The GEICO High School National Championships has announced the boys field for its 10th annual tournament in New York City. Altogether, eight squads, including seven ranked in the FloHoops Top 25, have earned their spots to compete for a national title on March 29-31.

Will the dominance and athleticism of No. 1 Montverde (FL) lead the Eagles to a championship, or will the size and strength of No. 2 Oak Hill (VA) prevail? Or will No. 3 University School (FL) come into New York and rain on everyone's parade? Vote on who you think will win it all this year below!

THE FIELD

No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL)

Title-hungry Montverde is heading back to the national championship and looking to raise its first trophy since its dominant three-year run that ended in 2015. The Eagles have owned FloHoops' No. 1 ranking all season long, dominating their way to an undefeated regular season, led by 2018 Flo40 No. 1 RJ Barrett. Assuming Montverde continues its winning ways past Lone Peak (Utah) and into the tournament semifinals, the Eagles will face the winner of No. 4 Findlay Prep (NV)—the only team to truly put Montverde to the test this season—and No. 8 La Lumiere (IN), the defending national champion. Two sizable teams in No. 2 Oak Hill and No. 3 University School are the favorites to meet the Eagles in the championship this year.

No. 2 Oak Hill (VA)

Had the Warriors not dropped a late-season game, one could make a great argument as to why Steve Smith's squad is the outright best team in the country. But don't let that one blemish fool you, Oak Hill is for real and has been for real all season. We watched them beat teams from one side of the country to the other, from Phoenix to Dallas to championship-winning performances in South Carolina at the Chick-Fil-A Classic and Portland at the Les Schwab Invitational. The Warriors' size and strength are what sets them apart from the smaller, more athletic Montverde Eagles. Having already passed the test against No. 3 University School earlier this season, Oak Hill can potentially give high school hoop fans the matchup they've been wanting all season long: Oak Hill vs. Montverde.

Only then, will the argument finally be settled. 

No. 3 University School (FL)

Armed with one of the youngest, toughest, and with-out-a-doubt most exciting lineups in all of high school basketball, University School is looking to make a splash in its first-ever trip to the national tournament. The Sharks' balanced attack pushed them to a steady No. 3 ranking after winning the City of Palms Championship in December. From there, University School posted a 33-1 record on the season, with its only loss coming from No. 2 Oak Hill this January. University School is an explosive, disciplined basketball team, led by Vernon Carey Jr., the top overall prospect in 2019; Scottie Barnes, a top five prospect in 2020; and two high-major guards in Trey Doomes (West Virginia signee) and Drue Drinnon (New Mexico State). The Sharks will have a size advantage over their opening-round opponent in No. 5 Shadow Mountain, and if they advance, a chance at revenge against No. 2 Oak Hill could await semifinals.

No. 4 Findlay Prep (NV)

By the numbers, the 31-4 Findlay Prep Pilots don one of the most dominant records in high school hoops. With one of the biggest names in the senior class in Flo40 No. 4 Bol Bol and a stacked lineup full of high-major seniors, the Pilots can match up talent-wise with anyone and hit the road this year to prove just that. Two of Findlay Prep's losses came on the road to then-No. 1 Memphis East (TN) and current No. 1 Montverde. In the latter matchup, the Pilots saw the Eagles escape with a win on a Mike Devoe corner 3 as time expired. To open the tournament, Findlay Prep will face defending champion and No. 9-ranked La Lumiere. A win would set the rematch with Montverde in the semis. However, when we look at the Pilots' other losses and when they came (second round of the Chick-Fil-A Classic vs. No. 8 IMG, second round of the St. James Invitational to Sunrise Christian), you can't help but question why such a stacked team can't win a tournament championship, let alone find themselves in the title game. The Pilots have proven their talent can take them anywhere they want to go, but their core will have to come together as a team to make a championship run this season. 

No. 5 La Lumiere (IN)

The defending national champions are back under first-year head coach Pat Holmes, who guided the Lakers to a 23-3 record on the season. Though LaLu lost the majority of its starters to graduation, this year's reloaded, new-look squad was able to maintain its reputation as a high school powerhouse. Isaiah Stewart, a 2019 Flo40 center, made an immediate impact in the paint for the Lakers and has made serious strides physically since arriving on campus. For Stewart, the national stage will be a big opportunity for the junior to showcase his abilities before EYBL this spring. UCLA signee Tyger Campbell, on the other hand, appears as poised as ever heading into his third consecutive national tournament. If La Lumiere finds itself in the championship game, Campbell would join Ben Simmons as the only other player to reach three straight national title games. In order for the Lakers to get there, they'll have to get through an experienced No. 4 Findlay Prep squad and No. 1 Montverde.

No. 6 Shadow Mountain (AZ)

Mike Bibby's feisty Shadow Mountain squad is back at the national championship for the second year in a row at 25-1. Having only lost one game to No. 4 Findlay Prep (NV) at the Montverde Invitational, the Matadors picked up impressive wins over then-No. 18 Sierra Canyon and Chino Hills at Hoophall West, in addition to a victory against Salpointe Catholic for the state championship. Shadow Mountain is led by guards Jaelen House and Javon Blacksher in the backcourt and maintains a gritty paint presence with Jalen Williams, Immanuel Allen, and Shemar Morrow. Last season, the Matadors gave Montverde a scare in the opening round and will face No. 3 University School to open this year's event.

No. 7 Garfield (WA)

It might be one season too late, but Brandon Roy is getting his trip to the national tournament, this time as the head coach of Seattle's Garfield Bulldogs. In two seasons as a head coach, Roy has only lost one game, coming this past February to Seattle Prep. The Bulldogs are 28-1 on the season after taking home the WIAA 3A State Championship in an overtime win over Rainier Beach. After nearly a month off from play, they open up the national championship against No. 2 Oak Hill. Flo40 junior guard PJ Fuller and USC commit J'Raan Brooks will lead the way for Garfield, but what makes the Bulldogs special is their ability for any player to come in and pick up the slack. Unlike a somewhat easy-to-scout Oak Hill, which relies on its starters to play huge minutes, the Bulldogs' deep bench and how they strategically use it will absolutely be a factor if they are to make a run. 

No. 8 Lone Peak (Utah)

It took a complete breakdown of THREE Georgia teams in the 11th hour for Lone Peak of Utah to land the final seed of the national tournament. But as it happens, the 23-3 Knights are heading to the Big Apple. Though you haven't heard much about this squad on the national level that much, Lone Peak did compete against several elite teams this year. In December, Lone Peak faced No. 2 Oak Hill at the Hoophall Classic, and though you probably wouldn't believe us, the Knights almost won. They were simply outhustling and outshooting the Warriors all game but were edged given the slight size advantage in Oak Hill's favor. Lone Peak went on to lose an 11-point matchup with No. 9 DeMatha and another to Bishop Gorman (NV). Tested? We'd say so. But nothing quite compares to the opening round test vs. No. 1 Montverde.