Down goes No. 3 Archbishop Mitty (CA) and No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (NY) rises in Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings; No. 2 Etiwanda (CA) repeats CIF Open Division chip

BENSALEM, Pa. – Change is good and change came to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. All this was set up before Christmas and on Saturday night in Northern California.

So, here’s the story about three months in the making.

It was Dec. 21 and the title game of the loaded 16-team, Nike Tournament of Champions Vincent Cannizzaro Bracket in Mesa, Ariz. Whenever teams reach that game, it’s the pinnacle of the season despite being played prior to Christmas. Usually, the winner is unscathed and becomes the No. 1 team in the Elite 25. And that was the case this season.

No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) met No. 12 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) in an instant classic and thankfully it was shown on ESPNU. Mitty prevailed 73-72 in a game that featured a scintillating final 70 seconds that saw the lead change five times. The final one was courtesy of two made free throws by Mitty’s Morgan Cheli, a UConn recruit and McDonald’s All-American.

LuHi had one had one last chance with 3.2 seconds but a last-ditch effort failed and Mitty bounced 11 slots to No. 1 and the Crusaders slipped to No. 2.

Okay, hit the fast forward and we’re in March and Mitty was 32 minutes from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship. If the Monarchs defeated then-No. 4 Etiwanda in the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division final, the state and Elite 25 titles were theirs.

Not so fast. No. 2 Etiwanda rolled to blowout win and No. 1 LuHi went back to the top spot. Why? Simply, the Crusaders hammered Etiwanda, 82-62, on Jan. 15 and currently carry a 12-game win streak.

Etiwanda and No. 3 Mitty are done. Two great programs. Two great seasons. Two great coaches in Stan Delus of Etiwanda and Sue Phillips of Mitty.

LuHi isn’t done and have unfinished business that has been stewing since last April. The Crusaders have a chance to close out the season on a winning note in a few weeks. There’s an official explanation if you have not already heard. Read on.

New York, New York

Elsewhere, there’s great news out of New York before the “other” news.

The two most powerful basketball leagues in the state of New York—the Catholic High School Athletic Association and the Public School Athletic League—have agreed to stage a postseason championships event. The associations will partner to send their 2024 boys and girls champions to compete for the undisputed New York City titles.

The event pits the CHSAA Class AA, A and B champions versus PSAL 4A, 3A and 2A or 1A champions. The event is slated for March 24 and 25 inside Long Island University’s Steinberg Wellness Center in Brooklyn. It’s not a big space so tickets will be at a premium.

Game times, ticket information and other updates are forthcoming. Christ the King girls (Middle Village) from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 regional rankings qualified for the historical event. Previously, winners from the four associations met in the New York State Federation Tournament in Albany or Glens Falls but the tournament of champions format was scrapped two years ago. What a shame. This is a great remedy and will satisfy the Big Apple’s insatiable appetite for high school hoops and determine supremacy. Public or Catholic?

Speaking of supremacy, the Chipotle High School Basketball Nationals (formerly GEICO Nationals) will announce a six-team girls’ bracket Wednesday. Based on the Elite 25 rankings, Long Island Lutheran, Montverde Academy, IMG Academy, Grayson and Sidwell Friends should be in. Grace Christian of North Carolina could round out the field. Regardless, this is great event that will be played in a basketball-centric city.

The CHIPOTLE Nationals will take place April 4-6 at Brownsburg High School near Indianapolis, Ind. The top-2 seeds will get byes to the semifinals on April 5. All the games will be shown on the ESPN platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+).

There are plenty of storylines but LuHi, which lost to Montverde in last year’s final, wants to avenge that result and if they do, they will be national champions.

Now for the latest Elite 25 rankings and for a rarity in early March. There are no additions and minimal movement. Perhaps something gives this week when 19 Elite 25 teams will have completed their seasons.

That’s a wrap for another week.

States such as New York, Maryland, Missouri, Connecticut, Minnesota, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are still going and will settle their title winners over the next two weekends. After that it’s six teams vying for the CHIPOTLE Nationals championship in Brownsburg, Ind.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on March 20.

Be sure to follow us on X at @clawlor. We appreciate your readership and clicks. If you like what you read, please send it out on social media or direct message us via X.

Don’t forget it’s St. Patrick’s Day and Selection Sunday this weekend. Two parties on the same day: Wow! The NCAA Division I Women’s Selection Show is Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN. That’s must-see TV. All day it’s the wearing of the green. Éirinn go Brách!

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 13, 2024

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-1)

Previous rank: 2.

The Low-down: Idle. The Chipotle Nationals in Brownsburg, Indiana from April 4-6 is the next stop.

2. Etiwanda, Calif. (32-3)*

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Won the CIF Open Division state championship, taking down No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 60-48, in the final. The Eagles have won three straight state titles and close the season with a 16-game win streak. In the final, the Eagles dominated from start to finish, leading 16-10 after one quarter, 32-16 at halftime and 50-29 after three. Aliyahna Morris had 20 points and 5 assists and McDonald’s All American Kennedy Smith scored 15. In the Southern Regional final, they beat No. 7 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 54-51. Season complete.

3. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (30-1)

Previous: 1.

The Low-down: Upended in the CIF Open Division state championship by then-No. 4 Etiwanda, 60-48, in the final. The Monarchs were down big and never recovered. Sophomore McKenna Woliczko scored 14 point and Abigail James had 12. In the Northern Region final, the Monarchs defeated Clovis West (Fresno), 71-34. They have won the NorCal final for four straight years and 15 overall regional crowns. Season complete.

4. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (26-2)**

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Won the Pennsylvania Independent Schools championship for the third straight year and Friends School League championship for the fourth straight time. Season complete.

5. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (29-0)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: The Red Knights defeated Troy Buchanan (Troy), 73-35, in the Class 6 quarterfinals. Up next is Rock Bridge (Columbia) Friday in the Class 6 semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The winner gets Kickapoo (Springfield) or Cor Jesu Academy (St. Louis) Saturday in the final.

6. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (32-0)*

Previous: 8

The Low-down: Won the Class 7A state championship, beating North Paulding (Dallas), 65-44, in the final. It was the program’s first-ever state chip and they became Georgia’s first undefeated team in the highest classification since 2019. Georgia Tech-bound Danielle Carnegie contributed 21 points and 8 rebounds; Erin Rodgers, who is headed to Florida Atlantic had 18 points and 6 rebounds, Tatum Brown had 14 points and Malaya Brown score 10. The Rams will play in the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

7. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (38-0)*

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship. Season complete.

8. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (31-3)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Lost to No. 4 Etiwanda, 54-51, in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division final. Season complete.

9. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (27-1)*

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Won second consecutive Non-Public B state championship, defeating Rutgers Prep (Somerset), 53-49, in the final. The score was tied at halftime and the Crusaders were down eight points in the third until they rallied. Junior guard Mia Pauldo scored 20 points and her twin sister Mya Pauldo netted 16. Season complete.

10. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (23-3)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Regular season is complete but the CHIPOTLE Nationals are next.

11. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (28-1)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Won the Division II Regional, defeating Hamilton Badin, 75-29, in the Division final and Bloom Carroll, 77-43, in the semifinals. Jayda Mosley scored 18 points, Dee Alexander had 15 and Ky’Aira Miller 10. The Lady Cavaliers are back in the Final Four for the fourth straight year and will play Friday in the Division II semifinals in Dayton.

12. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (30-2)*

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Won Class AAA state championship, edging Wesleyan (Norcross), 62-60, in the final. The Lion nearly blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter but held on. Season complete.

13. Duncanville, Texas (35-4)*

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship for the program’s 12^th state championship and the first since 2020. Season complete.

14. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (34-1)*

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Won the Division I Class 4A state championship, beating Bartlett, 58-43, in the final. It was the Bearettes’ second straight title and third in six years. Over the last two seasons, they are 69-2 overall. Junior Harmonie Ware scored a career-high 29 points, including a state tournament record of 22 made free throws, while Most Valuable Player honors. Also beat Coffee County (Manchester), 55-35, in the semifinals and Clarksdale, 62-30, in the quarterfinals. Ware totaled 61 points and 25 rebounds in three games. Season complete.

15. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (30-1)*

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Won Indiana Class 4A state championship. Season complete.

16. Hazel Green, Ala. (32-4)*

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Won the Class 6A state championship for the program’s seventh straight state title. Season complete.

17. Johnston, Iowa (26-0)*

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Won its third state championship in five years, annexing the Class 5A state chip. Season complete.

18. Grace Christian, Sanford, N.C (30-0)*

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won NCISAA 3A state championship. Regular season is complete.

19. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (20-7)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Season complete.

20. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-4)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Regular season is complete but the CHIPOTLE Nationals are next.

21. Frisco (Texas) Liberty (34-7)*

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Won Class 5A state championship for the second straight year. Season complete.

22. South Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, Texas (33-4)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Advanced to the Class 6A state championship. Season complete.

23. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (26-5)**

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Won District of Columbia State Athletic Association Class AA title and a third straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Season complete.

24. DeSoto, Texas (27-6)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Advanced to Class 6A, Region II final. Season complete.

25. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (25-6)*

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Won Independent School League AA championship. The CHIPOTLE Nationals are a lock.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (28-5)*
2. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (22-5)*
3. Christ the King, Middle Village (29-3)**
4. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (26-5)*
5. McDonogh, Owings Mills, Md. (25-4)*

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

Midwest

1. Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. (32-4)
2. Millard West, Omaha, Neb. (27-1)*
3. Minnetonka, Minn. (26-2)…wed
4. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (25-3)
5. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (25-3)

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

Southland

1. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (27-4)*
2. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (25-5)*
3. Neshoba Central, Philadelphia, Miss. (33-1)*
4. Putnam City West, Oklahoma City (27-1)*
5. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (40-2)

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

Far West

1. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (31-3)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (25-8)
3. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (28-5)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-4)*
5. Iolani School, Honolulu (26-3)*

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

Records through Monday’s games

 * 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 (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.