Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings head into 2024 with no changes; No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (NY) makes an appearance at Philadelphia talent-rich showcase

BENSALEM, Pa. – Happy New Year!

The first month or so has come and gone in a flash. When the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings dropped in early November, there were games already underway but most of the nation gets going on or after the Thanksgiving Weekend.

The month of December is usually associated with national tournament, one-day shootouts and tons of travel. The latter was not so prevalent for the girls game in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Mostly, regional events but the Nike Tournament of Champions changed the national landscape with its pre-Christmas tournaments in Chicago and then Arizona.

The pre-Christmas tournaments really reshaped the Elite 25, including a new No. 1 in Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), who peeled off three more wins last week in Portland, Ore. For the most part, the Elite 25 stayed intact without any additions, a rarity for final week in December.

Two teams stumbled but were not banished from the Elite. No. 21 Bolingbrook (Ill.), who entered last week at the top team in Illinois lost twice at an event in Florida. Very disappointing week for the Raiders, who slipped to 14-2 overall and 13 spots in the rankings. No. 24 Hazel Green (Ala.) fell to an in-state rival but remains in the Elite 25 with strong out of state schedule and a dominant record in Class 6A, Area 16.

There is one event worth mentioning this weekend in Philadelphia that features teams from six states, District of Columbia and Canada. Plus, three Elite 25 teams and two more from the East Region.

The Blue Star Showcase is slated for Sunday at Jefferson University in Philadelphia with 13 games on two side-by-side courts. Jefferson is located at 4201 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, 19144. Arrive early because parking is tight.

The schedule:

Court 1, Jim Munn Memorial Bracket

9:30 a.m., Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.) vs. Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.)

10:50, Imhotep Institute Charter (Philadelphia) vs. Spring-Ford (Royersford, Pa.)

12:10 p.m., McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.) vs. Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.)

1:30, St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) vs Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.)

2:50, No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) vs. Fort Erie (Ontario, Canada) International Academy

4:10, No. 5 Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.) vs. Shabach Christian (Landover, Md.)

5:30, Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) vs Penn Charter (Philadelphia)

Court 2, Nancy Dougherty Memorial Bracket

9:15 a.m., Upper Dublin (Fort Washington, Pa.) vs. Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

10:35, West Catholic (Philadelphia) vs. Bethlehem (Pa.) Catholic

11:55, St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) vs. Friends Central (Wynnewood, Pa.)

1:15 p.m., No. 17 Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield, Pa.) vs. Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.)

2:35, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) vs. Shipley School (Bryn Mawr, Pa.)

3:55, Audenried (Philadelphia) vs. Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.)

The showcase is an event that mixes great teams and young talent under one roof. The brackets are named for the former Jim Munn and Nancy Dougherty, who were both noted coaches for the famed Philadelphia Belles AAU program. Wonderful tribute!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return on Jan. 10. There are few events that will reveal new teams or keep the status quo with key Elite 25 teams.

We hope your holidays went well. However, there is a segment of  Eastern Christians that will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord on Jan. 7. If you do, please enjoy your day with family and friends. Otherwise, our sincerest best for everyone in 2024!

Be sure to follow us on X at @clawlor.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 3, 2024

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (10-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Won the Nike Holiday Classic with a 3-0 record in Portland, Ore. In the final game, the Monarchs topped Clackamas (Ore.), 82-67. Morgan Cheli, McKenna Woliczko and Belle Bramer were named all-tournament.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (9-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Idle. The Crusaders will play Fort Erie International Academy (Ontario) at the Blue Star Showcase in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (11-1)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Won two games at the Music City Hoopfest in Nashville, Tenn. In a 78-42 rout of Clarksville (Tenn.) Christian, Jaloni Cambridge dropped in a season-high 36 points. The Eagles are back at it Friday in the Star Under the Sun Classic in Davie and will face Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale).

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (4-1)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Idle.

5. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (7-2)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Defeated Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic, 67-47.

6. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (13-1)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Won the West Coast Jamboree Platinum Division title, beating Folsom, 68-57, I the final and coach Alicia Komaki captured her 300^th win in Dublin, Calif. F MacKenly Randolph, a Louisville signee, won the David “Scoop” Jackson Most Valuable Player award after putting up 18 points and 15 rebounds while teammates Jerzy Robinson, Emilia Krstevski and Izela Arenas were on the all-tournament team.

7. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Won the John Wall Invitational Wonderland Bracket, beating North Pitt (Bethel, N.C.), 68-52, in the final. Mya Pauldo went for 22 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals and her twin, Mia, added 19 points (four 3s) and eight rebounds in the final. New Jersey’s top-ranked team has three games this week, capped with Red Bank Catholic on Sunday afternoon.

8. Etiwanda, Calif. (12-2)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Went 3-0 at the Nike Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore.

9. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (13-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Idle.

10. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (9-0)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Won the Visitation Tournament, beating Burroughs (St. Louis), 50-46, in the final. The Red Knights have won 109 straight games.

11. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (24-1)

Previous: 12

The Low-down: Won the Spring Creek BBQ Invitational, beating South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie), 61-56, in the final. Seniors Tamaiya Mims and Emilee Jones were named all-tournament junior Brooklyn Terry was MVP after bucketing 17 points in the title game.

12. Clark, San Antonio (20-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated San Antonio Johnson, 69-37.

13. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (14-1)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Won the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational She Got Game Bracket, beating Lake Highlands Prep (Orlando), 72-61, in the final. The Ascenders went 3-0 at the event and senior Taj Roberts was named MVP.

14. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (14-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Went 3-0 to claim the Sandestin Tournament title in Florida.

15. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Traveled to New York City for two lopsided wins over New Dorp (Staten Island), 112-32, and South Shore (Brooklyn), 87-53.

16. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (13-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Won Junior Orange Bowl Classic in Miami, beating James River (Midlothian, Va.), 76-66, in the final. Junior Dee Alexander scored 25 points.

17. Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, Pa. (10-0)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: The Lions are perfect heading into January. Also won their own Cardinal O’Hara Christmas Tournament, beating Germantown Academy (Fort Washington), 42-37, in the final.

18. Duncanville, Texas (18-3)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Won the 73^rd Sandra Meadows Classic, defeating Conway (Ark.), 62-22, in the final. Mariah Clayton was named MVP.

19. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (11-2)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Defeated Newton (Covington), 63-42, at the Social Circle. Jakerra Butler posted a double-double with 23 point and 18 rebounds.

20. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (18-0)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Won the Loyola Academy Christmas Tournament, beating DePaul College Prep (Chicago), 68-28, in the final.

21. Bolingbrook, Ill. (14-2)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: The Raiders went a very disappointing 1-2 in the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational She Got Game Bracket in Wesley Chapel, Fla.

22. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (18-1)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Went 3-0 at the Play 4 Pink Holiday Tournament in Hammond, Ind.

23. DeSoto, Texas (1201)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: The Panthers went 2-1 at the Nike Holiday Classic Open Division.

24. Hazel Green, Ala. (16-4)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: The Lady Trojans split two games.

25. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (8-3)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Won Boo Williams Holiday Invitational Gold Bracket, defeating Archbishop Carroll (Washington, D.C.), 63-39, in the final. South Carolina-bound Maddy McDaniel was named MVP and freshman Qadence Samuels earned the all-tournament team and scored 19 points in the title game.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-1)
2. Thomas Dale, Chester, Va. (10-0)
3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (6-1)
4. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (6-1)
5. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (7-1)

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

Midwest

1. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers
2. Minnetonka, Minn. (9-0)
3. West Bloomfield, Mich. (4-0)
4. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (9-1)

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

Southland

1. Grace Christian Sanford, N.C (15-0)
2. Buford, Ga. (10-1)
3. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (11-4)
4. Lewisville Hebron, Carrollton, Texas (21-2)
5. Pontotoc, Miss. (16-1)

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

Far West

1. Sage Hill, Newport Beach, Calif. (11-2)
2. Folsom, Calif. (11-3)
3. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (13-3)
4. Clackamas, Ore. (4-2)
5. Lakeside, Seattle (9-0)

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

Records through Saturday

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 (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.