EIGHT BALL: No. 6 Centennial (NV) does it again for eighth straight year; No. 24 Bedford North Lawrence (IN) re-enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings securing Class 4A crown

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was a banner week for teams in Indiana and Nevada and meant the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings checked off its first state champions.

In Nevada, No. 6 Centennial (Las Vegas) coasted to an eighth straight state championship in Class 5A. The lady Bulldogs, who lost their opening game of the season, rallied to rattled off 24 in a row and finished with a near flawless 24-1.

For coach Karen Weitz, one of the nation’s best, it was a 14th crown and is tied for the most in Nevada history. It would not surprise me if pulls off an unparalleled double one year. She’s also the head boys’ coach at Centennial and wouldn’t it be nice if the school doubled, winning titles under Weitz in the boys and girls’ tournament. Darn right!

Well, the Lady Bulldogs aren’t done because there’s the State Champions Invitational in April. Centennial would be a perfect fit for the event and looking ahead will be ranked in the Elite 25 preseason come next November.

No. 24 Bedford (Ind.) North Lawrence re-enters the Elite 25 after capturing the program’s fifth state title after securing the Class 4A title. BNL (27-3) was in the Elite 25 preseason rankings but hit a rough patch in December and dropped out. The Stars are back for good.

No. 25 South Bend (Ind.) Washington presents a conundrum in Hoosier Land. The Panthers opened with 27 straight wins before an upset loss in the Class 4A Semi-state semifinals. Will be more and more difficult for a team that rose to the Top-7 to stay relevant in the Elite 25. The next two weeks will tell more.

As the month of March arrives, the Elite 25 rankings featured 13 teams static from the previous week, including the Top-3. There was a reshuffling within the Top-10 as seven teams were on the move. No. 7 La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day hops up three slots after winning a sectional title and No. 9 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) dips five positions after an upset loss in the Independent School League final. Sidwell will defend its District of Columbia State Athletic Association AA title this week with St. John’s College and Georgetown Visitation both looking to wrest the hardware away.

The DCSAA isn’t the only state association crowning champions this week. The list also includes notably New Jersey, Texas, Virginia (independent), Utah, Washington, Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina and Mississippi.

Nevada, Hawaii, Indiana and Florida have completed their girls’ state tournaments. Nine teams from the Elite 25 are going for state titles this weekend. In New Jersey, there’s an interesting Elite 25 matchup between No. 2 St. John Vianney (Holmdel) and No. 21 Paul VI (Haddonfield) Wednesday for the Non-Public A South Section title. Vianney won’t know the status of all-everything guard Zoe Brooks (injured foot), who is day-to-day. The North Carolina State recruit and McDonald’s All-American sitting on the sidelines would be a big blow in a big game. If Vianney moves into the state final on Saturday, the Lady Lancers will be a heavy favorite.

Another injury has sidelined a McDonald’s All-American. MiLaysia Fulwiley of Keenan (Columbia, S.C.), a South Carolina signee, suffered an ankle injury in the Class 2A playoffs and according to a report she is out six weeks and will miss the McDonald’s Game in Houston. Keenan lost in the Upper State final. Fulwiley surpassed 3,000 career points last month and played in the previous five state title games after being called up to the varsity as a seventh grader.

In Ohio, Dr. Scott Rogers stepped down as head coach at Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati) on Monday. Rogers guided the MND Cougars during two stints at the helm to six state champion games, five state titles and won 420 games. His Cougars were a regular in the Elite 25 rankings and twice were declared National Champions by Blue Star Media.

MND posted a handwritten note from Rogers which said in part: “I want to thank you all for the support and prayers extended to me, my family and the MND student-athletes over the past 22 years. Although the decision to step down was tough; it came down to the constant theme of our teams, family!”

All the very best moving forward, coach! You’ve left an indelible mark on the game.

As for the GEICO High School Nationals, the four-team bracket could include Montverde (Fla.) Academy, St. John’s College (D.C.), Westtown School (Pa.), Example Academy (Ill.) or Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.).

The State Champions Invitational will include state winners from New Jersey, Washington, District of Columbia, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Hawaii, Mississippi and Nevada. The event will be played at a site to be determined.

Centennial (Nev.) is in after winning the Nevada 5A chip. But also, under serious consideration pending results: St. John’s and Sidwell Friends (D.C.), Morris Catholic, Paul VI or St. John Vianney (N.J.); Mount Paran Christina or Brookwood (Ga.); Lone Peak (Utah); Germantown (Miss.); Desert Vista (Ariz.), Camas (Wash.); Dr. Phillips (Fla.); and Iolani School (Hawaii).

Finally, the California Interscholastic Federation released the State Open Division bracket. Six teams from the Elite 25 are in it. That’s four in the Southern Region and two in the Northern Region. This week at least three teams will be headed home with three head-to-head matchups on tap. The bracket is here.

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Connecticut and Oregon tip off their playoffs this week.

