Eight teams remain in the 2025 National Prep Championship Series

The quarterfinals of the 2025 National Prep Championship Series will feature some of the nation’s best high school basketball teams. Eight teams are still in the running to become the undisputed national champion among basketball prep teams.

In the first Round of 16 matchup, Connecticut’s St. Thomas More dominated Link Year Prep 97-72. From a five-point halftime lead, the Chancellors pulled away in the second half to enter the quarterfinals.

London Jemison led St. Thomas More with 27 points, three assists, and three rebounds, while Brandon Benjamin had 16 points and 16 rebounds. On the other hand, Mason English had 23 points, while Samel Dada added 13 in this National Prep Championship Series loss.

Massachusetts’ Cushing Academy joins St. Thomas More in the Final Eight after a 67-51 win over Ohio’s Spire Academy. The Penguins’ 27-11 first half barrage was enough to secure the victory. Jacob Davis had 21 points and ten rebounds for Cushing, while Sean Register Jr. led Spire Academy with 17.

Vermont Academy also advances to the National Prep Championship Series after defeating Maryland’s Mt. Zion Prep. Jake Rainey had 28 points in Vermont’s 78-74 win, while Zach Scherler added 12 points, 16 rebounds, and three steals. Conversely, Chris Jeffery finished with 22 points, while Bobby Montgomery Jr. contributed 18 in the losing cause.

Newman, CATS Academy, Massanutten Military, Putnam Science advance to the Round of Eight

In another Round of 16 game, Newman edged IMG Academy in overtime 99-97. The Cardinals erased the Ascenders’ seven-point halftime lead to stay alive in the competition. Lucas Morillo carried Newman with 32 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Harper supported with 19 points. Kendyl Sanders and Jordan Tillery had 26 and 24 points for IMG, respectively.

CATS Academy advances to the quarterfinals after a 73-56 victory over Kansas’ Sunrise Christian. The Buffaloes did not recover from CATS’ 13-0 first half scoring run. Jaylen Harrell led CATS with 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Leo Curtis scored 12 points. Meanwhile, Jalen Haynes (18), Simm-Martin Saadi (15), and Jaden Rogers (14) finished in double-digits in the loss.

In the sixth game, Virginia’s Massanutten Military defeated New York’s Darrow School 66-63. In the following game, New Hampton earned a victory in the National Prep Championship Series 88-61. They defeated Knox School with Ty Tabales pacing with 23 points, while Mason Blackwood chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds. Christian Smiley led Knox with 17 points in the loss.

Finally, Putnam Science Academy closed the day with an 86-59 victory over Hargrave Military. Putnam Science led by as many as 36 points before closing out the Tigers. Ben Ahmed and Abdou Yadd combined for 23 points for Putnam Science, while Jhett Carter and Jed Barlow generated 28 points for Hargrave.

Putnam Science will face Massanutten in the 2025 National Prep Championship Series quarterfinals, while CATS Academy will play Vermont Academy. Newman and St. Thomas More will compete in another game, while Cushing Academy and New Hampton compete for a semifinal spot.