Why the 2026 Chipotle Nationals title is up for grabs

AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) coach Pete Kaffey boasts the No. 2 group in the SCNext Boys High School Basketball Top 25, with a roster so robust that it earned the Dragons the No. 1 total seed at Chipotle Nationals, which tip off Wednesday.

Paul VI (Va.) coach Glenn Farello, the 2025-26 Naismith High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year, has arguably the finest participant at Chipotle Nationals in Jordan Smith Jr. — this yr’s Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year — and Archbishop Stepinac (NY) coach Pat Massaroni has three McDonald’s All Americans.

Yet even with an abundance of roundball riches, you could not pay the trio of coaches to really feel relaxed heading into the event.

“This year, there were five different teams that were ranked No. 1 overall in the SCNext Top 25,” Chipotle Nationals govt director Rashid Ghazi mentioned. “All five of those schools are in this tournament. This year’s Chipotle Nationals mimics the NCAA tournament in that it’s really anyone’s game. It just shows you the depth of the field and the parity in high school basketball.”

Last yr, Columbus (Fla.) and the Boozer brothers have been a foregone conclusion to take the title — the yr earlier than, Cooper Flagg and Montverde Academy (Fla.) entered Chipotle Nationals in 2024 using a 32-0 document and status for transferring down the competitors.

“You don’t have that team that’s a shoo-in to get at least the title game this year,” Farello mentioned. “It’s 100 percent wide open. One of the reasons we’ve been able to be successful is because we do respect every opponent and recognize the talent. I do sleep easier every night the last four years knowing that Jordan’s on my side, but I’ve got so much respect for the guys on the other side too.”

Kaffey mentioned that whereas he isn’t dropping sleep, he and his workers have been early risers, with their group working and mapping out a technique for learn how to get it accomplished in Indy.

“Being No. 1 doesn’t mean anything this year,” Kaffey mentioned. “At the EYBL Scholastic Tournament, we were No. 1 and we got beat by Bella Vista (Ariz.). We’re aware of the magnitude of the moment, I’ll say that. It’s definitely wide open. I just can’t see someone penciling a winner at this point. If you’re a betting man, you’re gambling with your life because you won’t know where to put your money.”

Massaroni echoed these emotions and mentioned that even with three gamers, two of whom are 7-foot twin brothers, suiting up in the McDonald’s All American Game, he is aware of that it’s going to in the end come all the way down to those that execute their recreation plan down the stretch.

“I think all 10 teams have an opportunity to win the national championship,” Massaroni mentioned. “The parity among the group has shown all throughout the season with who teams have beaten and also lost to.”

It’s a perception shared by all 10 coaches competing for the Chipotle Nationals {hardware}, but Kaffey’s mindset stays that if anybody can win all of it, why not enter with confidence?

“If you’re going to bet on someone, bet on us,” Kaffey mentioned. “We’re built for this, we’ve had seven guys all year competing at the highest level and staying connected, so I just think this is our year.”