SPARSE MOVEMENT: Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings move into February with 18 teams sitting tight; No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (NY) hosts weekend event

BENSALEM, Pa. – Some weeks the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings are stagnant and others feature a flurry of activity. This week was the former with only two teams absorbing losses and little movement. As for the flurries? That’s reserved for the snow that has gripped a majority of the nation.

Yet the Elite 25 sistren played like the best teams in the nation last week with postseason tournaments creeping up. Essentially, the Elite 25 is preparing for state, conference and national tournaments with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I and II state championships played this week in Honolulu and Hilo, respectively. The Hawaiians start early in November and are the first to cap their seasons. We’ll give an update next week, detailing the first two state chip winners of 2025-26.

As coaches and players say, “Championship games aren’t meant to be played but to win!”

Okay, so for this week, there were no additions this week with one team falling six positions after suffering its first loss but 18 remained the same as the previous set of the Elite 25. Six saw minimal rises of one or two slots.

And now for the news of the week.

Golden Arch Madness

Golden Arch Madness is back and better than ever. The McDonald’s All American Games rosters for the boys (50^thannual) and girls (26^th) were announced on ESPN2 on Monday, Feb. 2.

The games will be held at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona or in close proximity to Phoenix on March 31. Several of the selectees play for teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. Buy tickets here.

The signature girls in the game are Jerzy Robinson of No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) and Saniyah Hall of No. 8 Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio). The trio of Emily McDonald, Savannah Swords and Olivia Brown are all from No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) are on the East squad.

East squad: Autumn Fleary, Saniyah Hall, Kate Harpring, Jordyn Jackson, Olivia Jones, Lola Lampley, Jenica Lewis, Emily McDonald, Addison Nyemchek, Savannah Swords, Olivia Vukosa, and Lilly Williams.

West squad: Jacy Albi, Addison Bjorn, Cydnee Bryant, Briahnna Crittendon, Oliviyah Edwards, Bella Flemings, Maddyn Greenway, Trinity Jones, Ashlynn Koupal, Jerzy Robinson, Aaliah Spaight, and McKenna Woliczko.

It’s all good, congratulations, ladies.

Elsewhere, it’s a case of the rich getting richer just in time for the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section playoffs. No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) added sophomore transfer guard Hamiley Arena (her dad Gilbert played in the NBA and at University of Arizona). Last year, Hamiley Arenas played at Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), averaging 23.3 points per game as a freshman.

She has not played this season at Notre Dame due to a stress fracture injury and awaits medical clearance. Her brother, Alijah, is a freshman at USC. According to a published report, Hamiley attended Sierra Canyon as a grade schooler.

Shifting to the east of the Mississippi, there are two events with both girls and boys.

The Bob McKillop LuHi Invitational runs for three days, starting on Thursday on the campus of Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville, New York. Get your tickets here.

The schedule:

Thursday
7 p.m.: Long Island Lutheran boys vs. No. 25 Wasatch Academy (Mount Pleasant, Utah)

Friday
4 p.m.: No. 3 Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.J.) vs No. 25 Wasatch Academy
6 p.m.: No. 7 Long Island Lutheran girls vs. Audenried (Philadelphia)
8 p.m.: Long Island Lutheran vs Christ School (Arden, N.C.)

Saturday
4 p.m.: Christ School vs No. 25 Wasatch Academy
6 p.m.: Long Island Lutheran vs No. 3 Brewster Academy
8 p.m.: No. 7 Long Island Lutheran girls vs No. 25 Bullis School (Potomac, Md.)

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Dr. Pepper Classic takes place on Friday and Saturday at the McCallie School. Click herefor tickets.

Friday

5 p.m.: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) vs St. James Academy (Springfield, Va.)

7 p.m.: McCallie vs No. 14 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), 7:00 pm

9 p.m.: No. 18 Montverde (Fla.) Academy vs No. 1 Spire Academy (Geneva, Ohio)

Saturday

12 p.m.: GPS girls vs Boyd Buchanan School (Tenn.)

2 p.m.: No. 14 La Lumiere vs Oak Hill Academy

4 p.m.: Montverde Academy vs Boyd Buchanan (Tenn.)

6 p.m.: Three-point contest, 6:00 pm

6:30 p.m.: No. 1 Spire Academy vs St. James Academy

8:30 p.m.: McCallie vs Tyner (Tenn.)

We’ll start previewing the state and conference tournaments with the national shootout events closing down for the most part.

Well, that’s it for the month of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Finally, brace for six more weeks of winter because Punxsutawney Phil (a.k.a. the famed rodent of Groundhog Day) saw his shadow on Monday morning from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pa., on Gobbler’s Knob. That means six more weeks of winter. But fear not because Phil is wrong about 65 percent of the time.

Regardless, stay warm and hunker down. This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday from Santa Clara, Calif. My prediction is the New England Patriots in a tight one—no more than four points. Hey, just my take.

Stay safe and check on your neighbors (especially the elderly) who might be sitting in homes without heat or food. Do the right thing!

Bye for now. Be the good.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 4, 2026

1. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (18-2)

Previous rank: 1.

Lowdown: The Lady Mustangs continued their winning ways, beating St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.), 44-42, and No. 16 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 59-53, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. It was a close call on Sunday afternoon but the Lady Mustangs held on at the end.

2. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (26-1)

Previous: 2.

Lowdown: Defeated Lynwood, 98-44. The Knights conclude the regular season with Rancho Christian (Temecula) on Tuesday.

3. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (18-2)

Previous: 3.

