MLK Weekend features high-end games for Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ teams at Classic in the Country Challenge (OH), Hoophall Classic (MA) and St. James Classic (VA)

BENSALEM, Pa. – The high school girls’ basketball season has hit that midway point for most. It’s been said, the season is divided into three segments.

First, the opening of the season that goes and includes the holiday tournament schedule through December 31. That middle portion which tips in January (we are currently here) and features district, conference or league games weekly and on most weekends a chance at shootout events that give teams a chance at playing national or regional opponents. Thirdly, the postseason where state champions are crowned and playoff dreams are dashed with one bad outing.

And there’s always a bonus when teams are invited to the High School Nationals or State Champions Invitational in April. That’s only for a select few.

So, we enter the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend with events scattered nationwide that will impact the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. Although the events are too numerous to mention, here are three that can the Elite 25 a jolt.

If you aren’t familiar with the Classic the Country Challenge XX, you need to know the story and the remarkable impact it had on a rural community in Ohio. It’s also a tribute to Tom Jenkins, who championed this special event dedicated to girls hoops. It’s celebrating the 20^th version and features teams from Ohio and Michigan.

Here’s the schedule for three days at Hiland High School in Berlin, Ohio (all schools are from Ohio unless denoted by state):

Saturday

9 a.m.: Tusky Valley (Zoarville) vs Western Brown (Mount Orab)

10:30 a.m.: Waynedale vs Waterford

12 p.m.: Fort Loramie vs Sheridan

1:30 p.m.: Notre Dame Academy (Toledo) vs Wadsworth

3 p.m.: Archbishop Hoban (Akron) vs Teays Valley (Ashville)

4:30 p.m.: Toledo Central Catholic vs Lakota West (West Chester)

6 p.m.: West Holmes (Millersburg) vs Margaretta

7:30 p.m.: Hiland (Berlin) vs Start (Toledo)

Sunday

12 p.m.: Smithville vs Ottawa Glandorf

1:20 p.m.: Archbishop Alter (Kettering) vs Solon

2:40 p.m.: Magnificat (Rocky River) vs Princeton (Cincinnati)

4 p.m.: Lakota West (West Chester) vs Notre Dame (Toledo)

5:20 p.m.: Mason vs Portsmouth

6:40 p.m.: Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse) vs Laurel (Shaker Heights)

8 p.m.: Warrenville Heights vs Kettering Fairmont

Monday

9 a.m.: Fairland (Proctorville) vs Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills)

10:30 a.m.: Olentangy vs Unioto

12 p.m.: Belleville (Mich.) vs Mason

1:30 p.m.: Magnificat (Rocky River) vs Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse)

3 p.m.: Portsmouth vs Laurel (Shaker Heights)

4:30 p.m.: Kettering Fairmont vs Brush (Lyndhurst)

6 p.m.: Strasburg vs West Holmes (Millersburg)

7:30 p.m.: Hiland (Berlin) vs Olmsted Falls

In Springfield, Mass., the Hoophall Classic rolls out four games during the five-day run that starts Thursday in the famous Blake Arena on the campus of Springfield College or the birthplace of the sport. Three of the four games involve Elite 25 teams in appetizing matchups.

Friday: 1 p.m., Springfield (Mass.) Central vs Hamden (Conn.); 4:30 p.m., No. 7 Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) vs. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Saturday: 1:30 p.m., No. 4 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) vs No. 8 Etiwanda (Calif.).

Monday: 9 a.m., No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) vs No. 8 Etiwanda (Calif.).

Also, there’s the St. James MLK Classic in Springfield, Va.: Over three days (Friday, Saturday and Monday), there are eight games involving the Elite 25 teams, both national and regional. The St. James is located at 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield, Va., 22151. The mileage is about 12 miles from Washington, D.C.

This week there are no additions to the Elite 25 rankings but the MLK Weekend could alter the order as it usually does. No. 20 Bradley Central (Cleveland, Tenn.) lost and cratered six spots. No worries for a program with state championship stock.

Finally, congratulations go to Sue Phillips, the coach of No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), who captured her 800^thcoaching victory last Thursday at Presentation (San Jose). She is an accomplished coach, having guided the USA U- 16 and 17 women’s teams to international glory and gold medals, but this year the Monarchs are in line to win it all on the prep level.

The Monarchs are 11-0 and atop the girls’ basketball universe after winning the Nike Tournament of Champions Vincent Cannizzaro Bracket in Mesa, Ariz., and the POA Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore., last month in back-to-back weeks.

Can Mitty run the table?

Simple answer is yes. The schedule is favorable now that the heavy lifting is nearly over in the regular season. The California Interscholastic Federation Central Coast Section playoffs won’t start until mid-February with the CIF State Open Division final on March 8 or 9 in Sacramento. Navigating the CIF playoffs can be tricky but the Monarchs are in good hands.

The Monarchs have a great mix of young and experienced players that headed places, including super sophomore McKenna Woliczko and UConn-bound and likely McDonald’s All American Morgan Cheli. That might be enough to push them over the finish line but there are two months remaining.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return on Jan. 17.

The rankings will reflect the numerous national games that will be played over the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend especially the ones in Massachusetts, Virginia and Ohio.

There are still few weekend events left that will reveal new teams or keep the status quo with key Elite 25 teams.

