SILENT: Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings had limited movement, no additions; No. 20 Sacred Heart Academy (KY) posts big win

BENSALEM, Pa. – There was movement aplenty with three teams losing in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. With 22 teams slipping and sliding there were no additions.

With the regular season ending in Indiana and Florida by early February, the postseason is in sight and that means once the first two dominoes fall, the rest of the states will follow through early March. Ultimately, the teams are playing for state or conference tournament championships but there are a handful or more who will be in line for an invitation to the CHIPOTLE High School Nationals in early April in Fishers, Ind.

Last week, No. 21 Sidwell Friends (Washington) dropped 11 spots and both No. 12 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) and No. 22 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.) all absorbed a loss. Sidwell lost in their league for the first time in two years. LuHi and Incarnate lost twice within a week. Abnormal results for all three who will get things back in order. LuHi and Sidwell are eyeing a trip to the CHIPOTLE Nationals.

The Elite 25 rankings had 13 teams move up with eight ascending two but the three aforementioned did fall. Nine maintained their position from the previous week.

Elsewhere, there’s breaking news from the Land of the Golden Arches.

The best of the best high school basketball players was announced on Monday, Jan. 27 with the release of the 48th McDonald’s All American Games boys and girls rosters. Several of the 2025 selections represent teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings.

The games will be played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Tuesday, April 1. The girls game tips at 6:30 p.m. ET. The boys tip at 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.

The games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

Three girls are headed to Tennessee—all on the East squad. Three more are off to Stanford and the nation’s top player, Aaliyah Chavez of Monterey (Lubbock, Texas), is still undecided. Elite 25 teams, Etiwanda (Calif.), Montverde (Fla.) Academy and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), are repped by two players apiece.

The rosters:

East: 6-1 Nyla Brooks, 6-2 Kaelyn Carroll; 6-0 Jaida Civil; 6-1 Aaliyah Crump; 6-0 ZaKiyah Johnson; 6-2 Jaliya Davis; 6-2 Leah Macy; 6-1 Agot Makeer; 5-5 Mia Pauldo; 6-1 Deniya Prawl; 6-4 Lara Somfai; 5-10 Hailee Swain.

Head Coach: Dawn Karpell, St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.).

West: 6-1 Darianna Alexander; 6-4 Sienna Betts, 5-11 Aaliyah Chavez; 6-1 Jasmine Davidson; 6-0 Addison Deal; 6-5 Alexandra Eschmeyer; 6-2 Grace Knox; 6-2 Ayla McDowell; 6-2 Brynn McGaughy; 5-5 Aliyahna Morris; 6-0 Emilee Skinner; 6-1 Jordan Speiser.

Head Coach: Sheryl Krmpotich, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

Think Pink Showcase

If you are looking for an event in New York, the Girl’s Catholic High Schools Athletic Association Think Pink Showcase is slated for Saturday, Feb. 1 for Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens.

Although there are no Elite 25 ranked teams involved, there is plenty of talent and a look at the teams that will participate in the upcoming Diocesan and intersectional playoffs. There are two gyms being utilized with varsity and junior varsity games going with monies collected headed to help the fight against breast cancer and research.

Admission at the gate is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

In the main gym, the six varsity games:

9 a.m.: Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn) vs. St. Anthony’s (Melville)

10:30 a.m.: St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows) vs. St. John’s Prep (Astoria)

12 p.m.: Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx) vs. The Mary Louis Academy (Jamaica)

1:30 p.m.: Holy Cross (Flushing) vs. Christ the King (Middle Village)

3 p.m.: Monsignor McClancy (East Elmhurst) vs. Nazareth Regional (Brooklyn)

4:30 p.m.: Xaverian (Brooklyn) vs. Archbishop Molloy

Sounds like a great event to support.

Well, that’ll do it for the third week of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

 In southern California, people are in need after the wildfires continue to ravage the surrounding Los Angeles area.

According to published reports, the deaths are mounting and countless structures and homes have been incinerated. As of Sunday, Jan. 26, the weather forecasts called for more rain and that means mudslides and more destruction.

Consider donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts or to The Salvation Army. Here’s one we heard about today called Fire Aid.

No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome. Stay safe, California.

Don’t forget it is the Lunar New Year to those from China, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam is on Wednesday, Jan. 29. FYI: It’s the Year of the Snake.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 29, 2025

1. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (24-1)

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: The Knights defeated La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day, 85-35, at the Public vs. Private in Los Osos. Sophomore Kaleena Smith bucketed 37 points (14 of 21 shooting, 8 3-pointers) and 6 assists and 4 steals. Freshman Sydney Douglas contributed 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting and 7 rebounds and 4 blocks.

2. Morris Catholic, Denville N.J. (16-0)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Senior Mya Pauldo had 21 points and cleared 3 rebounds in a 59-47 win over St. John Vianney (Holmdel) at the More Than a Highlight showcase in Elizabeth, N.J. Mia Pauldo added 11 points, 5 assists and 5 blocks to the win, and Daniella Matus dropped 14 points. Also beat DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.), 5-44, at The Mecca Challenge in Bronx, N.Y. Mia Pauldo, a Tennessee recruit, contributed 9 points and handed out 7 assists. The Lady Crusaders also earned the No. 1 seed for the Morris County Tournament that gets underway later this week but has a bye to the second round. Mia Pauldo was named to the McDonald’s All American Game in April in Brooklyn, N.Y.

3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (21-1)

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: The Trailblazers blasted through three Mission League games with junior Jerzy Robinson putting up a double-double with 28 points and 15 rebounds in a 76-38 win over Harvard-Westlake (Studio City). Four games remain in the regular season.

4. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-1)

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: The Eagles swept two games at The Mecca Challenge, beating Legion Prep Academy (Dallas), 61-46, and Royal Crown (Canada), 68-48, in Bronx, N.Y. This weekend the Eagles have three stand-alone games at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament, including No. 12 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Friday, Jan. 31.

5. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-2)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: The Monarchs enjoyed a 3-0 week with three lopsided wins, including a 74-42 blowout of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at the Nike Extravaganza on their home floor. Iowa-bound guard and McDonald’s All-American Addie Deal had 16 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists and Kaeli Wynn added 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. Wynn was injured on Saturday, Jan. 25 and carried off the court with a right leg injury, according to reports. The Monarchs have three scheduled games left in the regular season.

6. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (15-3)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders topped Jordan Christian Prep (Auburndale), 85-8, at the IMG Academy Ascender Classic on their home court.

7. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (24-0)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: Defeated Pinewood School (Los Altos Hills), 54-50, at the Alameda Elite Showcase. The Golden Eagles are 5-0 in league play.

8. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (16-1)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: Defeated Legion Prep Academy (Dallas), 67-39, at the Mecca Showdown in Bronx, N.Y. Also stopped Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.), 75-34, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The WCAC play picks up with Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.) on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) on Sunday, Feb. 2.

9. Etiwanda, Calif. (19-4)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Don’t look now but the Eagles have won 15 straight games with the CIF-Southern Sectional playoffs a few weeks out. They will win a 25th consecutive Baseline League title. Isn’t it time for a new league?

10. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (14-3)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Defeated Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco), 56-42, and Sacred Heart College Prep (San Francisco), 78-33, in the West Catholic Athletic League. The Monarchs are 5-0 in league play.

11. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (21-0)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: The Royals won the Hoosier Crossroads Conference title and close out the regular season with Pike (Indianapolis) on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The Class 4A Noblesville Sectional tips Feb. 4 with rival Fishers.

12. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (13-2)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: At the Mecca Challenge in the Bronx, the Lady Crusaders split two games. Emily McDonald (16 points), Olivia Jones (15) and Taylor Brown (14) teamed for 45 points in a 62-41 victory over Montclair (N.J.) Immaculate. LuHi then dropped a 69-66 overtime decision to Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) as Brown netted a team-high 17 points.

13. Conway, Ark. (22-1)

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Defeated North Little Rock, 58-46, and Central (Little Rock), 69-59.

14. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (21-3)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: The Moose closed out the regular season with Friends Select (Philadelphia) on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The Friends’ Schools League playoffs are Jan. 31 and Feb. 4 and 7.

15. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (20-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Defeated East Jackson (Commerce), 79-18. Mia James surpassed 1,000 points putting up 18 points, 7 assists and 6 steals and Danielle Osho had 19 points and 7 rebounds. Also beat Franklin County (Carnesville), 101-32. Auburn-bound JaKerra Butler (29 points, 10 rebounds) and Osho (29 points, 11 rebounds) and James (23 points, 10 assists) all had double-doubles.

16. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (20-1)

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Defeated Warren Central (Indianapolis), 72-27, to clinch the Metropolitan Conference title. Also stopped Elkhart, 70-18. Up next is the Class 4A Sectional playoffs on Friday, Feb. 7.

17. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (20-1)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Defeated East Hamilton (Chattanooga), 90-19. The Bearettes have two games this week.

18. Converse (Texas) Judson (30-1)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Defeated East Central (San Antonio), 60-39. Three games remain in the regular season.

19. Johnston, Iowa (15-0)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: The Dragons won a Class 5A showdown, defeating Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines), 64-62. The two could meet again at states in March.

20. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (13-2)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: LSU-bound and McDonald’s All American ZaKiyah Johnson pumped in 22 points with three 3-pointers and grabbed 8 rebounds when the Valkyries stopped then-No. 17 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, No.), 82-76, at the Raatz Fence/O’Shea’s Basketball Classic in Louisville. That’s a quality win for Donna Mohr’s squad over one of the nation’s best. Amirah Jordan added 20 points.

21. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (14-2)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: The Quakers lost an Independent School League game for the first time since February 2023 in a 61-52 decision to Bullis School (Potomac, Md.). The backcourt of juniors Jordyn Jackson and Autumn Fleary combined to score only 31 points. The rematch is Feb. 10.

22. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (12-2)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: After setting a national record for wins, the Red Knights lost for the second time in three games in an 82-76 decision to No. 20 Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Ky.) at the Raatz Fence/O’Shea’s Basketball Classic in Louisville. Also stopped DuPont Manual (Louisville), 74-38.

23. Belleville, Mich. (12-0)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Defeated Dearborn, 64-15.

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

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Recorded two lopsided District 3-6A with two scheduled games left in the regular season.

25. Duncanville, Texas (23-5)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: The Pantherettes improved to 10-0 in Class 11-6A after knocking off rivals DeSoto, 57-47. Samari Holmen threw in 17 points and UNLV-bound Trystan James had 16 to help their team win for the 10^th straight time.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (14-0)
2. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (13-0)
3. Bishop Ireton, Alexandria, Va. (17-3)
4. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (17-2)
5. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (13-5)

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 (23-2)
2. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (22-1)
3. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (17-0)
4. Lyons, La Grange, Ill. (24-1)
5. Kimberly, Wis. (16-0)

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

Southland

1. Lincoln, Dallas (30-2)
2. Winter Haven, Fla. (20-2)
3. Cypress Springs, Cypress, Texas (24-3)
4. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City (17-1)
5. Walker, La. (25-1)

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

Far West

1. Ridgeline, Millville, Utah (20-0)
2. Clackamas, Ore. (12-2)
3. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (13-2)
4. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (12-3)
5. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (18-3)

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.