TEAM THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY? - GEICO Nationals
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APRIL 4 - APRIL 6, 2019 | NEW YORK CITY
WHO IS
THE BEST
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
TEAM
IN THE COUNTRY?
PRESENTED BY:
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©2019 S-VC, Inc. GATORADE and the G BOLT Design are registered trademarks of S-VC, Inc.TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOYS BRACKET 3
USA TODAY SUPER 25 BOYS NATIONAL RANKINGS 5
LA LUMIERE (IN) 6 Dear Basketball Fans:
MONTVERDE (FL) 7
We are excited to be back in New York City for the 2019 GEICO
IMG ACADEMY (FL) 8
High School Nationals tournament. This year, we once again
bring top-tier, nationally ranked boys and girls high school
OAK HILL (VA) 9 basketball teams to compete for a championship. Overall, the
combined record of the 12 participating teams is a remarkable
WASATCH ACADEMY (UT) 10 345-29 (.922 winning %). So this tournament promises to be
one of our best yet.
SUNRISE CHRISTIAN (KS) 11
Many thanks to GEICO, our title sponsor, for championing high
NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (FL) 12 school athletics. The GEICO Nationals rewards excellence and
celebrates high school basketball on a national level. We are
BISHOP GORMAN (NV) 13 proud to provide an avenue that displays the next generation of
B:12.25”
S:11”
T:12”
college athletes as they compete with their teams for the final
ESPN BOYS PLAYER RANKINGS 15
time on ESPN against elite competition.
ESPNW 25 POWER RANKINGS 16
On behalf of ESPN and Paragon we thank the fans, schools,
GIRLS BRACKET 17 state associations, and corporate partners who have supported
this event since its inception 10 years ago. We’d also like
MIAMI COUNTRY DAY (FL) 18 to give a special thanks to Christ the King High School for
welcoming us back as the tournament host for the 6th time.
ST. JOHN’S (DC) 19
We appreciate you attending the GEICO Nationals and wish all
CENTENNIAL (NV) 20 of the competing teams the best of luck.
NEW HOPE (MD) 21
ESPNW GIRLS PLAYER RANKINGS 22 Rashid Ghazi
DID YOU KNOW? 24
Rashid Ghazi
PLAYERS TO WATCH 25 Executive Director - GEICO High School Basketball Nationals
Partner, Paragon Marketing Group
TOURNAMENT ALUMNI & RECORDS 26
EVENT CREDITS 28A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
It’s only a crazy dream until you do it.
Just do it.
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH SGEICO HIGH SCHOOL NATIONALS
BOYS BRACKET
THURSDAY, APRIL 4TH FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH
CHRIST T HE KIN G H IG H S C H O O L C H R I ST TH E KI N G H I G H SC H O O L C H R I ST TH E KI N G HI GH SCHOOL
MIDDL E VIL L AGE , N Y M I D D LE VI LLAG E, N Y M I D D LE VI LLAG E, NY
#3 IMG ACADE MY (FL)
GAME 1 - ES PNU, 1 2:00 P M G AM E 1 W IN N ER
#6 SUNRISE CHRISTIA N (K S)
G AM E 7 W IN N E R
G AM E 7 – ESPN 2, 3:00 PM
#2 MONT VERDE (FL)
GAME 2 - ES PNU, 2 :0 0P M G AM E 2 W IN N ER
#7 NSU UNIVE RS ITY SCHOOL (FL)
C H AM P I O N S H I P G A M E
ESP N , 1 2 : 0 0 P M
#1 L A L UMIE RE (IN)
GAME 3 - ES PNU, 4 :0 0 PM G AM E 3 W IN N ER
#8 BI SHOP GORMA N (NV)
G AM E 8 W IN N E R
G AM E 8 – ESPN 2, 5:00 PM
#4 OAK HI LL (VA)
GAME 4 - ES PNU, 6 :0 0P M G AM E 4 W IN N ER
#5 WASAT CH (UT)
5A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y THE FIGHTING SPIRIT OF AN ENTIRE NATION F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
1 LA LUMIERE LAPORTE, IN 28-0
2 MCEACHERN POWDER SPRINGS, GA 32-0
3 MONTVERDE ACADEMY MONTVERDE, FL 21-2
4 IMG ACADEMY BRADENTON, FL 28-1
5 MOUNTAIN BROOK BIRMINGHAM, AL 31-3
6 SOUTH CENTRAL WINTERVILLE, NC 30-1
7 NICOLET GLENDALE, WI 27-1
8 LONG ISLAND LUTHERAN BROOKVILLE, NY 23-2
9 OAK HILL ACADEMY MOUTH OF WILSON, VA 36-4
10 WASATCH ACADEMY MT. PLEASANT, UT 26-3
11 RANNEY TINTON FALLS, NJ 31-3
12 SIERRA CANYON CHATSWORTH, CA 32-3
13 SUNRISE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY BEL AIRE, KS 22-5
14 FEDERAL WAY FEDERAL WAY, WA 26-3
15 SHADOW MOUNTAIN PHOENIX, AZ 26-3
16 CARMEL CARMEL, IN 25-1
17 ROSELLE CATHOLIC ROSELLE, NJ 28-4
18 NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 27-4
19 DEMATHA HYATTSVILLE, MD 33-5
20 SOUTHWEST GUILFORD HIGH POINT, NC 32-0
21 GONZAGA PREP SPOKANE, WA 25-2
22 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER CINCINATTI, OH 27-0
23 CURIE CHICAGO, IL 35-2
24 KENNEDY CATHOLIC HERMITAGE, PA 23-3
25 COX MILL CONCORD, NC 28-3
*RANKINGS AS OF 3/25/19
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
5A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#1 LA LUMIERE (IN)
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #1, 28-0
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
Second-year coach Patrick Holmes is steadfast with his regulars that starts with a backcourt of 5’11
junior Wendell Green and 6’4 wing Paxon Wojcik (Loyola, Chicago); 6’5 Gerald Drumgoole (Pittsburgh)
and 6’8 Keion Brooks at the forwards and 6’9 McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Stewart (Washington)
2 DARION SMITH 5’3 FR G
in the post. Stewart (17.2 ppg, 11.4rp, 3.6 bpg) is the nation’s No. 4 recruit and played for the 3 MILOS MERRICK 6’3 JR G
USA U-17 National Team last summer. The Rochester, New York native combines strength, a 7’4
wingspan, rebounding skills and soft touch around the hoop, which could land him in the NBA 4 GERALD DRUMGOOLE 6’5 SR G/F
Lottery in 2020. Drumgoole (11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 39% 3FG) is another smooth operator from Rochester.
Wojcik (10.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 44% 3FG, 87% FT) is the son of a coach (his father Doug is at 5 DESMOND POLK 6’4 JR G
Michigan State) and is the primary threat from three-point range. Green (5.6 apg) is the point guard,
who orchestrates the offense, getting everyone involved and dictating the pace. Brooks (Kentucky) 10 DENHAM WOJCIK 6’0 SO G
is a big wing with athleticism and length, and has a strong skillset as a combo forward. The bench
is bolstered by 6’11 Croatian senior Jakov Kukic (5.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg), 6-0 sophomore Denham Wojcik
11 WENDELL GREEN 5’11 JR G
(4.2 ppg), 6’4 junior Desmond Polk (6.4 ppg) and promising 6’7 freshman Kamari Lands (6.6 ppg, 12 KEION BROOKS 6’8 SR F
4.3 rpg, 46% FG).
