There’s no heavy favorite among the eight teams headed to New York City to compete in the GEICO High School Nationals April 4-6.
Last season, Montverde (Fla.) Academy came into GEICO Nationals riding an undefeated record and featuring the No. 1 player in the country, R.J. Barrett, and they went on to win their fourth GEICO Nationals title.
This year the consensus among players, coaches and experts is that anyone from the top seed to the No. 8 seed could be hoisting the national championship trophy come Saturday.
We break down each of the eight teams in the field and analyze everything from how they can win to how they can fall.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
GEICO Seeding: 8
Super 25 Rank: NR
Key players: Isaiah Cottrell, Will McClendon, Zaon Collins, Noah Taitz
Why they’ll win: The Gaels are had to stop because their scoring is spread out; eight players have led Bishop Gorman in scoring this season. Cottrell (15.2 points, 9.3 rebounds 4.2 blocks), McClendon (12.1 points, 4.5 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 steals), Collins (9.6 points, 6.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals) and Taitz (15.6 points, 2.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds) lead the way, but toward the end of the season the Gaels got a big boost from Mwani Wilkinson, who posted multiple double-digit games during the playoffs. If Wilkinson can continue his strong contributions on the offensive end, the Gaels will be significantly stronger.
Why they may slip-up: The Gaels may have a tough time contending with the size of La Lumiere’s front line. This season, Bishop Gorman has outrebounded its opponents, but haven’t faced a frontcourt loaded with NBA bodies and multiple McDonald’s All Americans.
The bottom line: It’s quite the understatement to say that the Gaels have a tall order in front of them trying to knock off a team that went unblemished all season; Bishop Gorman will have to contend with the Lakers star frontcourt and talented wing players, but it has the type of versatility and balance that could get the job done. All hands will need to be on deck.
University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
GEICO Seeding: 7
Super 25 Rank: 18
Key players: Vernon Carey, Jr., Scottie Barnes, Roger McFarlane, Jeff Howard, Jace Howard
Why they’ll win: The Sharks punish teams in the paint and have the size and talent to do it to anyone, with 6-foot-10 forward Carey, a Duke signee who is ranked No. 4 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25 for 2019, in the middle, averaging 22 points and nine rebounds a game. Also, Barnes, a 6-8 forward who is ranked No. 5 overall in the Chosen 25 for 2020, is pumping in 15 points and 7.5 rebounds a game this season for the Sharks who are shooting 60 percent on two-point field goals this season. University also overwhelms its opponents on the glass, averaging 35 rebounds to go along with 15.3 assists a game. The Sharks have clear-cut star power, but their X-factor is shooting guard McFarlane. They’re 9-1 when McFarlane scores in double figures this season.
Why they may slip-up: While the Sharks dominate the paint, they struggle mightily from the perimeter, making just 32 percent of their three-pointers this season. That could come back to bite them at GEICO if teams pack it in and dare the Sharks to beat them from outside.
The bottom line: University will have to inflict its will on Montverde (Fla.) Academy, which is no easy task. It certainly helps the Sharks’ chances that they share the ball exceptionally well; six different players have led them in scoring this season. The matchup to zero-in on will be Carey against his former teammate at University Balsa Koprivica. Precious Achiuwa and Barnes will be another matchup to keep an eye on.
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.)
GEICO Seeding: 6
Super 25 Rank: 13
Key players: N’Faly Dante, Grant Sherfield, Jordan Turner, Austin Crowley, Noel Coleman
Why they’ll win: The Buffaloes have the ultimate shot eraser in Dante, who averaged four blocks a game to go along with 17 points and 10 rebounds; that allows them to clamp down on the perimeter, applying stifling defensive pressure, which they use to produce offense. Jayln Turner provides a defensive spark for the Buffaloes off the bench and helps them keep teams under 50 points a game, which could lead to them pulling out wins when they have off-nights offensively.
Why they may slip-up: The Buffaloes have a strong starting five, but, at times this season, they haven’t consistently gotten contributions from their bench. They’ll need a more collaborative effort all weekend to advance.
The bottom line: That Buffaloes are as talented as any team at GEICO Nationals, but IMG Academy will send swarms of talent onto the floor with every substitution horn. The Buffaloes will need a collaborative effort against arguably the deepest team in the country.
Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah)
GEICO Seeding: 5
Super 25 Rank: 10
Key players: Mady Sissoko, Richie Saunders, Tristan Enaruna, Mike Saunders, Marvin “Tre” Williams
Why they’ll win: The Tigers are hard to stop because they have five players averaging double figures and 70 percent of their points come on assist-to-scores. That will serve them well in New York.
Why they may slip-up: In the games that the Tigers lost this season, they’ve failed to execute in crunch time. Traditionally, games at GEICO Nationals are close and that could spell doom for the Tigers.
The bottom line: The Tigers will need all hands on deck against an Oak Hill Academy team with multiple five-star talents; the positive for Wasatch is that all season long, everyone has clocked in for games. If that trend continues in New York, the Tigers have a strong chance to advance.
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
GEICO Seeding: 4
Super 25 Rank: 9
Key players: Cole Anthony, Christian Brown, Kofi Cockburn, Cam Thomas, B.J. Mack
Why they’ll win: The Warriors score a well as any team in the field, averaging 84 points a game. When Anthony (18.1 points, 10.1 assists, 10.2 rebounds) and Thomas (26 points) are clicking on the same night, it’s tough to stop the Warriors. Also, with Cockburn (18 points, 11 rebounds) patrolling the paint it gives the Warriors balance and when Brown is scoring it makes the Warriors lethal.
Why they may slip-up: In the games that the Warriors lost, teams keyed in on Thomas and Anthony and didn’t have anyone else step up. Expect the same defensive strategy in New York. Also, the Warriors struggle defensively when teams slow down the pace, they’ll have to guard for the full shot clock to be successful.
The bottom line: The Warriors will have to get strong contributions from their role players in order to advance. Anthony and Thomas will have their work cut out for them, but they’ll need consistent help from Brown, Mack and Cockburn; if that happens the Warriors will likely be playing on Saturday.
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
GEICO Seeding: 3
Super 25 Rank: 4
Key players: Josh Green, Armando Bacot, Noah Farrakhan, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jaden Springer, Jarace Walker
Why they’ll win: The Acenders simply wear you down with their talent. No other team in the country brings in the swarms of five-stars that the Ascenders do and they’re strong in all facets of the game.
Why they may slip-up: At times the Ascenders lack patience on the offensive end, rushing shots early which could get them in trouble late in games against the talented field.
The bottom line: The Ascenders have the deepest team in the field, giving them the ability to send, not only talented but also fresh legs at the opposition. IMG fully expects to win GEICO Nationals and if they play to their potential, look out.
Montverde (Fla.) Academy
GEICO Seeding: 2
Super 25 Rank: 3
Key players: Precious Achiuwa, Cade Cunningham, Moses Moody, Harlond Beverly
Why they’ll win: The Eagles make you pay for turning the ball over and it’s been the reason they’ve been successful all season. Montverde averages 21 points a game off turnovers and only allow 45.5 points a game. Also, the Eagles are masterful at sharing the ball and average 17 assists a game. That’s hard to stop.
Why they may slip-up: The Eagles have a tendency to get a bit lax in their transition defense, which can be detrimental with talented teams that like to get out and run.
The bottom line: The Eagles have one of the biggest matchup problems at GEICO in Achiuwa (15 points), a 6-foot-9 forward who does it all. Still, they’ll have to defend in the paint with University School’s talented frontline of Vernon Carey Jr. and Scottie Barnes. Limiting second-chance points in this game could mean the difference between advancing and going home early.
La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.)
GEICO Seeding: 1
Super 25 Rank: 1
Key players: Isaiah Stewart, Keion Brooks, Paxson Wojcik, Gerald Drumgoole, Wendell Green Jr.
Why they’ll win: The Lakers lockup defensively, applying pressure that forces teams to make bad decisions on the offensive end or simply take bad shots. The Lakers are holding teams to 31 percent from field, 49.4 points a game and giving up just 6.4 points a game in transition. Simply put, if you can’t score, you can’t win.
Why they may slip-up: The Lakers have a tendency to give up a high number of offensive rebounds and turn the ball over; if that trend continues it could spell doom for the No. 1 seed.
The bottom line: Everyone knows about Stewart (18.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks) and Brooks (20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds), but neither are as effective as they are when Wojcik (10.1 points) and Drumgoole (11.2 points) are knocking down shots, which allows Brooks and Stewart to maneuver in the lane. If the Lakers get solid contributions from Wojcik and Drumgoole, they’re extremely hard to beat.
