CHAMPIONS: No. 21 Kenwood (IL), No. 23 Holy Innocents’ (GA) win state titles and vault into Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Finally, the postseason has taken its toll on teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings.

Two additions from power states in the Midwest and Southland regions debut in the Elite 25, highlighting the first full week of March. Both enter after winning state championship, including one from Chicago that earns a first-ever crown.

No. 21 Kenwood (Chicago) won the Illinois Class 4A state championship after taking the Chicago Public League chip. The Broncos (35-3) won the largest classification and were tested at nearly every step.

No. 23 Holy Innocents’ Episcopal (Atlanta) won the Georgia Class 3A-A Private School state championship, closing on a 12-game win streak. It the Bears (25-5) fifth state crown and the first since 2000.

Both earned their way into the Elite 25. Congratulations to the players and coaches.

There are a few postseason tournaments brewing this week.

In Lexington, Ky., the single-class Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Sweet 16  Tournament gets going this week at the University of Kentucky’s famed Rupp Arena, tipping on Wednesday, March 12 with four first round games and four more the next day.

Here’s a look at the 16-team bracket. Get your tickets. The beauty of this tournament is there is one overall winner. That’s it. No classifications but one.

The team we are eyeballing is defending champion Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville). The Valkyries are 31-3 and won’t play until Thursday. The quarterfinals are Friday, March 14. The title game and the semifinals (in the morning) are the next day.

The California Interscholastic Federation state tournament runs Friday and Saturday at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Elite 25 teams will be playing in the Open Division games on Saturday evening. The schedule and ticketinformation. General admission is $16.

 Friday, March 14 (All time are Pacific Daylight)

10 a.m. Division V Girls

12 p.m. Division V Boys

2 p.m.   Division III Girls

4 p.m.   Division III Boys

6 p.m.   Division I Girls

8 p.m.   Division I Boys

Saturday, March 15

10 a.m. Division IV Girls

12 p.m. Division IV Boys

2 p.m.   Division II Girls

4 p.m.   Division II Boys

6 p.m.   Open Division Girls

8  p.m.  Open Division Boys

The championship game pairings will be determined on Tuesday, March 11. All 12 championship games are televised by Spectrum Networks and SportsNet.

In Piscataway, N.J., the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state finals will be held for three days (Friday-Sunday) at Jersey Mike’s Arena on the Rutgers University campus.

The championship pairings will be determined by Wednesday, March 12. Tickets are here.

Friday is four games in Non-Public A and B boys and girls; Saturday is Groups 1 and 3; and Sunday wraps up with four more in Groups 2 and 4. The Non-Public A game is must-see with Elite 25 teams Morris Catholic (Denville) and Paul VI (Haddonfield) meeting in the final.

In New York City, the Public Schools Athletic League Class 4A final is Thursday, March 13 at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John’s University in Flushing, Queens. South Shore (Brooklyn) meets East New York Family Academy (Brooklyn) at 5:30 p.m. The boys game tips at 7:15 p.m. EDT. The 3A final is 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15 on the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University. The 1A final is 11 a.m., 2A at 1 p.m. and 3A is 3 p.m. A tripleheader under one roof.

The University of Dayton Arena hosts seven Ohio state title games on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. Purcell Marian (Cincinnati) goes for a fourth straight crown in the Division III final.

State Finals Schedule (Times are Eastern)

Friday, March 14 

​Division III – 1 p.m.

Division IV – 4:15 p.m.

Division II – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

​Division V – 10:45 a.m.

Division VI – 2 p.m.

Division VII – 5:15 p.m.

Division I – 8:30 p.m.

For more information and tickets click here.

Elsewhere, Colorado, Oregon, Wisconsin and Minnesota state tournaments run this weekend. Click on the state for information, sites, dates, times and pairings.

World Select Rosters

Nike announced the World Select men’s and women’s rosters for the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit.

The World’s top talent will join forces to face USA teams, which include several members who won gold medals last summer at the FIBA U17 World Cup and FIBA U18 AmeriCup and represent the high school graduating classes of 2025.

The World team features elite talent with players ages 19 and younger across six continents. The event will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, and will be live on USA Network and Peacock. Tickets are here.

The women’s roster will showcase Daria Biriuk, Sarah Cisse, Bella Hines, Agot Makeer, Ayla McDowell, Jovana Popovic, Deniya Prawl, Ainhoa Risacher, Saffron Shiels, Lara Somfai, Olivia Vukosa and Nyadieng Yiech. The women’s team will be led by coach Carly Clarke of Canada.