15 JOE HARKNESS 6’3 SO F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 21 ELI NEUMAN 6’0 JR G
The Lakers (28-0) epitomize the mantra: “We won’t back down,” and their schedule proves it, as
a daunting regular season has landed the group the tournament’s number one seed. The most 22 KAMARI LANDS 6’7 FR G/F
impressive stat is La Lumiere’s 5-0 record vs. GEICO Nationals’ teams, including two wins over
Montverde Academy (FL). The Lakers beat an additional four nationally ranked teams. The Lakers’ 24 JONATHAN BRYAN 6’5 SO G/F
supercharged schedule started before Christmas with four wins to capture the Iolani Classic title
in Honolulu. They then took down Bishop Gorman (NV) and Montverde at Cancer Research Classic 32 PAXSON WOJCIK 6’4 SR G
in West Virginia, before adding two more wins at the Hoop City Classic in South Dakota. A 73-50
dismantling of DeMatha (MD) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield (MA) may have been their most
33 ISAIAH STEWART 6’9 SR F
impressive win of the season. The heavy lifting reached another level at the Bob Kirk Invitational in 44 JAKOV KUKIC 6’11 SR F
Maryland, where the Lakers triumphed three times, including a 74-52 victory over Sunrise Christian
(KS) in the final, and a narrow 53-52 win against Wasatch Academy (UT) in the semifinals. Suffice
it to say the Lakers need three wins to complete the perfect season and national championship. HEAD COACH: PATRICK HOLMES
@LALUBASKETBALL
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
6AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
MONTVERDE ACADEMY (FL) #2
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #3, 21-2
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
The expectations are always high at the central Florida private school, and this year is no
exception. The best games Montverde players face could in fact happen during their daily
practices. Once again a long, athletic team that defends, runs the floor and excites the O DARIQ WHITEHEAD 6’5 FR W
crowd is featured in the purple and gold. At 6’9, Precious Achiuwu (from Bronx, N.Y.) is
the school’s latest McDonald’s All-American. Achiuwu’s upside is limitless as a powerful 1 CADE CUNNINGHAM 6’7 JR G
finisher and strong rebounder. 7’0 Serbian Balsa Koprivica (Florida State recruit) is a true 2 MOSES MOODY 6’5 JR G
center with deft touch in the lane and great timing when blocking shots. Omar Payne, 6’9,
is a power forward that signed with the Florida Gators and excels in the open court. A pair 4 RYAN NEMBHARD 5’10 FR G
of juniors are members of the ESPN 60 (Class of 2020) and bring a high basketball IQ to the
team, in 6’5 point guard Cade Cunningham from Texas and 6’5 shooting guard Moses Moody 5 PRECIOUS ACHIUWA 6’9 SR F
from Arkansas. 6’4 undecided senior combo guard Harlond Beverly is offensive-minded but
has the length and natural hops to be a force on the defensive end. At 6’5, freshman Dariq 10 HARLOND BEVERLY 6’5 SR G
Whitehead (from Newark, NJ) is a blossoming mixture of rare athleticism, innate ability and
quickness that gives Montverde more building blocks. Whitehead’s brother, Tahir Whitehead,
11 OSEI PRICE 6’4 JR G
played linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. 12 JORDAN MITCHELL 6’8 SR F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 13 OMAR PAYNE 6’9 SR F
The main reason players attend Montverde is for top-notch coaching and a demanding
14 JESSE JONES 6’3 JR G
schedule. Coming off a National Championship in 2017-18, those two things remained
consistent. The Eagles (21-2) went 2-2 vs. the GEICO field, losing twice to top-seeded La 21 JOSHUA PAUL 6’3 SR F
Lumiere (IN) by 7 and 13 points. Before Christmas, the Eagles went 3-1 to place third at the
Iolani Classic in Hawaii. They bounced back to capture the Montverde Academy Invitational 22 CALEB HOUSTAN 6’8 FR W
Tournament (MAIT), beating two national ranked teams in three days. Quality wins this
season included Rancho Christian (CA), Sierra Canyon (CA), Oak Hill (VA), Sunrise Christian 24 TRAE BROADNAX 6’3 SR G
(KS) and Paul VI (VA). Coach Kevin Boyle’s club closed out the regular season in early
February with their annual trip back to his old stomping grounds in New Jersey. Montverde 25 BALSA KOPRIVICA 7’1 SR F
knocked off the Garden State’s top two teams Ranney School, 89-51, and Roselle Catholic, 31 PAVEL ZAKHAROV 6’11 SR F
62-41. Heading into the GEICO Nationals, Montverde was off 42 days but expect the intensity
to return once the ball is tipped off. 33 OTON JANKOVIC 6’9 SR F
@MVABASKETBALL HEAD COACH: KEVIN BOYLE
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
7A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#3 IMG ACADEMY (FL) #3
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #4, 28-1
KEY PLAY ERS # NAME HT GR POS
Whenever a program produces a McDonald’s All-American it’s a big deal. Put two players in the same
game and that’s special, but three? Well that’s pretty much unheard of, yet IMG accomplished the
feat this season as 6’10 Armando Bacot (North Carolina signee), 6’6 Josh Green (Arizona) and 6’9 0 JOSH GREEN 6’6 SR G
power forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova) all participated in the senior national all-star
game last week in Atlanta. The IMG trio were part of the seven player contingent from the GEICO 1 NOAH FARRAKHAN 6’1 JR G
Nationals field to participate. The skinny on all three is quite impressive. Bacot (14.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg,
70% FG) is a true center with a soft touch and controls the boards while triggering the fast break. 2 CHIKARA TANAKA 6’2 JR G
Green (16.6 ppg, 4.0 apg, 47% 3FG) is a versatile wing that can slash to the basket and drain the
long three. Robinson-Earl (17.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 62% FG) is a cerebral player, and an efficient power 4 BRANDON HUNTLEY 6’9 SO F
forward that protects the rim and handles in the open court with ease. If that’s not enough there’s
junior point guard Noah Farrakhan (7.4 ppg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 spg), who sacrifices the stats for the 5 ARMANDO BACOT JR 6’10 SR F
betterment of the team, and 6’5 junior Jaden Springer (15.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 50% FG), who
is one of the team’s more versatile players. Key reserves include junior forward Mikael Brown-Jones 10 JEREMIAH ROBINSON-EARL 6’10 SR F
(Penn State verbal), raw 6’9 sophomore Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and 6’6 freshman Jarace Walker,
whose overall game is advanced and defense stands out. Senior Tibor Palinkas is deadeye shooter 11 JADEN SPRINGER 6’3 JR F
from Hungary and likely headed to a Division II program.
12 MIKEAL BROWN-JONES 6’8 SR F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
IMG is making its second appearance at the GEICO Nationals (the first in 2017). Coach Sean 20 TIBOR PALINKAS 6’4 SR G
McAloon favors an aggressive schedule. “We’ll travel anywhere and play anyone, preparing
our players for the next level,” he says. The Ascenders (26-1) are an entertaining team with 23 CAM MORRIS 6’7 JR F
big-time talent. They play mostly man defense and favor a high octane offense that plays fast
with the bigs showing off their motors. That said, IMG lost once when it went 3-1 at the City of
25 JARACE WALKER 6’6 FR G
Palms Classic in nearby Fort Myers, Fla. The loss was to Mountain Brook (AL), which won a third
straight Alabama Class 7A state title. McAloon said, his team played three true road games,
winning at DeMatha (MD), DeSoto (TX) and McCallie School (TN). Other quality wins included HEAD COACH: SEAN MCALOON
University School (FL), Oak Hill (VA), Olive Branch (MS), Patrick School (NJ), Holy Spirit Prep (GA),
Huntington Prep (WV) and Wilson (DC). IMG went 2-0 against GEICO National invitees.
