Go-To 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 20, 2013

BENSALEM, Pa. – Add three more state champions to the growing list of girls’ basketball teams in the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 rankings. Heading into the penultimate weekend of the high school season, three schools—two from California going head to head—go for the hardware.

First, the champions. In what is a culmination of sweat and tears, No. 4 Marion County won Kentucky’s single-class title before a record crowd at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green. Coach Trent Milby’s team finally reached the summit after playing with a core of players since middle school and going undefeated. The Atlanta Tipoff Club recently named Milby the Naismith National High School Coach of the Year. No. 6 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, Mo.) of the St. Louis area, captured the Class 4 championship in overwhelming fashion—each win at the Final Four was by 41 points. It was the school’s fifth crown and third in the last four years. Napheesa Collier, who transferred from Jefferson City prior to the school year, still has two years of schoolgirl ball left. Worth going to see. Another Midlands Region school, No. 21 Grand Haven, annexed its second consecutive Michigan Class A chip, running the win streak to 51 games.

So, for those keeping tabs, 18 teams in the Go-To 25 rankings have won state, conference or national tournament titles. Four teams—No. 11 Mater Dei, No. 20 Pflugerville, No. 23 North Gwinnett and No. 24 Twinsburg—all churned out championship-caliber seasons by zero big titles. Mater Dei lost in the Southern California Region Open Division final to No. 5 Windward by 10 points. The other three advanced to their respective large-classification final. Additionally, the National High School Invitational, which tips off on April 5 in North Bethesda, Md., is fueled by Go-To 25 teams No. 9 Dr. Phillips (2011 champion), No. 19 Dillard (four-time Florida champion) and No. 25 Life Center Academy (National Association Christian Athletes champion from New Jersey) in the field. Also competing is regionally ranked Archbishop Spalding of Maryland.

In the biggest matchup of March, No. 5 Windward (Los Angeles) plays No. 14 Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) in the California Interscholastic Federation newly created Open Division final on Saturday in Sacramento. This one has the markings of an instant classic. No. 12 Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) plays a trap game Tuesday in the State Tournament of Champions final against Rancocas Valley (Mount Holly). In Hershey, Pa, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association tournaments return to the Giant Center after a less-than-stellar run in State College. Eight champions will be crowned—pairings to be determined midweek—starting Friday afternoon. In Albany, N.Y., the Class AA bracket will highlight the New York State Federation Tournaments with Murry Bergtraum, Bishop Ford and Ossining (semifinal bye) duking it out.

Better head out to a postseason game locally, it’s the last time until next winter—unless you are a huge fan of the summer circuit. Remember those in Chicagoland,get your tickets for the McDonald’s All American Games on April 3, which supports a great charity. Those in New Orleans, the 2013 WBCA All-America Game is free on April 6, the weekend of the Women’s Final Four at the New Orleans Arena. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Varsity Letters

Co-Players of the Week

Abby Cole, senior No. 20 Grand Haven (Mich.) and Makayla Waterman, junior, No. 17 Fairmont (Kettering, Ohio): Occasionally it’s fair to just split the award and this is the only week we’ll do it this year. Both recipients have a few things in common: Both are from Midwestern bordering states, they were driving forces in helping their teams win large-classification tournaments but both are headed in different directions. Cole is a beast in the middle at 6-foot-5 but is headed to Michigan on a volleyball ride. She put forth a Herculean effort this weekend as Grand Haven repeated in Class A. Cole totaled 34 points, 26 rebounds and 20 blocks in two games. In the semis, she posted a rare triple-double in a 55-46 win over John Glenn (Westland). Waterman saved her best for last in a 52-48 win over ranked and defending Division I champions Twinsburg. Waterman, who had knee surgery earlier this season, tossed in a season-best 24 points as the Firebirds became the first Dayton area team since 2005 to win a state title. Wearing a knee brace, Waterman hit 10 of 11 free throws and 7 of 12 shots. In the semis, she added 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks vs. Notre Dame Academy (Toledo) in a low-scoring game.

Places To Be

Go West …. go Far West! There’s only one place to be this weekend as the California Interscholastic Federation state tournaments pull into Sacramento’s Sleep Car Arena on Friday and Saturday. The Blue Star Media Go-To 25 will have a large presence at the event with several boys and girls’ team competing for hardware.

