No. 17 Incarnate Word Academy’s (MO) national record for consecutive victories ends at 140; No. 1 Ontario Christian (CA) ascends Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was a Manic Monday in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. And that’s what was expected when the plethora of national matchups were rolled out over the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

Let’s start at the top where No. 1 Ontario (Calif.) Christian assumes the top spot, making the Knights (23-1), the third team in as many weeks to land in the lofty slot.

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” is from William Shakespeare’s play King Henry IV, Part 2. Translation: There is a difficulty of being at the top with the weight of the responsibilities that come with it. You are everyone’s top game.

Kudos to the Knights.

Moving forward, the lone newcomer is No. 25 Boswell (Fort Worth, Texas). The Pioneers enter as the No. 2 team in the Texas Class 6A rankings and the third team from the University Interscholastic League in the Elite 25.

Second, a national record win streak was halted on Monday, Jan. 20 at the Hoophall Classic, where No. Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.) lost to No. 11 Etiwanda (Calif.), 74-65. The Red Knights had won 140 straight games but it ended against the defending California Interscholastic Federation Open Division champions.

The win streak launched in 2020 and includes five consecutive Class 6 state titles. The Red Knights’ last loss occurred against Rock Bridge (Columbia) on Feb. 8, 2020. The previous standard was set by Central Plains (Claflin, Kan.).

It was a great run for coach Dan Rolfes who experienced a near-death experience last March at the Class 6 state tournament. Rolfes made a recovery and was cleared to coach over the summer. The Red Knights are in line for another Class 6 title in March.

There are two national events of special note in New York and Kentucky.

Annually, the Mecca Challenge might be the top event on the East Coast. Here’s why.

It’s held at the famous Gauchos Gym, a long jump shot from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and there are 25 games spread over four days. The event tips off on Thursday and runs through Sunday. Tickets are here.

Thursday

3 p.m. : North Carolina GBBA (Durham, N.C.) vs. Mount Zion Prep (Lanham, Md.)

4:30: St. Luke’s (New Canaan, Conn.) vs. Putnam Science (Conn.)

6: St. Mary’s vs. Eastern

7:30: Nazareth (Brooklyn, N.Y.) vs. Virginia Academy

9: PHH Prep (Phoenix) vs. Capital Courts (Ontario, Canada)

Friday

3 p.m.: Royal Crown (Toronto, Ontario) vs. PHH Prep

4:30: Faith Family (Dallas) vs. Winston-Salem (N.C.) Christian

6: Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx) vs. Ursuline Academy (New Rochelle)

7:30: No. 2 Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) vs. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

9: Legion Prep (Dallas) vs. No. 4 Montverde (Fl.) Academy

Saturday

9 a.m.: Capital Courts vs. Norfolk (Va.) Christian

10:30: Winston-Salem Christian vs. Friends Central (Philadelphia)

12 p.m.: S3 Academy (Petersburg, Va.) vs. Faith Family

1:30: Montverde Academy vs. Royal Crown

3: No. 9 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) vs. Legion Prep

4:30: Central Pointe (Fla.) vs. Bullis School (Potomac, Md.)

6: Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) vs Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic

7:30: Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.) vs. DME Academy

Sunday

9 a.m.: Austin Prep (Reading, Mass.) vs. Norfolk Christian

10:30: Bishop Ireton vs. Central Pointe

12 p.m. Elizabeth Seton (Bladensburg, Md.) vs. Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.)

1:30: PHH Prep vs. S3 Academy

3: No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) vs. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.)

4:30: NC GBBA vs. Friends Central

6: South Shore (Brooklyn) vs. Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.)

Elsewhere, there’s another great two-day event at Mercy Academy in Louisville, Ky. The Raatz Fence/O’Shea’s Basketball Classic runs Friday and Saturday with mainly Kentucky schools and two from the Elite 25 rankings. Tickets are here.