@IMGABASKETBALL
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
8AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
OAK HILL ACADEMY (VA) #4
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #9, 36-4
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
After a midseason dip in form, the Warriors are rested and ready to capture their first GEICO
Nationals title since April 2016. Coach Steve Smith keeps his rotation tight at eight players with
6’3 junior Cam Thomas (26.4 ppg, 2.1 spg), 6’3 senior Cole Anthony, 6’11 senior Kofi Cockburn 3 COLE ANTHONY 6’3 SR G
(Illinois), 6’6 senior Christian Brown (Georgia) and 6’0 Evan Johnson (5.8 ppg, 28 made 3s) as
the starters. If Johnson doesn’t open on the floor, 6’5 junior Darrick Jones, Jr. (4.5 ppg) gets 2 CHRISTIAN BROWN 6’6 SR F
the nod. Anthony, a McDonald’s All-American is a do-everything combo guard with scoring and
facilitator skills. The man in the middle is Cockburn, a burly, physical big that can run the floor 20 DYLAN CARDWELL 6’10 SR F/C
in transition, averaging a double-double and connecting on a team-high 58.9% of his shots. At
6’6, 205 pounds, Brown (11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg) is a solid wing with long arms that can knock down 21 KOFI COCKBURN 6’11 SR C
the mid-range shot and finish in transition. Jones is an explosive wing, who is a sniper on the
perimeter and solid rebounder on the defensive glass. Thomas is a pure scorer having made 108 5 EVAN JOHNSON 6’0 JR G
3-pointers and shooting 50.2% from the floor (making 328 of 654 his shots). At 6’7 BJ Mack (4.2
ppg) has signed with South Florida and scores at a rate of 56.8%. Tobias Rotegaard (2.5 ppg, 15
23 DARRICK JONES, JR. 6’5 JR G
3s), a 6’6 wing from Norway, and 6’1 Daniel Scott are seniors who will sign late in low Division I 33 B.J. MACK 6’7 SR F/C
programs. Junior Dylan Cardwell (4.3 rpg, 3.8 ppg), 6’11, is a backup post with limitless potential.
4 CONNOR ODOM 5’11 SO G
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
Whenever the elite basketball teams congregate in a winner-take-all tournament, you can be sure 30 TOBIAS ROTEGAARD 6’6 SR G
the Warriors are repped. Last year, Oak Hill played an astounding 46 games while advancing to
the GEICO Nationals semifinals, but this time future Naismith Hall of Fame coach Steve Smith
1 DANIEL SCOTT 6’1 SR G
scaled back the schedule by eleven games going 31-4. In preparation for GEICO, the Warriors were 24 CAM THOMAS 6’3 JR G
featured in games against opponents from 14 different states and tipped off the season with a
12-game win streak. OHA lost to nationally ranked Imhotep (PA) at the prestigious City of Palms
Classic in Florida, finishing the event at 2-1. In January, the Warriors swept two games at the
Nike Extravaganza in California over Santa Margarita (CA) and Modesto Christian (CA), the latter HEAD COACH: STEVE SMITH
advanced to the California Open Division state semifinals. In February, it was a 76-66 win over
West Charlotte (NC) at the Jordan Brand Invitational, before a rare loss to Teays Valley Christian
(WV), 80-72, at the FCA Classic in Virginia. The Warriors were 0-2 against the GEICO field, falling
to IMG and Montverde Academy.
@OHA COACHSMITH
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9A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#5 WASATCH ACADEMY (UT)
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #10, 26-3
# NAME HT GR POS KEY PLAYERS
If you are looking for a static starting five, forget about it. The Tigers navigated a national
schedule with several looks and different combinations all suited to the opponent. Head Coach
1 MARVIN “TRE” WILLIAMS III 6’5 SR G David Evans has assembled a team with players from Holland, Brazil and Mali (West Africa). At
3 MIKE SAUNDERS 6’1 JR G 6’10, junior Mady Sissoko (12.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg) features a 7’4 wingspan and an explosive, physical
interior game. Minnesota-bound 6’5 guard Tre Williams III (15.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg) is the
5 BERNARDO DA SILVA 6’9 SR F main perimeter threat and will pull the trigger from 3-point range. Junior sharpshooter Caleb
Lohner (9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg) can also attack the rim and defend multiple positions. The backcourt
10 MICHAEL LOFTIN 5’10 SO F is strengthened by 6’1 junior playmaker Mike Saunders (11.4 ppg, 4.4 apg) and perimeter threat
6’5 junior Richie Saunders (11.6 ppg). [Note the Saunders are not related]. 6’10 senior Tristan
13 TRISTAN ENARUNA 6’10 SR G-F Enaruna (10.8 ppg, 4.8) is a swingman from Holland who is joined on the frontline by 6’9 Brazilian
senior Bernardo da Silva (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
14 JONAS EVANS 6’6 SR C
15 RICHIE SAUNDERS 6’5 JR G ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
Two years ago, the Tigers (26-3) advanced to the GEICO Nationals, and are back because of an
23 LEONARDO COLIMERIO 6’6 JR G aggressive scheduling philosophy that produced a 13-3 neutral court record and 5-0 mark in true
24 COLE JESSEE 6’1 SO G road games. That meant playing teams from 14 states, including a 1-1 record against teams
from the GEICO field, beating Sunrise Christian (65-53) and losing to top-ranked La Lumiere
32 FOUSSEYNI TRAORE 6’7 SO F (53-52). The Tigers opened the season winning 21 straight before losing to nationally ranked
Rancho Christian (CA), 74-47, in the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament. Wasatch has
33 PRESTON SQUIRE 6’8 SO F quality wins over Legacy Early College (SC) and Meadowbrook (GA) at the Holiday Hoopsgiving in
Atlanta, won the Emerald Coast 16 in Florida and placed third at two other major tournaments
34 JAXON KOHLER 6’8 FR C in the new year.
41 CALEB LOHNER 6’8 JR G-F
@WATIGERSBB
44 MADY SISSOKO 6’10 JR C
HEAD COACH: DAVID EVANS
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
10AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
SUNRISE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (KS) #6
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #13, 22-5
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
The Buffaloes roll out an experienced starting five that has endured the rigors of a national
schedule in high school and on the summer circuit. The guard-oriented attack features four
seniors, including 6’4 Austin Crowley (Vanderbilt signee), 6’1 Noel Coleman (8.0 ppg, 2.0 spg),
1 AUSTIN CROWLEY 6’4 SR G
6’3 Grant Sherfield (de-commit from UCLA) and 6’8 swing Jordan Turner (Baylor). The regular 2 NOEL COLEMAN 6’1 SR G
rotation is rounded out by elite junior recruit N’faly Dante, a 7-footer with a 7’3.5 wingspan from
Mali. Dante (17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg. 4.0 bpg) is a rim-protector and has an emerging skill set that 5 JORDAN TURNER 6’8 SR F/G
has Kentucky, Kansas, LSU, Oklahoma State and other SEC programs offering. Crowley (12.0
ppg), a West Point, MS native, can fill it up from the perimeter and is a dangerous three-point 10 JALYN TURNER 6’6 SR G
shooter. Turner (15.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), a tall Texan, is an all-around player with a nice stroke from
11 BRYCE COOK 5’7 SR G
beyond the arc and solid handle and dribble-drive ability. Sherfield (17.0 ppg) is a pure scorer of
the basketball and excels in an up-tempo offense. Big Ten, SEC and Big 12 schools are currently 12 N’FALY DANTE 7’0 SO F/C
eyeing the athletic guard.
20 OUSMANE GUEYE 6’8 SR F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 25 GRANT SHERFIELD 6’3 SR G
Like the entire GEICO Nationals field, the Buffaloes (22-5) have scheduled wisely and have played
in enough national games to earn an invitation to New York. In November, Sunrise defeated 33 KENNY POHTO 6’10 SO F/C
preseason ranked Guyer (TX), 71-55, and eventual Class 6A Final Four Duncanville (TX), 73-57.
35 GETHRO MUSCADIN 6’10 JR F/C
The Buffaloes knocked off Orr (IL), 71-46, at the Chicago Elite Classic. Orr went on to the Illinois
Class 2A state tournament. After Christmas, Sunrise placed third at the Chick-fil-A Classic in
South Carolina. They also swept two games at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.
HEAD COACH: LUKE BARNWELL
Sunrise then finished second at both the Bob Kirk Invitational in Maryland and prestigious Bass
Pro Tournament of Champions in Missouri. At the TOC, the Buffaloes lost to McEachern (GA), 50-
46 in the final. Coach Luke Barnwell’s squad went 1-3 against GEICO Nationals teams, beating
University School (FL), 70-62, on the road.
