SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25: Bishop McNamara (Maryland) debuts in national boys basketball rankings

Given how much movement the last few weeks produced — from holiday tournaments to Hoophall East — there was relative calm this week across the national high school boys basketball landscape.

The top 18 teams remained in place, but the grueling Washington Catholic Athletic Conference continued to show its depth, shaking up several spots in the rest of the latest SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings.

St. Paul VI (Virginia) dropped out after debuting last week on the heels of its Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions win — but the Panthers may not be out long, and the bubble is growing.

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| JAN. 18

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. 24, 2022

1. Sunrise Christian (Bel Aire, Kan.) (16-1)

Up next: Jan. 27 vs. Spring Creek Academy (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 1

Went deep into its talent-laden bench this week, but not before Kansas pledge Gradey Dick hit 6 of 8 3-pointers for a team-high 24 points in a 88-60 win over On Point Academy (Okla.) and a game-high 22 in a 47-point win on Friday. 

2. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (17-2)

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. Southeast (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 2

Returned home and beat Philadelphia power Imhotep Charter and Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Md.) comfortably. Houston commit Jarace Walker left his mark on the opponent — and the rim — Saturday night.

3. Duncanville (Duncanville, Tex.) (22-1)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. DeSoto (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 3

The Panthers are running through its backyard. Picked up a 73-31 win over Mansfield (Tex.) and beat Waco, 85-42, behind point guard Jackson Prince’s seven 3-pointers.

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

Up next: Jan. 27 vs. Kimball (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 4

Did not play. Saturday game against Riviera Prep was called off. 

5. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) (26-0)

Up next: Feb. 3 vs. First Love Christian (Pa.)

Last ranking: No. 5

Lions climbed into the top 5 last week, but will they keep ascending? Keeping this winning pace will help. Held off The Burlington School (N.C.) behind a standout performance from Michigan pledge Tarris Reed Jr. then beat St. Rita (Ill.) comfortably at the Quincy Shootout in Illinois.

6. Richardson (Richardson, Tex.) (23-1)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Nimitz (Tex.)

Last ranking: No. 6

Coasted to two lopsided wins over Dallas schools, first over Lake Highlands then Dallas Jesuit, with one of the top backcourts in the country in Kentucky-bound Cason Wallace and Alabama pledge Ryland Griffen.

7. Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (14-1)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Boca Raton (La.)

Last ranking: No. 7

Returned home from a grueling week with impressive results — Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions and Hoophall East — and coasted to consecutive wins over Minnesota Prep Academy and Boca (Fla.)

8. Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) (13-1)

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. Union (N.J.)

Last ranking: No. 8

Simeon Wilcher had 24 points in another head-turner — an 83-80 win over Hillcrest Prep, Roselle’s 13th in a row. 

9. La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) (13-3)

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. SPIRE Institute (Oh.)

Last ranking: No. 9

Beat Bosco Institute (Ind.) by 43 points on the heels of a strong showing at the Hoophall Classic.

10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (19-2)

Up next: Jan. 26 vs. Campbell Hall (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 10

Ran through three more Gold Coast League opponents — Brentwood School, Paraclete and Crossroads.

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

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Woodrow Wilson (N.J.)

Last ranking: No. 11 

After taking its first two losses in years to national powers, the Panthers rebounded with three consecutive in-state wins, all by 30 or more points.

12. North Little Rock (Little Rock, Ark.) (15-3)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Bryant (Ark.)

Last ranking: No. 12

Arkansas-bound standout Nick Smith went down with a turf toe injury sustained in a 26-point win over Conway (Ark.) Tuesday and breezed past Fort Smith Northside (Ark.) Friday without him, thanks to junior guard Tyler Frederick’s 23 points. Smith status in NLR’s next game, Tuesday at Bryant (Ark.), is unknown.

13. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) (18-7)

Up next: Jan. 26 vs. Bull City Prep (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 13

After early losses against a national schedule, head coach Steve Smith’s squad is rolling. Followed a strong showing at the Hoophall Classic by beating Franklin Prep (N.C.), 100-61.

14. Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) (17-3)

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. Evans (Fla.)

Last ranking: No. 14

Continued its ways with a 21-point win over Apopka and an eight-point win over Potter’s House Christian.

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

Up next: Jan. 26 vs. The Burlington School (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 15

Did not play last week. Up next: The Burlington School, which is making its way through several Power 25 teams of late.

16. Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) (22-0)

Up next: Jan. 28 vs. Lyons (Ill.) 

Last ranking: No. 16

Glenbard West has been viewed as the state’s best after a red-hot summer. Eventually, the suburban school was going to have to back it up and they did, beating Chicago power Whitney Young (Ill.) by 15 behind Gonzaga pledge Braden Huff’s 31 points and six boards. 

17. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (18-0)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Arbor View (Nev.)

Last ranking: No. 17

Racked up a pair of league wins over Clark and Foothill, both by 37 or more points. The Gaels remain undefeated on the season with a more challenging slate ahead.

18. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (20-1)

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. Poly (Calif.)

Last ranking: No. 18

Jared McCain and Donovan Dent fueled a 72-57 win over Crean Lutheran (Calif.) at the State Preview Classic to cap another 3-0 week. Winners of 17 straight.

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

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. High Point Christian Academy (N.C.)

Last ranking: No. 20

Lone game on the schedule was canceled. Hasn’t played since dealing Bishop O’Connell, 68-61, on Jan. 15.

20. Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, N.Y.) (13-0)

Up next: Jan. 22 vs. Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.)

Last ranking: 22

Beat Bergen Catholic (N.J.) in the New York-New Jersey Prep Showcase on Saturday, paced by 23 points from senior forward Tobe Awaka.

21. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) (11-2)

Up next: Jan. 27 vs. Dr. Phillips (Fla.)

Last ranking: 23

Beat Fordham Prep by 39 in its lone game of the week. Its second Power 25 matchup of the season looms — Florida power Dr. Phillips.

22. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) (11-0)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. DeMatha (Md.)

Last ranking: NR

Wins against two Power 25 teams — Gonzaga College and St. Paul VI — are a big part of Bishop McNamara’s 11-0 start and lead atop the WCAC.

23. Centerville (Oh.) (14-0)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Beavercreek (Oh.)

Last ranking: 24

Toppled Ohio power and defending Division II state champions St. Vincent-St. Mary 52-46 at Lebron James Arena in Akron Saturday, as Indiana commit Gabe Cupps poured in most of his 19 points in the final minutes. 30 straight wins for the defending Ohio Division I champ.

24. Gonzaga College (Washington D.C.) (10-3)

Up next: Jan. 25 vs. Bishop Ireton (Va.)

Last ranking: No. 19

After taking its first loss to Oak Hill at the Hoophall Classic, the Eagles dropped consecutive games in the vaunted WCAC, first to undefeated Bishop McNamara 45-43, then to Bishop O’Connell and sophomore guard Del Jones (26 points) in overtime Sunday. 

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

Up next: Jan. 24 vs. Goretti (Md.)

Last ranking: No. 25

Rebounded from a loss to Imhotep Charter with a win over Archbishop Spalding (Md.).

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Who qualifies for the Power 25?

In order to qualify, programs must be either affiliated with the state high school athletic association in the state it resides in or recognized by the association and allowed to play member high schools in its home state.

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— Andy Buhler, SBLive – @AndyBuhler

— Jason Jordan, SI – @JasonJordanSI