[Editor’s note: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings have been updated as of Tuesday, March 1 at 1:25 p.m. EST in light of news regarding one of the ranked teams. The revision is reflected below.]

BENSALEM, Pa. – The month of March means this: champions are made and legacies are stamped.

And that’s exactly what fuels the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings this time of the year. State championships will be contested this week in the key states of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Washington and Texas. Last weekend Nevada, Maine, Arizona and Utah crowned champions.

In Cumberland, Md., the Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament, starts Thursday with a talented field that includes No. 17 Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.). The Lady Crusaders bagged the National Association of Christian Athletes Division I national championship last week and go for a second major postseason chip in western Maryland.

Meanwhile, the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, which starts April 1 in New York City, could feature state champions from the states of Arizona, Utah, Georgia and Florida. So far, No. 14 Ribault (Jacksonville, Fla.), Layton (Utah) and Seton Catholic Prep (Chandler, Ariz.) have the qualifications for the four-team bracket, but no invitations have been extended. But that will likely change by next week.

No. 20 Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) and No. 23 Whitney Young (Chicago) join the Elite 25 rankings. Riverdale is within touching distance of the Class AAA state tournament. Whitney Young is back in the Illinois Class 4A state tournament but are grouped in a talented bracket at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill.

In an updated matter, the rankings were revised today.

No. 10 National Christian Academy (Fort Washington, Md.) had a loss vacated on Tuesday morning by the executive director of the National Association of Christian Athletes when Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) used an ineligible player (who is enrolled in good standing at Bertram Trail High School) during their win over the Eagles on Feb. 25. PHC vacated two victories when a player from a local public school suited up and played in the NACA Division I Tournament in Dayton, Tenn. The Eagles are back at it this weekend at a scheduled national tournament in South Carolina. The Dick’s Nationals are in play.

No. 25 Mansfield (Texas) Timberview crashed out of the Texas Class 5A regional tournament and flopped 18 slots. It may be difficult for the Lady Wolves to remain ranked.

The Elite 25 girls’ rankings will be updated on March 9. The boys are back at you on March 8.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for updates and columns all season long. Our staff is always attending events and keeping you abreast of the latest issues. We hope to see you at a game soon, so get out there because the playoffs are underway and season is drawing to a close. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings, March 2, 2016

1. St. Mary’s Stockton, Calif. (25-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Rams rode the 3-point shooting touch of Kat Tudor, who netted 19 points while draining five treys, in a 113-43 thrashing of Modesto Christian in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section quarterfinals. The Rams automatically move onto the state playoffs. Next is Folsom in the semifinals Wednesday in Stockton.

2. Duncanville, Texas (37-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A Region I championship, beating Plano West, 73-58, in the final. Ciera Johnson topped the Pantherettes with 20 points. Next is the Class 6A state semifinals on Friday vs. Cibolo Steele at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

3. Centennial, Las Vegas (31-1)*

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Won Division I state championship, Liberty (Henderson, Nev.), 78-62. Junior PG Pam Wilmore sparked an early surge and scored 21 points on 7 of 8 shooting. It was the program’s eighth state title and second straight. In the semifinals, the Bulldogs topped Reno, 82-53. Samantha Thomas tallied 29 points and hauled down four rebounds. Season complete

4. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (30-1)*

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Idle. The Panthers go for another Virginia Independent Schools Division I tournament championship this weekend, starting on Wednesday with the quarterfinals.

5. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (36-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won Class 6A Region III championship, defeating Clear Springs (League City), 71-61, in the final. Junior G Chasity Patterson scored 26 points and Alyssa Okoene contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds. The Lady Mustangs also rolled Katy Tompkins, 73-41, in the semifinals and Manvel, 56-45, in the quarterfinals. Next is Spring Dekaney in the state semifinals in San Antonio. The winner gets Cibolo Steele or No. 2 Duncanville for the state crown Saturday.

6. Miramonte, Orinda, Calif. (27-0)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The Matadors stayed unbeaten drilling Encinal (Alameda), 82-48, in the CIF-North Coast Sectional Division III quarterfinals. The semifinals are Wednesday vs. Tamaulipas (Mill Valley). The winner gets Campolindo (Moraga) or Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) for the title on Saturday.

7. Cicero (N.Y.)-North Syracuse (23-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won an eighth straight Class AA Section III championship, trouncing West Genesee (Camillus), 60-24. Beth Bonin scored 20 points, draining four 3-pointers. The Northstars play Albany or Shenendehowa (Clifton Park) on Saturday in Troy for a spot in the Final Four on the following weekend back at the same venue.

8. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (24-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Saints open their Class AA state championship title defense on Friday when they meet Deleone Catholic (McSherrystown, Pa.) in PIAA first round. Also defeated Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), 48-35, in the City AA final (District 12).

9. Canyon, Texas (33-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won Class 5A Region I championship, stopping Wichita Falls Rider, 46-36, in final; Aledo, 57-35, in the semifinals and Palo Duro (Lubbock), 61-37, in the quarterfinals. The defending 5A state champions are headed back to the Alamodome in San Antonio for a third consecutive big chip, facing Crosby in the semifinals.

10. National Christian Academy, Fort Washington, Md. (29-0)***

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Finished in third place at the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament Division I Tournament in Dayton. The Eagles absorbed their first loss during pool play to Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.), 58-53. Next are four games, starting Wednesday in the National Independent Schools Athletic Association National Tournament in Pawley’s Island, S.C.

11. Konawaena, Kealakekua, Hawaii (24-1)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won second straight Division I state championship. Season complete.

12. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (30-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Advanced tot eh Class A Private championship, beating Southwest Atlanta Christian (Atlanta), 62-38, in the semifinals. Junior PG Taja Cummings scored 25 points as the Knights stretched the win streak to 17 games. Next is the state final against unbeaten Greenforest Christian Academy (Decatur) Saturday morning at the Macon Coliseum.

13. Bellevue, Wash. (26-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Tatiana Streun (19 points) and Quenessa Caylao-Do (14 points) teamed for 33 points and Stanford-bound PG Anna Wilson dropped in 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Wolverines trounced Wilson (Tacoma), 75-26, in the Class 3A regional qualifier. The next stop is the Class 3A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday against Mount Spokane (Mead) in the quarterfinals.

14. Ribault, Jacksonville, Fla. (29-1)*

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Won Class 5A state championship. Could the Dick’s National be next? The season is complete.

15. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (21-3)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Defeated Los Gatos, 78-40, in CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division quarterfinals. The Monarchs meet league rival Valley Christian (San Jose) in the semifinals Tuesday. The sectional final is Saturday at Santa Clara University.

16. Lynnwood, Bothell, Wash. (24-0)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Crushed West Seattle, 59-34, in the Class 3A regional qualifier. The Chimeras are going to their third straight state Class 3A tournament and start their title defense against Prairie (Vancouver) on Thursday at the Tacoma Dome. A “dream matchup” is the in the making if the Chimeras and No. xxxx Bellevue both advance to Friday’s semifinals.

17. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (34-3)*

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Won the National Association of Christian Athletes National Tournament Division I championship, beating Potter’s House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.), 75-36, in the final. Maryland-bound Kaila Charles had 27 points in the title game and was named tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player. Teammates Mangela Ngandjui (UNC-Greensboro recruit) and Nia Washington (Iowa State) were also named to the all-tournament team. It was the Lady Crusaders’ 12th overall NACA crown. They will participate at Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament from Thursday to Saturday in Cumberland, Md.

18. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (23-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Opened the Class 5A state tournament, hammering Fort Collins, 96-48, in the second round after receiving a bye. Tommi Olson bucketed 23 points with four 3-pointers. Now it’ll be a matchup with Dakota Ridge (Littleton) in the Sweet 16 on Tuesday. The Great 8 round or quarterfinals are Friday.

19. Poly, Long Beach, Poly, Calif. (25-3)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Junior G Danae Miller netted 21 points and the Jackrabbits stopped Windward (Los Angeles), 55-42, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. In the quarterfinals, USC-bound Ayanna Clark contributed 21 points and 16 rebounds to beat Troy (Fullerton), 56-52. Next is Chaminade (West Hills) for the championship Saturday at Azusa Pacific University. Poly won the previous matchup this season between the finalists.

20. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (27-4)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Warriors averaged a pair of losses within a three-day span. The redemption was capped with a satisfying 73-66 win over archrival and previously ranked Blackman (Murfreesboro) in the Class AAA Region 4 finals. Blackman won both meetings in the regular season. Now the stakes are higher in the region final on Wednesday with Stewarts Creek (Smyrna). The winner goes to the Sub-states for a meeting with Cumberland County (Crossville) or Bradley Central (Cleveland) on Saturday.

21. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (29-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Advanced to Division I Sunset Region final. Season complete.

22. Wenonah, Birmingham, Ala. (31-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: The Dragons are going to the Class 5A state tournament after winning their fourth straight Northwest Region title defeating Ramsay (Birmingham), 67-59. Kaitlyn Rodgers posted a double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds and regional MVP Alexus Dye flipped in 11 points and held down the fort when key starters were saddled with foul trouble. Coach Emanuel Bell’s team won’t have far to travel for the 5A semifinals on Wednesday as they play Charles Henderson (Troy) at the Legacy Arena in downtown Birmingham.

23. Whitney Young, Chicago (27-5)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Mother McAuley SuperSectional , outlasting Homewood-Flossmoor, 76-74, in overtime. The Dolphins move Downstate for the Class 4A state tournament on Friday vs. Fremd (Palatine, Ill.) in Normal. Other semifinal pits Trinity (River Forest) and Benet Academy (Lisle). They also won the Lyons Sectional, beating Proviso East (Maywood), 82-76, in overtime. Kiara Lewis had 33 points and 12 rebounds and Marquette-bound Isabelle Spingola added 26 points and 8 boards.

24. Providence Day School, Charlotte, N.C. (27-2)*

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Won a seventh-straight North Carolina Independent Schools 3A championship. The season might not be over. Perhaps there’s an invite to the Dick’s Nationals. Season complete.

25. Mansfield (Texas) Timberview (33-1)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Lady Wolves crashed out of the Class 5A Region II tournament after getting upset by Frisco Liberty, 62-51, in the semifinals. Season complete.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Villa Maria Academy, Erie, Pa. (25-0)
2. Norwin, Irwin, Pa. (25-0)
3. Forestville, Md. (19-2)
4. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (25-1)
5. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (24-1)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. Wadsworth, Ohio (24-1)
2. Fremd, Palatine, Ill. (29-2)
3. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (25-1)
4. Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Mich. (19-1)
5. Penn, Mishawka, Ind. (28-2)*

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Fla. (29-3)*
2. Spring (Texas) Dekaney (36-1)
3. Argyle, Texas (33-1)
4. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (27-4)
5. Mandeville, La. (31-1)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (26-4)
2. Central Valley, Veradale, Wash. (25-0)
3. Seton Catholic Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (32-1)*
4. Mission Hills, San Marcos, Calif. (26-3)
5. Layton, Utah (25-0)*

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

* Won state, national or conference/league postseason tournament championship

*** Record includes a vacated loss

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Girls Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season in early April. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators, administrators and prep sports writers. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.