@SUNRISEHOOPS
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
11A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#7 NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (FL)
USA TODAY SUPER 25 RANK #18, 27-4
# NAME HT GR POS KEY PLAYERS
The greatest commodity for a high school team is depth. And that was on display last month
when the Sharks won the Class 5A state championship. With all-everything Vernon Carey, Jr.
0 JEREMY POSNER 6’4 SR F (a McDonald’s All-American) on the bench with an ankle injury, coach Jim Carr opened the
floor for a dynamic attack that produced the title, going with five off the bench. Well, the
1 LOGAN ALTERS 6’2 SR G Duke-bound Carey (21.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg) is back and ready to go, “Vernon hates to lose; he’s
mismatch for anyone who guards him,” Carr says. Junior forward Scottie Barnes (14.5, 7.4
2 JADEN GRANT 5’10 SO G
rpg, 5.8 apg) is a complete player who has Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, Florida State, Ohio State,
3 DAVID PEREZ 6’2 JR G Miami, Oregon and California on his short list. California-bound shooting guard Logan Alters
stretches defense with his three-point range and 5’10 Xavier “Zay” Flowers (3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg,
5 JACE HOWARD 6’6 JR F 2.0 apg) brings a toughness that earned him a football scholarship as a defensive back to
Boston College. In the playoffs, the Howard brothers, 6’6 junior Jace and 6’5 freshman Jett,
10 XAVIEN HOWARD 5’9 SR G saw their roles expanded. Jett is a scorer with point guard attributes, while Jace is a low-post
forward that has overcome injuries to finish with a bang (their father Juwan Howard, played in
12 JONATHAN WEISELBURG 5’10 SR G the NBA 19 years). At 6’4 junior Roger McFarlane (9.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg) is getting looks from high
13 JETT HOWARD 6’5 FR G academic schools such as Rice, Columbia and George Washington (he moved with his family
back to south Florida after dad was deployed by the U.S. Army to Korea). 6’7 forward, Taylor
15 JALIL BEAUBRUN 6’8 SR F Hendricks (4.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg) is one of the top players in the Class of 2022.
22 VERNON CAREY JR. 6’11 SR F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
23 ROGER MCFARLANE 6’4 JR G The Sharks (27-4) head to the GEICO Nationals as Florida’s two time Class 5A state
champions. The toughest postseason games for the Sharks occurred in district and Region
25 TAYLOR HENDRICKS 6’7 FR F finals. In the region final, Vernon Carey, Jr. went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter,
but NSU University School survived a 39-36 scare to Westminster Christian. In the 5A Final
32 SCOTTIE BARNES 6’8 JR G-F Four, the Sharks crushed The Villages Charter, 91-53, in the semifinals and Andrew Jackson
55 TAMARII CUMMINGS 6’3 SO G-F (Jacksonville), 72-46, in the final. Jace Howard paced three double-digit scorers with 17
points, while Scottie Barnes and Roger McFarlane added 13 apiece in the title game. Coach
Jim Carr’s team opened the season with seven straight wins but went 1-2 at the City of
Palms Classic. They also took second place at the Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon after
HEAD COACH: JIM CARR Christmas. Key wins this season include state champions Gonzaga Prep (WA), Vashon (MO),
Blanche Ely (FL) and Westminster Academy (FL), but lost to California Open Division champion
Sierra Canyon. The Sharks are 0-2 against the GEICO field, falling to Sunrise Christian and
IMG Academy.
@USCHOOLMBB
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
12AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
BISHOP GORMAN (NV) #8
28-4
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
Winning eight straight Nevada state championship is no easy task but that’s what the Gaels
accomplished under the tutelage of head coach Grant Rice. Getting an invitation to the GEICO
Nationals is further proof that Gorman is staple in elite high school basketball circles. The 0 ISAIAH COTTRELL 6’10 JR F
Gaels are blessed with players that perform at a high level and have big-game experience while
attacking with four guards. Senior Chance Michels (7.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 35% 3FG) stirs the
1 WILL MCCLENDON 6’4 SO G
team and show tremendous leadership qualities. Gorman’s top players all return next season as 2 ADRIK LAZAROU 5’10 SR G
6’10 power forward Isaiah Cottrell (15.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 4.2 bpg, 64.3% FG) and 6’3 sharpshooter
Noah Taitz (15.6 ppg, 53 made 3FG) are a pair of highly rated juniors. Cottrell is projected as a 3 NOLAN WEDLOW 6’0 SR G
high-end recruit with a high ceiling. Taitz can stroke it from beyond the arc (53 of 157, 33.8% 3FG)
and has multiple offers from Pac-12 schools, BYU and DePaul. Sophomore guard Will McClendon 4 JONATHAN BRAGGS 6’2 SO G
(12.1 ppg, 4.5 apg, 43 made 3FG) is the other double-digit scorer and sparks the backcourt. 5 MO KHALAF 6’4 JR F
At 6-6, Mwani Wilkinson (7.8 ppg) is an athletic forward and 6’1 sophomore point guard Zaon
Collins (9.6 ppg, 6.8 apg, 67.9% FG) is a facilitator and top decision-maker with the ball. At 6’8, 10 ZAON COLLINS 6’1 SO F
freshman Max Allen (6.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg) saw his playing time increase as the season progressed.
12 MAX ALLEN 6’8 FR F
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 13 BRADEN LAMAR 6’5 JR F
The Gaels (28-4) closed the season on a high, winning 11 straight games to capture their eighth 14 TRENT DIELEMAN 6’7 JR F
straight Nevada Class 4A state championship. When Gorman lost at California powerhouse Santa
Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 63-60, on Jan. 24 it was be the team’s last setback. Two 20 NOAH TAITZ 6’3 JR G
days later, they were sharp in dispatching eventual California Division I state champion Chino
Hills, 82-57, at the Nike Extravaganza. Closer to home the Gaels needed to beat local rivals Clark 22 RYAN ABELMAN 6’3 FR G
four times this season, including on three occasions over the final three weeks of the terms. 23 MWANI WILKINSON 6’6 JR F
In the Desert Region final, they won 57-50 on Feb. 23 and in the 4A final they took a 68-60
decision. The month of December saw the Gaels split two games at the Hoophall West in Phoenix, 24 MYLES BENDAVID 5’10 SR G
beating Washington Class 4A champion Gonzaga Prep (Spokane) and won the Tarkanian Classic
in Las Vegas stopping three California opponents, including nationally ranked Rancho Christian 25 CHANCE MICHELS 6’2 SR G
(Temecula), 61-39, in the title game. January’s signature win was a 59-55 decision over rivals 35 DJ KOTEK 6’4 SR G
Findlay Prep (NV) at the Big City Showdown. The Gaels, who were 22-0 in-state and 6-4 nationally,
will have a chance to avenge one of their four losses when they open the GEICO Nationals against
top-seeded La Lumiere (IN). The Lakers won the first meeting 67-54 on Jan. 4 at the Cancer HEAD COACH: GRANT RICE
Research Classic in Wheeling, WV. “We have a familiarity with La Lumiere but that game was
three months ago and I’m sure both teams have changed,” says coach Grant Rice.
@BG_BASKETBALL
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
13A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y #WhereTheFutureStarts
Congratulations to this
A modern visual take
on a classic game.
year’s class of high school
The clean and minimal line element
of a familiar basketball court provide
the foundation for this look, while
basketball greats, the 2019
surprising viewers in unexpected
scales to provide energy and
movement. Supported by accents
McDonald’s All Americans!
McDonald’s
of creative applications of brand
patterns to visually connect the
sport with McDonald’s.
All American Games
Fan Fest
Fan
Fest
Girls Roster Boys Roster
River Baldwin Francesca Belibi Precious Achiuwa Bryan Antoine
Brea Beal Kierstan Bell Cole Anthony Josh Green
Aliyah Boston Kennedy Brown Armando Bacot Jr. Matthew Hurt
Jakia Brown-Turner
Samantha Brunelle
McDonald’s Nyah Green
Angel Jackson
Vernon Carey Jr.