Girls schedule: Open Division, No. 14 Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) vs. No. 5 Windward (Los Angeles), 6 p.m. PDT, Saturday; Division I, Poly (Long Beach) vs. Berkeley, 6 p.m., Friday; Division II, Lynwood vs. St. Francis (Mountain View), 2 p.m., Saturday; Division III, Alemany (Mission Hills) vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), 2 p.m., Friday; Division IV, Serra (Gardena) vs. Salesian (Richmond), 10 a.m., Saturday; Division V, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) vs. Pinewood School (Los Altos Hills), 10 a.m., Friday.

Boys schedule: Open Division, No. 10 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) vs. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 8 p.m. PDT, Saturday; Division I, Santa Monica vs. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove), 8 p.m., Friday; Division II, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) vs. College Hill (Pleasant Hill), 4 p.m., Saturday; Division III, St. Augustine (San Diego) vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), 4 p.m., Friday; Division IV, Pacific Hills (Los Angeles) vs. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), noon, Saturday; Division V, Horizon (San Diego) vs. St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda), noon, Friday.

Additionally, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions is Tuesday night in Trenton at the Sun National Bank Center. The girls’ tip at 6:30 p.m., Rancocas Valley (Mount Holly), the Group 4 champion, plays No. 12 Shabazz (Newark), the boys follow at approximately 8:30 p.m., when it’s Roselle Catholic tangling with St. Joseph (Metuchen).

In Albany, N.Y., the State Federation Tournament tips Friday at the Times Union Arena, with the Class AA semifinals. The feature matchups are ranked Christ the King (Middle Village) vs. Bishop Kearney (Rochester) at 6:45 p.m.; Lincoln (Brooklyn) vs. Long Island Lutheran at 8:30. The winners play Saturday at 8:30 p.m. for the title. Also the Bishop Ford (Brooklyn) girls playing 15-time PSAL champion Murry Bergtraum (Manhattan) in the semis on Friday at 5:30, the winner meets Ossining on Saturday for the championship.

 Go-To 25 girls’ basketball rankings, March 20, 2013

1. Duncanville, Texas (42-0)**

Previous ranking: 1.

Low-down: The Pantherettes became the first team in 11 years to repeat as Class 5A champions. Coach Cathy Self-Morgan’s team won the eighth crown in program history and her fifth overall. Season complete.

2. St. Mary’s, Phoenix (29-1)**

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won Division I championship for third straight state title. Season complete.

3. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (35-0)**

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Lady Warriors won their second straight Class AAA championship pushing the win streak to 58 games. Season complete.

4. Marion County, Lebanon, Ky. (39-0)**

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The Lady Knights completed the state’s first perfect season since 1984, beating Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills), 52-36, in Girls’ Sweet Sixteen Single-Class Basketball Tournament final before a record-crowd of 6,259 in Bowling Green. The tournament attracted 39,686 at the four-day event. A pair of Kentucky-bound seniors, 5-11 Makayla Epps (MVP) contributed 15 points, six rebounds and five assists and Kyvin Goodin-Rogers added 10 points in their final prep games. Season complete.

5. Windward, Los Angeles (32-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Wildcats beat No. 9 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 81-71, in CIF Southern California Open Division final and La Jolla Country Day, 52-46, in semifinals, junior PG Jordin Canada produced 17 points and 14 assists and USC-bound Courtney Jaco poured in 26 points. Up next is ranked Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) Saturday in CIF Open Division final in Sacramento.

6. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel-Nor, Mo. (31-0)**

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won Class 4 championship, hammering Webb City, 63-22, in final. Super sophomore Napheesa Collier was brilliant in Columbia with 24 points and 14 rebounds in two lopsided wins. In the semifinals, the Red Knights overwhelmed Dexter, 66-25. Collier struck for 28 points, making 12 of 15 shots, and cleared 16 rebounds. For the tournament she had 52 points and 30 rebounds. Coach Dan Rolfe’s program completed its first perfect season in winning their fifth title and third in four years. Season complete.

7. Bedford (Ind.) North Lawrence (28-0)**

Previous: 7.

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

8. St. John’s, Washington, D.C. (33-1)**

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Won the prestigious Bishop Walsh Tournament in Cumberland, Md., and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles. Season complete.

9. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (29-3)**

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Won third straight Class 8A championship. The Panthers earned a third straight invite to the National High School Invitational in April.

10. Marian Catholic, Chicago Heights, Ill. (33-1)**

Previous: 12.

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

11. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (30-2)*

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Lost to No. 5 Windward (Los Angeles), 81-71, in Southern California Region Open Division final and ranked Corona Santiago, 78-69.

