As the National Top 10 basketball rankings begin to solidify, all attention turns to the Chipotle Nationals field announcement as each of the teams in this week’s rankings can make a case to earn a spot in the field.
The Paragon Marketing Group announced a new sponsorship for their High School Basketball Nationals tournament (previously known as GEICO Nationals) last week, announcing that the prestigious event would be changing its title sponsor to Chipotle.
The eight-team, single-elimination tournament will take place at Brownsburg High School in Indiana from April 4-6 with all games streaming on ESPN’s family of networks.
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) is a lock to receive the top seed in the tournament and are overwhelming favorites to capture their seventh title at Chipotle Nationals, while MaxPreps Top 25 No. 1 Columbus (Miami, Fla.) and No. 2 Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) are expected to join field of National Top 10 powerhouses.
National Top 10 basketball rankings
1. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 31-0 | Last week: 1
Closed out an impressive regular season with a 16-0 record against nationally ranked foes. The Eagles outscored their opponents by an average of 31.2 points per contest and appear to be a lock to receive the top seed in Chipotle Nationals.
2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.)
Record: 19-4 | Last week: 2
Two games remain in regular season action for the Crusaders as they take on No. 9 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) on Friday and Canyon International Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.) on Saturday. Long Island Lutheran owns a 7-4 record against nationally ranked opponents and are projected to be a lock for the upcoming Chipotle Nationals field.
3. Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.)
Record: 29-5 | Last week: 3
The Crew have showed the ability to compete with top-ranked Montverde Academy this season as they have lost their two meetings by an average of 5.5 points per contest. Prolific Prep competes in the Grind Session Championship Tournament this week.
4. Link Academy (Branson, Mo.)
Record: 20-6 | Last week: 5
Closes out regular season action with a pair of matchups against National Top 10 opponents as the Lions face off against No. 7 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) on Thursday and No. 8 Wasatch Academy on Saturday. The Lions have a 4-6 record against nationally ranked opponents this season.
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 20-8 | Last week: 10
After surging late in the season, it appears the Ascenders have done enough to earn a spot in the Chipotle Nationals field. IMG Academy has victories over No. 3 Prolific Prep, No. 7 Oak Hill Academy and No. 9 La Lumiere since the start of February.
6. Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)
Record: 27-7 | Last week: 6
Following a victory over No. 8 Wasatch Academy to close out regular season action, the Bobcats sit firmly on the Chipotle Nationals bubble in their first year of eligibility. Brewster Academy has a 3-6 record against nationally ranked opponents.
7. Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Record: 24-4 | Last week: 7
Although the Warriors have a much-improved record from last season, they own one win over a nationally ranked opponent this season. An opportunity to bolster their resume awaits tonight against No. 4 Link Academy in a must-win game for their Chipotle Nationals hopes.
8. Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah)
Record: 17-5 | Last week: 4
Split a pair of games at the Pete Hollis Invitational as they fell to No. 6 Brewster Academy 77-69 before pulling out a 70-65 victory over Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.). The Tigers face two National Top 10 opponents to finish the season as they battle No. 2 Long Island Lutheran in Friday before facing No. 4 Link Academy on Saturday.
9. La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.)
Record: 23-5 | Last week: 8
Closed out regular season play with a loss to No. 5 IMG Academy 72-63, finishing with a 7-5 record in Nike EYBL Scholastic action. The Lakers are among a handful of teams in the running for the final spot in the Chipotle Nationals field.
10. AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 25-5 | Last week: 9
Despite owning a pair of big-time wins over No. 2 Long Island Lutheran and No. 5 IMG Academy this season, the Dragons have a 2-5 record against nationally ranked opponents overall this season.
