The GIECO High School Basketball Nationals returns to Christ the King High School April 4-6 featuring the strongest field in event history. All 10 games of the single-elimination tournament will be available on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
The three-day tournament begins Thursday, April 4, at noon ET with the boys quarterfinals on ESPNU. The action continues on Friday, April 5th, with the girls semifinals beginning at 11 a.m. on ESPNU and the boys semifinals beginning at 3 p.m. on ESPN2. The tournament culminates on Saturday, April 6, with the girl’s championship at 10 a.m. on ESPN2 and the boys championship at noon on ESPN.
“GEICO Nationals is one of the nation’s most prestigious high school basketball championship events,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN national recruiting director. “In all my years of calling games in this tournament, this year’s field is among strongest we’ve seen with the highest quality teams and talent combined.”
Six of the top 10 ranked boy’s teams will compete, including the top four: No. 1 La Lumiere (Ind.), No. 2 McEachern High School (Ga.), No. 3 Montverde (Fla.), No. 4 IMG Academy (Fla.), No. 9 Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and No. 10 Wasatch Academy (Utah). No. 14 Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) and No. 21 NSU University School (Fla.) round out the field.
The girl’s field is the best the tournament has seen, with three of the top four teams in the country facing off, including No. 1 Miami Country Day School (Fla.), No. 2 St. John’s College High School (D.C), No. 4 Centennial High School (Nev.) and No. 7 New Hope Academy (Md.).
Seven McDonald’s All-American representatives will participate in the tournament, including: Precious Achiuwa (Montverde), Cole Anthony (Oak Hill), Armando Bacot (IMG), Vernon Carey, Jr. (NSU Univ. School), Josh Green (IMG), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (IMG) and Isaiah Stewart (La Lumiere).
2019 GEICO High School Basketball Nationals Schedule
|
Date |
Time (ET) |
Matchup/Commentators |
Network |
|
Thu, Apr 4 |
Noon |
Sunrise Christian (Kan.) vs. McEachern (Ga.) |
ESPNU |
|
|
2 p.m. |
Wasatch (Utah.) vs. Montverde (Fla.) |
ESPNU |
|
|
4 p.m. |
NSU Univ. School vs. La Lumiere (Ind.) |
ESPNU |
|
|
6 p.m. |
Oak Hill (Va.) vs. IMG (Fla.) |
ESPNU |
|
Fri, Apr 5 |
11 a.m. |
New Hope (Md.) vs. Miami Country Day (Fla.) |
ESPNU |
|
|
1 p.m. |
Centennial (Nev.) vs. St. John’s (D.C.) |
ESPNU |
|
|
3 p.m. |
Boys Semifinal 1 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner |
ESPN2 |
|
|
5 p.m. |
Boys Semifinal 2 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner |
ESPN2 |
|
Sat, Apr 6 |
10 a.m. |
Girls Final |
ESPN2 |
|
|
Noon |
Boys Final |
ESPN |
2019 GEICO High School Basketball Nationals Participating Boys Teams
Boys team rankings are per USA Today Sports Super 25 Expert Rankings, and boys player rankings are per the ESPN 100.
Girls team rankings are per the ESPNW 25 Power Rankings, and girls player rankings are per the ESPNW 100.
No. 1 La Lumiere School (Ind.)
Tournament History: Seventh appearance: Champions in 2017 (Runner-up in 2016)
Coach: Patrick Holmes
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 4 Isaiah Stewart, No. 38 Keion Brooks
Notes: In his second year on the job, Pat Holmes looks to win his first GEICO Nationals title as head coach. He was lead assistant coach on the 2017 La Lumiere team that claimed the title. His top ranked team is 28-0 and is led by the No. 4 Isaiah Stewart (Washington) and No. 38 Keion Brooks. The Lakers résumé this season is as strong as ever, with key wins over Dematha (Md.) and fellow tournament participants Sunrise Christian, Wasatch Academy and Montverde.
No. 2 McEachern High School (Ga.)