12. Shabazz, Newark, N.J. (32-1)**

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Played Rancocas Valley (Mount Holly) in New Jersey State Tournament of Championship on Tuesday. In semifinals, Zaire O’Neill flipped in 26 points in a 65-50 win over Point Pleasant Beach.

13. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (26-3)**

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won Class 6A championship. Season complete.

14. Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland, Calif. (29-3)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: The Dragons stopped St. Mary’s (Stockton), 58-50, in Northern California Region Open Division finals and St. Mary’s (Albany), 50-40, in semifinals. Sophomore Asha Thomas scored 11 of her 16 points in the third quarter and Duke-bound Oderah Chidom had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the regional final. Up next is No. 5 Windward (Los Angeles) in CIF Open Division state final on Saturday in Sacramento.

15. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (29-0)**

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A championship for the second straight year. Season complete.

16. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (31-1)**

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Won a third straight Class 4A thrashing Kennedy (Bloomington), 68-45, in final. Nia Coffey, a Northwestern-bound McDonald’s All American, was the star of stars going for 25 points, 16 rebounds and four steals. Taylor Anderson added 11 points and Erin O’Toole cleared nine rebounds. Season complete.

17. Fairmont, Kettering, Ohio (27-1)**

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won Division I championship, rallying to beat then-No. 21 Twinsburg, 52-48. The Firebirds used a 16-7 third-quarter spurt to seize control. Makayla Waterman had the sweet touch scoring 24 points, converting 7 of 12 shots and 10 of 11 free throws. In semifinals, Notre Dame Academy (Toledo), 37-31. Kathryn Westbeld scored 10 points. Season complete.

18. Norcross, Ga. (28-5)**

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won the Class AAAAAA state championship. Season complete

19. Dillard, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (28-2)**

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won fourth straight Class 5A championship. Up next are the semifinals of the National High School Invitational on April 5 in North Bethesda, Md.

20. Pflugerville, Texas (38-1)*

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Advanced to Class 5A state semifinals. Season complete.

21. Grand Haven, Mich. (28-0)**

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won second straight Class A championship, needing overtime to subdue regionally ranked Grosse Pointe South, 60-54, in final. It was the team’s 51^st consecutive victory. At 6-5, Abby Cole was a menace, collecting 11 points, eight blocks and seven rebounds. Cole, a Michigan recruit for volleyball, had a triple-double, 23 points, 19 rebounds and 12 blocks, during a 55-46 win over John Glenn (Westland) in the semifinals. Season complete.

22. Southwood, Shreveport, La. (33-1)**

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Won the Class 5A championship. Season complete.

23. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (30-2)*

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Lost in Class AAAAAA final. Season complete.

24. Twinsburg, Ohio (29-1)*

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Lost in Division I championship, losing to ranked Fairmont (Kettering), 52-48, in final. Purdue-bound Ashley Morrissette flipped in a game-high 27 points as the Tigers had their win streak halted at 43 games. In the semifinals, the Tigers clipped Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center) ,73-63. Season complete.

25. Life Center Academy, Burlington, N.J. (28-2)**

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The National Association of Christian Athletes Division I Tournament champions will compete in the National High School Invitational in April.

Dropped: No. 15. Martin Luther King (Detroit) and No. 23 Corona (Calif.) Santiago.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Lake Taylor, Norfolk, Va. (28-1)**

2. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (29-2)**

3. Ossining, N.Y. (22-4)**

4. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (27-6)*

5. McAuley, Portland, Maine (22-0)**

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

Midlands

1. Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South (25-2)*

2. Rolling Meadows, Ill. (30-4)*

3. Notre Dame, Quincy, Ill. (30-0)**

4. Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (25-5)**

5. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (35-2)*

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

South

1. Bay, Bay St. Louis, Miss. (36-0)**

2. Ensworth, Nashville, Tenn. (27-1)**

3. Hoover, Ala. (28-4)**

4. New Hope Christian Academy, Thomasville, N.C. (31-2)*

5. Science Hill, Johnson City, Tenn. (35-4)*

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

Far West

1. Regis Jesuit, Aurora, Colo. (26-2)**

2. St. Mary’s Stockton, Calif. (31-3)*

3. Reno, Nev. (27-3)**

4. Corona (Calif.) Santiago (29-3)*

5. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (29-5)

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

Records are though Monday.

** Denotes state, conference or national tournament champion

* Season complete

About: The Blue Star Media Go-To 25 Girls Basketball Rankings are released weekly 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 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. Follow him on Twitter at clawlor or BlueStarMedia1, and www.bluestarmedia.org.