BENSALEM, Pa. – The earth shook last week and when the Tectonic plates finally settled, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings shifted. The top five teams were static, but after that handful there’s a new look.

Three new teams join while several others dropped, including two that remained in the Elite 25 despite key losses. No. 16 Olive Branch (Miss.) and No. 20 Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) both absorbed losses. Olive Branch caught a dose of reality when it lost to defending Class 6A champion and rival Horn Lake. Expect the two to collide in the postseason. Riverdale Baptist split two high profile games and dropped only four slots. Had the Lady Crusaders lost twice, they would have been banished from the Elite 25.

Joining the Elite 25 rankings are No. 19 Lynnwood (Bothell, Wash.), No. 21 Highlands Ranch (Colo.) and No. 22 Poly (Long Beach, Calif.). Lynnwood is a serious contender to capture the Washington Class 3A title, Poly is always a threat in the CIF-Southern Section (perhaps the top area for girls’ basketball in the country) and Highlands Ranch is on a collision course with another appearance for another Colorado Class 5A championship.

No. 11 Konawaena (Kealakekua, Hawaii) is line for a repeat in the Hawaii Division I tournament this week. The Wildcats simply don’t have any competition in the islands and will be crowned Saturday night in Honolulu.

The Elite 25 girls’ rankings will appear again on February 17. The boys are back at you on February 16.

Check back periodically at www.bluestarmedia.org for updates and columns all season long. Our staff is always attending events and keeping you abreast of the latest issues. We hope to see you at a game soon and enjoy your Valentine’s Day. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings, February 10, 2016

1. St. Mary’s Stockton, Calif. (21-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Sophomore Aquira DeCosta posted a double-double, with 24 points and 18 rebounds and Nebraska-bound Mi’Cole Cayton dropped in 17 points in a 95=74 dismantling of Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland). The Rams have a short week with Christian Brothers (Sacramento) on Tuesday.

2. Duncanville, Texas (31-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Ciera Johnson’s 26 points were enough to stoke a 79-33 won over Midlothian. The Class 6A bi-district playoff games are slated for Feb. 15 and 16. The postseason road won’t be easy but Cathy Self-Morgan’s club is usually well prepared.

3. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (20-0)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Kamiah Smalls netted 23 points in a two lopsided wins as the Saints ran the table in the Philadelphia Catholic League for the third straight season and recorded a third consecutive perfect regular season. In eight quarters last week, the defense did not allow a double figures and only 32 points overall. Next are the league quarterfinals on Thursday against St. Hubert (Philadelphia) or West Catholic (Philadelphia). The title game is Feb. 22 at the famed University of Pennsylvania Palestra and the semifinals on Feb. 16 at Philadelphia University.

4. Centennial, Las Vegas (24-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Samantha Thomas bucketed 24 points and cleared 7 rebounds in a key 70-45 blowout win at then-No. 24 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at the Nike Extravaganza in California. Justice Ethridge added 20. The regular season concludes with Cimarron-Memorial (Las Vegas) on Thursday. Then the Nevada Division I title defense starts in earnest.

5. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (24-1)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Panthers overwhelmed Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 72-44, and Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 63-43. The regular season ends on Friday when Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.) visits on Senior Night.

6. National Christian Academy, Fort Washington, Md. (22-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Mykea Gray flipped in 23 points and Mikiyah Croskey contributed 10 points and 11 rebounds during a 55-50 win over then-No. 16 Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.). The Eagles used an 18-13 run in the fourth to break a tie game. This contest was crucial and is a huge chip for the Eagles who are in the driver’s seat to qualify for the Dick’s National in New York.

7. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (30-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The Mustangs finish up district play with Sterling (Baytown) on Tuesday and the playoffs start next week.

8. Mansfield (Texas) Timberview (29-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The regular season concludes Tuesday against Red Oak and a perfect mark in District 14-5A is on the line.

9. Miramonte, Orinda, Calif. (22-0)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Matadors hit for a season-high in a 102-38 victory over Campolindo (Moraga). Thursday is Senior Night when Dougherty Valley (San Ramon) pays a visit.

10. Cicero (N.Y.)-North Syracuse (19-0)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: McKayla Roberts made Senior Night memorable, hitting for 19 points, sinking five 3-pointers and surpassed the 1,000-point career barrier, in an 88-34 win over Corcoran (Syracuse). The North Stars have an important game at Fayetteville-Manlius on Tuesday and then it’s the Section III tournament.

