No. 22 Red Bank Catholic (NJ) enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings with Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend festivities tipping off nationwide

BENSALEM, Pa. – The Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend is here and that means quality girls’ basketball events from coast to coast.

Before taking a deeper dive and highlighting some of the events, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings feature one new team from New Jersey. No. 22 Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic is the latest addition and traditionally one of the Garden State’s top programs.

Twelve teams moved up with No. 16 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.) ascending nine spots after a key victory over an Elite 25 team. Three teams dropped with No. 24 St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.) falling eight and No. 10 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) down seven after a loss to Incarnate Word Academy at an event in Columbia, Mo.

Panini Hoophall Classic

The event tips off on Thursday, Jan. 15 in Springfield with five boys games involving mostly Massachusetts schools. In all, there are eight girls’ teams and 14 boys from the most recent Elite 25 rankings that landed this week. The girls slate on Friday features a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup.

The event and the sessions tend to sell out so buy tickets in advance.

THURSDAY (All boys games at Blake Arena, Springfield, College)
3 p.m. – East Catholic (Conn.) vs. Shaker (N.Y.), BallerTV

4:45   – Chicopee Comp (Mass.) vs. South Hadley Mass.), BallerTV

6:30   – Putnam Vocational (Mass.) vs. HS of Science & Technology (Mass.), BallerTV

8:30   – Springfield Central (Mass.) vs. Pope Francis (Mass.), BallerTV

FRIDAY (All girls games)

1 p.m. – Springfield Central vs. Northwest Catholic (Conn.), BallerTV

2:30    – Christ the King, NY vs. Mater Dei (Calif.) BallerTV

4         – St. James (Va.) vs. IMG Academy (Fla.), BallerTV

5:30    – Westtown School (Pa.) vs. Bullis School (Md.), BallerTV

7         – Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) vs. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), NBA.com, NBA YouTube

8:30    -No. 2 Bishop McNamara (Md.) vs. No. 1 Ontario (Calif.) Christian, NBA App, NBA.com, NBA YouTube

SATURDAY, SESSION 1 (Boys)

9 a.m.   – Notre Dame (Fairfield, Conn.) vs. Mater Dei (Calif.), BallerTV

10:30    – Blair Academy (N.J.) vs. TMI Episcopal (Texas), BallerTV

12 p.m. – Long Island Lutheran, (N.Y.) vs. Arizona Compass Prep, BallerTV

1:30      – Christ the King vs. Millennium (Ariz.), BallerTV

SATURDAY, SESSION 2 (Boys)

4 p.m.  – No. 21 Columbus (Fla.) vs. No. 6 Sierra Canyon, NBA App, NBA.com, NBATV
5:30     – No. 12 Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) vs. No. 19 IMG Academy, NBA.com, NBATV

7          – Notre Dame (West Haven, Conn.) vs. Inglewood (Calif.), NBA.com, YouTube
9          – No. 3 Link Academy (Mo.) vs. No. 17 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, NBA YouTube

SUNDAY, SESSION 1 (Boys)

9 a.m.   – Central Catholic (Mass.) vs. Bergen Catholic (N.J.), League Ready/YouTube

10:30    – Imhotep Prep (Pa.) vs. Providence Christian (Tenn.), League Ready/YouTube

12 p.m. – No. 2 Brewster Academy (N.H.) vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.), League Ready/YouTube

1:30      – Bishop McNamara vs. Rainier Beach (Wash.), League Ready/YouTube

SUNDAY, SESSION 2 (Boys)

4 p.m.   – No. 8 CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.) vs. No. 19 IMG Academy, League Ready/YouTube

5:30      – Long Island Lutheran vs. No. 17 Montverde, Academy, League Ready/YouTube
7           – No. 1 Spire Academy (Ohio) vs. No. 24 Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.), YouTube
9           – No. 3 Link Academy (Mo.) vs. No. 7 AZ Compass Prep, League Ready/YouTube

MONDAY

9 a.m. – The Newman School (Mass.) vs. Southeastern Prep (Fla.), BallerTV
11       – Dynamic Prep (Texas) vs. Prolific Prep (Fla.), ESPN2

1 p.m. – No. 5 St. Paul VI Catholic (Va.) vs. St. Mary’s (Ariz.), ESPN2
3         – No. 21 Columbus (Fla.)vs. St. John Bosco (Calif.), ESPNU
5         – No. 1 Spire Academy (Ohio) vs. No. 2 Brewster Academy (N.H.), ESPNU

For the first time, the event will expand to overflow sites at Western New England University and Duggan Academy, to accommodate a record number of marquee matchups on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

There are more events going on this weekend and here are few you might consider.