Be sure to follow us on X at @clawlor. Have a great week.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 10, 2024

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (11-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Coach Sue Phillips picked up her 800^th victory in a 79-8 victory over Presentation (San Jose). The Monarchs have two West Catholic Athletic League games this week before playing Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) Monday in the MLK Classic in Oakland.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (10-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Syla Swords poured in 28 points and grabbed 5 rebounds and Kayleigh Heckel added 21 points and dished out 6 assists in a 74-30 victory over Fort Erie International Academy (Ontario) at the Blue Star Showcase in Philadelphia. Up next the Lady Crusaders face Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.) at the Rose Classic in Brooklyn, N.Y. Saturday and No. 8 Etiwanda (Calif.) Monday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (14-1)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Defeated Somerset Prep (North Lauderdale), 63-38, and Miami Country Day, 50-39, at the Star Under the Sun Classic in Davie, Fla. Also beat St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), 53-42. The Eagles play two games of their three scheduled games this weekend at the St. James MLK Classic in Springfield, Va.

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (6-1)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Defeated Bullis School (Potomac, Md.), 65-57, and Potomac School (McLean, Va.), 51-42. The Quakers are off to the Hoophall Classic this weekend.

5. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (9-2)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Freshman G Jessie Moses pumped in 20 points and classmate Jordyn Palmer added 15 to turn back Fort Erie (Ontario) International, 68-40. The dup teamed for 29 points in an easy 62-42 win over Shabach Christian Academy (Landover, Md.) at the Blue Star Showcase in Philadelphia.

6. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (16-1)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Defeated Harvard-Westlake (Studio City), 96-39, and Chaminade (West Hills), 96-39, in the Mission League. Super sophomore Jerzy Robinson scored 27 points and cleared 10 rebounds and Louisville-bound MacKenly Randolph had a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds in the latter game. Earlier last week, Randolph had 28 points, 8 board and 5 assist and  rebounds and five assists and Izela Arenas netted in 25 points.

7. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (10-0)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Defeated Parsippany Hills, 94-21, as Mia Paulo contributed 19 points and 10 assists, and Hanover Park, 82-39, as Jacqueline Edelman topped four players in double figures with 19 points. Also beat Red Bank Catholic, 49-46, at the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase in Lincroft, N.J.

8. Etiwanda, Calif. (13-2)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Defeated Chino Hills, 82-36, to open Baseline League action. The Eagles have a busy week with two league games and two more at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts against Elite 25 powers.

9. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (13-0)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Idle. The Lakers have three games this week, tipping with Florida powerhouse Lake Highlands Prep (Orlando) Thursday.

10. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (11-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Won for the 111^th consecutive time, defeating Bartlett (Tenn.), 58-45, and

Park Hill South (Riverside, Mo.), 70-45, both at the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. Senior Zoe Bell scored 18 points against Park Hill South.

11. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (26-1)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated Glen Rose, 51-38, and Seguin, 75-25 in District 8-5A play.

12. Clark, San Antonio (22-1)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Defeated San Antonio Roosevelt, 68-28, and San Antonio Churchill, 55-41.

13. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (15-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated Mainland (Dayton Beach), 56-31. It was a quiet week for the Ascenders.

14. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (14-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: Defeated Brookwood (Snellville), 61-28, and Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.), 62-55.

15. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (13-1)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Idle.

16. Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, Pa. (11-0)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Defeated Georgetown Visitation (Washington, D.C.), 39-34, at the Blue Star Showcase in Philadelphia. The Lions play two of the top teams from the Philadelphia Catholic League this week in Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) Tuesday and Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) Friday.

17. Duncanville, Texas (20-3)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Defeated Cedar Hill, 72-45, and Waxahachie, 84-31. The Pantherettes are 5-0 in District 11-6A.

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

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Defeated St. Francis (Alpharetta), 65-57.

19. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (18-0)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Idle.

20. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (14-1)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Lost to Wesleyan School (Peachtree Corners, Ga.), 67-57.

21. Bolingbrook, Ill. (15-2)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: The Raiders crushed South Bend (Ind.) Washington, 75-52.

22. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (19-1)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Defeated Carmel, 52-29, for a 14^th straight win. The Bears host Lawrence North (Indianapolis) Thursday with four games left in the regular season.

23. DeSoto, Texas (13-5)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: The Panthers went 2-0 last week.

24. Hazel Green, Ala. (18-4)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Defeated McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 50-40, and Muscle Shoals (Ala.), 66-31.

25. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (10-3)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: In the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, the Mustangs defeated Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 94-30. Also stopped South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.), 83-59.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (10-1)
2. Thomas Dale, Chester, Va. (10-0)
3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (8-2)
4. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (8-2)
5. Oakland Catholic, Pittsburgh (13-0)

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

Midwest

1. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (16-1)
2. Johnston, Iowa (12-0)
3. Minnetonka, Minn. (10-0)
4. West Bloomfield, Mich. (5-0)
5. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (10-1)

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

Southland

1. Grace Christian Sanford, N.C (16-0)
2. Buford, Ga. (12-1)
3. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (12-4)
4. Fort Bend Austin, Sugar Land, Texas (23-1)
5. Lafayette (La.) Christian (18-0)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (14-5)
2. Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, Calif. (13-2)
3. Folsom, Calif. (11-3)
4. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (14-3)
5. Clackamas, Ore. (5-2)

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

Records through Monday’s games.

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.