Will Chipotle Nationals be a coronation for Columbus (Miami, Fla.), the No. 1 group within the FAB 50 Nationwide Group Rankings, or will one other ranked group within the 10-team discipline offers the Explorers all they will deal with and potential shake up the FAB 50? We give a fast breakdown of the matchups and a few perception to Chipotle Nationals.
This system at Montverde Academy in Florida has gained Chipotle Nationals, the tip of-season event based in 2009 when it was often known as the ESPN RISE Nationwide Excessive College Invitational, a report seven instances. The Eagles’ captured the occasion final season when it completed unbeaten and likewise went wire-to-wire because the No. 1 group within the FAB 50 Nationwide Group Rankings introduced by Ballislife.com.
This yr, the present No. 1 group within the FAB 50 will as soon as in opposition to compete within the discipline, however for Columbus (Miami, Fla.), its participation is just not a lot checked out as a coronation because it was for the Cooper Flagg-led Montverde Academy group. Columbus’ three losses are to groups within the discipline, so actually all 10 groups (there are two play-in video games) really feel they’ve nearly as good as shot as anybody.
Will Columbus win this yr’s event, set for Hamilton Southeastern Excessive College (Fishers, Ind.) and can Cameron Boozer, certain for Duke, be labeled as essentially the most completed highschool participant ever if his group wins the occasion and finishes No. 1 within the FAB 50? Or will one other membership win and open up the door for quite a lot of groups to have a shot at No. 1?
Chipotle Nationals April Lineup
April 2Dynamic Prep (10) vs. No. 7 Montverde Academy (7), 6:15 pm ETNo. 8 Wasatch Academy (9) vs. No. 22 IMG Academy (8), 8 pm ET
April 3No. 9 Prolific Prep (6) vs. No. 3 Lengthy Island Lutheran (3), 2 pm ETNo. 2 Hyperlink Academy (2) vs. Dynamic Prep-Montverde Academy winner, 4 pm ETNo. 6 CIA Bella Vista (4) vs. No. 4 Brewster Academy (4), 6 pm ETNo. 1 Columbus (1) vs. Wasatch Academy-IMG Academy winner, 8 pm ET
Be aware: Seeds listed in parenthesis. The two pm ET and 4 pm ET quarterfinal video games televised on ESPN2. The 6 pm ET and eight pm ET will likely be on ESPNU. The semifinals on April 4 will likely be televised on ESPN2 at 2:30 pm ET and 4:30 pm ET, as will the title sport on April 5 (12 pm ET).
Ballislife Group Evaluation
Group: Columbus (Miami, Fla.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 1 (27-3)Tourney Historical past: Second appearanceBallislife Evaluation: The Explorers are the slight favorites to win in opposition to a balanced discipline. They’re led by Mr. Basketball USA candidate Cameron Boozer and his brother Cayden Boozer and know what it takes to win this occasion after collaborating final season and shedding within the semifinals to Montverde Academy, 84-70. Columbus had already crushed potential quarterfinal foe IMG Academy earlier this season.
Group: Hyperlink Academy (Branson, Mo.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 2 (20-8)Tourney Historical past: Third look (2023 champions)Ballislife Evaluation: The Lions acquired the automated berth into the event by defeating No. 3 Lengthy Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) within the inaugural EYBL Scholastic Match, 74-71. Seven groups from the league made the Chipotle Nationals discipline. The explanation Hyperlink was in a position to transfer up all the best way to No. 2 from No. 17 within the FAB 50 this week was it is likely one of the groups that has crushed Columbus this yr. Hyperlink did not have the common season it hoped for, however successful this event would greater than make up for the early-season woes.
Group: Lengthy Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 3 (21-6)Tourney Historical past: Third appearanceBallislife Evaluation: LuHi acquired scorching on the proper time throughout the season, and amassed an 18-game successful streak earlier than falling within the EYBL Scholastic Tourney closing to No. 2 Hyperlink Academy. LuHi is taking part in good protection and might want to discover a solution to decelerate Mr. Basketball USA candidate Darryn Peterson, who’s able to massive scoring outings. LuHi has misplaced to No 2 Hyperlink Academy twice this season, and getting by Prolific Prep will likely be no simple job.
