It’s that time of year again—the moment the internet collectively loses its mind over the highly anticipated and hotly debated CSAA 8th Grade Preseason Rankings. This season raises a lot of questions. Will we see the 1st back to back Elite 8 Winners since the 2016-2017 seasons? Which players will have to miss the championship tournament to play baseball? Which school will win the "Bleacher Ban Award" for having the most parents thrown out of gyms this season?

Last season, the St. Jean Vianney Gators clinched their first-ever Elite 8 victory, cementing themselves as a program on the rise. The hot debate on First Take this morning was: Are we witnessing the birth of a dynasty, or will last year’s title look more like a one-hit wonder?

As always, if you have any updates for CSAA past championships please comment and visit the CSAA Elite 8 Championship History Thread .

1. Our Lady Of Mercy – The Blue Jays are soaring into the season with their star point guard, who is getting comparisons to Damian Lillard, back after sitting out his 7th grade season. Baton Rouge morning sports talk hosts have debated his potential for years. The Jays took a hit in the transfer portal, losing a key frontcourt player, but don’t sleep on their twin towers in the paint. Since their last Elite 8 Championship in 2020, the Blue Jays have had a tendency to come out the gates fast and fizzle towards the end of the season. They do have some continuity with their head coach having coached this group for the past 2 seasons. The mid-city crew hopes to discontinue that late season fading trend and add a 6th Elite 8 Championship banner to their rafters.

2. St. George – The Dragons have dominated the CSAA league with 5 championships in the last 9 years, and this year’s group comes off a strong 7th-grade season, capturing multiple 7th grade tournament titles. The fanbase is still bitter from last season’s Championship loss, and they’re determined to return to the top with this group. Had things gone as planned, they would likely have the Preseason #1 ranking, but a few key setbacks have left a dent in their hopes. The transfer portal claimed their starting center, and two other critical players are dealing with injuries. That said, the cupboard isn’t exactly bare. The Dragons still boast a talented roster, with multiple skilled ball handlers, including a point guard who plays with the energy of a Nate Robinson-type—quick, explosive, and ready to make things happen. Despite the injuries and departures, the Dragons remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league and will be a tough out for anyone hoping to challenge them for the title.

3. CHS (BR) – The Baby Bears are shaping up to be one of the most complete teams in the league this season. With the ability to fill all five positions and more depth than their coaching staff is used to managing, they’re poised for a serious run. The Bears are led by a Tyrese Haliburton type point guard, who is capable of putting up points in a hurry. Supporting him are a group of long-wing players and a center who resembles Kristaps Porzingis with his ability to stretch the floor and control the paint. This is a team that should be to score with anyone but locking down on defense will be the key to taking the next step. In an early-season showdown, the Bears will face off against U High in the Dunham Tournament tonight with Dan Shulman and Jay Williams on the call. The rivalry has become one of the most bitter in the Capital City, and this game is expected to be a must-watch. After a disappointing season last year, this coaching staff is locked in and ready to go, making the Bears a team to keep an eye on as they aim for a bounce-back campaign.

4. St. Aloysius – Court is in session, a verdict is in
The Coach is the judge, and his team wants to win.
The team stands united, though smaller in size,
Each player’s a ball handler, with fire in their eyes.
The banners they chase have stayed out of their hands,
Seven times in the finals, but no golden stands.
A star on the team swings a tennis racket with flair,
While history lingers—one player’s father’s Elite 8 loss in the air.
Through years of near glory, their passion won’t fade,
With free braces of courage, the foundation is laid.

Not going to lose on a Sunday Morning, banging their heads
No time for losing
Ain’t got no time

5. St Jean Vianney – Gator Nation is still riding high after their first-ever Elite 8 Championship victory. The victory parade down Harrels Ferry was a scene for the ages, with fans lining the streets and celebrating what many considered a long-awaited triumph. As mentioned before, there may be no program on the rise more than the Gators, but reality could come calling quickly. They have a rematch with SGS in the first round of the Dunham Tournament, and while the teams may look different, the buzz around the Dragon's Siegen Lane campus suggests there’s a sense of redemption in the air this week. In a surprising turn of events, their young championship-winning head coach has decided to return to coach the 6th grade team. Still, the Gators are not lacking in talent. They boast one of the best guard combos in the league, drawing comparisons to the dynamic duo of Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd. “The Swamp” has quickly become one of the most intimidating home venues in CSAA where opponents’ dreams come to drown.

6. St. Jude - The Cougars are bringing an old-school approach to the court this season, led by their big man in the middle—a center who channels a Greg Ostertag style of play with physicality and a knack for controlling the paint. While his presence is a clear strength, the Cougars will need their supporting cast to step up if they hope to make a serious run. The Cougars missed the Elite 8 last year which has been an unfortunate recent trend for a once blue blood program who last reached the championship game in 2020. A young and motivated coaching staff is working hard to turn things around, and their big man down low is a good one to build around.

7. Ascension Catholic – Coaches can’t help but cringe when they see "at ACMS" on the schedule and have to make the dreaded trip down da bayou with the fear of taking on the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs’ old-school gym, with its creaking bleachers and deafening crowd, is an intimidating venue that has broken more than a few visiting teams’ spirits. This season, the Bulldogs have their sights set on making a statement right out of the gate. They’ll take on #1 overall OLOM in the jamboree, a test that could set the tone for the rest of the year. Under the guidance of their head coach, the Bulldogs have implemented a relentless 2-2-1 three-quarter court press. It’s a system designed to disrupt and frustrate opponents, and early reports from Shams Charania suggest it’s already giving opposing teams fits in preseason scrimmages.

8. St. Alphonsus - The bubble is looking weak this season, but one thing you can always count on with the boys from Central is their relentless effort. They play hard from tip-off to the final buzzer, no matter the score. While the Hornets haven’t made much noise in recent years, they’re still proud of their program’s history, including their storied 1999 CSAA Elite 8 Championship banner, which continues to hang proudly in the rafters. This year’s squad sticks to their roots, favoring an up-tempo style and relentless full-court pressure designed to wear opponents down. If the Hornets can drag a few games into the mud and make things ugly, they have the potential to pull off some surprise victories against higher-ranked teams.