Intense fans taking things a step too far? Parents quietly negotiating middle school NIL deals? Transfer portal rumors swirling? Private vehicles mysteriously being chartered for “backroom conversations” at Phil’s Oyster Bar? No, this isn’t the chaos of college football—it’s CSAA 8th Grade Basketball, where the drama is real, the stakes feel enormous, and the storylines somehow get wilder every season.

Last year, Our Lady of Mercy showed why they were preseason #1 by defeating the Catholic High School Baby Bears in a championship duel defined by one unforgettable performance by the Blue Jay's best player putting up a championship game record 32 points.

As always, the new season brings no shortage of intrigue—fodder for both local sports talk radio and, naturally, national debates on First Take and SportsCenter. Will we see our first back-to-back champion since St. George pulled it off in 2016–2017? And is this finally the year the St. Aloysius Lions break through and cut down the Elite 8 nets for the first time in school history?

Strap in. The CSAA season has arrived. As always, if you have any updates for the CSAA Elite 8 Championship History, please let me know.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the much-anticipated 20th Annual 2025–2026 CSAA Elite 8 Rankings, a tradition unlike any other in middle school basketball.

1. St. George – Alabama Football, Duke Basketball, the Lakers, the Yankees… and St. George Basketball. These are programs that don’t just hope for championships—they expect them. The Dragons haven’t won a title since 2023, which feels like an eternity to their fanbase.
The good news? This year’s team is built to make a deep run. Despite losing a couple of key contributors to the ever-active transfer portal, the Dragons remain the most talented roster in the CSAA. They’re led by a pinpoint sharpshooting two-guard, and every one of their ball handlers is a threat from beyond the arc. Their forwards thrive in an up-tempo, rim-running style that overwhelms opponents who can’t match their pace.
This core has been playing together year-round for years, and that chemistry should show tomorrow night when they open the Dunham Tournament against Parkview. They’ll look to kick off the season with a tournament championship and carry that momentum forward.

2. CHS (BR) – After a gut-wrenching loss in last year’s championship game, the Baby Bears have reloaded with purpose, and their coaching staff is energized by a roster that mirrors their own identity—tough, gritty, and unapologetically competitive. This year’s group features one of the top guard combos in the league, backed by a collection of physical, unselfish forwards who take pride in playing aggressive, in-your-face defense.
They may not have the height of recent Bears teams, but they’re embracing a faster, more open style that maximizes their strengths. Expect quick decisions, constant pressure, and a pace that forces opponents into uncomfortable situations. The national buzz is even starting to pick up—after catching a practice last week, Jay Bilas reportedly remarked that this squad might be deeper than the Bears’ 2022 championship team.
The 8th Grade Bears will get their first major test tomorrow night in the Dunham Tournament when they face U-High, and play in the 8th grade installment of this intense rivalry.

3. St. Aloysius
Court is in session, the verdict is in,
Another year begins, chasing that first championship win.
The banners hang but none say “Champs,”
Still waiting for that moment to light up the lamps.
Their coach is a judge, robe tucked away,
But he still brings order to the court every play.
They lost their center to Catholic High’s pull,
Front court a little lighter, but the effort’s still full.
Their guards bring the speed—quick, calm, and clean,
Two of the fastest players this league has seen.
One dad played MLB ball in his glory days,
Another’s fixing teeth so the kids can cheer always.

And we say, “Maybe this year… maybe this time…”
Parents fill the bleachers, hopes quietly climb.
The Dragons wait ahead, the Bears aren’t far behind,
But St. Aloysius keeps believing—
With a steady heart and a hopeful mind.

4. St. Theresa – St. Theresa has been a true Jekyll-and-Hyde team in 6th and 7th grade—capable of beating St. George one night and then dropping a surprising one the next. Consistency is the question this group must answer.
Unlike most of the teams in the league this year, their strength lies in the frontcourt, where they have enough size and athleticism to compete with anyone in the league. Their big men can control the paint, rebound, and run the floor—tools that make them dangerous when they’re locked in. If their guards can hold their own against the league’s elite backcourts, this team has the potential to rise quickly.
If not, the unpredictable Jekyll-and-Hyde pattern may continue as league play unfolds for the Warriors.

5. Our Lady of Mercy – Mercy enters as the defending champs, and their celebration last year fit perfectly for the grit, glitz and glamour program—clean uniforms, big crowds, and parents celebrating at the fair in private tents that looked like a mini Grove at Ole Miss.
While last year’s run was polished and impressive, this roster doesn’t have the same depth or firepower. Depth is an issue for Mercy in 2025—they simply don’t have the building materials they’re accustomed to rolling out, and the margin for error is much thinner than usual.
Still, they do have a bright spot: their best player is one of the top tennis players in the entire country for his age group. His athleticism, discipline, and elite footwork should translate well, even if he’ll be relied on heavily to carry the scoring load.
Mercy opens the Dunham Tournament with a favorable matchup against Dunham’s JV team—one they should handle. But as the season progresses, their lack of depth will determine just how far this defending champion can really go.

6. St. Jude – The Cougars haven’t reached the Elite 8 Championship game since 2020, and their last title dates all the way back to 2008. It’s a proud program that’s been waiting a long time to return to the promised land, and this year’s team believes they have the backcourt to pave the way. If you can imagine Khalid El-Amin and Mateen Cleaves sharing the floor in their prime, you’ve got a sense of how this Cougar guard duo operates—tough, confident, and capable of taking over stretches of a game.
What they lack in size, they make up for with relentless effort. This is a scrappy group that doesn’t allow opponents to take a night off, and they’re fully capable of knocking off a few higher-ranked teams along the way. They’ll get their first big opportunity tomorrow night against #3 St. Aloysius, a game that will reveal just how dangerous this Cougar squad can be.

7. St. Jean Vianney – The Gators want to prove they’re not just a one-run wonder after back-to-back Elite 8 Championship game appearances and the 2024 title. They’ll rely heavily on their Kyrie-style point guard, a dynamic ball handler who can create offense out of nothing. They sit firmly on the bubble but get a big chance to make noise Friday when they host Mercy in “The Swamp,” their cozy, loud, humid home gym that gives opponents fits.

8. Most Blessed Sacrament – The Pelicans open with a key bubble-buster against St. Jude on Friday in a gym full of history and loyal fans. The old wooden backboards may be gone, but the passion remains.
When the “Maroon! White!” chant gets going, momentum usually swings in MBS’s favor. This is a program that has been close to breaking through, and Thursday gives them a perfect chance to show they’re ready to climb.