No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (NY) sweeps three teams Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings; Texas UIL Class 6A, 5A region playoffs heat up

BENSALEM, Pa. – Back in December when the top two teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings played in Arizona, it was noted this game might just decide who winds up atop the rankings.

When No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) scored a narrow win over No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) the crazy idea that flowed from the championship game the Nike Tournament of Champions Vincent Cannizzaro Bracket in Arizona was: Did we just witness the national championship game?

Two months later, the answer is yes. However, there’s less than two months left in the season with several national postseason and state tournaments to be played. Mitty is unbeaten but won’t have an easy path to the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division final. If they reached the Open Division final on March 9 in Sacramento, the opponent from the Southern Region will be ready for the challenge.

No. 2 LuHi was simply amazing in beating three Elite 25 teams from Florida, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The Lady Crusaders have that one loss and last weekend posted a margin of victory at 23 points. The firing on all cylinder now but what about for the National High School Nationals (formerly known as GEICO Nationals)? After a layoff, the Lady Crusaders will need to regain their form when the tournament is played in Indiana. LuHi has played the nation’s toughest schedule and that’s undebatable.

The next three weekends will provide the answers. One is for sure, if Mitty wins out, they won’t be bounced the from the top spot because they will have nothing left to prove.

In Texas, the University Interscholastic League playoffs have entered the Regional rounds. Three Elite 25 teams from Duncanville, DeSoto and Clark (San Antonio) are alive in Class 6A and all three could advance to the 6A state semifinals in San Antonio next week. In Class 5A, Mansfield Timberview (Arlington) is the favorite but must navigate a tough Region I bracket’s final two rounds this weekend.

The game of the week is in Riverside, Calif., on the campus of California Baptist University. The CIF-Southern Open Division final is Friday as No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) plays No. 5 Etiwanda in the final at 6 p.m. PT. The boys final follows at 8 p.m. Tickets for this powerhouse doubleheader are only sold online. Word to the wise: Buy in advance.

Finally, the Philadelphia Catholic League and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title games are slated for Monday night. The PCL final tips at 6 p.m. ET inside the iconic University of Pennsylvania’s Palestra. Tickets will sell out so buy them now. In Washington, D.C., the WCAC final is at American University’s Bender Arena at 6. Remember both games are the first game of the boys-girls’ championship doubleheader and the seats are going fast.

There was minimal movement and no newcomers in the latest Elite 25 rankings. No. 10 Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) dipped five slots after a blowout loss at No. 2 LuHi but it did win their third straight Morris County Tournament. Morris Catholic enters the New Jersey Non-Public B North Section playoffs this week and shouldn’t be challenged until the final on March 8.

No. 20 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) takes a deserved hit of five positions too after two losses within the Elite 25.

That’ll do it for another week. The season is just slipping away so get out to a game.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on Feb. 28.

Be sure to follow us on X at @clawlor.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 21, 2024

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (26-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: Coach Sue Phillips’ team rolled over St. Francis (Mountain View), 77-36, and Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco), 86-28, in the CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division Pool A play. The Monarchs close out three-game pool play with Pinewood School (Los Altos) Wednesday. The Open Division final is Friday versus the Pool B winner at Santa Clara University.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (20-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: What a great weekend the Lady Crusaders put together with three wins over three Elite 25 teams. In a 63-42 triumph over No. 20 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), Syla Swords had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Kate Koval added 17 point, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Swords struck for 27 points and cleared 8 rebounds in a 73-55 decision over No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy. In an 81-58 win over No. 10 Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.), the Notre Dame-bound Koval had 21 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 block and Kayleigh Heckel scored 16 points and dished out 9 assists. The Lady Crusaders host Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.) Thursday on Senior Night.

3. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (23-2)*

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Idle. The Moose played Perkiomen School (Pennsburg) Tuesday in the Pennsylvania Independent Schools state tournament quarterfinals.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (30-1)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: The Trailblazers reached the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final after sweeping three Pool A playoff games. They defeated Sage Hill School (Newport Beach), 74-52, and Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 81-61. MacKenly Randolph scored 28 points, Jerzy Robinson had 21 and Izela Arenas 14 against Mater Dei.

5. Etiwanda, Calif. (28-3)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Defeated Bishop Montgomery (Norwalk), 83-40, and Ontario Christian, 75-56, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool B playoffs. The Eagles play No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) Friday for the title.

 6. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (24-0)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: The nation’s longest current win streak reached 124 games after two lopsided wins. The regular-season finale was Tuesday vs. John Burroughs (St. Louis). The Red Knight play Riverview Gardens in the Class 6, District 3 quarterfinals on Feb. 28. The semifinals are March 1 and the final is March 4.

7. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (37-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: The Wolves defeated Denton Ryan, 64-44, in the Class 5A, Region I quarterfinals. They play Amarillo Friday in the semifinals.

8. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (33-0)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Won the Class 4A Highland Park Regional title, defeating Taft (Chicago), 65-29. Up next Glenbrook North (Northbrook) Tuesday in the Maine South Sectional semifinals. The final is Thursday in Park Ridge.

9. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (27-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Won the Region 4-AAAAAAA Tournament crown. The Rams opened the Class AAAAAAA state tournament with Richmond Hill.

10. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (23-1)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Won the Morris County Tournament, crushing Chatham, 71-41, in the final. Junior G Mya Pauldo scored 20 points and handed out 4 assists and Alexis Rosenfield cleared 16 rebounds. Also closed out the regular season with an 81-58 loss at No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.). Up next is St. Mary (Rutherford) Monday in the NJSIAA Non-Public B North first round.

11. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (23-3)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Idle.

12. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-3)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: At the LuHi Invitational in New York, the Eagles knocked off then-No. 15 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), 81-72, as Eris Lester scored 21 points and Jaloni Cambridge added 20. Also lost to No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 73-55. Cambridge led the way with 29 points. The regular closes this week with two games.

13. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (22-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: The Lady Cavaliers defeated New Richmond, 84-45, in the Division II sectional first round. Dee Alexander scored 16, Ky’Aira Miller had 13 and Cy’Aira Miller 12. Up next is Hughes (Cincinnati) Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

14. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (23-4)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: The Lady Mustangs went 12-1 in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and are the No. 1 seed for the tournament that tip this weekend. The final is Monday at Bender Arena on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. When the WCAC concludes, the Lady Mustangs are the top seed for the inaugural Maryland Private School State Tournament.

15. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (25-2)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Won twice to secure the Class AAA-Region 8 title.

16. Duncanville, Texas (31-4)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Defeated Lakeridge (Mansfield), 72-33, in the Class 6A, Region 2 quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday.

17. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (27-1)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won District 6-4A title, beating East Hamilton (Ooltewah), 83-13, in the final.

18. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (29-1)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Advanced to the Class 4A championship game after beating Plainfield, 48-34, and Center Grove (Greenwood), 53-40, in the SemiStates. Up next is Lake Central (St. John) Saturday for the 4A title in Indianapolis.

19. DeSoto, Texas (25-5)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Defeated Royse City, 62-28 in the Class 6A Area playoff round. The Panthers met Cedar Hill Tuesday in the Class 6A, Region II quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday.

20. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (21-5)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: It was a lost weekend for the Quakers who fell to No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 81-72, and No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), 63-42.

21. Hazel Green, Ala. (29-4)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Defeated Clay-Chalkville, 57-29, Class 6A Northwest Regional semifinals. The Lady Trojans play Hartselle Tuesday in the regional final with winner going to the state semifinals on Feb. 28.

22. Clark, San Antonio (31-2)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Defeated Cedar Ridge, 65-52, in the Class 6A Area playoff round. Played Cibolo Steele on Tuesday in the Class 6A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

23. Johnston, Iowa (21-0)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Defeated Des Moines North, 79-23, in the Class 5A, Region 1 semifinals and played Sioux City West Tuesday for the region championship.

24. Grace Christian, Sanford, N.C (28-0)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Defeated Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville), 87-71, in the NCISAA 3A quarterfinals. The semifinal matchup with Concord Academy was played Tuesday and if the Crusaders won, they advance to Saturday’s 3A final in Raleigh.

25. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (19-5)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: The Lakers host No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy on Thursday in a showdown of Elite 25 teams.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Thomas Dale, Chester, Va. (21-0)
2. Oakland Catholic, Pittsburgh (22-0)
3. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (21-4)
4. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (18-5)
5. McDonogh, Owings Mills, Md. (25-4)*

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

Midwest

1. Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. (28-3)
2. Verona, Wis. (24-0)
3. Millard West, Omaha, Neb. (22-1)
4. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (22-2)
5. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (27-2)

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

Southland

1. Summer Creek, Houston (32-3)
2. Fort Bend Austin, Sugar Land, Texas (32-2)
3. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (22-5)
4. Walker, La. (34-1)
5. Choctaw, Okla. (22-0)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (24-7)
2. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (27-4)
3. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (28-2)
4. Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, Calif. (25-4)
5. Iolani School, Honolulu (26-3)*

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

Records through Monday’s games.

 * Won state, national or conference postseason tournament championship

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.