SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Link Academy (Missouri) continues to climb in national boys basketball rankings

With so many big-time games scheduled for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we moved the release of our weekly SBLive/Sports Illustrated boys basketball rankings to Tuesday this week. And it's a good thing we did.

Author:
Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports
Publish date:
Jan 18, 2022 12:28 PM EST

The top four teams held firm, but there was significant movement in the rest of the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25.

Link Academy (Mo.) moved up to No. 5 after beating Prolific Prep for the second time and Calvary Christian Academy (Fla.) slid up to No. 7 after new LSU commit Marvel Allen fueled a double-digit win over New Jersey power Camden, to name a few teams who moved up.

Three schools — DeMatha (Md.), St. Frances (Md.) and Newton (Ga.) — dropped out after losses, creating room for three new entries. Paul VI (Va.) made its debut at No. 22 and undefeated Centerville (Oh.) entered at No. 24.

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

SBLIVE POWER 25:PRESEASON RANKINGS| NOV. 22| NOV. 29| DEC. 6| DEC. 13 | DEC. 20| JAN. 3| JAN. 11

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.

SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 NATIONAL BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Jan. 18, 2022

1. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (14-1)

Up next: Jan. 20 vs. On Point Academy (Okla.)

Last ranking: No. 1

Clutching its newly-minted No. 1 ranking with an iron grip. The Buffaloes survived two Hoophall Classic tests, first from No. 14 Combine Academy 72-68 behind Mark Mitchell’s 23 points and 14 and 11 boards from Gradey Dick, then held off a furious late comeback from Wasatch Academy and recent SCA transfer Willie Lightfoot Sunday, hanging on to win 63-62.

2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (15-2)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. Imhotep Charter (Pa.)

Last ranking: No. 2

Put a cherry on top of the Hoophall Classic by beating No. 4 Montverde for the second time this season on Monday, thanks in part to Baylor-bound guard Keyonte George’s 17 points.

3. Duncanville (Duncanville, Tex.) (19-1)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Mansfield (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 3

Five-star Anthony Black is finding his groove. The 6-foot-7 senior guard had a career-high 31 points on 12 of 13 shooting and grabbed ninne boards at Cedar Hill after a 25-point win over Waxahachie (Tex.).

4. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) (13-4)

Up next: Jan. 22 vs. Riviera Prep (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 4

Big week for the Eagles. Snapped No. 6 Camden’s 44-game win streak 52-40 in the Metro Classic — a homecoming for New Jersey native Dariq Whitehead, who had a game-high 18 points — and beat No. 10 DeMatha by 21 points before losing for the second time this season to IMG Academy, this time 57-53.

5. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) (24-0)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. Real Salt Lake (Utah)

Last ranking: No. 7

The upstart high school continues to put the nation on notice. Swept its two games at the Flyin to the Hoop Invitational in Ohio, beating ISA Academy by 26 and Huntington Prep by 33. Then beat California prep power Prolific Prep on ESPNU Monday in the Hoophall Classic, 70-64.

6. Richardson (Richardson, Tex.) (21-1)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Lake Highlands (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 9

The Eagles continue to roll with local wins over Pearce (71-42) and MacArthur (69-33) ahead of a road matchup with two-loss Lake Highlands, the only other team undefeated in 6A Region 1, District 7 play.

7. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (12-1)

Up next: Jan. 22 vs. Boca Raton (La.)

Last ranking: No. 11

Marvel Allen took center stage over the weekend. With the spotlight on him after committing to LSU on live ESPN, the five-star guard dropped 22-points in an 18-point drubbing of No. 6 Camden in the Hoophall Classic.

8. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (10-1)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Westfield (N.J.)

Last ranking: No. 12

Its ninth and tenth consecutive wins after dropping a thrilling season-opener to Camden were its most impressive yet. Beat No. 25 Long Island Lutheran 62-59 on Thursday and turned around and beat Illinois power Kenwood 79-70 at the Hoophall Classic. UNC-bound Simeon Wilcher and Nebraska-bound Jamarques Lawrence continue to shine.

9. La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) (12-3)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. Bosco Institute (Ind.)

Last ranking: No. 8

Took a five-point loss to No. 17 Oak Hill and its standout guard Judah Mintz (22 points), then rebounded by knocking off prep power AZ Compass Prep in the Hoophall Classic Sunday, 54-52, behind strong free throw shooting and a lopsided second quarter.

10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (17-2)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Brentwood School (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 5

Came out of a COVID pause and got five-star Amari Bailey back for the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in Springfield, Mo. Bailey looked UCLA-ready and the Trailblazers beat Parkview (Mo.), then Whitney Young (Ill.) 81-49 behind a disruptive defense that forced 15 first half turnovers, but was upset by a surging Paul VI (Va.) in the finals.

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

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Seneca (N.J.)

