Tomorrow, the National High School Invitational begins at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pa. As in past years, we’ll have some in-depth looks at the competition. Usually, we’ve done this by picking out one game from each of the competition windows from the three days of competition.
This year, we’re going to change things up and pick out what we think are going to be the 10 best or most compelling matches of the 79 on the schedule. Of course, your best 10 are going to be different from our best 10, especially if you have someone playing.
Our guide is intended for the neutral to plan out some of the best action we think is going to unfold over the course of the weekend:
10. Woolwich Kingsway (N.J.) vs. Darien (Conn.), Sept 21, 3 p.m.
KIngsway is a program which has seamlessly moved to the top of the New Jersey Group IV heap the last two years, winning the last two titles. Darien is looking to win the Connecticut Class L title that it last won in 2022
9. North Caldwell West Essex (N.J.) vs. Winnetka New Trier (Ill.), 9/20, 3 p.m.
West Essex is the defending NJSIAA Group II champion. New Trier, winners of the Illinois state championship in 2021 and 2022, is adjusting to life with new head coach Brittany Romano. The Trevians have a habit of upping its level of play in this tournament
8. Lititz Warwick (Pa.) vs. Louisville Assumption (Ky.), 9/20, 3 p.m.
Also taking place at 3 p.m. is this game between a Warwick side in its ascendancy thanks to an opening string of wins, and an Assumption team which already has three wins this year over backyard rival Sacred Heart, including the championship final of the Apple Tournament
7. Ashburn Independence (Va.) vs. Malvern Villa Maria (Pa.), 9/21, 9 a.m.
Independence, the defending VHSL Class 5 state titlists, takes on the defending PIAA Class A title holders. Though Independence has some fine scorers in Jaelen Perez and Sammie Goin, Villa Maria will counter with Caitlyn Connell, Jack Shaw, and Ella Cellini
6. Oley (Pa.) Valley vs. Mamaroneck (N.Y.), 9/22, 1 p.m.
What a way to end the weekend, as Mamaroneck, the defending NYSPHSAA Class A champions, take on an Oley (Pa.) Valley side which could threaten for the PIAA Class A championship this year
5. Westport Staples (Conn.) vs. Cherry Hill Camden Catholic (N.J.), 9/22, 1 p.m.
Staples is the Connecticut Class L champion, while Camden Catholic is the New Jersey Non-Public title holder. Though a lot of eyes are going to be on Camden Catholic’s Sophia Stazi, the Staples team has been steamrolling opponents by large margins this season
4. Hummelstown Lower Dauphin (Pa.) vs. Flourtown Mount Saint Joseph Academy (Pa.), 9/22, 11 a.m.
This is the only game of the weekend involving two teams from the same state. Both of these teams have great histories in PIAA competition, and at one time met each other for the 2006 PIAA Class AAA state championship
3. Summit Oak Knoll (N.J.) vs. Manheim (Pa.) Township, 9/21, 1 p.m.
Ali Good and Jessica Rose Shellenberger are two of the best coaches in the nation, and have forwarded their passion for the game to their players. Each of these coaches have won state championships, albeit both teams came up just one game short a year ago
2. Pottstown Hill School (Pa.) vs. Houston Kinkaid (Tex.), 9/20, 7 p.m.
Hill, one of the most skilled teams in the country with numerous age-group national teamers, is looking for a measure of redemption for what happened a year ago when the Rams lost to fellow Southern Preparatory Conference team Houston St. John’s (Tex.)
1. Norfolk (Va.) Academy (Va.) vs. Villanova Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, 5 p.m.
Norfolk Academy is your defending VISAA Division I champion, and Notre Dame is the defending PAISAA champion. Both sides have finished in the top five of the TopOfTheCircle.com Top 10 in recent years, and have developed championship-level players
Best of luck to all of the teams, and I hope you come out and enjoy the games.