The women’s team consists of two South Carolina commits Makeer (Canada) and McDowell (Brazil). Hines (Mexico) joins the team coming off a Nike National Championship this summer with Cy Fair Elite. Vukosa (Croatia) joins elite company playing in her second Hoop Summit game out of Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.). From Elite 25 team IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) comes teammates Prawl (Canada) and Somfai (Australia).

Also joining the roster is Risacher (France), sister of Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Additional names to the roster Biriuk (Ukraine), Cisse (France), Popovic (Serbia), Shiels (Australia) and Yiech (Canada).

Expect the CHIPOTLE High School Nationals to be announced on Wednesday, March 12. Elite 25 schools Montverde Academy, Westtown School and IMG Academy are slam dunks. Methinks Ridgeline of Utah is another solid choice. Paragon Marketing can round out the four-team bracket with schools from Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, District of Columbia Washington and Florida. The girls event is April 4-5 in Fishers, Indiana.

This week, the Elite 25 welcomed two state champions from Atlanta and Chicago; 13 teams saw no movement, including the top-11; one team cratered 12 spots after a loss in a state final; nine teams ascended a slot apiece; nine teams have won 14 postseason titles with four bagging two and nine teams are on the verge of winning state or national tournament titles.

Plenty more is on the horizon.

Are you ready for March Madness! Get your women’s brackets prepared because we’ll make predictions after Selection Sunday, March 16.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, March 19. There are only three rankings remaining. So, the countdown begins.

If you are feeling benevolent, life is beginning to take shape in southern California. Since the wildfires ravaged the surrounding Los Angeles area in early January, the locals have been displaced and are picking up the pieces of their lives.

We’ve vetted a few places that will make a difference.

Consider donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts or to The Salvation Army. No dollar amount is too small and prayers are always welcome. Here’s another one called Fire Aid. Be strong California.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Monday March 17 is the day to honor the patron saint of Éire. Erin go Bragh is an Irish phrase that means “Ireland forever.” Wear green.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 12, 2025

1. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (30-1)

Previous rank: 1.

The Lowdown: The Knights survived with 14-2 run in overtime to defeat No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 69-57, in the CIF-SoCal Open Division semifinals. Kaleena Smith doubled up with 29 points and 10 assists. Up next is No. 3 Etiwanda in the SoCal Region Open Division final on Tuesday, March 11.

2. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (24-1)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Regular season is complete. The Eagles will receive an invitation to the CHIPOTLE High School Nationals in Fishers, Indiana, running April 4-5.

3. Etiwanda, Calif. (26-5)

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Defeated No. 7 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 67-57, in the CIF-SoCal Open Division semifinals. Aliyahna Morris tossed in 32 points. It’s a showdown with No. 1 Ontario Christian in the final.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (28-3)

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: Lost to No. 1 Ontario Christian, 69-57, in overtime in the CIF-SoCal Open Division semifinals. Also, Emilia Krstevski scored 28 points in a 71-56 blowout of Mission Hills (San Marcos) in the first round. Season complete.

5. Morris Catholic, Denville N.J. (27-0)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: In the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Non-Public A North Section, the Lady Crusaders defeated Pope John  XXIII (Sparta), 66-34, in the final and DePaul Catholic (Wayne), 61-46, in the semifinals. The Lady Crusaders needed a 21-8 run in the fourth to put away a pesky team in the semifinals as Mya Pauldo scored 27 points and ripped 9 boards. They face No. 23 Paul VI (Haddonfield) on Friday, March 14 for the state chip.

6. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (29-1)**

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: Won Maryland Private Schools Tournament championship, defeating St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 88-31, in the final. Sophomore Qandace Samuels bucketed 30 points, draining 8-of-10 3-pointers, and snaring 7 rebounds. Season complete.

7. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-4)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Trinity League champions fell to No. 3 Etiwanda, 67-57, in the SoCal Open Division semifinals. In the first round, the Monarchs defeated Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 76-40. Iowa-bound and McDonald’s All-American guard Addie Deal had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Season complete.

8. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (33-0)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: Alex Swillis scored 21 points and the Golden Eagles are bound for the CIF-NorCal Open Division final after taking down San Ramon Valley (Danville), 69-62, in the semifinals. They travel to No. 9 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) for the region title on Tuesday, March 11 with winner off to the State Open Division championship in Sacramento.

9. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (26-3)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: Defeated McClatchy (Sacramento), 71-48, in the NorCal Open Division semifinals. The Monarchs host No. 8 Clovis West (Fresno) in the final on Tuesday, March 11.

10. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (27-3)**

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Idle. Next stop is the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

11. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (17-4)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Regular season complete. The Ascenders should receive an invitation to the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

12. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (32-1)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Won Region 3, Class 4A title, beating Cleveland, 79-23, in the final. Also stopped Lebanon, 82-32, in the Sectional round. Up next is the Division I Class 4A state quarterfinals.

13. Johnston, Iowa (26-0)*

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Won second consecutive Class 5A state championship, defeating rivals Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines), 55-44, in the final. It was the Dragons’ 52^nd straight win. Freshman Kelli Kalb scored 13 points  and Jenica Lewis and Ari Phillips added 12 apiece. Virginia Tech-bound Amani Jenkins scored 19 points to help beat Ankeny Centennial, 61-42, in the semifinals. Season complete.

14. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (25-2)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Defeated Hazelwood West (St. Louis), 87-25, in the Class 6, District 3 semifinals. The district final is Tuesday, March 11.

15. Boswell, Fort Worth, Texas (39-2)*

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Won the Class 6A, Division II state championship. Season complete.

16. Ridgeline, Millville, Utah (28-0)*

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Won the UHSAA Class 4A state championship for the third straight year. Regular season complete.

17. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (27-3)**

Previous: 18.

The Lowdown: Won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Class AA state championship and Independent School League Division AA title. Season complete.

18. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (29-0)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Won Class 2A, Section 5 championship, defeating Jordan, 99-60, and Maranatha Christian Academy (Brooklyn Park), 94-67, in the semifinals. Up next is the Class 2A state quarterfinals on Thursday, March 13 in Minneapolis.

19. Lincoln, Dallas (39-2)*

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Won the UIL Class 4A, Division II state championship. Season complete.

20. Winter Haven, Fla. (27-2)*

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Win the Class 7A state championship for the second straight season, defeating Dr. Phillips (Orlando), 45-42, in the final. The Blue Devils used a 17-8 run in the second quarter to rally from a 12-9 hole. Junior Serenity Hardy shouldered the scoring load with 22 points and 5 rebounds. In the semifinals, they defeated Ocoee, 65-41. Hardy threw in 28 points with six 3-pointers. Season complete.

21. Kenwood, Chicago (35-3)**

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Won the Illinois Class 4A state championship, defeating Fremd (Palatine), 65-44, in the final. The Chicago Public League champions relied on the triumvirate of Danielle Brooks (24 points), London Walker-George (19) and Ariella Henigan (16). In the semifinals, the Broncos defeated Alton, 61-55. Henigan scored 18 points and handed out 4 assists and Brooks scored 17 with two 3-pointers and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. Season complete.

22. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (27-0)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Anya George sank two free throws with 15.2 seconds left to rally the Eagles over Red Bank Catholic, 47-46, in the NJSIAA Non-Public A South Section final. It was program’s first sectional title since 1989. Sophomore Brooke Stagliano scored 16 points. In the semifinals, defeated St. John Vianney (Holmdel), 56-52, in overtime. Up next is No. 5 Morris Catholic (Denville) on Friday, March 14 in the Non-Public A final in Piscataway.

23. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (25-5)*

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Won Class 3A-A Private School state championship, defeating then-No. 12 Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula), 57-39, in the final. The Golden Bears closed on a 12-game win streak and bagged the program’s fifth state crown and first since 2020. Stanford-bound and McDonald’s All-American guard Hailee Swain scored 30 points on 10-of-27 shooting. Season complete.

24. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (29-2)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Finished runner-up in the GHSA 3A-A Private State Tournament. Season complete.

25. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (18-5)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: Season complete.

Dropped: No. 23 Conway (Ark.) and No. 24 Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (27-0)
2. Bishop Ireton, Alexandria, Va. (26-6)*
3. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (24-6)*
4. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (22-4)*
5. Nazareth Regional, Brooklyn, N.Y. (24-6)*

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

Midwest

1. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (22-6)
2. Belleville, Mich. (24-1)
3. Millard West, Omaha, Neb. (28-1)*
4. Fremd, Palatine, Ill. (30-6)
5. Kimberly, Wis. (27-1)

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

Southland

1. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (31-3)
2. Hoover, Ala. (32-4)*
3. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City (26-1)
4. Ridge View, Woodstock, Ga. (31-1)*
5. Monterey, Lubbock, Texas (36-5)*

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

Far West

1. Centennial, Las Vegas (23-2)*
2. Clackamas, Ore. (25-2)
3. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (23-3)
4. Central Valley, Spokane Valley, Wash. (27-0)*
5. Kamehameha Kapalama, Honolulu (28-3)*

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

Records through Monday

* Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

[Editor’s note: Each asterisk represents a separate postseason title]

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.