See the nation's No. 4 team in action.
GEICO Nationals has largely been the domain of independent and academy high school basketball programs since its inception in 2009, but more state governing bodies may be coming around to the idea of member schools taking part.
On Wednesday, the South Carolina High School League unanimously approved an appeal by
Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.) to participate in the event, scheduled for April 2-4 in New York City. Ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps, the Cavaliers are 24-1 with one regular season game remaining. A fourth consecutive state title likely would secure an invitation.
There may also be movement behind the scenes by another team pursuing a GEICO Nationals opportunity through its state association. No. 8
Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.), which features Top 10 prospects
Jalen Suggs and
Chet Holmgren, hopes to make its case by winning a fourth consecutive state title and getting a go-ahead from the Minnesota State High School League.
Teams from the storied Washington Catholic Athletic Conference have been absent from the event despite several programs being fixtures in the national rankings over the past decade. Rumors persist, however, that the conference is considering relaxing that stance. That could open the door for No. 3
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.).
In addition to South Carolina, governing bodies from Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and Washington permit member schools to participate. Additionally, independent schools from North
Carolina and programs from the Baltimore Catholic
League and
District of Columbia State Athletic Association are eligible.
P.J. Hall, Dorman
Photo by Dan Browning
As more associations allow schools to compete, GEICO Nationals is laying the foundation for a true high school basketball national championship that will feature the country's top eight teams.
If DeMatha and Minnehaha Academy are deemed eligible this season, the GEICO event has the potential to feature seven of the top eight teams in the nation. Centennial (Corona, Calif.) is ranked No. 6 and California schools are ineligible under CIF rules.
The eight-team field will be announced in early March after an internal selection process by the Paragon Marketing Group.
Teams that sit in a strong position for an invitation include No. 1
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), No. 2
Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), Dorman, No. 5
Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), No. 7
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), No. 9
Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) and No. 10
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.).
