker has committed to Florida State.

Class of 2024 4-star OTE (Atlanta, GA) guard Daquan Davis has committed to Florida State.

Class of 2024 4-star Faith Family (Dallas, TX) center Doryan Onwuchekwa has committed to Georgia Tech.

Class of 2025 3-star North (Oshkosh, FL) forward Xzavion Mitchell has committed to Iowa State.

Decommitments

Class of 2024 4-star guard Vyctorius Miller has decommitted from Oregon.

Class of 2024 4-star guard KJ Greene has decommitted from UCF.

Final schools

Class of 2025 5-star forward Jalen Haralson is down to 9 schools… Kansas, Indiana, Notre Dame, Auburn, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Missouri, Duke, and Purdue.

Class of 2025 5-star forward Sadiq White is down to 7 schools… Alabama, Tennessee, Syracuse, Georgetown, Arkansas, Texas, and LSU.