No. 22 Duncanville (TX) returns to Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings; No. 23 Nazareth Academy (IL) enters with Illinois Class 3A title in sight

BENSALEM, Pa. – Two of the nation’s top states for girls’ basketball are the latest additions to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. Illinois and Texas, both of which started the postseason this week, continue to produce team worthy of national attention,

No. 22 Duncanville (Texas) re-enter the Elite 25 and won their first postseason assignment in the Class 6A bi-district round on Monday. The Pantherettes are 31-6 and will have their hands full provided they reached the Region II tournament.

In Illinois, Nazareth Academy (La Grange Park) is a dangerous team in Class 3A. the Roadrunners (27-2) finished the regular season with a blaze of glory, winning the East Suburban Catholic Conference Tournament and then took down No. 25 Stevenson (Lincolnshire) by 12 points. Stevenson enters the playoffs as Illinois’ top-ranked Class 4A team. Nazareth stamped themselves as Chicagoland’s best team with the victory and should reach 3A final next month at Redbird Arena in Normal. Nazareth opened sectional play on Monday and will play for the title on Friday. It’ll be an intense two-plus weeks leading up to the state semifinals on March 4.

On the East Coast, the postseason for the most part is two weeks out but in the City of Brotherly Love, it’s only the beginning.

One of the great traditions in girls’ basketball is back: the Philadelphia Catholic League Tournament. When the girls’ game was hardly embraced, the PCL did and sold out arenas and gyms in the 1940s. The tournament lives on and thankfully there were enough sane minds that allowed these pioneers to plant the seeds to blossom.

The tournament tips off Wednesday with eight teams and Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.) is the No. 1 seed and earned it on the court after going 10-0 in league play. The Patriots are led by Drexel-bound guard Grace O’Neill, who recently surpassed the 1,000-career point barrier. The Patriots are searching for their first title since 2019. Archbishop Wood (Warminster), the third seed, is the defending champion.

Here’s a look at the tournament matchups (seed numbers precede teams):

Quarterfinals

Feb. 17
No. 8 West Catholic at No. 1 Archbishop Carroll – 5:00 p.m.
No. 7 St. Hubert’s at No. 2 Cardinal O’Hara – 7:00 p.m.
No. 6 Conwell-Egan at No. 3 Archbishop Wood – 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Neumann-Goretti at No. 4 Lansdale Catholic – 6:00 p.m.
Semifinals
Feb. 22

To be played at Conwell-Egan (Fairless Hills)
5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Finals Doubleheader
Feb. 28

6:15 p.m. (girls) and 8 p.m. (boys) at the Palestra.

If you plan on attending the semifinals or finals, the tickets are going fast.

In a sign of the times, Juju Watkins, who many consider the top player in the Class of 2023, has signed with Clutch Sports Group for NIL representation. Watkins, who plays for Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.), is the first high school athlete to be represented by Clutch.

Last summer, Watkins was a member of the USA U16 Women’s National Team that won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas. She was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Klutch is part of United Talent Agency, which and represents LeBron James, whose sons, Bronny and Bryce, attend Sierra Canyon too.

That’s it for the second week in February.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return on Feb. 23. We’ll give an update on the Hawaii state tournaments that will be contested this weekend in Honolulu. The state championships will come fast and furious in the coming weeks.

Please stay safe, mask up and get vaccinated or a booster shot. We’re almost there when mandates won’t be in effect.

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

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 16, 2022

1. Etiwanda, Calif. (25-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Elite 25’s top-ranked team opened the postseason, topping Windward (Los Angeles), 71-58, in a California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division Pool A game. The Lady Eagles were up three points after three quarters but finished with a 21-11 run. The round-robin event continues with Rosary (Fullerton) on Wednesday and Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Saturday. The Open Division final is Feb. 26.

2. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (21-0)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: The Red Knights downed Lift for Life (St. Louis), 80-39, Visitation (Frontenac), 86-32, and Notre Dame de Sion (Kansas City), 85-25. Junior guard Violet McNece  scored 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting on 3-pointers against Visitation and junior center Natalie Potts recorded 20 points and 9 rebounds versus Lift for Life. Three games remain in the regular season.

3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (22-0)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Madison St. Rose (26 points) and junior Zoe Brooks teamed for 50 and the Lady Lancers wipe out Rutgers Prep (Somerset), 87-48. Also bounced Red Bank Regional, 79-32, and Freehold Borough, 61-20. The Lady Lancers rescheduled a showdown game with No. 4 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) to be played on Sunday in Wilmington, Delaware and were awarded the top seed in the Shore Conference Tournament will play Thursday in the second round.

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (19-0)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Defeated Georgetown Visitation (Washington), 71-49, and Bullis School (Potomac, Md.), 68-25. The Quakers meet No. 3 St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.) on Sunday afternoon in a rescheduled game in Wilmington, Delaware.

5. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (20-2)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: The Lady Tigers beat Shining Star Sports Academy (Petersburg, Va.), 73-48. Up next is the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament in Dayton, Tennessee from Feb. 22-25.

6. DeSoto, Texas (27-2)

Previous rank: 6.

The Low-down: The District 11-6A champions are ready to defend their Class 6A state title and played Belton on Tuesday in the Region II bi-district playoffs.

7. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (22-0) #

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: The defending Ohio Division I champions opened the district play, beating Oak Hills (Cincinnati), 55-35, in the first round. Abby Wolterman had 16 points and 12 rebounds. The Cougars meet Monroe on Wednesday in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Monday.

8. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (18-1)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Defeated Eden Prairie, 76-58, and Wayzata (Plymouth), 67-57. Arizona-bound Maya Nnaji totaled 43 points in two games.

9. Cedar Park, Texas (31-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The Lady Timberwolves clinched a perfect run in District 25-5A with a 14-0 record after dispatching Georgetown, 50-24. It was the fifth straight district title and they are 69-0 in  district play since 2017. In the bi-district playoffs, the Lady Timberwolves crushed Seguin, 73-23, and play San Antonio Edison in the Area round.

10. Classen SAS, Oklahoma City (17-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: The Lady Comets were up 32-0 after one quarter and went on to defeat Western Hills (Oklahoma City) by 74 points. Up next is the Class 4A, Area III Regional playoffs on Feb. 24.

11. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (21-2)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Defeated The Bishop’s School (La Jolla), 78-40. The Torreys open the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division playoffs with Westview (San Diego) in the quarterfinals on Friday.

12. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (24-1)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Defeated Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 79-28, in Pool B action from the CIF-Southern Section Open Division. The Blazers have two more pool games this week hosting Orangewood Academy (Garden Grove) on Wednesday and Corona Centennial on Saturday. The Open Division final is Feb. 26 against the winner of Pool A.

13. Hazel Green, Ala. (31-0)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: After capturing their eighth consecutive Class 6A, Area 16 title over Athens, 61-32; the Lady Trojans thrashed Fort Payne, 73-16, in the Class 6A sub-regional round. Up next is Hartselle on Friday in the regional semifinals.

14. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (21-1)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: The Monarchs won the West Catholic Athletic League title with a sparkling 10-0 mark. The CIF-Central Coast Open Division playoffs start this week.

15. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (20-0)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Knights opened the Division I playoffs, beating Akron North, 75-11, in the sectional first round. They face Euclid on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

16. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-3)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Idle. Janiah Barker, a Georgia signee and McDonald’s All American, and teammate Texas-bound Jordana Cordio have been nominated for Florida’s Miss Basketball award.

17. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (22-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Georgia’s top-ranked team regardless of class closed the season with two more wins. The Golden Bears open the Private Class A-Region 5 playoffs this week. Sophomore Zaynah Preston was named All-Region 5A-Private First Team and junior forward Olivia Hutcherson was named Region Player of the Year.

18. Hoover, Ala. (30-3)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Won the Class 7A, Area 5 title, beating Oak Mountain (Birmingham), 75-32, in the final.

19. Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga. (22-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: The War Eagles won the Region 3-AAAAA title and don’t play again Thursday. Georgia-bound Sydney Bowles was named Region 3-AAAAA Player of the Year and junior Sara Lewis and senior Mackenzie Moring were first team all-region.

20. Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (21-1)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Bruins defeated Jefferson City, 43-40, Staley, 45-35, and Smith-Cotton (Sedalia), 93-27. In the latter victory, sophomore Charlie Smith scored a game-high 19 points and freshman Mari Miller had 18.

21. Carondelet, Concord, Calif. (24-2)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won the East Bay Athletic League Tournament, crushing San Ramon Valley (Danville), 64-49. The Cougars are the top seed in the CIF-North Coast Section Open Division and won’t play until the semifinals on Feb. 23.

22. Duncanville, Texas (31-6)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Pantherettes return to the Elite 25 after an overwhelming win over Temple, 69-39, in the Class 6A, Region II bi-district playoffs. Later this week is an Area round game and next week is Region II finals.

23. Nazareth Academy, LaGrange Park, Ill. (27-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The East Suburban Catholic Conference Tournament champions are one of the favorites in the Illinois Class 3A and last week knocked off No. 25 Stevenson (Lincolnshire), 45-33, in the regular-season finale. Danni Scully topped all scorers with 17 points and Mary Bridget Wilson added 10. Junior Amalia Dray and senior Grace Carstensen and Scully were named all-conference this season. In the Class 3A sectionals, the Roadrunners played Noble/Mansueto (Chicago) on Tuesday in the semifinals. The final is Friday against Good STEM Academy (Chicago).

24. DME Sports Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (23-3)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Split two games last week, including a shock loss to Central Pointe Christian (Kissimmee), 64-56.

25. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (30-2)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Patriots opened the Class 4A sectionals with a convincing 66-24 win over Zion-Benton. Simone Sawyer, a Penn recruit, paced a balanced scoring attack with 12 points. Up next is Warren (Gurnee) or Round Lake on Friday in the sectional final.

Dropped: No. 22 Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville, Ky.) and No. 23 Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (13-4)
2. South Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y. (21-0)
3. Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (20-1)
4. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (17-2)
5. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (13-1)

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

Midwest

1. Franklin, Ind. (27-1)
2. Johnston, Iowa (21-0)
3. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (25-3)
4. Millard South, Omaha, Neb. (22-0)
5. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (7-2)

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

Southland

1. Conway, Ark. (24-1)
2. Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (21-0)
3. Argyle, Texas (33-0)
4. Summer Creek, Houston (34-2)
5. Neshoba Central, Philadelphia, Miss. (29-0)

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

Far West

1. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (24-5)
2. Fremont, Plain City, Utah (19-2)
3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (22-4)
4. Beaverton, Ore. (18-1)
5. Pasco, Wash. (19-0)

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

Records through Monday’s games

# Includes a forfeit win

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. 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.