No. 15 Incarnate Word Academy (MO) sets national win streak record with No. 18 Etiwanda (CA) on tap; No. 7 Mater Dei (CA) scales Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Just when a national record for consecutive victories was established on Saturday, Jan. 11, but how long will it last?

No. 15 Incarnate Word Academy of Bel Nor, Missouri won its record-shattering 139^th straight game on Saturday, Jan.10 after a 68-51 triumph over Blue Valley North (Overland, Kan.) at the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. The Red Knights bumped the streak to 140 games the next day, beating Whitney Young (Chicago).

The win streak launched in 2020 and includes five consecutive Class 6 state titles. The Red Knights’ last loss occurred against Rock Bridge (Columbia)on Feb. 8, 2020. The previous standard was set by Central Plains (Claflin, Kan.).

It was a great triumph for coach Dan Rolfes who experienced a near-death experience last March at the Class 6 state tournament. Rolfes made a recovery and was cleared to coach over the summer.

The streak could be in jeopardy on Monday, Jan. 20 against No. 18 Etiwanda (Calif.) at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. That’s two national programs butting heads on a neutral court. The game tips at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNU. The Red Knights also host Mater Dei (Breese) on Thursday, Jan. 16 before departing for the East Coast.

Regardless, congratulations to Rolfes and his coaching staff and all the players for a tremendous accomplishment.

Elsewhere, the Dr. Martin Luther King weekend is here and will stretch from Thursday, Jan. 16 until Monday, Jan. 20. There are plenty of events nationwide when we honor a great American.

The granddaddy of the events is at the birthplace of basketball with the Hoophall Classic, a five-day bonanza of hoops and a celebration of the sport played in the iconic Blake Arena on the Springfield College campus. There are 22 teams, both boys and girls, from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. There are a total of seven girls’ games.

The tickets go fast but check here.

Hoophall Schedule

Thursday
1 PM – Boys – Newton North, Mass. vs. Albany, Calif.

3 PM – Girls – Springfield Central, Mass. vs. Holy Cross, Conn.

4:30 PM – Boys – Andover, Mass. vs. Notre Dame, Conn.

6 PM – Boys – Burke, Mass,  vs. East Catholic, Conn.

7:30 PM – Boys – Pope Francis, Mass. vs. Holyoke, Mass.

9 PM – Boys – Putnam Vocational, Mass. vs. Springfield Central, Mass.

Friday

1 PM – Boys – Ridgefield, Conn. vs. Santa Barbara, Calif.

3 PM – Girls – Christ the King, N.Y. vs. Ontario Christian School, Calif.

4:30 PM – Girls – Sidwell Friends, D.C. vs. Archbishop Mitty, Calif.

6PM  – Boys – IMG Academy, Fla.  vs. Wasatch Academy, Utah

7:30 PM – Boys – Oak Hill Academy, Va. vs. Montverde Academy, Fla.

9 PM – Boys – Springfield Central vs. Peabody Magnet, La.

Saturday, Session 1

9 AM – Girls – Sacred Heart Academy, Conn. vs. Christ the King

10:30 AM – Boys – Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Ga. vs. St. Joseph, Calif.

12 PM – Boys – Brewster Academy, N.H. vs. IMG Academy

1:30 PM – Girls – Morris Catholic, N.J. vs. Archbishop Mitty

Session 2

4 PM – Boys – St. Paul VI Catholic, Va. vs. St. John Bosco, Calif.

5:30 PM – Boys – Columbus, Miami, Fla. vs. Notre Dame, Calif.