In Chicagoland, the 36^th Derril Kipp Hoops Fest ha a two-day run at Maine West High School in Des Plaines: Saturdayschedule and 12-game Monday slate (at Benet Academy in Lisle).

In Springfield, Va., it’s The St. James 2026 MLK Classic. Games will be over three days with 17 enticing matchups with several teams from the DMV.

Check out the 17-game schedule at the St. James flagship location near Washington, D.C.

In Ohio, there are two big-time events. The most storied event is the Classic in the Country Challenge at Hiland High School in Berlin. Here’s three-day schedule (starting Saturday morning) ticket information.

Just down the road at Pickerington Central High School, the Classic in the City also runs Saturday through Monday. The schedule is packed with talent and you can get tickets at the door.

Okay, that’s it for the first week of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, Jan. 21, reflecting the happenings from the Dr. Martin Luther King weekend.

Before we sign off, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is worth reviewing.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Bye for now. Be the good.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 14, 2026

1. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (20-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Lowdown: The Knights survived a game that was an instant classic after knocking off No. 4 Archbishop Mitty, 96-87, in two overtimes at the Kay Yow Showcase in Santa Ana, Calif. Junior Kaleena Smith was brilliant scoring a career-high 50 points on 18-of-38 shooting and tallied her team’s final nine points. Smith bucketed five 3-pointers and added 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Sophomore sensation Tatianna Griffin registered a double-double with 20 points and 18 rebounds.

2. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (11-2)

Previous: 2.

Lowdown: Defeated No. 25 Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx, N.Y.), 58-47, at the Capitol Hoops Challenge in Hyattsville, Md. The Lady Mustangs have a national showdown with No. 1 Ontario (Calif.) Christian on Friday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

3. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (12-2)

Previous: 4.

Lowdown: In double overtime, the Monarchs put forth a gritty effort but fell to top-ranked Ontario (Calif.) Christian, 96-87, at the Kay Yow Showcase in Santa Ana, Calif. Iowa-bound forward Michelle Woliczko doubled up with 25 points and 15 boards while Ze’Ni Patterson had 21 points, burying five 3-pointers.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (17-1)

Previous: 5.

Lowdown: Defeated Chaminade (West Hills), 74-36, Louisville (Woodland Hills), 102-16, Mission Hills, 78-40, and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 82-45.

5. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (12-2)

Previous: 6.

Lowdown: Defeated the Academy of Central Florida (Kissimmee), 58-34. The Ascenders have two games this weekend against Elite 25 teams at the Hoophall Classic in Massachsetts.

6. Etiwanda, Calif. (17-2)

Previous: 7.

Lowdown: Defeated Moreno Valley, 103-64, to cap a nifty 4-0 week. The Eagles have four more this week as the regular season is down to less than a month.

7. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (14-1)

Previous: 8.

Lowdown: Defeated Western Reserve Academy (Hudson, Ohio), 85-44, Academy of the New Church (Brynn Athlyn, Pa.), 86-21, and George School (Newtown, Pa.), 60-35. The Moose are headed to the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts this weekend for two games against Elite 25 teams.

8. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (14-0)

Previous: 9.

Lowdown: Defeated Assumption (Louisville, Ky.), 87-57, and Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 78-43.

9. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (10-2)

Previous: 10.

Lowdown: Defeated Ocoee (Fla.), 57-41. Jamila Ray tossed in a team-high 24 points with 10 rebounds and 2 steals and Mia-Elle Lieverst had 13 points and 6 rebounds. This weekend the Eagles are headed to Atlanta for two games at the MLK Classic.

10. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (11-2)

Previous: 3.

Lowdown: At the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Missouri, the Lady Crusaders lost to then-No. 25 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.), 85-76, but beat Staley (Kansas City, Mo.), 64-53, as Kentucky-bound Savvy Swords had 20 points and 7 rebounds.

