It is no secret that one of the most anticipated times of year for sports fans is March Madness. Another nickname for the NCAA Tournament, March Madness is the highlight of the college basketball season annually, placing 64 teams in a bracket to decide a national champion. A staple of the collegiate game for years that has created countless memories, what if March Madness were to come to the high school game?
Yes, what if March Madness did, in fact, come to high school basketball? No, it is not likely to happen, but it’s always fun to think of what could’ve happened. When looking at the overall landscape of high school basketball from the 2024-25 season, there would’ve been some intriguing matchups in a potential tournament.
For example, many of the teams from the recently concluded Chipotle Nationals would’ve been part of the 64-team field, and several other prominent programs would feature too.
What would a potential bracket end up looking like?
Well, let’s attempt to answer that question by revealing our version of what a hypothetical high school basketball 2025 March Madness field of 64 would look like and making a pick as to which team would advance out of each region for a Final Four.
NOTE: This bracket will be broken down into four regions: East, Midwest, South, and West. The teams were chosen for the field of 64 based on their performances during the 2024-25 season, with the regions filled out by team’s from states in those parts of the country.
East Region
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No. 1 Brewster Academy (NH) vs. No. 16 Father Judge (PA)
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No. 8 Christ School (NC) vs. No. 9 Reidsville (NC)
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No. 5 Paul VI (VA) vs. No. 12 Bishop O’Connell (VA)
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No. 4 John Marshall (VA) vs. No. 13 Bergen Catholic (NJ)
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No. 6 Highland (VA) vs. No. 11 Oak Hill (VA)
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No. 3 Gonzaga (DC) vs. No. 14 Glens Falls (NY)
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No. 7 Highland (VA) vs. No. 10 Archbishop Stepinac (NY)
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No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (NY) vs. No. 15 Franklin (MA)
Prediction: No. 1 seed Brewster Academy Bobcats
Out of New Hampshire, Brewster Academy had a memorable 2024-25 season in which they went 28-5 overall with numerous victories over teams in the field of 64. Led by the likes of Dwayne Aristode, the Bobcats could’ve also hypothetically matched up with No. 2 seeded Long Island Lutheran in the Elite Eight, with the two teams having split the matchups earlier this season.
Midwest Region
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No. 1 Link Academy (MO) vs. No. 16 Jeffersonville (IN)
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No. 8 St. Mary’s Prep (MI) vs. No. 9 DePaul College Prep (IL)
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No. 5 East Lansing (MI) vs. No. 12 University of Detroit Jesuit (MI)
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No. 4 Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) vs. No. 13 Wayzata (MN)
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No. 6 Vashon (MO) vs. No. 11 Principia (MO)
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No. 3 Oak Park (MO) vs. No. 14 Shawnee Mission Northwest (KS)
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No. 7 Great Crossing (KY) vs. No. 10 La Lumiere (IN)
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No. 2 Fishers (IN) vs. No. 15 Benet Academy (IL)
Prediction: No. 1 seed Link Academy Lions
The pick to come out of the Midwest region is Missouri’s Link Academy, who ended the year with a 23-8 overall record. Playing against a national schedule, Link Academy had multiple victories this season over teams in this hypothetical bracket and would be among the top senior-laden teams led by the likes of Chris Cenac Jr., Jerry Easter, and Davion Hannah.
South Region
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No. 1 Columbus (FL) vs. No. 16 Sagemont (FL)
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No. 8 Duncanville (TX) vs. No. 9 Brennan (TX)
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No. 5 IMG Academy (FL) vs. No. 12 Allen (TX)
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No. 4 Calvary Christian Academy (FL) vs. No. 13 DME Academy (FL)
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No. 6 Hoover (AL) vs. No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
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No. 3 Montverde Academy (FL) vs. No. 14 Newton (GA)
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No. 7 Wheeler (GA) vs. No. 10 Grayson (GA)
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No. 2 Dynamic Prep (TX) vs. No. 15 Guyer (TX)
Prediction: No. 1 seed Columbus Explorers
The pick to advance from this hypothetical South region, one that would be loaded, is Florida’s Columbus Explorers, who ended the season with a 30-3 overall record that included a Chipotle Nationals championship. Led by the star duo of Cameron and Cayden Boozer, the Explorers racked up several impressive victories during the 2024-25 season, including 15 wins over teams in this hypothetical field of 64.
West Region
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No. 1 Roosevelt (CA) vs. No. 16 Redondo Union (CA)
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No. 8 St. Joseph (CA) vs. No. 9 Utah Prep (UT)
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No. 5 Harvard-Westlake (CA) vs. No. 12 Archbishop Riordan (CA)
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No. 4 CIA-Bella Vista (AZ) vs. No. 13 Bishop Gorman (NV)
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No. 6 Perry (AZ) vs. No. 11 AZ Compass Prep (AZ)
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No. 3 Wasatch Academy (UT) vs. No. 14 Sierra Canyon (CA)
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No. 7 Notre Dame (CA) vs. No. 10 Dream City Christian (AZ)
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No. 2 Prolific Prep (CA) vs. No. 15 Rainier Beach (WA)
Prediction: No. 2 seed Prolific Prep Crew
We conclude with the West region, which could also be the most difficult to pick a winner for, but for the sake of this list, we’ll go with California’s Prolific Prep. Playing against a national schedule, Prolific Prep is coming off a 35-6 overall season that featured wins over multiple teams in this field of 64, and they would have one of the tournament’s best players in Darryn Peterson.