Anthony Edwards
Tre Mann
Nico Mannion Fan
Zia Cooke All American GamesRickea Jackson Trayce Jackson-Davis Tyrese Maxey
Fe
Aubrey Griffin Haley Jones Fan Fest Josiah-Jordan James Isaiah Mobley
Jordan Horston Jordyn Oliver Scottie Lewis Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Diamond Miller Charisma Osborne Jaden McDaniels Oscar Tshiebwe
Ashley Owusu Jaden Owens Wendell Moore Jr. Kahlil Whitney
Sammie Puisis Anaya Peoples Isaiah Stewart Samuell Williamson
Celeste Taylor Ashten Prechtel Trendon
*PLAYER PARTICIPATING Watford
IN DICK’S NATIONALS James Wiseman
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
14`
BOY S 2 0 1 9 1 0 0 P L AY E R R A N K I N G S
AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
2 COLE ANTHONY OAK HILL C 6’3 UNDECIDED
3 VERNON CAREY JR. NSU UNIVERSITY C 6’10 DUKE
4 ISAIAH STEWART LA LUMIERE C 6’9 WASHINGTON
7 JOSH GREEN IMG ACADEMY G 6’6 ARIZONA
16 PRECIOUS ACHIUWA MONTVERDE F 6’8 UNDECIDED
18 ARMANDO BACOT IMG ACADEMY C 6’10 N CAROLINA
20 JEREMIAH ROB.-EARL IMG ACADEMY F 6’9 VILLANOVA
38 KEION BROOKS LA LUMIERE G 6’2 KENTUCKY
42 BALSA KOPRIVICA MONTVERDE C 7’0 FLORIDA ST
43 OMAR PAYNE MONTVERDE C 6’10 FLORIDA
44 KOFI COCKBURN OAK HILL C 6’10 ILLINOIS
60 CHRISTIAN BROWN OAK HILL F 6’6 GEORGIA
87 PAVEL ZAKHAROV MONTVERDE C 6’10 GONZAGA
95 HARLOND BEVERLY MONTVERDE G 6’4 UNDECIDED
BOYS 2 0 2 0 6 0 P L AY E R R A N K I N G S
4 SCOTTIE BARNES NSU UNIVERSITY F 6’8 UNDECIDED
10 CADE CUNNINGHAM MONTVERDE F 6’6 UNDECIDED
est 11
15
JADEN SPRINGER
N’FALY DANTE SUNRISE CHRISTIAN
IMG ACADEMY G
C 6’11 UNDECIDED
6’4 UNDECIDED
22 CAMERON THOMAS OAK HILL G 6’3 UNDECIDED
26 MOSES MOODY MONTVERDE G 6’6 UNDECIDED
45 NOAH FARRAKHAN IMG ACADEMY G 6’1 UNDECIDED
48 MADY SISSOKO WASATCH C 6’8 UNDECIDED
*RANKINGS AS OF 3/22/19
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
15A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
25 POWER RANKINGS
1 MIAMI COUNTRY DAY MIAMI, FL 26-1
2 ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE WASHINGTON, DC 35-1
3 AFRICENTRIC COLUMBUS, OH 28-0
4 CENTENNIAL LAS VEGAS, NV 31-1
5 DETROIT EDISON ACADEMY DETROIT, MI 24-1
6 CHRIST THE KING MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY 25-4
7 NEW HOPE ACADEMY LANDOVER, MD 37-3
8 BISHOP MCNAMARA FORESTVILLE, MD 31-4
9 SIERRA CANYON CHATSWORTH, CA 33-1
10 WESTRIDGE ACADEMY KERNERSVILLE, NC 30-0
11 JUDSON CONVERSE, TX 38-5
12 HOPKINS MINNETONKA, MN 32-0
13 MOUNT NOTRE DAME CINCINNATI, OH 27-2
14 BEAVER DAM BEAVER DAM, WI 27-1
15 MAINE WEST DES PLAINES, IL 27-1
16 AMARILLO AMARILLO, TX 37-4
17 PRINCESS ANNE VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 25-1
18 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN FISHERS, IN 27-1
19 HOOVER BIRMINGHAM, AL 34-1
20 DESOTO DESOTO, TX 30-7
21 WESTLAKE ATLANTA, GA 30-0
22 INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY ST. LOUIS, MO 30-2
23 FRANKLIN SOMERSET, NJ 34-0
24 RIVERDALE BAPTIST UPPER MARLBORO, MD 32-7
25 BISHOP MIEGE SHAWNEE MISSION, KS 24-0
*RANKINGS AS OF 3/25/19
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
16AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
GEICO HIGH SCHOOL NATIONALS
GIRLS BRACKET
FRIDAY, APRIL 5TH SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH
C H R IS T T H E K IN G H IG H S C H O O L C H R I ST TH E KI N G H I G H SC H O O L
MID D L E V IL L A G E , N Y M I D D LE VI LLAG E, N Y
#1 MIA MI COUNTRY DAY (F L )
G AM E 5 W IN N ER
GA ME 5 – E SP NU, 11 :0 0 AM
#4 NEW HOP E (MD)
C H AM PIO N SH IP G AM E
ESPN 2, 10:00 AM
#2 S T. JOHN’S (DC)
G AM E 6 W IN N ER
GA ME 6 – E SP NU, 1:00 PM
#3 CE NTENNIAL (NV )
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH SA P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#1 M I A M I C O U N T RY D AY ( F L )
ESPNW 25 POWER RANK #1, 26-1
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT G POS
The top-ranked Lady Spartans are must-see basketball, featuring a four-guard rotation
along with 6’8 junior center Chantell Gonzalez. MCD has the delicate balance of experience
and youth. Vanderbilt-bound 6-foot Koi Love is the primary perimeter threat and a mismatch 0 SYDNEY SHAW 5’9 FR G
in the half court. Meanwhile, 5’7 Maria Alvarez was named the 2017 MVP of the GEICO
Nationals when the Lady Spartans last won it. Alvarez, a three-point specialist and South 1 MARIA ALVAREZ 5’7 SR G
Florida signee, represented Colombia in the FIBA World Cup at the U17 and U18 levels. At
6’8, Gonzalez is the center of attention and the ultimate rim protector with a nice shooting
2 JORDAN FISHMAN 5’6 SO G
touch. She is from Key West and has looks from mid-majors. Sydney Shaw is a 5’6 freshman 3 KRISTINA GODFREY 5’7 FR G
point guard with an offer from the Miami Hurricanes and runs with 5’6 classmate Emani
Theodule in the backcourt. Senior Jayda Theodule, 5’8 Karina Gordon and 5’9 junior Milani 4 MILANI MCCORMACK 5’9 JR G/F
McCormack come off the bench from this talented 14-player roster.
5 D’YANI GREGOIRE 5’5 FR G
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 11 ISABELLA GUEVARA 5’5 8 G
It was a record setting season for the Lady Spartans (26-1), who bagged a Florida record
sixth-straight state championship, crushing Carrollwood Day, 62-30, in the Class 4A final. 12 JORDAN SHEPPARD 5’5 SO G
In the semifinals, they beat Yonge, 81-50. Afterwards Yonge coach Willie Powers said,
“Watching them [MCD] on film, I’ve never seen a high school team amass that amount of 21 JAYDA THEODULE 5’7 SR G/F
talent on one team in my 24 years as a coach.” Yet MCD did stumble in the fifth game of
the season to Tampa Tech, 58-57, on Dec. 8. On Dec. 19 Coach Swaby’s recommitted team 22 RACHEL KAISER 5’5 SR G
embarked on four wins in four days to capture the Nike Tournament of Champions title in
Phoenix. In the game that defined the season, MCD trailed 60-57 in the waning seconds
23 KOI LOVE 6’0 SR F
of the TOC semifinals, when a turnover led to Alvarez’s miracle four-point play with 3.6 32 CHANTELL GONZALEZ 6’9 JR C
seconds to go and the 61-60 win over New Hope Academy (MD). MCD beat a fourth nationally
ranked team Windward (CA), 52-51, in the final. After Christmas, it was the Naples (FL) 33 EMANI THEODULE 5’6 FR G
Holiday Shootout title, defeating three quality programs. The strong out-of-state schedule
concluded with wins over the MLK Weekend at Philadelphia-area powerhouse programs 34 KARINA GORDON 5’8 8 G
Germantown Academy and Neumann-Goretti. The Lady Spartans carry an impressive 22-
game win streak into the GEICO Nationals and are 2-0 against the GEICO field. All four HEAD COACH: OCHIEL SWABY
teams here participated in the Nike TOC, and the Lady Spartans know what to expect in
search of the third GEICO Nationals title.
