BENSALEM, Pa. – Last week there was a not-so-subtle reminder that winter is here and the grip remains firm. That’s OK because the action has heated up in gymnasiums nationwide and the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings have become a touchstone for the game.

We are planted in the third month of the season by most standards and for a few states the finish line is in sight. But not so fast, we’ve hit one of the major mileposts for the season as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend is here and that means celebrating the life of a great American there’s basketball aplenty.

Let’s start with the top event and it’s played at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Calif., on Saturday and Monday. The MLK Showcase has nine games each day, mainly California teams with Oregon and Nevada mixed in.

Saturday’s top matchups are Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland)-Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 11:30 a.m.; No. 24 St. Mary’s-No. 6 Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.), 1 p.m.; and Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco)-Fairmont Prep, 2:30 p.m. Monday’s menu is appetizing with No. 10 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)-Mission Hills. 11:30 a.m.; No. 6 Centennial-No. 2 Clovis West (Fresno), 1 p.m.; and No. 24 St. Mary’s-Alemany, 2:40 p.m.

The Atlanta hometown of Dr. King, actually nearby Archer High School in Lawrenceville, Ga., the third annual Krossover Classic is gaining momentum and with a stellar five-game slate on Saturday afternoon, this is the premier MLK event in the southeast.

The five games are: Holy Innocents’ Episcopal (Atlanta)-Winder Barrow (Ga.), 1 p.m.; Grovetown (Ga.)-Hoover (Ala.), 2:30 p.m.; Wesleyan School (Peachtree Corners, Ga.)-Center Point (Ala.), 4 p.m.; No. 17 Norcross (Ga.)-Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 5:30 p.m.; and Archer-Woodland (Stockbridge, Ga.), 7 p.m.

In Philadelphia, the Scholastic Play by Play Girls Classic will feature 17 games on two courts at Philadelphia University, commencing at 8:30 a.m. ET. The top two games on Court 1 would be Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.)-Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.), 2:30 p.m. and Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield, Pa.)-St. Elizabeth (Wilmington, Del.), 4 p.m.

One of the top girls’ event of the weekend takes place in bucolic Berlin, Ohio—Classic in the Country Challenge. There are 20 games, spread over three days, starting on Saturday morning. It will be a Who’s Who of college coaches and the top team from the Midwest (mostly Ohio). Among the top games of the weekend are: Pickerington Central-Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati), 4:40 p.m. and No. 25 Homestead (Fort Wayne, Id.)-Mason (Ohio), 6:20 p.m., Saturday; St. Rose (Belmar, N.J.)-Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), 3:20 p.m., Solon-Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio), 5 p.m., Sunday; Shaker Heights (Ohio)-Reynoldsburg, 1:20 p.m., Solon-Lakota West, 3 p.m. and Wayne-Homestead (Ind.), 4:40 p.m., Monday.

In Chicago, the MLK Dream Classic will be contested at Marshall High School on Saturday; Malcolm X College on Sunday and Monday. In the western suburbs, the Chicagoland Girls Prep Classic will be played for three days (starting Saturday) at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Ill.

In Haverford, Pa., the 10th Annual Blue Star High School Invitational rolls out four games at Haverford College on Sunday. Here’s the lineup: West Catholic (Philadelphia)-Girard College (Philadelphia), 12 p.m. ET; Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.)-Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.), 1:45 p.m.; Ruston (West Chester, Pa.)-Harrisburg (Pa.), 3:30 p.m.; and Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.)-Bishop Shanahan (Downingtown, Pa.), 5:15 p.m.

Four newcomers are featured in the Elite 25—three from the Southland Region and one from the Midwest. No. 17 Norcross (Ga.), No. 22 Hazel Green (Ala.) and No. 23 Destrehan (La.) a top ranked schools in their respective states. The same goes for No. 18 North Central (Indianapolis)—Indiana’s top team in Class 4A. All four sport impressive dossiers.

The next rankings are out on January 18 and that includes the Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend when several loaded national events are on tap Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for updates from around the country. Our contributors work daily and have the pulse of the girls’ basketball scene. I’ll be at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball. Friday there are a handful of girls’ games, with No. 10 Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) and regionally ranked Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) playing quality New England competition. The game of the day is Neumann-Goretti vs. Springfield (Mass.) Central at 9 p.m. ET. The locals will pack historic Blake Arena.

Please support your local high schools and any basketball events in your community or area. There are several MLK events this weekend, so choose one and enjoy. That’s a great way to give back and see some quality hoops. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball rankings, Jan. 11, 2017

1. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (14-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Sophomore F Ashley Owusu hit for season-high 26 points in an 82-68 win over Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) and 6-4 C Mikayla Vaughn, a Notre Dame recruit, had 15 points during a 57-35 victory over Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.).

2. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 2

Low-down: The Golden Eagles rattled off a pair of lopsided wins, most notably a 75-55 decision over Sacred heart Cathedral (San Francisco) in the Miramonte Showcase. Up next is an enormous challenge on Monday against No. 6 Centennial (Las Vegas).

3. Miami (Fla.) Country Day (19-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The win streak reached seven games after dispatching Winter Haven, 55-43, in the SUTS New Year Classic.

4. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (9-1)

Previous: 4

Low-down: The Wolves showed no signs of letting up after two weeks off, capturing two league games by 70 and 43 points.

5. Monacan, North Chesterfield, Va. (11-0)

Previous: 5

Low-down: The Chiefs posted a L.C. Bird (Chesterfield), 72-44. Connecticut-bound Megan Walker bucketed 22 points. This weekend presents a challenge with Forest Trail Academy (Kernersville, N.C.).

6. Centennial, Las Vegas (17-2)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Bulldogs easily rolled to a pair of wins in the Northwest League but return to the national scene with two high-end games in Stockton, Calif., with ranked teams Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) and St. Mary’s (Stockton).

7. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (12-0)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: The Lady Warriors are 4-0 in the district and are off to Georgia this weekend for a game with No. 17 Norcross (Suwanee, Ga.) at the Krossover Classic.

8. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (18-0)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Broncos blew out a pair of opponents and gear up for the 2th annual Chicagoland Girls Prep Classic.

9. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (11-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Junior Sydney Wood averaged 17 points in two WCAC wins. Next big challenge is top-ranked Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) on Jan. 24.

10. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (9-2)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Defeated Lincoln (Stockton), 61-21. The Monarchs are of to the MLK Classic in Stockton this weekend.

11. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (7-3)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Idle. The Jackrabbits play twice in the Moore League before jetting transcontinental to play Bishop Feehan (Attleboro, Mass.) at the Hoophall Classic Friday night in Springfield, Mass.

12. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (13-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Inclement weather claimed all Atlanta area games last weekend so the up next was a trip to North Gwinnett (Suwanee) on Tuesday.

13. Seton Catholic Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (15-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: After nearly two weeks off, the Sentinels recorded blowout wins by 60 and 44 points. The schedule picks up with three games this week.

14. Butler, Louisville, Ky. (14-1)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Bearettes established supremacy instate with an 80-55 thumping of Mercer County (Harrodsburg). Junior C Molly Lockhart had 21 points, 12 rebounds and blocked 4 shots and Indiana-bound G Jaelynn Penn also posted a doubled-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

15. Amarillo, Texas (24-1)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: The Sandies cruised to a pair wins in west Texas.

16. Fayetteville, Ark. (13-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The lone game with Bentonville last Friday was postponed by inclement weather. Up next are Bentonville West on Tuesday and Rogers on Friday.

17. Norcross, Ga. (16-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Georgia’s top-ranked team from Class AAAAAAA. Lone loss was to No. 5 Monacan (North Chesterfield, Va.) in the Cresmon Bank Holiday Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

18. North Central, Indianapolis (19-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Indiana’s top-ranked team has won the Marion County and North Central tournament titles. The Panthers are in first place of the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference, considered the state’s power league with at least five teams ranked in the Top 20. Up next is Center Grove on Friday and after that just three games remain in the regular season.

19. Timberview, Mansfield, Texas (19-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Chennedy Carter, an All-American who signed with Texas A&M, scored 20 points in a 57-46 win over Mansfield Legacy.

20. Duncanville, Texas (23-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: The Pantherettes rebounded with two District 7-6A wins, moving to 5-0 in the district after a 92-15 blowout of Irving Nimitz. Zarielle Green scored a game-high 34 points.

21. Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, Mich. (8-0)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Destiny Pitts took over with 30 points, nailing four 3-pointers, in a 78045 thrashing of Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic. Up next is Hamady (Flint) on Wednesday.

22. Hazel Green, Ala. (23-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Alabama’s top-ranked team is rolling and bus with four games this week, including state powerhouse Ramsay (Birmingham) on Saturday.

23. Destrehan, La. (20-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic Platinum Division in New Orleans.

24. St. Mary’s Stockton, Calif. (11-3)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Junior F Aquira DeCosta had 34 points and 12 rebounds, but the Rams fell to Carondelet (Concord), 71-69.

25. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (16-1)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The Spartans were upset in overtime by Carmel, 56-54, snapping a 16-game win streak. They can make up for that big stumble with a positive showing this weekend at the Classic in the Country in Berlin, Ohio.

Dropped: No. 14 Ribault, Jacksonville, Fla.; No. 22 St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga.; No. 23 Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y.; and No. 25 Wenonah, Birmingham, Ala.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Manasquan, N.J. (9-0)
2. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (13-0)
3. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (12-4)
4. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (8-3)
5. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (7-2)

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

Midwest

1. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (14-0)
2. Mason, Ohio (10-0)
3. Edwardsville, Ill. (15-0)
4. Arbor Prep, Ypsilanti, Mich. (10-0)
5. Carmel, Ind. (14-2)

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

Southland

1. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (11-1)
2. Starkville, Miss. (15-0)
3. Olive Branch, Miss. (19-1)
4. North Little Rock, Ark (13-1)
5. Fort Gibson, Okla. (9-0)

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

Far West

1. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (14-1)
2. Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif. (14-1)
3. Mesquite, Gilbert, Ariz. (16-1)
4. Central Valley, Spokane Valley, Wash. (11-0)
5. La Salle Catholic College Prep, Milwaukie, Ore. (8-2)

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. 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.