SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Corona Centennial moves up in national high school boys basketball rankings (Feb. 13)

The California powerhouse reached a season high in the national rankings. Here's who rose and fell.

Author:
Zach Shugan
Publish date:
Feb 13, 2023 1:50 PM EST

California's top team climbed one spot to No. 6 in the latest update to the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings after a CIF Southern Section pool play win over Bronny James and Sierra Canyon on Friday. It's the highest ranking this season for four-star Duke signee Jared McCain and company, who opened the year at No. 10.

Overall, it was a quiet week for the Power 25, as only three nationally-ranked squads lost a game. Those teams were Columbus (Florida), IMG Academy (Fla.) and Gonzaga (D.C.), which dropped out of the rankings after suffering its fifth loss in nine games.

Simeon (Illinois) rejoined the national rankings after capturing the Chicago Public League title in legendary head coach Robert Smith's final season with the team.

Find the complete breakdown of the 13th update to the SBLive/SI Power 25 below:

The Power 25 is a collaboration between SBLive and Sports Illustrated. Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Zach Shugan based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. Reach Zach on Twitter @ZachShugan or email him at zshugan@gmail.com.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Feb. 13, 2023

1. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) (23-2)

Last ranking: 1

Up next: GEICO Nationals

In its final game of the regular season, Montverde came from behind to defeat No. 9 IMG Academy (Fla.) 62-52 on the road. The Eagles, who won their first league title in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference, closed out their regular season slate with 15 consecutive wins. Montverde put itself in prime position to earn the top seed at GEICO Nationals in March.

2. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) (23-1)

Last ranking: 2

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. OKC Prep (Oklahoma)

Originally scheduled to play in the Dr. Pepper Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last weekend, Link Academy pulled out of the event due to a flu outbreak within the team. The Lions will close out the regular season Wednesday at home against OKC Prep.

3. Duncanville (Duncanville, Tex.) (27-1)

Last ranking: 3

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Mansfield Legacy (Tex.)

Duncanville went 3-0 last week, defeating district opponents Mansfield, Skyline and DeSoto to extend its win streak to 12 games. The Panthers will play their final game of the season Tuesday night against Mansfield Legacy (22-8). Duncanville opted out of postseason play after the team was stripped of its 2021-22 state title and placed on probation for three years.

4. Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) (26-1)

Last ranking: 4

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Accelerated Prep (Colorado)

Prolific Prep went to North Carolina for the Queen City Hops Classic and returned to the West Coast with two wins over Quality Education Academy (N.C.) and Asheville Prep (N.C.). The Crew will host round two of Crush in the Valley this weekend, when they take on five-star Baye Fall and Accelerated Prep along with SFBA Trinity Prep (Nevada).

5. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) (24-1)

Last ranking: 5

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Bishop O’Connell (Va.)

St. Paul VI made it 17 wins a row by taking down St. Mary’s Ryken (Maryland) and Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.) in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference games. The Panthers will put their win streak on the line this week against two of the WCAC’s toughest squads in DeMatha (Md.) and Bishop O’Connell, in addition to a Sunday non-league matchup with Sidwell Friends (D.C.).

6. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (26-3)

Last ranking: 7

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Notre Dame (Calif.)

Jared McCain and company notched a hard-fought 68-63 victory over Bronny James and Sierra Canyon last week in pool play of the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs. The Huskies have a pair of tough tests this week against Notre Dame and Bishop Montgomery, two of the top five teams in the state.

7. Columbus (Miami, Fla.) (21-4)

Last ranking: 6

Up next: Feb. 16 vs. Western (Fla.)

After defeating Palmetto by 40 and 27 points in the first two meetings between the teams this season, Columbus lost round three 66-64 in overtime. Cameron Boozer, the top-ranked sophomore in the country, fouled out of the game during the third quarter. The Explorers still earned a No. 1 seed in the 7A state tournament and will take on Western in the first round.

8. Camden (Camden, N.J.) (22-2)

Last ranking: 8

Up next: Feb. 16 vs. Eastside (N.J.)

Fresh off its big win over No. 15 Combine Academy (N.C.) last week in Kentucky, the Panthers returned to New Jersey and handled business against in-state opponents Winslow Township and Bishop Eustace. DJ Wagner surpassed 2,000 career points in the 90-52 win over Bishop Eustace.

9. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (16-7)

Last ranking: 9

Up next: GEICO Nationals?

IMG led No. 1 Montverde by as many as 12 points but couldn’t hold on for the upset in its final game of the regular season, losing 62-52 at home. As one of this year’s top teams in the loaded NIBC, the Ascenders stand in a good spot for GEICO Nationals in March.

10. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ari.) (19-5)

Last ranking: 10

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Elite Prep Academy (Nev.)

Coming off its loss to No. 15 Combine Academy (N.C.) in Charlotte, the Dragons got back in the win column at home against Bella Vista Prep (Ari.) by a score of 57-48 (watch highlights here). They’ll look to continue building momentum and grab their 20th win of the year when they host Elite Prep Academy on Friday.

11. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (16-6)

Last ranking: 11

Up next: Feb. 16 vs. Redemption Life Tabernacle (Okla.)

Sunrise bounced back from a loss at No. 9 IMG Academy by picking up a pair of 22-point wins over Real Salt Lake (Utah) and Chicago Prep (Illinois) at the Heartland Hoops Classic in Nebraska. The Buffaloes will host Redemption Life Tabernacle Christian Prep (Okla.) and Spring Creek Academy (Tex.) this week.

12. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) (17-2)

Last ranking: 12

Up next: Feb. 18 vs. Albany Academy (N.Y.)

Long Island Lutheran beat Oak Hill Academy (Va.), Carmelo Anthony’s former high school, for the second time this season. The 35-point victory came the same week Anthony’s son Kiyan announced his transfer to Long Island Lutheran. The Crusaders have won 16 games in a row heading into this week’s matchup with Albany Academy.

13. Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) (20-3)

Last ranking: 13

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Central (Pa.)

Imhotep cruised to a 83-34 win over Martin Luther King (Pa.) in the first round of the Philadelphia Public League playoffs, setting up a second round contest with Central.

14. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) (29-1)

Last ranking: 14

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. St. John Bosco (Calif.)

Harvard-Westlake overpowered St. Bernard (Calif.) 69-57 in pool play of the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs. The Wolverines, who have won 13 games in a row, can’t look ahead of a tough St. John Bosco squad before their showdown with No. 18 West Ranch in the final game of pool play.

15. Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) (29-4)

Last ranking: 15

Up next: TBD

Combine Academy built on its upset of No. 10 AZ Compass Prep (Ari.) by beating Winston-Salem Christian (N.C.).

16. John Marshall (Richmond, Va.) (21-0)

Last ranking: 16

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. St. Christopher’s (Va.)

John Marshall handled Hermitage (Va.) 84-37 in its only game last week. The Justices, who have won 30 games in a row going back to last season, will look to cap off an undefeated 2022-23 regular season when they host St. Christopher’s on Wednesday.

17. West Linn (West Linn, Ore.) (20-1)

Last ranking: 17

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Lakeridge (Ore.)

West Linn beat in-state teams Oregon City and Lake Oswego by 11 and 50 points, respectively, last week. This week the Lions will take on both Lakeridge and Tigard (Ore.) for the second time this season.

18. West Ranch (Valencia, Calif.) (28-1)

Last ranking: 18

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. St. Bernard (Calif.)

West Ranch edge out St. John Bosco (Calif.) 55-53 last week in pool play of the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs. The Wildcats’ biggest game of the season is coming up Friday against No. 14 Harvard-Westlake, but not before they meet up with St. Bernard in the second of three pool play games.

19. Perry (Gilbert, Ari.) (27-1)

Last ranking: 19

Up next: Feb. 18 vs. Liberty (Ari.)

After beating Cienega 78-54 in the first round of the AIA Open Division state playoffs, Perry crushed Pinnacle by 53 points to avenge its only loss this season. The Pumas will host Liberty in the quarterfinals Saturday night.

20. Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.) (24-0)

Last ranking: 20

Up next: Feb. 21 vs. Don Bosco Institute (Ind.)

Ben Davis took home its first solo league title in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference league since 2001-02. TheGiants added double-digit victories over Lawrence North (Ind.) and Covenant Christian (Ind.) to their unblemished resume.

21. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) (23-2)

Last ranking: 21

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Bishop McNamara (Md.)

St. John’s took down former No. 22 Gonzaga 68-58 in a clash between D.C.’s best and closed out the week with an 86-60 win over Bishop Ireton (Va.). The Cadets play Gonzaga again this week, and this time it will be on the road.

22. Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ari.) (26-4)

Last ranking: 22

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Bella Vista Prep (Ari.)

Dream City Christian was off last week but will return Wednesday with a home game against Bella Vista Prep.

23. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (15-5)

Last ranking: 23

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Union Catholic (N.J.)

Roselle Catholic went 3-0 last week against New Jersey schools Newark Central, Hudson Catholic and Summit, the last of which came in the Union County tournament quarterfinals. The Lions will take on Union Catholic in the semifinals Tuesday night.

24. Beaumont United (Beaumont, Tex.) (29-1)

Last ranking: 25

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Kingwood (Tex.)

Beaumont United extended its win streak to 28 games with double-digit victories over Humble (Tex.) and North Shore (Tex.). The Timberwolves will wrap up the regular season Tuesday against Kingwood.

25. Simeon (Chicago, Illinois) (26-3)

Last ranking: Not ranked

Up next: State playoffs vs. TBD

Simeon avenged one of its three losses by outlasting former Power 25 squad Kenwood in overtime of the Chicago Public League championship. Now, soon-to-be retired coach Robert Smith and the Wolverines turn their attention to winning a state championship.