11. Spire Academy Geneva, Ohio (8-0)

Previous: 11.

Lowdown: After a long layoff, Spire defeated Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse, Ohio), 54-46.

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (27-0)

Previous: 12.

Lowdown: Defeated Lake Travis (Austin), 49-20, and Bowie (Austin), 48-28.

13. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (14-0)

Previous: 13.

Lowdown: The Lady Cavaliers won by 51, 28 and 25 points last week and are 8-0 in the Beach District.

14. St. James Performance Academy, Springfield, Va. (10-3)

Previous: 14.

Lowdown: Coach Tamika Dudley brings her team to the Panini Hoophall Classic for a game on Friday afternoon.

15. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (15-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Bears are 3-0 in District 5 and went 3-0 last week.

16. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (10-2)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Red Knights pulled off a shocker knocking off then-No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 85-76, and went on a 28-19 run in the fourth quarter to break away from a tie game at the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. Peyton Olufson poured in a game-high 31 points, drilling 5-of-5 3-pointers and Maddie Perry added 14 points. Also defeated St. Teresa’s (Kansas City, Mo.), 65-23, and St. Dominic (O’Fallon, Mo.), 81-28.

17. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (11-3)

Previous: 17.

Lowdown: Defeated Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 67-43, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. It’s a busy week for the Cadets, who have four games in six days.

18. Bullis School, Potomac, Md. (12-4)

Previous: 18.

Lowdown: Sophomore Taylor Williams collected 23 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals when the Bulldogs defeated then-No. 23 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 70-65, at the Capitol Hoops Challenge in Hyattsville, Md. Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka  added 22 points and 8 boards.

19. Johnston, Iowa (11-0)

Previous: 20.

Lowdown: Jenica Lewis had a memorable Senior Night scoring 33 point and nailing school record nine 3-pointers when the Dragons crushed Centennial (Ankeny), 87-53. The Dragons have two road games this week.

20. Belleville, Mich. (7-0)

Previous: 21.

Lowdown: Defeated Fordson (Dearborn), 93-18, and Franklin (Livonia), 80-20.

21. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (12-1)

Previous: 22.

Lowdown: Defeated St. Michael-Albertville (Minn.), 101-56, and Maple Grove, 89-56. Jaliyah Diggs totaled 51 points in two wins.

22. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (9-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Lowdown: Indiana-bound forward Addy Nyemchek had 22 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals when the Caseys defeated archrival and then-No. 16 St. John Vianney (Holmdel), 62-51. Daniela Maletsky and Katie Liggio scored nine points apiece in a 41-40 victory over Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City) at the Battle on the Boardwalk.

23. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (13-1)

Previous: 24.

Lowdown: The Lions won two games in Tennessee.

24. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (9-1)

Previous: 16.

Lowdown: Lost to Red Bank Catholic, 62-51, but rebounded to beat Rumson-Fair Haven (N.J.), 65-17, Xaverian (Brooklyn, N.Y.), 79-39, and Trinity Hall (Red Bank, N.J.), 56-30.

25. Monsignor Scanlan, Bronx, N.Y. (10-3)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Lost to No. 2 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 58-47, at the Capitol Hoops Challenge on Saturday in Hyattsville, Md. The Crusaders have two games this week at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

Dropped: No. 23 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Friends’ Central, Wynnewood, Pa. (15-3)
2. South Fayette, McDonald, Pa. (14-1)
3. Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, Pa. (10-1)
4. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (7-2)
5. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (8-3)

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

Midwest

1. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (15-1)
2. Warsaw, Ind. (18-1)
3. Minnetonka, Minn. (12-1)
4. Pike, Indianapolis (16-1)
5. Arrowhead, Hartland, Wis. (11-0)

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

Southland

1. Hoover, Ala. (19-1)
2. Miami (Fla. Country Day (18-1)
3. San Antonio (Texas) Wagner (24-0)
4. Grace Christian School, Sanford, N.C. (16-1)
5. North Paulding, Dallas, Ga. (16-1)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-1)
2. JSerra Catholic, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (16-2)
3. Tualatin, Ore. (9-1)
4. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (11-2)
5. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (18-2)

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

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Girls Basketball Rankings are released weekly from mid-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 Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators, social mediums and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April of the 2025-26 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.