That’s it for another week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return March 8. It’s your last chance to check out the prep hardwood heroes in your backyard if you already haven’t. There are a few weeks left in some states. Enjoy a night at the games!

Stay safe.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 1, 2023

1. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (30-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship, defeating then-No. 7 Etiwanda, 70-57, in the final. USC-bound Juju Watkins, the nation’s top player, provided 24 points, 11 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. Junior Izela Arenas scored 19 points and MacKenly Randolph added 17 points and 11 boards. Up next is Sage Hill (Newport Beach) or No. 10 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) Saturday in the CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals. The final is March 7.

2. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (26-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Nebraska-bound center Natalie Potts scored 15 points and Brooke Coffey had 13 and Naveah Caffey 10 fueled the offense in a 53-43 win over John Burroughs (St. Louis) in the regular season. The Red Knights shift to the postseason and defense of their Class 6 state title, beginning Thursday with Hazelwood Central (Florissant) in the District 3 quarterfinals. The semifinals are Saturday and the final is March 7.

3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (30-0)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: In the NJSIAA Non-Public A South semifinals, the Lady Lancers edged Red Bank Catholic, 43-38. It took a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to secure the win. Also, Ashley Sofilkanich contributed 13 points and 7 assists in beating Our Lady of Mercy (Newfield), 67-39, in the quarterfinals. Up next is No. 21 Paul VI (Haddonfield) Wednesday in the South final and the state championship game is Saturday.

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

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Idle. Next up is the GEICO High School Nationals on March 31 in Fort Myers, Fla.

5. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (20-2)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Lady Crusaders dispatched two area teams and had another cancel a game. In a 107-75 victory over St. Joseph’s by-the-Sea (Staten Island), Syla Swords produced 32 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and Kate Koval had 26 points and 12 boards and Kayleigh Heckel added 21 points and 15 assists for the team’s third double-double of the contest. Koval scored 20 points and Heckel netted 16 in defeating Grand Street Campus (Brooklyn), 91-20. Staten Island Academy cancelled its game.

6. Centennial, Las Vegas (24-1)*

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won eighth consecutive Nevada state championship, defeating Coronado (Las Vegas), 59-20, in the Class 5A final. Coach Karen Weitz won her record-tying 14th state crown. Junior guard Dane Powell scored 11 points and sophomore forward Ayla Williams had 9. In the semifinals, the Lady Bulldogs’ defense forced 27 turnovers, turning them into 43 points during a 78-29 rout of Reno. Powell threw in 18 points, and sophomore Kaniya Boyd added 13 points and 6 steals. The Lady Bulldogs will carry a 24-game win streak into the State Champions Invitational when the bracket is released later this month.

7. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (30-3)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Won second consecutive CIF-San Diego Sectional Open Division championship, taking down Del Norte (San Diego), 86-27, in the final. Jada Williams and Breya Cunningham, a pair of Arizona recruits, bucketed 19 points apiece. Tajianna Roberts had 13 while Safiya Sugapong dropped 9 and Sumayah Sugapong 8 (UC San Diego recruit). The Torreys also defeated Mission Hills (San Diego), 73-47, in the semifinals. The Torreys take the court again on Saturday with No. 8 Etiwanda in the CIF-Southern Regional semifinals.

8. Etiwanda, Calif. (29-3)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Lost to No. 1 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 70-57, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final. Majesty Cade and Aliyahna Morris tossed in 13 points apiece. Up next is No. 7 La Jolla Country Day on Saturday in CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals.

9. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (26-3)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Upset in Independent School League Tournament final, falling to Georgetown Visitation (Washington), 60-57. The schedule resumes with the DCSAA playoffs Friday in the semifinals. The final is Sunday. In the regular season finale, the Quakers clinched the ISL title beating Georgetown Visitation, 63-46. The league rivals could meet again in the DCSAA playoffs this week.

10. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (28-3)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Idle. The Monarchs play Sage Hill (Newport Beach) Wednesday in the CIF-Southern Region Open quarterfinals. The winner plays No. 1 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) Saturday in the semifinals.

11. Hoover, Ala. (33-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: North Carolina-bound guard Reniya Kelly was named Most Valuable Players and the Lady Bucs defeated Bob Jones (Madison), 48-35, to capture the Class 7A Northwest Regional. Up next is Prattville on Thursday in the Class 7A semifinals in Birmingham.

12. Hazel Green, Ala. (33-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A Northwest Regional championship, defeating Clay-Chalkville, 55-45, in the final. The Lady Trojans will play McGill-Toolen (Mobile) in the Class 6A semifinals on Wednesday morning in Birmingham. The 6A final is Saturday.

13. Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. (33-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won the Class 3A Super-Sectional, crushing Fenwick (Oak Park), 53-20. Also captured the Goode Sectional defeating St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago), 60-32, in the final. The Roadrunners are headed Downstate for the Class 3A state semifinals on Friday against Peoria at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal.

14. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (30-1)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Won an 11th consecutive and 23rd overall CIF-Central Section championship, defeating Clovis, 54-42, in the Division I final. With the win, Craig Campbell became the Central Central’s winningest girls basketball coach (425 wins). Athena Tomlinson scored 14 points in victory. The Golden Eagles face No. 15 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) Saturday in the CIF-Northern Region Open Division semifinals. The final is March 7.

15. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (26-2)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Won CIF-Central Coast Open Division, defeating Pinewood School (Los Altos Hills), 74-51, in the final. It was the Monarchs’ 31st overall sectional title. Freshman sensation McKenna Woliczko, who was offered by Stanford this week, scored a team-high 22 points and junior Morgan Cheli scored 18 after sitting out time with an injury. Also, the Monarchs closed out Open Division Pool A play, beating, Los Gatos, 85-27. Up next is No. 14 Clovis West (Fresno) Saturday in the CIF-Northern Region Open Division semifinals. The final is March 7.

16. Duncanville, Texas (26-5)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Season complete.

17. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (30-3)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won KHSAA 27th District Tournament, defeating Atherton (Louisville), 69-13, in the final. In the 7th Region quarterfinals, the Valkyries defeated Male (Louisville), 76-45. The semifinals are Thursday and final is Saturday.

18. Edmond (Okla.) North (25-0)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won Class 6A West Region 1 title, defeating Mustang, 60-22, in the final. The Lady Huskies play Midwest City Thursday in an Area playoff game with the winner advancing to the Class 6A state tournament.

19. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (20-3)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Defeated Corner Defeated Canyon (Draper), 88-43, in the Class 6A second round. Kailey Woolston fired in 33 points and Shawnee Nordstrom added 19. Up next was Westlake (Saratoga Springs) Tuesday in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Thursday and the final is Saturday at Weber State University in Ogden.

20. The Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tenn. (30-4)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Defeated Fayette Academy (Somerville), 83-23, in the Division II-A quarterfinals. Up next is King’s Academy (Seymour) Thursday in the state semifinals at Tennessee Tech University’s Eblen Center in Cookeville. The final is Saturday morning.

21. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (21-2)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Eagles defeated Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill), 65-53, in the Non-Public A South semifinals with Hannah Hidalgo scoring 25 points. Also, Hidalgo had 25 points and 10 rebounds when the Eagles defeated Notre Dame (Lawrenceville), 88-33, in the quarterfinals. Up next is No. 3 St. John Vianney (Holmdel) Wednesday in the South final. The winner plays in the state final on Saturday.

22. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (25-3)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Defeated Immaculate Conception (Lodi), 88-57, in the Non-Public B North semifinals. Sophomore guard Mia Pauldo scored a game-high 24 points. Also, sophomore Daniella Matus, who added a Rutgers offer last week, paced a balanced scoring attack with 13 points in defeating Wardlaw-Hartridge (Edison), 89-16, in the quarterfinals. The Crusaders play Montclair Immaculate in the North final on Wednesday in Paterson. The state final is Sunday.

23. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (23-2)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: The Lady Royals put unleashed offensive fireworks in the final two games of the regular season. Taylor Woodson totaled 54 points in victories over St. Michael-Albertville, 104-94, and Buffalo, 107-25. The Lady Royals open their Class 4A title defense, starting Wednesday with Washburn (Minneapolis) in the Section 6AAAA quarterfinals. The semifinals are Saturday and the final is March 9.

24. Bedford (Ind.) North Lawrence (27-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship, beating Fishers, 46-42, in the final. The Stars return to the Elite 25 since the preseason rankings after annexing the program’s fifth overall state crown and the first since 2014. Senior Emma Brown was the late hero scoring the game’s final four points after the score was tied at 42. Brown’s layup with 19 seconds left broke the deadlock and then she nailed a pair of three throws to ice it. Junior Chloe Spreen flipped in a game-high 20 points and Mallory Pride added 11. Season complete.

25. South Bend (Ind.) Washington (27-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Season complete.

Dropped: No. 25 Johnston (Iowa).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (22-4)**
2. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (25-6)*
3. McDonogh School, Owings Mills, Md. (24-2)*
4. Georgetown Visitation, Washington, D.C. (23-5)*
5. Lansdale (Pa.) Catholic (23-2)*

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

Midwest

1. Johnston, Iowa (22-1)
2. Example Academy, Frankfort, Ill. (21-2)*
3. Chaska, Minn. (25-1)
4. Grand Rapids (Mich.) West Catholic (20-0)
5. Kettle Moraine, Wales, Wis. (24-1)

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

Southland

1. DeSoto, Texas (27-5)
2. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (30-1)*
3. Bearden, Knoxville, Tenn. (33-0)
4. Brookwood, Snellville, Ga. (28-1)
5. Conway, Ark. (25-5)

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

Far West

1. Piedmont, Calif. (27-0)
2. Desert Vista, Phoenix (26-3)
3. Camas, Wash. (22-3)
4. Jesuit, Portland, Ore. (23-2)
5. Iolani School, Honolulu (20-5)*

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 major conference postseason tournament title(s)

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

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 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.