@MCDLADYSPARTANS
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
18AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
S T. J O H N ’ S ( D C ) #2
ESPNW 25 POWER RANK #2, 35-1
# NAME HT GR POS KEY PLAYERS
The Cadets are chock full of talent. It’s a lineup that rolls out three seniors, a junior and
an All-American sophomore that oozes quality and future Division I athletes. The post
0 ALEX COWAN 5’5 SR G presence is 6’3 Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo, who signed with North Carolina over Notre
Dame. If Tshitenge-Mutombo’s name is familiar, well, it should be. Her uncle is Hall
1 JASMINE ROBERTS 5’8 SR F
of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo and just like him, Malu is a tenacious defender and
3 BELLA TANEDO 5’2 FR G controls the glass at both ends of the court. Malu’s nifty footwork developed playing
tennis and was a promising player. At 5’11, Azzi Fudd is a transcendent player and
4 TAYLOR NAPPER 6’0 SO F recently named the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the first-ever sophomore
to win the national award. Fudd (26.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 bpg) is the complete
4 MALINA GOODWIN 5’7 FR G package and an athletic combo-guard with court awareness and gracefulness that
5 MARJORIE ALBERT 5’8 SR G belies her age. Adding depth to the four-guard alignment is 5’4 senior Carly Rivera
(Columbia recruit) and 5’5 senior Alex Cowan, who is headed to Wagner in the fall.
5 KYLIE MORRIS 5’6 JR G Cowan is a solid ball-handler, distributor and scorer. Alex’s brother, Anthony Jr.,
completed his junior season at Maryland and was the Terps’ leading scorer. Rounding
10 MITCHELL EDMUNDS 6’0 FR F out the lineup is 5’10 junior Caramina Tañedo, who plays on the left wing and will hoist
11 ROSIE VAGNONI 5’8 SR G up a three to loosen up the defense. Sophomore forward Taylor Napper and 5’10 Kelis
Corley give support and size on the front line.
12 KAILEE BECKHAM 5’9 JR G
13 CARAMINA TAÑEDO 5’10 JR G ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
To say the Cadets (35-1) are toughened through league and tournament play would
15 CARLY RIVERA 5’4 SR G be an understatement. Simply put the Cadets play in Washington Catholic Athletic
20 MALU TSHITENGE 6’3 SR F Conference (WCAC)—one of the nation’s premier leagues. This season the Cadets met
the weekly demands of going undefeated against the likes of nationally ranked Bishop
22 KELIS CORLEY 5’10 JR F McNamara (MD), Bishop Ireton (VA), Paul VI (VA) and Good Counsel (MD). SJC briefly
ascended to the nation’s No. 1 team but then lost to Miami Country Day (FL), 44-41, in
30 OLIVIA BAPTIST 5’7 FR G the Nike Tournament of Champions quarterfinals on Dec. 20 in Phoenix. That was the
32 LOUISE THSHITENGE MUTOMBO 5’11 FR F team’s lone loss as a 26-game win streak ensued. In January Jonathan Scribner’s team
stopped New Jersey semifinalist St. John Vianney, 58-42, and Philadelphia Public School
35 AZZI FUDD 5’11 SO G champion Imhotep Charter, 63-37. The Cadets capped the perfect league run winning
the WCAC Tournament title for a third straight season. Trailing 40-38 at the onset of
44 LAURYN MADDOX 5’11 FR F the fourth, SJC used a 28-11 run to rally by McNamara. In March, three more victories
clinched a fourth-consecutive D.C. State Athletic Association Class AA tournament. Now
HEAD COACH: JONATHAN SCRIBNER the Cadets represent the District and WCAC in the GEICO Nationals starting with Nevada
powerhouse Centennial in the semifinals on Friday.
@SJCHSBBALL
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
19A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
#3 CENTENNIAL (NV)
ESPNW 25 POWER RANK #4, 31-1
KEY PLAYERS # NAME HT GR POS
There is a simple reason why the Lady Bulldogs have won five straight state
championships: super talent. Take the Class 4A All-Northwest League postseason honors;
Centennial placed four on the five-player first team, another one on the second team,
while 5-11 sophomore guard Taylor Bigby and senior Eboni Walker were co-Most Valuable
0 JESSENIA LAWSON 5’6 SO G
Players. Centennial’s deep, athletic team features two seniors and three underclassmen 1 ADDISON MELONE 5’2 SO G
in as starters, with 5’11 Walker as the centerpiece. Walker (11.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.2 apg,
2.1 spg), who is off to Arizona State, is good for a double-double each game. She became 2 MELANIE ISBELL 5’4 SO G
Centennial’s third straight Gatorade state player of the year, joining former teammates
Samantha Thomas (2017) and Justice Ethridge (2018)—both at UNLV. Speaking of the 3 QUINECE HATCHER 5’8 SR G
Running’ Rebels, that’s where 5’4 crafty ball-handler Melanie Isbell and 5’10 junior Jade 4 TAYLOR BIGBY 6’0 SO G
Thomas are headed. Bigby is considered one of the top players from the Class of 2020
with offers from Power-5 schools such as Oregon, Louisville, UCLA and Florida State. At 5 JADE THOMAS 5’10 JR G
5’9, Daejah Phillips rounds out the lineup as a dependable scorer and defender and an
elite recruit. The same goes for Aishah Brown, a 5’11 junior, an active forward who excels 10 AJANHAI PHOUMIPHAT 5’5 SR G
in transition and is an active rebounder. Seniors Quinece Hatcher (Youngstown State)
and Aja Phoumiphat (Chicago State) have also signed with Division I programs.
12 AISHAH BROWN 6’1 JR F
15 DAEJAH PHILLIPS 5’9 JR G
ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS 20 MALIA HUNTER 5’5 SR G
Centennial continued its Nevada girls’ basketball dynasty in Nevada, rolling to an
unprecedented fifth consecutive Class 4A state championship. The Lady Bulldogs (31-1) 21 AALIYAH IBARRA 5’7 SO G
completed the task by crushing Las Vegas schools Bishop Gorman, 78-47, in the final
and Desert Oasis, 79-48, in the semifinals. Centennial’s swarming fullcourt pressure 22 EBONI WALKER 5’11 SR G-F
kept it unbeaten against in-state foes. In fact, coach Karen Weitz’s powerhouse team
was never challenged locally winning all games by at least 31 points. When the season 23 MARY MCMORRIS 5’5 FR G
tipped in December, the Lady Bulldogs suffered their lone loss to Salesian College Prep 24 KALYN MILLER 5’9 SO G-F
(CA), 46-34, in the Nike Tournament of Champions first round in Phoenix. Arizona State-
bound Eboni Walker did not play in that game. Centennial rebounded to win their next 33 CYPREE STEVENS 5’4 SO G
three at TOC, including over eventual state champions Sanford School (DE) and Benson
Tech (OR). After Christmas, they captured the Las Vegas Holiday Classic, pounding four 43 BRYAR TRONNIER 6’1 SR F
squads by an average margin of 44 points. Centennial closed out their nonconference 44 KAYLA JAVILLO 5’4 SO G
schedule beating five quality teams from California, including Etiwanda, Sacramento,
Bishop Montgomery and Windward. The Lady Bulldogs went 12-0 in the Northwest
League and cruised through the Mountain Region playoffs before annexing their 11th HEAD COACH: KAREN WEITZ
Nevada state title (second to Pahranagat Valley’s leading 16).