Lowdown: Defeated St. Francis (Mountain View), 79-17, Valley Christian (San Jose), 95-24, and Salesian College Prep (Richmond), 89-30. Iowa-bound McKenna Woliczko was selected for the McDonald’s All American Game in Glendale, Arizona on March 31.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (24-2)

Previous: 4.

Lowdown: The Blazers moved to 9-0 in the Mission League with two more wins. Also, Jerzy Robinson, a McDonald’s All American selection, scored 29 points and had 10 rebounds and 7 assists in a 73-46 blowout of Oak Park.

5. Etiwanda, Calif. (26-2)

Previous: 5.

Lowdown: The Eagles went 3-0 last week and closed out the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 3 against Los Osos.

6. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (21-1)

Previous: 6.

Lowdown: Defeated Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.), 60-41, at the Metro Classic in Galloway Township, N.J. Jada Lynch paced a balanced scoring attack with 14 points. The Moose closed out the regular season with Abington Friends School (Jenkintown) and then the Friends’ School League playoffs tip on Tuesday, Feb. 10 with the semifinals and the final is two days later.

7. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (17-3)

Previous: 8.

Lowdown: On a day when the Lady Crusaders celebrated their senior, three were named to the McDonald’s All American Game and the contest was a lopsided 98-21 triumph over South Bronx Prep (N.Y.). Emily McDonald scored 17  with 10 rebounds and 5 assists while Taylor Brown added 17 points. Olivia Jones had 24 points and 6 assists and McDonald added 16 points and 10 rebounds in an 80-45 win over St. Mary’s (Lancaster). McDonald had 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 blocks to beat DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.), 91-39.

8. Spire Academy Geneva, Ohio (14-0)

Previous: 9.

Lowdown: Spire peeled off three more wins last week.

9. Westlake, Austin, Texas (32-0)

Previous: 11.

Lowdown: Defeated Bowie (Austin), 53-37, and Austin High, 53-29. Three games remain in the regular season.

10. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (19-0)

Previous: 11.

Lowdown: Defeated Green Run (Virginia Beach), 79-37, and Kempsville (Virginia Beach), 80-25.

11. St. James Performance Academy, Springfield, Va. (17-3)

Previous: 12.

Lowdown: Defeated then-No. 7 DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.), 52-44, at the Metro Classic in Galloway Township, N.J.

12. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (22-0)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: The Bears won twice last week and moved to 8-0 in District 3 play.

13. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (18-1)

Previous: 7.

Lowdown: Lost to then-No. 12 St. James Performance Academy (Springfield, Va.), 52-44, at the Metro Classic Galloway Township, N.J.

14. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (13-3)

Previous: 14.

Lowdown: Defeated Holy Trinity Episcopal (Melbourne), 87-57. Mia-Elle Lieverst led all scorers with 27 points and junior Jordan Speller added 20.

15. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (13-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Defeated Tipton (Mo.), 61-29, and St. Joseph’s Academy (St. Louis), 95-35.

16. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (17-4)

Previous: 16.

Lowdown: Lost to No. 1 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 59-53 bur rebounded to beat Holy Cross (Kensington, Md.), 65-29. The Cadets have four games this week, including No. 1 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) on Saturday.

17. Johnston, Iowa (17-0)

Previous: 17.

Lowdown: In an Iowa showdown, the Dragons dropped rival Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines), 49-43. Jenica Lewis will play in the McDonald’s All American Game.

18. Belleville, Mich. (13-0)

Previous: 18.

Lowdown: Defeated Franklin (Livonia), 88-17, and Glenn (Westland), 79-7.

19. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (19-1)

Previous: 19.

Lowdown: Defeated East Jackson (Commerce), 71-17.

20. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (17-2)

Previous: 20.

Lowdown: The Lady Lancers swept three games last week, including Morris Catholic (Denville), 53-40. Charlotte Bailey scored 13 points.

21. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (18-2)

Previous: 21.

Lowdown: Defeated Paul VI (Haddonfield), 64-56, at the Coaches Choice Shore Challenge to complete a productive 4-0 week. Sophie Smith scored 17 points versus PVI. Indiana-bound forward Addy Nyemchek was selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Game.

22. Hoover, Ala. (27-1)

Previous: 22.

Lowdown: Defeated Hewitt-Trussville, 78-34, Oak Mountain (Birmingham), 74-20, and Homewood, 75-23.

23. Monsignor Scanlan, Bronx, N.Y. (16-5)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Defeated Xaverian (Brooklyn), 80-50.

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

Previous: 24.

Lowdown: Defeated Miami (Fla.) Country Day, 59-55, in overtime.

25. Bullis School, Potomac, Md. (13-5)

Previous: 25.

Lowdown: Defeated Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.), 82-44. The Bulldogs travel to No. 7 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Saturday.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Friends’ Central, Wynnewood, Pa. (20-3)
2. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (13-4)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (19-5)
4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (12-3)
5. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, 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. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (17-3)
2. Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. (22-3)
3. Pike, Indianapolis (22-1)
4. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (19-2)
5. Arrowhead, Hartland, Wis. (17-1)

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

Southland

1. Miami (Fla. Country Day (22-2)
2. San Antonio (Texas) Wagner (29-0)
3. San Antonio (Texas) Brennan (26-4)
4. Grace Christian School, Sanford, N.C. (19-1)
5. North Paulding, Dallas, Ga. (21-2)

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

Far West

1. Sage Hill, Newport Beach, Calif. (23-4)
2. Tualatin, Ore. (16-1)
3. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (17-2)
4. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (24-2)
5. Pleasant Grove, Utah (19-0)

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 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.