Tournament History – First appearance
Coach: Mike Thompson
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 40 Isaac Okoro and No. 21 Jr. Sharife Cooper are not expected to attend, per USA Today
Notes: After 11 seasons as McEachern head coach, Mike Thompson was able to capture the first state basketball championship in program history. McEachern’s 32-0 run this season has been as impressive as any team in the country, earning them a No. 2 national ranking with wins against Shadow Mountain (Ariz.), Sunrise Christian and Rancho Christian (Ca.).
No. 3 Montverde Academy (Fla.)
Tournament History: Ninth appearance: Champions 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2018 (Runner-up in 2010, 2012 & 2017)
Coach: Kevin Boyle
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 10 Jr. Cade Cunningham, No. 16 Precious Achiuwa, No. 26 Jr. Moses Moody ,No. 42 Jr. Balsa Koprivica, No. 43 Omar Payne, No. 87 Pavel Zakharov and No. 95 Harlond Beverly
Notes: Montverde is the most decorated team in GEICO Nationals history, winning four of the last six championships. They enter the tournament 21-2 (both losses to La Lumiere), ranked No. 3 nationally, with key wins over Sunrise Christian, Sierra Canyon (Calif.), Rancho Christian and Oak Hill (Va.). Notable Montverde alumni who have participated in the tournament include current NBA players Joel Embiid, D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons.
No. 4 IMG Academy (Fla.)
Tournament History: Second appearance
Coach: Sean McAloon
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 7 Josh Green, No. 11 Jr. Jaden Springer, No. 18 Armando Bacot, No. 20 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, No. 45 Jr. Noah Farrakhan No. 89 Lester Quinones
Notes: IMG is loaded with five seniors ranked in the ESPN 100, including three McDonald’s All-Americans: No. 7 Josh Green (Arizona), No. 18 Armando Bacot (North Carolina) and No. 20 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova). This is the Ascenders’ second trip to GEICO Nationals in three years, coming in ranked No. 4 in the nation with a 28-1 record and key wins over Dematha, NSU University School and Oak Hill Academy.
No. 9 Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
Tournament History: Tenth appearance: Champion 2016 (Runner-up in 2009, 2011, 2014 & 2015)
Coach: Steve Smith
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 2 Cole Anthony, No. 22 Jr. Cameron Thomas, No. 44 Kofi Cockburn, No. 60 Christian Brown
Notes: Oak Hill is one of the most decorated high school basketball programs in history. They have five GEICO Nationals finals appearances and one championship. Key wins this season came against Olive Branch (Miss.), Dorman (S.C.) and Santa Margarita, (Calif.). Oak Hill alumni is filled with NBA players and All-Stars including Carmelo Anthony, Steve Blake, Kevin Durant, Stephen Jackson, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson, Ron Mercer, Rajon Rando, Josh Smith, Jerry Stackhouse and Rod Strickland.
No. 10 Wasatch Academy (Utah)
Tournament History: Third appearance
Coach: David Evans
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 48 Jr. Mady Sissoko
Notes: After an impressive three years at Lone Peak, Coach Evans took the job at Wasatch Academy in 2018 and led the Tigers to a 26-3 record and top 10 national ranking, with key wins over Meadowcreek (Ga.), Santa Margarita and Sunrise Christian.
No. 14 Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.)
Tournament History: First appearance
Coach: Luke Barnwell
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 15 Jr. N’Faly Dante
Notes: This is the first GEICO Nationals appearance for the independent high school program at Sunrise Christian. With a reputation for never shying away from top national competition, the team recorded wins over Duncanville (Texas), Guyer (Texas), Imhotep Charter (Pa.), Findlay Prep (Nev.), Memphis East (Tenn.) and NSU University School.
No. 21 NSU University School (Fla.)
Tournament History: Second appearance (runner-up in 2018)
Coach: Jim Carr
ESPN Ranked Players: No. 3 Vernon Carey Jr. and No. 4 Jr. Scottie Barnes
Notes: NSU University School made a statement last season when they advanced to the finals of the GEICO Nationals in their first tournament appearance. They return with a new coach, but are still led by senior No. 3 Vernon Cary Jr. (Duke). Junior Scottie Barnes is back as well, as the No. 4 ranked player in the class of 2020. The Sharks find themselves ranked in the top 25, with notable wins over Gonzaga Prep (Wash.), Vashon (Mo.) as well as an impressive repeat as FHSAA 5A State Champions.
Release via ESPN