@CENTENNIALGBB
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
20AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
NEW HOPE (MD) #4
ESPNW 25 POWER RANK #7, 37-3
# NAME HT GR POS KEY PLAYERS
Coach Sam Caldwell has built the Tigers with two main ingredients: speed and depth.
“We like to play fast and we will go eight or nine deep. If you are on the team you will
1 JADA WALKER 5’6 SO G even if it is for one, two or 10 minutes,” he says. The starting five focuses on four
guards and 6-3 post Jennifer Ezeh (9.0 ppg. 10.0 rpg), who signed with Duke. SJada
2 DEMI WASHINGTON 5’10 SR G Walker (22.0 ppg, 4.0 spg, 3.5 apg) orchestrates an up-tempo attack and is an ESPN
3 JENNIFER EZEH 6’3 SR F Top 25 player from the Class of 2021. Kylie Kornegay-Lucas (5.0 apg) gives the Tigers
a luxury of two points guards on the floor and will take next her “next level court
4 KYLIE KORNEGAY-LUCAS 5’10 SR G vision” to Virginia. At 5’9, Delicia Pinnick (93 made 3s) is the main perimeter threat
and 5’10 Demi Washington (Vanderbilt signee, 10 ppg, 7 rpg) is the X-factor with the
5 DELICIA PINNICK 5’9 JR G capability of defending four positions and scoring at the rim and from mid-range.
There’s little if any drop off with Delaware-bound 6’2 Agnes Paul, 6’3 center Dainajoy
6 AGNES PAUL 6’2 SR F McFarlene (Tennessee Tech), 5’9 Lori Porter and 6’3 wing shooter Elze Motekaityte,
7 DAINAJOY MCFARLANE 6’3 SR C who plays the for Lithuanian 16U National Team. Add 6’2 post Deja Bristol to the
frontcourt and it’s easy to see why Caldwell is optimistic about his fifth go-around at
8 ANN PORTER 5’9 JR G the GEICO Nationals (won it twice with Riverdale Baptist in 2012 and ’14).
9 LORI PORTER 5’9 JR G ROAD TO GEICO NATIONALS
10 ELZE MOTEKAIYTE 6’3 JR F The Tigers (37-3) had a long season that was capped by winning postseason
tournament titles at the Bishop Walsh Girls’ Invitational in Maryland and the National
11 DEJA BRISTOL 6’2 JR C Association of Christian Athletes National Division 1 Tournament in Tennessee.
Entering the GEICO Nationals, the Tigers have won 22 consecutive games with top-
12 AHNA THOMAS 5’8 SO G ranked Miami Country Day (FL) slated for the semifinals. They started the season
going 5-1 at the Allen (TX) Eagle Hoopfest, losing to Cedar Hill (TX). The Tigers then
13 SARA AUSTIN 5’7 SO G split two games at She Got Game, losing to Bishop McNamara (MD). Then it was
a pre-Christmas trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions (AZ), finishing 3-1. In
Arizona, the Tigers lost to Miami Country Day, 61-60 in OT, in the semifinals but
HEAD COACH: SAM CALDWELL bounced back to beat Christ the King (NY), 50-49, for third place. Coach Sam
Caldwell’s team captured the first of three in-season titles, topping eventual-Virginia
Class 5 champion Princess, 62-46, at the Boo Williams Christmas Classic. Quality
wins include Sanford (DE), Patrick School (NJ), Bishop McNamara (MD), Riverdale
Baptist (MD), Regis Jesuit (CO), Hazel Greem (AL), Long Island Lutheran (NY) and
Salesian College Prep (CA).
@NHAGIRLSBB
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
21A P R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y
GI RLS 2 0 1 9 1 0 0 P L AY E R R A N K I N GS
43 EBONI WALKER CENTENNIAL W 6’0 ARIZONA STATE
56 MALU T-MUTOMBO ST. JOHN’S P 6’3 N CAROLINA
81 JENNIFER EZEH NEW HOPE ACADEMY F 6’2 DUKE
89 KOI LOVE MIAMI COUNTRY DAY G 5’10 VANDERBILT
97 DEMI WASHINGTON NEW HOPE ACADEMY G 5’9 VANDERBILT
GI RLS 2 0 2 1 2 5 P L AY E R R A N K I N GS
1 AZZI FUDD ST. JOHN’S G 5’11 UNDECIDED
25 JADA WALKER NEW HOPE ACADEMY G 5’6 UNDECIDED
*RANKINGS AS OF 3/22/19
DID YOU KNOW?
MIAMI COUNTRY DAY (FL)
MCD’s Ochiel Swaby was tabbed the Naismith High School Girls’ National Coach of the Year last month at the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “The award is less about me,” Swaby says, “it solidifies
what my players have accomplished this year.” Swaby, who played at Miami and Central Florida and totaled 1,183 points before balling in the NBA. In 15 seasons, Swaby owns a career
coaching record of 337-92 (.786 winning percentage) and twice has won the GEICO Nationals in 2015 and 2017. Swaby’s Lady Spartans won their sixth consecutive Florida state title in
February.
ST. JOHN’S (DC)
With the addition No. 2-ranked St. John’s College, the GEICO Nationals has the top-4 teams in one bracket. Joining two other schools (Centennial and New Hope Academy) this is the maiden
voyage for the Cadets in the GEICO Nationals. Previously the WCAC did not allow their members to play in the GEICO Nationals, but the schools held a revote, clearing the way for the Cadets
to vie for the National Championship. If recent history plays a huge role, the Cadets are amongst the nation’s elite. The current group is 125-12 over the past four seasons, 61-2 in the WCAC
in the last three seasons. Additionally, SJC has been ranked in the nation’s Top-5 five times spanning the last nine campaigns. All that playing in a nationally renowned league and satisfying
national schedule.
CENTENNIAL (NV)
In two decades since Centennial opened its door in 1999, the program has stood for excellence. Coach Karen Weitz is the architect of the dynasty that has produced 11 state champion-
ships, including the last five in Nevada Class 4A. In that inaugural season, Centennial went 30-1, won the city championship and advanced to the state tournament with seven players. The
2001-02 was the breakthrough season as Weitz guided the Lady Bulldogs to perfect 34-0 mark and the state’s large-school title. It was the first time in 21 years that a Southern Nevada
won the large-school championship. In 2005, Weitz took a one-year leave of absence to coach collegiately at Pacific and took over midseason the program when the head coach was fired.
Yet after the season, Weitz return to Centennial. Weitz was an all-state athlete from Milton-Freewater, OR, earning a scholarship for basketball to Boise State. After her freshman year, Weitz
transferred to Scottsdale (AZ) Community College for basketball and also competed for the track and field team, where she was an All-American javelin thrower. Eventually she transferred
to UNLV on a track scholarship, where she won two conference javelin titles and majored in physical education. She started teaching in the Las Vegas schools in 1992 and jump-started the
middle-school girls’ basketball program that has fueled the blossoming youth hoop scene.
NEW HOPE ACADEMY (MD)
For those unfamiliar with New Hope Academy, especially in the girls’ basketball universe, get on line. Actually, NHA (founded in 1990) is an independent private school, situated in suburban
Prince George’s County (near Washington, D.C.). The high school has a college preparatory curriculum and is a non-sectarian, non-denominational international school. When Sam Caldwell,
who is a professor of business management at Bowie (MD) State University, was hired as the girls’ basketball coach at NHA in 2017 after a successful a successful run at nearby Riverdale
Baptist School (MD), he created the program from nothing. Caldwell’s RBC teams earned four invitations to the GEICO Nationals (with two titles) and last year’s inaugural NHA team went
14-15, playing one of the nation’s most aggressive schedules. The Tigers played two teams that played in the 2018 GEICO Nationals and now Caldwell is back in New York chasing his third
GEICO title.