Last ranking: No. 6

After a hot start to the season, the Panthers’ 44-game win streak was snapped with back-to-back defeats, first to No. 4 Montverde Academy in a game where DJ Wagner was held to four points (Aaron Bradshaw stepped up for 17) and the final score (52-40) makes the game appear closer than it was, then was handled by Marvel Allen and No. 11 Calvary Christian, 66-48. Rebounded with a 63-55 win over Milton (Ga.) in the Hoophall Classic.

12. North Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.) (13-3)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Conway (Ark.)

Last ranking: No. 13

Top-ranked team in Arkansas swept a pair of in-state opponents Little Rock Christian Academy and Little Rock.

13.Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (17-7)

Up next: Jan. 19 vs. Franklin Prep (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 16

Picked up two Power 25 wins at the Hoophall Classic, first over No. 8 La Lumiere 66-61 behind Judah Mintz’s 22 points, then Chris Livingston stepped up to hand No. 20 Gonzaga College (Mintz’s old school) its first loss of the year, 70-56, behind Kentucky pledge Chris Livingston’s 19 points, 13 boards and five assists.

14. Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) (15-3)

Up next: Jan. 19 vs. Apopka (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 15

Knocked off Orlando’s Olympia in overtime behind Mississippi State commit Riley Kugel’s 26 points then swept its way through the Orlando Metro Tournament, beating West Orange 62-53, Apopka 49-34 and Windermere 38-37 in the championship game behind Kugel’s 15.

15. Combine Academy (Lincolnton, N.C.) (12-4)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. Winston-Salem Christian (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 14

Beat Elevation Prep by 38 at home, then went to Hoophall Classic and took No. 1 Sunrise Christian down to the wire thanks to 26 points from Illinois commit Jayden Epps and a double-double (10 points, 11 boards) from Virginia Tech-bound Patrick Wessler, but lost, 72-68.

16. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) (19-0)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Proviso West (Ill.)

Last ranking: No. 17

Notched a double-digit win over non-league opponent Larkin on Wednesday, beat league opponent Oak Park-River Forest by 32 points on Friday then thrashed Fenwick 66-36 behind Caden Pierce’s 19 points and Braden Huff’s 18 in the MLK City Classic on Monday.

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

Up next: Jan. 19 vs. Clark (Nev.)

Last ranking: No. 18

Senior Darrion Williams scored 12 points, grabbed 15 boards and had six assists in an 87-50 win over Centennial, the team’s only game of the week. The Gaels’ Saturday showdown with Coronado was called of in response to the current COVID-19 surge.

18. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (16-1)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. King (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 19

Coasted to two lopsided league wins over Norco and Roosevelt, pushing its Big VIII League win streak to 45.

19. Gonzaga College (Washington D.C.) (10-1)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Bishop McNamara (Md.)

Last ranking: No. 20

Built an early lead and No. 10 DeMatha emphatically 87-73 at home, beat WCAC opponent The Heights by 30 before taking its first loss of the season to No. 16 Oak Hill 70-56 at the Hoophall Classic Sunday.

20. Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) (21-2)

Up next: Jan. 19 vs. Forsyth Country Day (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 23

Picked up its sixth and seventh consecutive wins by beating Calvary Day School by 29 and Bishop O’Connell (Va.), 68-61.

21. Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) (12-0)

Up next: Jan. 22 vs. Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

Last ranking: 24

Impressive showing from Ian Jackson, an ESPN 5-star and one of the top sophomores in the country, who finished with 30 points, five boards and four assists in a win over De La Salle (Ill.) at Hoophall East.

22. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) (12-2)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Bishop O’Connell (Va.)

Last ranking: NR

The young Panthers proved they deserve a seat at the table in the national discussion. Backcourt mates Dug McDaniel (Michigan pledge) and DeShawn Harris-Smith led Paul VI to a sweep for its Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions win since 2013. Harris-Smith hit key free throws to beat Milton (Ga.) in overtime, and underclassmen like sophomore guard Darren Harris stepped up to upset No. 5 Sierra Canyon, a team that appeared to be firing on all cylinders entering the finals.

23.Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) (10-2)

Up next: Jan. 22 vs. Fordham Prep (N.Y.)

Last ranking: 25

Lost to No. 12 Roselle Catholic by three in a back-and-forth nail-biter, then thrashed Chaminade (Mo.) by 48 in the Hoophall Classic.

24. Centerville (Oh.) (11-0)

Up next: Jan. 18 vs. Spire Institute (Oh.)

Last ranking: NR

The 2020-21 Ohio Division I state champs have rolled out to an 11-0 start, part of a 27-game win streak. Beat prep power SoCal Academy over the weekend 62-52 behind senior Rich Rolf’s 29 points (7 of 10 from 3).

25. St. Frances (Baltimore, Md.) (22-3)

Up next: Jan. 21 vs. Archbishop Spalding (Md.)