BENSALEM, Pa. – It appears this is the end.
The high school winter sports schedule nationwide, highlighted by basketball, was put on hold two weeks ago, due to the COVID-19 or novel coronavirus pandemic. And that’s where the Blue Star Media Elite girls’ basketball rankings remain.
With some states considering completing their state tournaments this spring, the remainder of the nation is done. Schools have switched to distance learning and the spring sport slate cancelled in certain states. We just don’t know but what we do know is public safety is first and foremost. Once all the state officially cancel, we’ll release the Elite 25 final rankings—until then we’re in limbo.
Here’s an updated list of the states that cancelled state tournaments before completion: Alaska, Arkansas (Class 6A, Class 5A, Class 4A, Class 3A), California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri (Class 5, Class 4), Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (Class 6A, Class 5A, Class 4A), Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee (Division I), Vermont, Virginia (declared finalists as co-champions), West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming (Class 5A, Class 4A, Class 3A).
In Pennsylvania, the PIAA issued a statement on March 23 said there is a “stay at home” directive from the Governor and “the possible re-start of the winter championships will continue to be on hold. No date has been determined to re-start any sports activities at this time. PIAA will continue to receive information from the Governor’s office, the Department of Health and the Department of Education to provide updated information,” the statement said.
That means PIAA schools might finish the final three rounds of the postseason this spring.
There was no movement in the Elite 25 rankings for the second straight week. The only movement left this season could occur in South Carolina.
So, the GEICO High School Nationals remain on ice and if played will be in Roebuck, South Carolina at Dorman High School.
The GEICO Nationals have tapped Bishop McNamara, Westlake, Lake Highlands Prep and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy—all championship teams ranked from the Elite 25—to comprise the elite field. We’ll pass along any final decisions regarding the GEICO Nationals when it is announced.
The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return at a later date. We will notify you through social mediums and at www.bluestarmedia.org. Check back regularly, we’ll get the information out as soon as possible.
Stay safe, stay indoors, binge watch reruns or movies on Netflix and wash your hands multiple times per day especially if you go out. – Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 25, 2020
1. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (28-0)+
Previous rank: 1.
Low-down: Won Ohio Division I, Region 4 championship. The Cougars were slated to play in the Division I semifinals but the tournament was cancelled.
2. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (25-1)*
Previous: 2.
Low-down: Won National Association of Christian Athletes Division 1 tournament championship for the third time in four years. Next stop is GEICO Nationals if they are played.
3. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (32-1)
Previous: 3.
Low-down: The Torreys captured the CIF Southern California Region Open Division championship but the Open Division state final was cancelled.
4. Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C (27-1)+
Previous: 4.
Low-down: Advanced to Class 4A state final before the tournament was cancelled.
5. Duncanville, Texas (41-3)*
Previous: 5.
Low-down: Won UIL Class 6A state championship.
6. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (30-0)+
Previous: 6.
Low-down: The Royals were denied a second straight Class 4A state championship when the MSHL cancelled the tournament the day before the title game. Paige Bueckers, a UConn recruit, was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year.
7. Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn. (29-0)*
Previous: 7.
Low-down: Won the Division II-AA state championship.
8. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-1)+
Previous: 8.
Low-down: The Lady Crusaders were supposed to play in the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals but the tournament was cancelled. Season complete.
9. Cypress Creek, Houston (41-1)
Previous: 9.
Low-down: Lost in Class 6A state championship.
10. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (26-3)
Previous: 10.
Low-down: Won the program’s 13th Northern California region championship.
11. Windward School, Los Angeles (27-6)
Previous: 11.
Low-down: Advanced to the CIF Southern California Region final. The Cougars fell short two win of annexing the Open Division state title.
12. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (23-0)+
Previous: 12.
Low-down: Advanced to the Michigan Division 2, Regional 14 final before the postseason was suspended.
13. Westlake, Atlanta (30-2)*
Previous: 13.
Low-down: Won a third straight Georgia Class AAAAAAA state championship. The Lions have an invite for GEICO Nationals if they are played.
14. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (30-3)
Previous: 14.
Low-down: Won CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship. Fell in the Southern California Region Open Division first round.
15. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (27-5)*
Previous: 15.
Low-down: The Washington Catholic Athletic Association champions are eyeing the GEICO Nationals if they are rescheduled.
16. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (32-4)*
Previous: 13.
Low-down: Won the Virginia Independent Schools Division 1 championship. It was the 14th consecutive state title for the Panthers.
17. Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, N.J. (28-1) +
Previous: 17.
Low-down: Won the Non-Public B South Section championship. The Lady Mikes were one win away from the Non-Public B state crown.
18. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (29-2)*
Previous: 18.
Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship.
19. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (25-3)*
Previous: 19.
Low-down: Won its fifth consecutive IAAM A Conference championship and regular season title.
20. St. Joseph Central Catholic, Huntington, W.Va. (23-1)+
Previous: 20.
Low-down: The WVSSAC Class A tournament was suspended. Games could resume next month but unlikely.
21. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (27-4)
Previous: 21.
Low-down: Season complete.
22. DeSoto, Texas (32-3)
Previous: 22.
Low-down: Advanced to the Class 6A, Region I quarterfinals, where it lost in the waning seconds to No. 5 Duncanville.
23. Centennial, Las Vegas (24-6)*
Previous: 23.
Low-down: Won Nevada Class 4A state championship.
24. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (26-4)*
Previous: 24.
Low-down: Won Indiana Class 4A state championship.
25. Northwestern, Kokomo, Ind. (29-1)
Previous: 25.
Low-down: Advanced to the Class 4A state championship game. Senior Madison Layden, a Purdue signee, was named Indiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Season complete.
Dropped: None.
High-Fives by Region
East
- St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (28-1) +
- New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (23-8)
- Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (27-0) +
- Poly, Baltimore (22-1) +
- Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (26-1)*^
Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Midwest
- Newark, Ohio (28-2) +
- Simeon, Chicago (34-3)*
- Aquinas, La Crosse, Wis. (25-1) +
- Fremd, Palatine, Ill. (30-7)*
- Morton, Ill. (37-1)
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Southland
- Hazel Green, Ala. (35-2)*
- Blanche Ely, Pompano Beach, Fla. (29-6)*
- Cardinal Newman, Columbia, S.C (23-1)*
- Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, Atlanta (26-5)*
- Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (31-1)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
- Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (26-7)
- Etiwanda, Calif. (26-6)
- Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (25-7)
- Iolani School, Honolulu (25-2)*
- Valley Vista, Surprise, Ariz. (28-3)*
Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
* Won a state, national or recognized conference/league postseason tournament championship
*^ Declared state co-champions
+ Postseason interrupted and cancelled by novel coronavirus concerns
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. 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 Senior Writer Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.