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22AP R I L 4-6 , 2 0 1 9 NE W Y ORK CI T Y F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
DID YOU KNOW?
LA LUMIERE (IN)
A decade ago, La Lumiere was known as a quiet, Indiana Catholic boarding school about 70 miles from The Loop in Chicago. In four years, coach Alan Huss built the Lakers into a household
name on the high school national scene, amassing a 102-19 record and two appearances in the GEICO Nationals (then known as the NHSI). Since then, Huss’s assistant, Shane Heirman
(now an assistant at DePaul) took over in 2014 and went 82-7 in three years, culminated by the 2017 GEICO Nationals title and mythical National Championship. Yet the foundation of all
exceptional programs is the players. La Lumiere’s alumni rolodex features players in college and the NBA: Jaren Jackson, Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Jordan Poole (Michigan), Jacob Epperson
(Creighton), Tyger Campbell and Alex Olesinski (both at UCLA), Franklin Agunanne (Loyola, Chicago), James Banks (Georgia Tech), Jalen Coleman-Lands (DePaul), Drew Cayce (Illinois),
Brandon Cyrus (UC Santa Barbara) and Isaiah Coleman (Miami, Ohio). All of who played at the GEICO Nationals.
MONTVERDE ACADEMY (FL)
The Eagles have owned the GEICO Nationals since 2013, winning the tournament four times, including for three consecutive years (2013-15) and in 2018. It’s no coincidence that trend
started when Kevin Boyle (217-16 in 8 years), the five time national coach of the year, inherited a program that made national inroads, but could not finish. Since the 2008 NBA Draft, six
Montverde alumni have been selected: two-time GEICO MVP Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), D’Angelo Russell (Brooklyn Nets), Luc Mbah a Moute (Los
Angeles Clippers), Dakari Johnson (now playing in China), and Solomon Alabi. Landry Nnoko plays for ALBA Berlin (Germany). When Boyle coached at St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ), he had nota-
ble first-round draft picks Al Harrington, Kyrie Irving, Samuel Dalembert and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. The Montverde NBA Alumni list will grow by at least one this June when Duke freshman RJ
Barrett (2018 GEICO MVP) goes at the top of the draft. The silky 6’7 Barrett is a national player of the year candidate.
IMG ACADEMY (FL)
IMG Academy, which is a boarding school on the Florida Gulf Coast, is one of the top training grounds for student-athletes. Director Brian Nash, who is a native New Yorker, leads IMG’s
basketball program. Nash attended Bishop Ford in Brooklyn before heading off to college. He played collegiately at Keene State (NH), where he was a team captain. Nash came to IMG in
2016 with a quality résumé that included stops at Duquesne (Associate Head Coach), Fairfield (Assistant), Saint Francis of Brooklyn (Head Coach), Seton Hall (Assistant), St. Bonaventure
(Assistant), Siena (Assistant) and Sacred Heart (Assistant). Nash hired IMG coach Sean McAloon, who came to Florida with over 17 years of experience in college and high school. McAloon’s
last stop was St. John’s College (DC), where he guided the Cadets to their first WCAC boys’ basketball title in 16 years. McAloon has more than 300 victories and is 48-6 (.889 winning
percentage) in two seasons at IMG.
OAK HILL ACADEMY (VA)
The hoop junkies that frequent the New York Catholic League will have a pleasant treat when New Yorkers Cole Anthony (18.9 ppg, 9.1 apg, 9.3 rpg) and Kofi Cockburn return to the Big Apple
after staring at local powerhouse programs. Actually, this is a homecoming for Cockburn, who played at Christ the King before transferring last fall to Oak Hill. Cockburn (13.7 ppg, 10.7
rpg. 1.9 bpg), a more traditional post and ferocious dunker (team-best 71 this season), recently committed to Illinois, where another Catholic League legend, Orlando Antigua (he played at
St. Raymond), is an assistant coach. The other half of the local duo, Anthony, is jet-quick guard that attended Archbishop Molloy in nearby Briarwood, one of CTK’s league rivals. Anthony’s
father, Greg, played for the New York Knicks and won a National Championship with UNLV in 1990. Cole Anthony (85.8 FT%) is undecided but Miami, Georgetown, Notre Dame, North Carolina,
Oregon and Wake Forest all figure prominently when he signs a national letter-of-intent.
WASATCH ACADEMY (UT)
Those who annually attend the GEICO Nationals should remember Wasatch first-year coach David Evans. A year ago, Evans coached in one of the more memorable games in the de-
cade-long history of the event when his team from Lone Peak (Highland, UT) lost to eventual GEICO and National Champions Montverde Academy, 87-82, in the first round. Evans guided
Lone Peak to the Utah Class 6A title and entered the GEICO Nationals as the final seed. The game was knotted at 82 in the final minutes after the Utahans made a historic comeback
from down 20 points in the second half, but a bench technical foul would give Montverde the lead and eventually the win.
SUNRISE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (KS)
For a program that is only nine years old, Sunrise Christian has made quite an impact. In 2016, Sunrise’s most acclaimed alumnus, Buddy Hield, was selected sixth overall by the New Or-
leans Pelicans in the NBA draft. Hield came to Sunrise from the Bahamas and made an immediate impact, helping the Buffaloes win the 2011 National Association of Christian Athletes
championship, while being named MVP of the tournament. The 6-4 guard would eventually select Oklahoma over Kansas. Hield would lead the Sooners to the Final Four in 2016 and was
named the Wooden Award recipient as the nation’s top college player for the 2015-16 season. Hield was a First Team All-Rookie with the Pelicans. He currently plays for the Sacramento
Kings.
NSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (FL)
Jim Carr earned the reputation as one of the hardest working coaches on the collegiate level, and that same character and gusto is his trademark since taking over this season at
NSU University School. Last year, Carr was an assistant coach, and then took over when Adrian Sosa stepped down following the 2017-18 season. Prior to NSU University School, the
Pennsylvania native was an assistant at Rhode Island, where he helped the Rams’ miraculous turnaround. He also spent 13 season on the Rutgers coaching staff. At Rutgers, he was the
director of basketball operations and the recruiting coordinator. His tireless work ethic and dogged recruiting produced several All- Big East and Atlantic 10 players as well as a pair of
first round NBA draft picks from Rutgers. Carr was instrumental in signing highly-touted prospects from South America, Africa and Europe. He has also coached multiple all-star teams
on overseas tours.
BISHOP GORMAN (NV)
There is a reason why Bishop Gorman has won 21 Nevada state titles since opening in 1954: Talent. Annually the Gaels feature one of the nation’s most entertaining teams on the
hardwood that compete at national events such as Nike Extravaganza, Beach Ball Classic, Hoophall Classic and City of Palms Classic. “We schedule with the idea to play the best and for
the players and coaches to see other parts of the country,” says coach Grant Rice. More recently, the program has produced players that are playing at high major college programs and
the NBA. Seven-footer Zach Collins, who helped Gonzaga reach the National Championship game against North Carolina in 2017, was a first round pick of the Sacramento Kings that year
and now plays for the Portland Trail Blazers. Collins’ teammate, 6-11 Stephen Zimmerman, played a season at UNLV (2015-16) before being the 41st overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft
by the Orlando Magic. There’s another first-round pick (in 2013 by the Utah Jazz), Shabazz Muhammad, who played a year at UCLA. In high school, Muhammad was the Naismith National
Player of the Year. He and Collins were McDonald’s All Americans. Currently, Muhammad plays for the Shanxi Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
F OR MO R E IN F O R MAT IO N A N D T O P U R C H A S E TI C KETS VI SI T W W W. G EI C O H O O PS. C O M - FO LLO W U S @ W H O SN EXTH S
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