Friday

6 p.m.: South Oldham (Ky.) vs. Mercy Academy

7:30: No. ghgh Incarnate Word (Mo.) vs. DuPont Manual (Louisville)

Saturday

11 a.m.: Bullitt East (Ky.) vs. North Hardin (Ky.)

12:30 p.m.: DuPont Manual vs. Ryle (Ky.)

2: Incarnate Word vs. No. 22 Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville)

3:30: Henderson County (Ky.) vs. George Rogers Clark (Ky.)

5: Cooper (Ky.) vs. Franklin County (Ky.)

6:30: Simon Kenton (Ky.) vs. Meade County (Ky.)

8: Mercy Academy vs. Bowling Green (Ky.)

Enjoy the games.

This week there is one addition. No. 24 Boswell (Fort Worth, Texas) is the newbie and ranked No. 2 in Texas’ Class 6A. Four schools remained the same, 10 moved up with No. 10 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) leaping 10 slots and 10 more dropped with No. 12 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) going down eight positions after two losses at the Hoophall Classic.

Okay, that’s it for the third week of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Indiana will start its postseason tournaments later this week.

In Southern California, people are in need after the wildfires continue to ravage the surrounding Los Angeles area. Think about donating here to the Red Cross or to The Salvation Army. No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome.

Bye for now.

Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 22, 2025

1. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (23-1)

Previous rank: 2.

The Lowdown: The Knights are the top team in the land. Sophomore Kaleena Smith had a double-double with 26 points (on 10 of 13 shooting), 12 rebounds and 5 steals to defeat Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), 87-75, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Knights won and a loss elevated them to the top spot.

2. Morris Catholic, Denville N.J. (13-0)

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: After wiping out Madison (N.J.), 69-31, the Lady Crusaders knocked off then-No. 4 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 60-57, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Mia Pauldo put up 17 points, 7 assists and 2 steals, and both Mya Pauldo and Daniella Matus bucketed 16 points apiece. Also stopped  George School (Newtown, Pa.), 68-51. This weekend there are two games at The Mecca Showcase in the Bronx.

3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (18-1)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: Defeated Louisville (Woodland Hills), 82-41, and Chaminade (West Hills), 95-31. All-American Jerzy Robinson totaled 80 points and 18 rebounds for the Trailblazers in the two games. Three games are on the schedule this week.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (16-1)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown:

Cannon School (Concord, N.C.), 65-45, at the Whiteville Academy MLK Classic in Georgia.

Also recorded a quality 80-59 victory over then-No. 16 Bradley Central (Cleveland, Tenn.) as Saniyah Hall scored 18 points and Aaliyah Crump added 17. The Eagles have two games this weekend at The Mecca Challenge in Bronx, N.Y.

5. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (20-2)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: Defeated Windward School (Los Angeles), 61-39, at the MLK Showcase in Anaheim. Kaeli Wynn tallied 20 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and Iowa-bound added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Also won two Trinity League games, defeating Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 74-26, and JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 79-27.

6. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (14-3)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders are rounding into shape and took down then-No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 70-54, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Connecticut-bound point guard Kelis Fisher was the game MVP with 28 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists and helped the Ascenders jump to a 23-4 lead after one quarter.

7. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (12-1)

Previous: 1.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 70-54, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Lady Crusaders were never in it after the first quarter when they trailed 23-4 and the deficit ballooned to 29 points in the third quarter. Emily McDonald scored 20 points, sinking six 3s and Olivia Jones and Taylor Brown tossed in 14 apiece. Up next is two games this weekend at The Mecca Challenge in the Bronx.

8. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (21-0)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Defeated Buchanan (Clovis), 99-31 and Clovis East (Clovis), 83-33. UNLV-bound forward Alexi Swillis surpassed 1,000 career points last week.

9. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (14-1)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Defeated Nazareth Regional (Brooklyn, N.Y.), 84-38, Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 75-20, and Holy Cross (Kensington, Md.), 78-38.

10. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (12-1)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Defeated then-No. 12 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 53-40, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. Junior Jordyn Jackson was named game MVP with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals.