7 PM – Boys – Grayson, Ga. vs. Sierra Canyon School, Calif.
9 PM – Boys – La Lumiere School, Ind. vs. Wasatch Academy

Sunday, Session 1

8:30 AM – Boys – Sidwell Friends vs. Owyhee, Idaho

10 AM – Boys – DeMatha, Md. vs. Whitney Young, Chicago

11:30 PM – Boys – Archbishop Stepinac, N.Y. vs. Richmond Heights, Ohio
1 PM – Boys – Brewster Academy vs. Oak Hill Academy (on ESPN+)

Session 2

3:15 PM – Boys – Long Island Lutheran, N.Y, vs. Arizona Compass Prep, Ariz.  (ESPN+)
5 PM – Girls – Long Island Lutheran vs. IMG Academy (ESPN2)
7 PM – Boys – Montverde Academy vs. Utah Prep (ESPN2)
8:45 PM – Boys – Highland School, Va. vs. Prolific Prep, Calif.

Monday, MLK Day (All games live on ESPNU)

9 AM – Girls – Incarnate Word School, Mo. vs. Etiwanda, Calif.
11 AM – Boys – Gonzaga, D.C. vs. Roosevelt, Calif.

1 PM – Boys – Columbus vs. Perry, Ariz.
3 PM – Boys – Montverde Academy vs. Arizona Compass Prep
5 PM – Boys – Long Island Lutheran vs. La Lumiere School

In Springfield, Va., it’s The St. James 2025 MLK Classic. Games will be played over three days with 17 enticing matchups. The teams are mostly from the DMV.

Check out the schedule at the St. James flagship facility near Washington, D.C.

In Ohio, there are three big-time events. The most storied event is the Classic in the Country Challenge at Hiland High School in Berlin. The three-day schedule (starting Saturday morning) ticket information.

The MLK Showdown 2025 runs Saturday through Monday at Big Walnut High School in Sunbury. There are 16 games featuring teams from Canada, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. The top matchup is No. 17 Lawrence Central (Indianapolis) vs. No. 25 Purcell Marian (Cincinnati) on Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are available here.

Just down the road at Pickerington Central High School, the Classic in the City also runs Saturday through Monday. The schedule is packed with talent and you can get tickets at the door.

In Atlanta, the HIES MLK Classic is a one-day powerhouse event at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School on Monday, Jan. 20, beginning at 9 a.m. ET. Here’s where to get tickets. Your phone is your ticket. Fourteen games will run on two courts simultaneously at the school’s athletic facility.

This week there are no additions to the Elite 25 but should change next time around. Too many events, too many impactful games, we’re banking on it. No. 7 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) rose 12 positions and entered the week with a 17-2 mark.

Okay, that’s it for the first week of January. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return on Wednesday, Jan. 22, reflecting the happenings from the Dr. Martin Luther King weekend.

In Southern California, people are in need after the wildfires continue to ravage the surrounding Los Angeles area.

According to published reports, there have been at least 24 deaths and more than 15,000 structures and homes destroyed with the Santa Ana winds returning Tuesday. Think about donating here to the Red Cross to assist the relief efforts. No dollar amount is too small. Prayers are always appreciated.

Before we sign off, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is worth reviewing.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

In other words, ethics and core values always count in large amounts.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 15, 2025

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (11-0)

Previous rank: 2.

The Lowdown: Taylor Brown put up 32 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds and Olivia Jones added 18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in a 77-69 victory over Bullis School (Potomac, Md.) at the Capitol Hoop Challenge in Hyattsville, Md. The Lady Crusaders entertain Saddle River (N.J.) Day on Thursday before going to the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts to play No. 8 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Sunday, Jan. 19.

2. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (22-1)

Previous: 2.

The Lowdown: Defeated Rancho Christian (Temecula), 95-69, and St. Joseph (Santa Maria), 72-34. In the former game, sophomore Kaleena Smith scored 29 point and Alanna Neale added 24. The Knights trailed 23-22 before unleashing a 31-12 spurt for a 53-35 lead. The Knights meet Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

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

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Tennessee-bound Mia Pauldo scored 20 points and had two steals and Morgan Fulston had 9 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks in a 56-47 victory over Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic at the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase in Lakewood, N.J. The Lady Crusaders meet No. 4 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) Saturday at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

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

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: The Monarchs swept league opponents Valley Christian (San Jose), 84-26, and St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco), 60-45. They play two Elite 25 teams this weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

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

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: Jerzy Robinson posted 30 points and 11 rebounds and Payton Montgomery had 20 points and 5 rebounds in an 85-47 victory over Marlborough School (Los Angeles). Two games were cancelled by the wildfires.

6. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (13-1)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: The Eagles have home games with Elite 25 teams No. 16 Bradley Central (Cleveland, Tenn.)  on Friday and Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Ga.) on Monday.

7. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (17-2)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Defeated Lynwood, 70-30, at the Play 4 Kay/Matt Denning event. The Monarchs have three games this week in the Trinity League.

8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (12-3)

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: The Ascenders will play top-ranked Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Sunday afternoon at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

9. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (18-0)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: Defeated Carroll (Fort Wayne), 75-43. The Royals meet Westfield on Friday, Jan. 17 in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game.

10. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (19-0)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: Defeated Central (Fresno), 61-22.

11. Conway, Ark. (18-1)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Defeated Southwest (Little Rock), 87-23, in the 6A Central Conference opener.

12. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (11-1)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: The Lady Mustangs defeated two of the top teams from the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference in defeating St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 64-43, and Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 66-54.

13. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (13-3)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: The Moose won two games last week with super sophomore Jordyn Palmer surpassing 1,000 career points with a 31-point performance against Shipley School (Bryn Mawr, Pa.).

14. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (15-1)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Three games are on tap this week, including Florida power Dr. Phillips (Orlando) on Monday.

15. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (8-0)

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: The national record winning streak reached 140 consecutive games when the Red Knights defeated Whitney Young (Chicago), 78-59, at the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. In the record breaker, they beat Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kan.), 68-51, for a 139^th straight win. The last loss was on Feb. 8, 2020. The Red Knights have won the last five Missouri Class 6 state championships.

16. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (17-0)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: Defeated Howard (Chattanooga), 104-11.

17. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (16-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Bears face No. 25 Purcell Marian (Cincinnati) on Monday, Jan. 20 in Columbus, Ohio.

18. Etiwanda, Calif. (12-4)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Defeated Mission Hills (San Marcos), 82-55, and Chino Hills, 69-23. The Eagles are scheduled to play this weekend at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

19. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (11-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: It was a limited schedule but the Quakers beat Maret School (Washington), 68-46, in the Independent School League.

20. Converse (Texas) Judson (27-1)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Defeated Canyon, 70-30, and San Marcos, 63-27.

21. Johnston, Iowa (11-0)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Defeated Waukee, 63-42, and Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill), 81-41.

22. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (8-2)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Defeated crosstown rivals Mercy Academy, 72-32.

23. Belleville, Mich. (9-0)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: The Tigers host Dearborn Fordson Tuesday and Stevenson (Livonia) Friday.

24. Duncanville, Texas (19-5)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: The Pantherettes had a first-place showdown with Cedar Hill on Tuesday, Jan. 14 as both teams had 6-0 records in District 11-6A.

25. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (7-4)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: Idle.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (12-0)
2. Bishop Ireton, Alexandria, Va. (11-2)
3. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (13-1)
4. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (9-3)
5. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (8-0)

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

Midwest

1. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (17-1)
2. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (13-0)
3. Lyons, La Grange, Ill. (19-1)
4. Kenwood, Chicago (18-1)
5. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (10-2)

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

Southland

1. Boswell, Fort Worth, Texas (27-2)
2. Walker, La. (23-0)
3. Lincoln, Dallas (25-2)
4. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City (14-1)
5. Langston Hughes, Fairburn, Ga. (13-1)

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

Far West

1. Clackamas, Ore. (8-2)
2. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (8-3)
3. Ridgeline, Millville, Utah (15-0)
4. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (14-3)
5. Mesquite, Gilbert, Ariz. (15-1)

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

Records through Monday

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 at @clawlor.