BENSALEM, Pa. – Miami (Fla.) Country Day remains atop the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. In fact the top five teams all won state championships or a national tournament title.

It was a banner weekend for the Elite 25 as Miami Country Day, No. 2 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), No. 3 Centennial (Las Vegas), No. 4 Maine West (Des Plaines, Ill.) and No. 5 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.) all padded their dossiers securing championships. For Centennial it was its fifth straight Nevada state title while MCD won for the sixth consecutive time in Florida. New Hope captured a second national tournament crown at Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament in Cumberland, Md. In Illinois, Maine West closed out a perfect season in Class 4A. SJC bagged another District of Columbia state title.

In California, the CIF-Open Division state championship had two Elite 25 teams suffer upset losses. We’ll wait until next week to rearrange the rankings following the CIF State Tournaments are played this weekend in Sacramento.

As for additions, there is one from the Lone Star State.

No. 25 Converse (Texas) Judson is back in the Elite 25 after winning the Texas Class 6A state championship. The Rockets lost in last year’s final but rebounded this time to record a school record 38 wins and take home the hardware from one of the nation’s most competitive state tournaments.

The GEICO High School Nationals has at least three Elite 25 schools that based on tournament history should officially receive invitations next week: Miami Country Day, Centennial and New Hope Academy. All three are ranked in the top 5 and will be joined by a fourth team to round out the bracket. That team could come from Georgia, where the Class AAAAAAA winner would be under strong consideration, or No. 7 Westridge Academy (Kernersville, N.C.), which carved out a 27-0 record.

The GEICO Nationals tips off April 5 at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, New York.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on March 13. Only three ranking periods remain.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from showcase events and state tournaments in March. Blue Star Media will keep you abreast of everything in the girls’ basketball universe.

Thank you for your readership, we cannot do it without you. Remember to move your clocks head this weekend—Daylight Savings Time kicks in. 

We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 6, 2019

1. Miami (Fla.) Country Day (26-1)*

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won a Florida record sixth-straight state championship, crushing Carrollwood Day (Tampa), 62-30, in the Class 4A final. MCD bettered the mark of five, set by Ribault (Jacksonville) from 1999-2003. Koi Love pocketed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Spartans led 34-15 at halftime. In the semifinals, the Spartans crushed Yonge (Gainesville), 81-50. The Vanderbilt-bound Love topped the Spartans with 23 points, and senior sharpshooter Maria Alvarez added 19, drilling 5 of 9 treys. Next up is the GEICO Nationals on April 5 in New York.

2. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (35-1)* *

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won fourth straight D.C. State Athletic Association Class AA tournament title, topping Georgetown Visitation (Washington), 63-38. Sophomore Azzi Fudd struck for 38 points and North Carolina-bound Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo added 13 in her final prep game. Season complete.

3. Centennial, Las Vegas (31-1)*

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Won fifth straight Class 4A state championship, stopping crosstown rival Bishop Gorman, 78-47. UNLV-bound Melanie Isbell fired in 17 points, sophomore Taylor Bigby scored 14 and Eboni Walker added 13 for the Lady Bulldogs. Also beat Canyon Springs (Las Vegas), 79-48, in the semifinals. Looks like the season isn’t over as a GEICO National invite is certain to be in the mail.

UNLV commit Melanie Isbell led the Bulldogs with 17 points. Sophomore guard and five-star prospect Taylor Bigby added 14 points, and Walker, an explosive senior forward, scored 13.

4. Maine West, Des Plaines, Ill. (35-0)*

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A state championship, beating Mother McAuley (Chicago), 58-46. Rachel Kent scored 19 points, junior Dylan Van Fleet had 17 and Angela Dugalic added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. In the semifinals, Van Fleet pumped in a game-high 23 points and handed off 5 assists when the Warriors stopped Hononegah (Rockton), 56-32. Season complete.

5. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (35-3)* *

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Tigers captured the Bishop Walsh Girls’ Invitational Tournament, defeating then-No. 5 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), 56-43, in the final. Also stopped St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 42-37, in the semifinals and Bishop Walsh (Cumberland), 109-23, in the first round. Coach Sam Caldwell’s team likely will play in the GEICO Nationals starting on April 5 in New York.

6. Africentric Early College, Columbus, Ohio (24-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Defeated Utica, 72-35, in the Division III district final and Liberty Center (Baltimore), 73-17, in the semifinals. Next is Margaretta (Castalia) in the Region 10 semifinal on Wednesday. The final is Saturday.

7. Westridge Academy, Kernersville, N.C. (29-0)* *

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won the National Christian School Athletic Association Tournament in Mount Vernon, Ohio, sweeping four games. That’s two national tournament titles in two weeks. Season complete.

8. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (20-1)

Previous: 9.

Low down: The Pioneers opened the postseason, defeating South Lake (St. Clair Shores), 99-23, in the Division 2, District 59 first round. Next is Chandler (Harper Woods) Wednesday in the semifinals. The final is Friday in Harper Woods.

9. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (30-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Defeated Stone Memorial (Crossville), 65-47, in the Class AAA sectional game. Won Region 4-AAA title, topping crosstown rivals Oakland (Murfreesboro), 48-35, and Coffee County (Manchester), 57-48, in the semifinals. The Class AAA state tournament starts Wednesday against Arlington at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday.

10. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (31-4)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Finished second at the Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament, losing to then-No. 7 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.), 56-43, in the final. Season complete.

11. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (30-1)

Previous: 12

Low-down: Purdue-bound Bria Harmon flipped in 22 points and Jordan Releford added 20 as the Eagles rallied to beat Cherokee (Canton), 58-48, in the Class AAAAAAA semifinals. Coach Brian Harmon’s team plays No. 15 Westlake (Atlanta) Saturday for the state title in the Macon Centreplex. The winner gets an invitation to the GEICO Nationals. In the quarterfinals, the Eagles needed a 21-13 in the fourth quarter to rally past Campbell (Smyrna), 54-49.

12. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (22-4)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won the Class AA Brooklyn-Queens championship, defeating St. Francis (Fresh Meadows), 52-34, and beat Xaverian (Brooklyn), 66-40, in the semifinals. The Class AA City final is Wednesday against Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx). The New York Catholic State semifinals are Friday against St. Anthony’s (Melville). The winner gets Cardinal O’Hara (Tonawanda) or Monsignor Scanlan in Saturday’s final.

13. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (28-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Junior All-American Paige Bueckers pumped in 32 points as the Royals crushed St. Louis Park, 81-51, in the Class AAAA, Section 6 semifinals. Also beat Washburn (Minneapolis), 96-26, in the quarterfinals. Next is a rematch with league rival Wayzata (Plymouth) Thursday in the sectional final.

14. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (31-1)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Played Clovis West (Fresno) in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division final on Tuesday. The winner goes to the state final Saturday in Sacramento. The Trailblazers beat then-No. 15 Windward (Los Angeles), 49-36, in the semifinals and Clovis North (Fresno), 59-41, in the first round.

15. Westlake, Atlanta (29-0)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: The Lions will play for the Georgia Class AAAAAAA state title this weekend after stomping North Forsyth (Cumming), 48-26, in the semifinals. A trio of underclassmen did the damage with sophomore Brianna Turner tossing in 16 points while sophomore Raven Johnson and junior Lydia Freeman each popped in 9. In the quarterfinals, the Lions took a 22-12 lead in the first quarter en route to a 77-57 rout of Norcross. Next is No. 11 Collins Hill (Suwanee) for the state title in Macon.

16. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (23-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won the Division I Princeton 4 district title, topping Fairmont (Kettering), 56-30, in the final and Anderson (Cincinnati), 61-30, in the semifinals. Next is Mercy McAuley (Cincinnati) in the regional semifinals. The final is Saturday afternoon.

17.  Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (24-1) 

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Advanced to the Class 5 championship, defeating Highland Springs, 74-33, in the semifinals. The Lady Cavaliers jumped to a 19-7 lead after one quarter and never looked back. Also beat Bird (Chesterfield), 65-43, in the quarterfinals. The state final is Wednesday in Richmond.Azizha James dropped in 25 points and the Lady Cavalier won their 11^thregional crown in 13 seasons during an 82-47 victory over Hampton in the Class 5, Region A final.

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

Previous: 22. 

Low-down: Won Class 4, District 7 title, defeating St. Charles, 71-25, and St. Charles West, 76-33, in the semifinals. Kate Rolfes totaled 34 points and six 3-pointers in the two lopsided wins. The sectional playoff game was Tuesday against St. Francis Borgia (Washington). The 4A state quarterfinals tip off Saturday.

19. Amarillo, Texas (37-4)*

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won a second consecutive Class 5A state championship, beating Frisco Liberty, 47-42. Junior Ashlyn Milton was named the Most Valuable Player, contributing 16 points and 5 rebounds. In the semifinals, Zayla Tinner collected 23 points and 4 steals in a 64-53 win over Fort Bend Hightower (Missouri City). Season complete.

20. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (24-3)

Previous: 20. 

Low-down: Season complete.

21. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (25-3)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Upended by Salesian College Prep (Richmond), 44-41, in the CIF-Northern California Region Open semifinals. Season complete.

22. Windward School, Los Angeles (26-6)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Lost to then-No. 16 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 49-36, in the CIF-Southern California Region Open Division semifinals. Season complete.

23. Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa. (30-1)*

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Won the Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association championship. Season complete.

24. Franklin, Somerset, N.J. (29-0)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Defeated Ridge (Basking Ridge), 68-38, in the Group 4, North Section 2 semifinals. In the quarterfinals, Maryland-bound Diamond Miller scored 24 points during a 73-42 thrashing of Hunterdon Central (Flemington). Played Bayonne in the sectional final on Tuesday.

25. Converse (Texas) Judson (38-5)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Class 6A state championship, beating DeSoto, 49-46. Corina Carter, a New Mexico recruit, was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, after scoring 20 points and hitting a pair of clutch baskets in the final two minutes of the tight contest. Kierra Sanderlin added 15 points as the Rockets established set a single-season school record for wins. Sanderlin’s 26 points powered the Rockets to a 58-47 victory over Allen in the semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 25 Mansfield (Texas) Timberview.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Edison, Alexandria, Va. (27-1)

2. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (24-4)* 

3. Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (25-0) 

4. Saddle River (N.J.) Day School (25-2)

5. Manchester (N.J.) Township (29-2)

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

Midwest

1. Beaver Dam, Wis. (25-1)

2. Derby, Kan. (21-0)

3. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (27-1)*

4. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (26-1)

5. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (26-2)

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

Southland

1. Hoover, Ala. (34-1)*

2. Scott County, Georgetown, Ky. (33-1)

3. Wakefield, Raleigh, N.C. (27-1)

4. Northside, Fort Smith, Ark. (27-1)

5. Goose Creek, S.C. (23-1)*

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. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (25-1)

3. Southridge, Beaverton. Ore. (23-3)

4.Pinewood School, Los Altos Hills, Calif. (26-3)

5. Millennium, Goodyear, Ariz. (26-4)*

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

* Won state, national or conference/league postseason tournament championship

(Note some schools have won multiple tournament titles]

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 Senior Writer 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.