11. Etiwanda, Calif. (16-4)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Defeated No. 17 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.), 74-65, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. LSU-bound Grace Knox doubled up at 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Eagles crushed three local opponents before flying to the frigid East Coast.

12. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (12-3)

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: The loss of all-everything junior McKenna Woliczko to a torn ACL is hurts and the Monarchs lost twice at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts to Elite 25 teams Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), 53-40, and Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.), 61-57. Two league games are on tap this week.

13. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (19-0)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: The Royals can clinch the Hoosier Crossroads Conference with a win over Zionsville on Friday, Jan. 24. Three games remain in the regular season.

14. Conway, Ark. (20-1)..tu

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Defeated Cabot, 70-27, and Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 68-46.

15. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (16-3)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: The Moose went 3-0 last week and remained unbeaten in the Friends Schools League. Sophomore Jordyn Palmer’s 17 points led the Moose over Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 63-52, at the Hoops for Harmony in York, Pa.

16. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (18-1)

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Defeated Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.), 69-64, Stephens County (Toccoa), 86-25, and Prince Avenue Christian (Athens), 81-19. Against Prince Avenue, Mia James had 21 points and 8 assists and both Danielle Osho (17 points, 10 rebounds) and JaKerra Butler (13 points, 10 rebounds) produced double-doubles.

17. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (10-1)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 11 Etiwanda, 74-65, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. The Red Knights lost for the first time in a national record for girls five-on-five at 140 games. Indiana-bound Neveah Caffey scored a game-high 32 points. Coach Dan Rolfes’ team also defeated Mater Dei (Breese, Ill.), 68-31.

18. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (18-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Defeated then-No. 25 Purcell Marian (Cincinnati), 62-56. The Bears have three games this week to end the regular season.

19. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (19-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 4 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 80-59 but rebounded to defeat Central Pointe (Fla.) Christian, 79-50, both in Florida. The Bearettes had their win streak of 38 games over two seasons halted by an Elite 25 team.

20. Converse (Texas) Judson (29-1)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Defeated Johnson (Buda), and Clemens (Scherz), 78-14. The regular season schedule is down to four games.

21. Johnston, Iowa (13-0)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Defeated Waukee Northwest, 57-48, and Ankeny, 66-32. The Dragons have a showdown at Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines) on Friday, Jan. 24.

22. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (11-2)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: The Valkyries capped a 3-0 week with a 73-42 victory over Region 7 rivals Assumption (Louisville).

23. Belleville, Mich. (11-0)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Defeated Dearborn Fordson, 76-22, and Livonia Stevenson, 89-40.

24. Boswell, Fort Worth, Texas (29-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Texas’ second-ranked Class 6A team enters the Elite 25 for the initial time.

25. Duncanville, Texas (21-5)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: The Pantherettes have righted the ship with eight straight wins after a sketchy month of December. They defeated rivals Cedar Hill, 40-36, and Waxahachie, 64-37, in District 11-6A action.

Dropped: No. 25. Purcell Marian (Cincinnati).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (14-0)
2. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (10-0)
3. Bishop Ireton, Alexandria, Va. (14-3)
4. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (11-4)
5. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (15-2)

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

Midwest

1. Kenwood, Chicago (20-2)
2. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (21-1)
3. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (16-0)
4. Lyons, La Grange, Ill. (22-1)
5. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (12-2)

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

Southland

1. Walker, La. (25-0)
2. Lincoln, Dallas (28-2)
3. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City (16-1)
4. Langston Hughes, Fairburn, Ga. (17-1)
5. Winston-Salem (N.C.) Christian (20-3)

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

Far West

1. Clackamas, Ore. (11-2)
2. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (10-3)
3. Ridgeline, Millville, Utah (17-0)
4. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (16-3)
5. Mesquite, Gilbert, Ariz. (18-1)

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

Records through Monday

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from December until the conclusion of the high school season in 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 and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.