December 26, 2025 (St. Louis, MO)—Principia School boys basketball finished strong at the prestigious City of Palms Classic Basketball Tournament in Fort Myers, Florida, solidifying their own ranking as a top team in the nation. Throughout the multi-day event, the Panthers defeated Columbus High School of Miami, Florida; Wheeler High School of Marietta, Georgia; and Bartlett High School of Bartlett, Tennessee—taking the third-place spot overall. Coach Jay Blossom was also honored with the Steve Bumm Award, which recognizes coaches for their dedication and sportsmanship in youth sports.

Principia entered the City of Palms Classic as the No. 1 ranked high school boys basketball team in Missouri, according to Sports Illustrated. Considered among the most competitive high school basketball tournaments in the nation—Principia was the only Missouri team invited to compete.

Amid cheers of Principia alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends, Principia showcased talent, grit, and tenacity by defeating the No. 1 and No. 4 teams in the nation, then lost by ten to St. Paul VI Catholic High School of Chantilly, Virginia during the semifinals—resulting in a third-place finish against Bartlett.

"Being able to attend this tournament and play among these elite teams was a true honor," said Jay Blossom, Principia Head Coach. "The strong result for Principia represents the countless hours of preparation, the trust these players have in one another, and the incredible support from our Principia community back home and in the stands. This group showed tremendous heart and maturity throughout the entire tournament."

The City of Palms Classic is one of the most respected high school basketball tournaments in the U.S., annually attracting nationally ranked programs and future collegiate and professional players. A victory at the tournament places Principia among an elite group of programs that have succeeded on this national platform.

"Principia Panthers play to win, but to us, winning is about more than the score. It's how we show up. It's about how we treat our opponents, referees, coaches, and teammates," said Shawn Brown, Principia Athletics Director. "High-minded, hard-fighting is our athletics motto, and it means that we strive for excellence—taking the time and care to cultivate character, sportsmanship, and leadership skills. I'm immensely proud of our athletes, and how they represented Principia on and off the court." 

The team's performance solidified Principia's spot as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation by MaxPreps National Boys Basketball Rankings for 2025-26. With City of Palms Classic behind them, the Panthers now turn their attention to conference and postseason play, carrying the momentum and experience they've gained against elite national competition.