11. Konawaena, Kealakekua, Hawaii (21-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: It’s a mini three-game season for the Wildcats this week with the Division I state tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday, where they play Farrington (Honolulu) or Punahou School (Honolulu). The semifinals are Thursday and the final is Friday.

12. Canyon, Texas (26-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: The Eagles stopped Palo Duro (Lubbock), 59-37, and Caprock (Amarillo), 83-17. The regular season capped by a date with Randall (Amarillo) on Tuesday.

13. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (24-1)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: The Knights commence their quest for a third Class 1A Private state title this week beginning with the Region 6A tournament.

14. Bellevue, Wash. (20-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The KingCo 3A/2A Conference title is in the bag and now the postseason will crown a champion.

15. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Coach Sheryl Krmpotich leads her Gaels into the final two games of the season. Friday’s game at Durango (Las Vegas) would conclude a perfect regular season against Nevada schools. The biggest obstacle remains crosstown rivals No. 4 Centennial in the Division I tournament.

16. Olive Branch, Miss. (24-1)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Lady Quistors were upset by rival Horn Lake, 57-49.

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

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Monarchs have two games this week with Presentation (San Jose) on Wednesday and Valley Christian (San Jose) on Friday.

18. Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (22-3)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Crystal Dangerfield, a Connecticut recruit and McDonald’s All American guard, scored 21 points and Jazz Bond added 11 in a 62-26 win over Siegel (Murfreesboro) to lock up the top-seed in the District 7-AAA tournament.

19. Lynnwood, Bothell, Wash. (19-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Chimeras will open the Class 3A Northwest District 1 tournament on Saturday. The tournament continues on Feb. 17, 19 and 20. Don’t be surprised when No.14 Bellevue and the Chimeras meet in the 3A state tournament.

20. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (26-3)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Maryland-bound C Kaila Charles scored a game-high 34 points, including 13 in the final five minutes, as the Lady Crusaders rallied past regionally ranked Forestville (Md.), 78-67. Teyjah Oliver added 15. Coach Sam Caldwell’s squad closed on a 17-1 tear. Earlier in the week, the Lady Crusaders lost to No. 7 National Christian (Fort Washington, Md.), 55-50. An invite to the Dick’s Nationals–an event they won in 2014 at Madison Square Garden–is slipping away.

21. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (19-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Falcons are Colorado’s top-ranked Class 5A team and unbeaten versus in-state competition. Coach Caryn Jarocki’s team plays Douglas County (Castle Rock) on Tuesday during a light week.

22. Poly, Long Beach, Poly, Calif. (21-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Jackrabbits re-enter the Elite 25 after a suspect 5-3 start but have peeled off 16 straight wins. A win on Tuesday against Compton in the season finale meant another Moore League championship.

23. Heritage, Saginaw, Mich. (15-0)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Moira Joiner flipped in 16 points in an easy 66-28 win over Bay City Central. This week it’s Bay City Western and Midland Dow.

24. Wenonah, Birmingham, Ala. (26-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Dragons beat Center Point (Birmingham), 52-38. Now it’s Pleasant Grove in the Class 5A Area 9 tournament semifinals on Wednesday. The final is Friday night.

25. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (26-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: After dropping the GCAC Red Tournament final to Trinity (River Forest), 51-40, the Lady Broncos remain in the Elite 25 by a thread. Since the Lady Broncos already beat Trinity on Dec. 1, they stay put. Wednesday is Senior Night against St. Francis (Wheaton) and then on Feb. 16 it’s the Class 4A Regional semifinals.

Dropped: No. 19. Morgan Park, Chicago; No. 22 Chaminade, West Hills, Calif.; No. 24 Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Villa Maria Academy, Erie, Pa. (22-0)
2. Forestville, Md. (15-2)
3. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (19-0)
4. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (17-1)
5. Norwin, Irwin, Pa. (21-0)

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

Midwest

1. Wadsworth, Ohio (19-1)
2. Columbus (Ind.) North (24-1)
3. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (21-1)
4. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (24-2)
5. Fremd, Palatine, Ill. (23-2)

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

Southland

1. Providence Day School, Charlotte, N.C. (22-2)
2. Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Fla. (25-3)
3. Archer, Lawrenceville, Ga. (22-3)
4. Elizabethtown, Ky. (21-3)
5. Central, Memphis, Tenn. (26-1)

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

Far West

1. Brea (Calif.) Olinda (21-2)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-3)
3. Central Valley, Veradale, Wash. (20-0)
4. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (22-4)
5. Seton Catholic Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (26-1)

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 November until the conclusion of the high school season in early 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, administrators and prep sports writers. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.