Group: Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 4 (27-4)Tourney Historical past: Third appearanceBallislife Evaluation: The Bobcats will likely be making their first look within the occasion after ending in a three-way tie for first place within the common season EYBL Scholastic League standings with Wasatch Academy and CIA Bella Vista. Preserve an eye fixed out for junior Sebastian Wilkins, a winner who will do what’s vital for his group. Brewster misplaced to Lengthy Island Lutheran, 58-52, throughout the league event.
Group: CIA Bella Vista (Phoenix, Ariz.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 6 (21-5)Tourney Historical past: First appearanceBallislife Evaluation: The Bears, underneath coach Brandon Rosenthal, gained a share of the EYBLS common season title with a proficient group that works onerous collectively. Look ahead to level guard Miles Sadler; as he goes so do the Bobcats. CIA Bella Vista has solely misplaced to No. 1 Columbus and to different EYBLS groups, together with Montverde Academy, which it has beat two out of three.
Group: Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 9 (30-5)Tourney Historical past: Fifth appearanceBallislife Evaluation: The Crew is hoping its fifth look within the occasion is the one that may carry them hope the coveted tourney title. Prolific Prep, the No. 6 seed, has its palms full with a Lengthy Island Lutheran group identified for its stellar protection. McDonald’s All-American Niko Bundalo may have a possibility to indicate the nation how proficient he’s for a group that’s awfully robust to beat at full energy. Prolific Prep additionally owns a win over No. 1 Columbus in that group’s first sport.
Group: Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 7 (19-7)Tourney Historical past: 14th appearanceBallislife Evaluation: This program has gained the occasion a report seven instances (2013-15, 2018, 2021-22, 2024), however the seventh-seeded Eagles have a a lot more durable highway this yr as a play-in group. The group has some defections that damage its continuity, however there may be little doubt this can be a harmful membership that wishes to win within the last-go round for coach Kevin Boyle, who’s leaving for SPIRE Academy in Ohio after this season concludes. Somebody equivalent to Cornelius Ingram Jr. or Hudson Greer should step up for this membership to get additional than the quarterfinal.
Group: IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)FAB 50 Rating: No. 22 (21-7)Tourney Historical past: Seventh look (2019 champions)Ballislife Evaluation: This program misplaced 64-47 to FAB 50 No. 21 Dawn Christian Academy within the first spherical of the EYBLS tourney, so it is going to need to step it up in Indiana. Arkansas-bound Darius Acuff, Jr. was the EYBLS’ main scorer and one of many nation’s greatest gamers. Coach Sean McAloon is aware of Wasatch Academy will key on him, so somebody equivalent to Sadiq White or Felipe Quinones has a possibility to be the difference-maker.
Group: Wasatch Academy (Mt. Nice, Utah)FAB 50 Rating: No. 8 (24-5*)Tourney Historical past: Fifth appearanceBallislife Evaluation: Coach: Paul Peterson quietly has a stable group whose FAB 50 rating is larger than its seeding at No. 9. This program has wonderful guards in Isiah Harwell and junior Katrelle Harmon, so the backcourt matchup vs. IMG Academy and who wins it would have the benefit in that play-in sport. Wasatch Academy had one in every of its EYBLS league video games rely as a forfeit win, and the harmful group does have wins vs. No. 2 Hyperlink Academy and No. 6 CIA Bella Vista.
Dynamic Prep (Dallas, Texas)FAB 50 Rating: Not rankedTourney Historical past: First appearanceBallislife Evaluation: Below Jermaine O’Neal, the previous NBA All-Star, Dynamic Prep will look to make a splash in its first look within the end-of-season event. Dynamic Prep earned an invite after defeating FAB 50 No. 25 Utah Prep (Hurricane, Utah) within the title sport of the Invitational Match in North Augusta, S.C., than coincided with the inaugural EYBL Scholastic Match. The nation is aware of about Jermaine O’Neal Jr. and large man Jaden Toombs, however will love the dynamic play of sophomore Marcus Spears Jr.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He may be reached at [email protected]. Remember to comply with him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
