BENSALEM, Pa. – Two of the most significant states in the high school girls’ basketball world are back in the news. Two of the three newcomers to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings reside in Illinois and Texas—both fresh off a state championship runs—and third hails from New Jersey.

All three are familiar to the Elite 25 and No. 25 Manasquan still has heavy lifting left this postseason.

In Illinois, No. 19 Geneva, did the improbable by repeating in Class 4A. Frankly the win blindsided many as Geneva took down then-No. 17 Montini Catholic (Lombard) in the final last weekend in Peoria. No. 19 Amarillo, a school from the Texas Panhandle, sprung another upset to capture the UIL Class 5A crown. The Lady Sandies beat then-No. 19 Mansfield Timberview by five points in the final. Manasquan need three wins to bag the New Jersey Group 2 title and then two in the State Tournament of Champions for overall supremacy.

The clock is ticking on the GEICO Nationals. Though it’s only a four team field, the bracket needs to be filled out by early next week in preparation for the event that tips on March 30 two semifinal games at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y. The championship is March 31.

So here’s what we know—Hamilton Heights Christian (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Winter Haven (Fla.) are in with two spots remaining to round out the field. My guess is that Central Valley (Veradale, Wash.) or a state champion from Georgia (to be crowned this weekend) will selected. Schools from Maryland, Arizona, Florida and Utah are still under consideration.

The final word should leak out no later than March 13.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from regional events and the state tournaments. We are the leaders in the girls’ basketball world. The Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on March 14. After that ranking there are two more left in the campaign. Time flies when you are having fun!

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball rankings, March 7, 2018

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (27-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Won the CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division title, defeating Pinewood School (Los Altos), 76-62, in the final and Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto), 72-45, in the semifinals. The Monarchs road to a state title became more difficult with the loss of San Diego-bound C/F Nicole Blakes (knee injury) for the balance of the season. Having said that the journey starts Friday with Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) in the CIF-Northern California Region Open Division first round.

2. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (26-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won the CHSAA Brooklyn-Queen Diocesan Class AA crown, topping St. Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows), 53-43, in the final and Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood), 55-39, in semifinals. Next is the Catholic State AA semifinal versus Cardinal Spellman (Bronx) Friday. The final is Saturday evening.

3. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (33-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: The Lady Warriors are three wins from winning a state championship after stopping East Hamilton (Chattanooga), 78-38, in the Class AAA sectionals. They also won the Region 4-AAA championship, defeating Blackman (Murfreesboro), 70-47. Next up is Ravenwood (Brentwood) in the AAA first round Wednesday.

4. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (24-2)*

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Idle. The Lady Hawks are headed to the GEICO Nationals on March 30 in New York.

5. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (32-2)* *

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won the District of Columbia State Athletic Association Championship for the fourth time in five season, downing Georgetown Visitation, 65-40, in the final. The Cadets also beat Anacostia, 83-66, in the semifinals and Washington Latin, 66-28, in the quarterfinals. Freshman sensation Azzi Fudd, who earlier in the week was named the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year, scored 22 points in the final to take home the Most Valuable Player award. Season complete.

6. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (26-2)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: The Rams bagged their 11th straight CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section championship, downing Folsom, 71-48, in the Division I final. Florida-bound Ariel Johnson flipped in 26 points. The win extended their playoff win streak to 44 games. They also stopped Lincoln (Stockton), 92-42, in the semifinals. Next up is the CIF-Northern California Region Open Division first game encounter with Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) Friday.

7. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (32-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Bearettes punched their ticket to the state tournament after eliminating Blackman (Murfreesboro), 63-34, in the Class AAA sectional final. They also defeated East Hamilton (Chattanooga), 74-31, in the Region 3-AAA final. The AAA tournament tips off against Daniel Boone (Gray) on Wednesday in Murfreesboro.

8. Centennial, Las Vegas (29-3)*

Previous: 8.

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

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

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Defeated L.C. Byrd (Chesterfield), 73-49, in the Class 5 quarterfinals. C Brianna Jackson posted a double-double with 26 points and 18 rebounds. The Cavaliers played Highland Springs on Tuesday in the semifinals.

10. Westlake, Atlanta (29-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Defeated North Forsyth (Cumming), 52-44, and then-No. 14 Collins Hill (Suwanee), 59-34, in the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. Next up is the state final against Newton (Covington) Saturday in Atlanta.

11. Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C. (30-0)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: The Bulldogs are back in the 4A state title game after beating Laney (Wilmington), 55-39, in 4A East final. Sophomore Anya Poole contributed 16 points and 18 rebounds. Also beat Green Hope (Cary), 77-53, in the semifinals. Next up is Northwest Guilford (Greensboro) for the championship at UNC’s Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

12. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (29-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Downed Stratford Academy (Macon), 51-32, in the Class A-Private semifinals and Christian Heritage School (Dalton), 86-49, in the quarterfinals. Next up is the state final against rivals Wesleyan School (Peachtree Corners) on Friday in Atlanta.

13. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (30-4)*

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Panthers won their 12th consecutive Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I title, defeating league rivals Bishop Ireton (Alexandria), 52-51. They also topped Bishop O’Connell (Arlington), 53-35, in the semifinals and St. Catherine’s School (Richmond), 81-44, in the quarterfinals. It marked the program’s fourth straight season with at least 30 wins. Season complete.

14. Baldwin, N.Y. (21-1)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won a fifth straight Class AA Nassau County championship, crushing Massapequa, 60-24, in the final. Jenna Annecchiarico topped all scorers with 16 points and Aziah Hudson had 14. The Bruins play Commack Thursday for the Long Island AA championship Thursday in Brentwood.

15. Winter Haven, Fla. (32-1)*

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won the Class 8A championship, defeating Nova (Davie), 56-45, in the final. The Blue Devils stretched the lead to 20 points in the fourth quarter and coasted to third straight title. Zakiyah Franklin scored 20 points and Diamond Battles added 17. Also defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee), 54-29, in the semifinals as Franklin contributed 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Expect the Blue Devils to receive an invitation to the GEICO Nationals later this month in New York. Regular season is complete.

16. Plano, Texas (35-6)*

Previous: 21.

Low-down: In a remarkable postseason run, the Lady Wildcats won the Class 6A state championship, defeating Converse Judson, 62-58, in the final. Lolo Davenport had 14 points and nine rebounds and sophomore F Jordyn Merritt scored 15 in the title game. Zaria Collins and Merritt scored 16 points apiece to defeat Cypress Creek (Houston), 64-53, in the semifinals. Season complete.

17. Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn. (28-0)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Defeated Hastings, 61-39, in the Class AAAA Section 3 semifinals and

Eagan, 63-24, in the first round. The Thunder squares off with crosstown rivals Apple Valley on Wednesday in the sectional final.

18. Geneva, Ill. (31-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won second straight Class 4A state title, upsetting then-No. 17 Montini Catholic (Lombard), 28-26. Stephanie Hart’s jumper from inside the three-point line with three seconds left snapped a 26-all tie. Season complete.

19. Amarillo, Texas (40-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Class 5A state championship, beating then-No. 19 Mansfield Timberview, 59-54, in the final. It was the program’s first appearance in the state final since 1994 and fifth overall at the state tournament. Ashlyn Milton scored 17 points and Tatym Barnes had 13. Season complete.

20. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (34-3)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Lost to Geneva, 28-26, Class 4A final but defeated then-No. 10 Edwardsville, 37-30, in the semifinals. Season complete.

21. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (25-0)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won the WPIAL Class AAAAAA title, thumping Peters Township (McMurray), 79-48, in the final and Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh), 34-20, in the semifinals. The Tigers are the 14th WPIAL girls’ team to win a title—the program’s third overall—going undefeated. Freshman Lizzie Groetsch pumped in 18 points, making 7 of 8 shots in the final. The PIAA Class AAAAAA tournament opens Friday versus Upper St. Clair.

22. Duncanville, Texas (39-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Advanced to the Class 6A, Region I final. Season featured a 34-game win streak. Season complete.

23. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (18-1)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won the Class C District 74 title, trouncing Detroit Central, 84-11, and Cristo Rey (Detroit), 64-10, in the semifinals. The Pioneers played New Haven on Tuesday in the Regional 19 semifinals.

24. Mercer County, Harrodsburg, Ky. (32-3)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Bears are headed to the Sweet Sixteen State Tournament after winning the 12th Region championship, stopping Casey County (Liberty), 60-42, in the title game, Lincoln County (Stanford), 67-64, in the semifinals and Rockcastle County (Mount Vernon), 84-49, in the quarterfinals. Next up is Murray in the first round Wednesday at Northern Kentucky University’s BB&T Arena in Newport.

25. Manasquan, N.J. (27-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: New Jersey’s top-ranked team is steamrolling to another Group 2 state title but the real prize is taking home the State Tournament of Champions chip. Played Lincoln (Jersey City) Tuesday in the Central Jersey Section final. The state final is Sunday in Toms River.

Dropped out: No. 10 Edwardsville, Ill.; No. 14 Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga.; and No. 19 Mansfield (Texas) Timberview

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (24-4)* *
2. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (22-5)*
3. St. Rose, Belmar, N.J. (24-3)
4. Ossining, N.Y. (21-3)
5. Newton South, Newton Centre, Mass. (21-1)

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

Midlands

1. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (24-2)
2. Richwoods, Peoria, Ill. (35-1)*
3. Maine West, Des Plaines, Ill. (32-2)
4. Northwestern, Kokomo, Ind. (29-1)*
5. Mukwonago, Wis. (24-2)

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

South

1. Mansfield (Texas) Timberview (40-3)
2. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-3)
3. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (31-1)*
4. Choctaw Central, Philadelphia, Miss. (32-1)
5. Hazel Green, Ala. (35-2)*

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

Far West

1. Central Valley, Veradale, Wash. (27-0)*
2. Windward School, Los Angeles (23-3)
3. Southridge, Beaverton. Ore. (25-1)
4. Konawaena, Kealakekua, Hawaii (26-2)*
5. Regis Jesuit, Aurora, Colo. (23-3)

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. Teams with fifth-year or reclassified players won’t be considered. 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter @clawlor.