SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Sunrise Christian (Kansas) solidifies top spot in national boys basketball rankings with impressive win over Link Academy

NIBC champ Sunrise Christian beats newcomer Link at the Heartland Hoops Classic, but Lions prove they belong.

Author:
Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Feb 14, 2022 12:50 PM EST

Top-ranked Sunrise Christian (Kansas) once again holds down the top spot in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 after handing No. 5 Link Academy its first loss of the season.

Sunrise Christian's win essentially guarantees the NIBC champion Buffaloes the top overall seed for the GEICO Nationals when the field is announced in March.

Despite the 74-65 loss, Link Academy, a national high school newcomer, doesn't drop in our latest national boys basketball rankings. The Lions have proven they belong among the nation's elite, and they rebounded with a victory over No. 24 Wasatch Academy the next day.

RELATED: How first-year Link Academy is taking the country by storm

With NIBC play wrapped up, playoffs are beginning for some teams competing for state championships. CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play heats up this week for No. 11 Sierra Canyon and No. 17 Corona Centennial. Both face top 10 teams in SBLive's California state rankings.

Find the complete breakdown of the latest SBLive/SI Power 25 national boys basketball rankings below.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25:PRESEASON RANKINGS| NOV. 22| NOV. 29| DEC. 6| DEC. 13 | DEC. 20| JAN. 3| JAN. 11| JAN. 18| JAN. 24| JAN 31| FEB. 7

The Power 25, sponsored by Discount Tire, is a collaboration between SBLive and Sports Illustrated. Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporter Andy Buhler and SI Director of Basketball Recruiting Jason Jordan based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. You can reach Andy on Twitter @AndyBuhler or email him at andy@scorebooklive.com.

Watch their weekly Power 25 breakdowns on Mondays live on Instagram at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time @SBLiveSports and @SIAllAmerican.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Feb. 14, 2022

1. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (22-1)

Up next: Feb. 18 vs. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Tenn.)

Last ranking: No. 1

Once again holds down the top spot after handing No. 5 Link Academy its first loss of the season — and as a program — in the Heartland Hoops Classic. Duke-bound forward Mark Mitchell had a game-high 23.

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

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Waco (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 2

Brings a 12-game win streak entering the final game of the regular season on Tuesday.

3. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (21-4)

Up next: To be determined

Last ranking: No. 3

Did not play.

4. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) (19-4)

Up next:To be determined

Last ranking: No. 4

Did not play.

5. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) (27-1)

Up next: Mar. 4 at Southeast Invitational (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 5

Split a pair of back-to-back Power 25 matchups at the Heartland Hoops Classic. Took a nine-point loss to No. 1 Sunrise Christian Academy, then bounced back with an 11-point win over No. 24 Wasatch Academy.

6. Richardson (Richardson, Tex.) (29-1)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Dallas Jesuit (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 6

McDonald’s All-American Cason Wallace led a win over Lake Highlands for a third consecutive district title. Carries an 18-game win streak into a regular season finale against Jesuit of Dallas.

7. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (19-2)

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Hallendale (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 7

Beat North Broward Prep for the FHSAA 4A District 13 title.

8. La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) (16-4)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Benet Academy (Ill.)

Last ranking: No. 8

Head coach Patrick Holmes recorded his 100th win in a senior night win over International Sports Academy.

9. Camden (Camden, N.J.) (18-2)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Camden Catholic (N.J.)

Last ranking: No. 9

Short-handed Panthers showed they are much more than five-star prospects DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, riding a balanced effort to a 75-58 win over St. Augustine in the Paul VI Winter Classic Sunday. Win streak extends to eight.

10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (23-3)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Mater Dei (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 10

Amari Bailey had 21 with UCLA’s Mick Cronin present and the Trailblazers beat Creighton-bound Ben Shtolzberg. Faces a 25-3 Mater Dei team Tuesday in CIF Southern Section pool play.

11. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (24-7)

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Liberty Heights (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 12

Defeated Rock Creek Christian (Md.) behind Kentucky-bound Chris Livingston’s 23 points and 21 from LSU-bound Devin Ree.

12. Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) (22-5)

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Newsome (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 11

Lost to Olympia (Fla.) in overtime in the FHSAA 7A District 5 tournament finals. Next, the Panthers will try to defend its first 7A state title.

13. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (18-2)

Up next: Feb. 17 vs. Patrick School (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 13

Nebraska-bound Jamarques Lawrence and Akil Watson had 15 apiece as the Lions took care of Linden (N.J.).

14. North Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.) (20-3)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Northside (Ark.)

Last ranking: No. 14

Picked up another conference win over Little Rock Southwest.

15. Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) (18-4)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Franklin Prep (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 15

Virginia Tech signee Patrick Wessler had a double-double — 12 points and 11 boards — in a win over Lake Norman Christian (N.C.) Thursday.

16. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (26-0)

Up next: Feb. 14 vs. Foothill (Nev.)

Last ranking: No. 16

Gaels closed out the regular season Thursday with an 80-56 win over Desert Pine and senior leader Darrion Williams was handed co-Nevada State Player of the Year honors by the state coaches association.

17. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (27-1)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Damien (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 17

Faces Damien (27-2) on Tuesday and Crean Lutheran on Friday in the CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play.

18. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) (26-1)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Hinsdale Central (Ill.)

Last ranking: No. 18

Rebounded from a competitive nationally televised loss to Sierra Canyon with lopsided conference wins over Hinsdale Central and Oak Park-River Forest to close out regular season. Hilltoppers on a crash course to face Whitney Young, which it handled by 15 on Jan. 22.

19. Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) (30-3)

Up next: Feb. 15 in NCISAA 4A state playoffs

Last ranking: No. 19

Closed out the regular season with a 72-60 win over High Point Christian Academy (N.C.). Winners of five straight entering the playoffs.

20. Centerville (Centerville, Oh.) (22-0)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Springboro (Ohio)

Last ranking: No. 20

Gabe Cupps poured in 30 points and nine dimes in a win over Huntington Prep. Elks are one of two undefeated teams in the Power 25.

21. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) (21-3)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. No. 23 Bishop McNamara (Md.)

Last ranking: No. 21

Another 3-0 week in the grueling WCAC, headlined by a 10-point win at fringe Power 25 opponent Gonzaga College.

22. Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.) (23-2)

Up next: 7A GHSA state tournament

Last ranking: No. 22

Georgia’s top-ranked team closed out the regular season with a six-point win over Newnan, a blowout of Habersham Central and an 11-point win over Cumberland Christian Academy.

23. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) (17-2)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. No. 21 Paul VI (Va.)

Last ranking: No. 23

Picked up WCAC wins over St. John’s, The Heights and beat Saint John Paul the Great (Va.) with a home showdown against St. Paul VI on deck.

24. Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah) (14-10)

Up next: Feb. 15 vs. Desert Valley Prep (Utah)
Last ranking: No. 24

Ten-loss Tigers can play with top-5 teams. Ohio State pledge Roddy Gayle Jr. and imposing big Keba Kieta put up double-figures scoring, but it wasn’t enough to overcome No. 5 Link Academy in the Heartland Hoops Classic in Nebraska.

25. Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) (17-2)