No. 22 South Grand Prairie (TX) reoccupies a slot in Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings; CIF Open Division reveals strong brackets

BENSALEM, Pa. – When the California Interscholastic Federation revealed the Open Division Northern and Southern Regional  bracket over the weekend, it featured power.

It also gave three teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings a quicker  but tougher path to the state championship game which is slated for March 9 in the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) in the NorCal and No. 4 Etiwanda and No. 8 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) in the Southern all have byes to the semifinals thus needing two wins to reach the final.

The Southern Region is particularly difficult with at least three others that could through with upset wins. The CIF playoffs may be the toughest this year but Illinois and Texas will also finish up this week too.

Texas Sized

High school sports in Texas are a big deal across board. Think 60,000 pilgrims attending high school playoff games. Well, they do it big on the hardwood too and this weekend in San Antonio’s Alamodome is the cap to another great season running Thursday through Saturday at the great destination cultured city. Six classifications are up for grabs. The Elite 25 has three in Class 6A and another in 5A.

The entire University Interscholastic League lineup (all times are Central):

Thursday

Class 1A

8:30 a.m.: New Castle vs. Westbrook

10 a.m.: Valley vs. Neches

Class 3A

1:30 p.m.: Huntington vs. Columbus

3 p.m.: Rains vs. Shallowater

Class 5A

7 p.m.: Frisco Liberty vs. Richmond Randle

8:30 p.m.: No. 6 Mansfield Timberview vs. Cedar Park

Friday 

Class 2A

8:30 a.m.: Goldthwaite vs. Martin’s Mill

10 a.m.: Nocona vs. Wellington

Class 4A

1:30 p.m.: Dallas Lincoln vs. Waco La Vega (Waco)

3 p.m.: Boerne vs. Canyon

Class 6A

7 p.m.: Summer Creek (Humble) vs. No. 14 Duncanville (33-4)

8:30 p.m.: No. 22 South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie) vs. Brennan (San An Antonio)

Saturday title games

Class 1A, 8:30 a.m.; Class 3A, 10 a.m.; Class 2A, 1:30 p.m.; Class 5A, 3 p.m.; Class 4A, 7 p.m.; and Class 6A, 8:30 p.m. Tip times are approximate.

No. 22 South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas) is the lone newcomer to the Elite 25 this week. Three teams dropped drastically and are on the verge of falling out.

With February nearly in the rear-view mirror, the High School Nationals (formerly the GEICO Nationals) is just over a month out but the reveal of the teams is weeks away. The main sponsor of the annual national high school girls’ tournament has not been released but that too is on the horizon. We’re hearing up to six teams will compose the bracket that will be played at Brownsburg High School in Indiana (suburban Indianapolis near the Indianapolis Speedway) from April 2 to 4.

Based on the Elite 25 rankings, Long Island Lutheran, IMG Academy, DME Academy and Montverde Academy are serious candidates. So are Sidwell Friends, Bishop McNamara and Grayson. However, Paragon Marketing of Chicago is the event operator/owner, and usually coaxes another quality team to the event. LuHi, IMG and DME are solid choices and then add up to three more. That’s must-see, assignment basketball. ESPN will provide the coverage on their streaming service and family of networks.

Okay, that’s it for the third week in February. The state tournaments keep churning out results, upsets and eventually winners. Texas is the big chip up for grabs this weekend in San Antonio. Next week, we’ll have an update on the High School Nationals.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on March 6.

Be sure to follow us on X at @clawlor. We appreciate your readership and clicks. If you like what you read, please send it out on the social mediums.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 28, 2024

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (28-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: The Monarchs made it look easy to secure the CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division title, defeating St Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco), 88-44, in the final. In the Pool A finale, the Monarchs defeated Pinewood School (Los Altos), 86-58. Coach Sue Phillips will guide her team in the CIF-Northern Region Open Division semifinals after earning a first-round bye.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (21-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: In a statement game in the regular-season finale, the Lady Crusaders overwhelmed Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.), 114-39. Six players hit for double-digit scoring led by Syla Swords’ 27 points and 12 rebounds and Lauryn Swann with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

3. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (25-2)*

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Moose moved into Pennsylvania Independent Schools state tournament final, defeating Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (Villanova), 66-44, in the semifinals, and Perkiomen School (Pennsburg), 79-29, in the quarterfinals. Temple-bound Savannah Curry scored her 1,000^th career point against Perkiomen. The final is slated for Sunday against Friends Central (Philadelphia) at Saint Joseph’s University’s Hagan Arena in Philadelphia.

4. Etiwanda, Calif. (29-3)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Won the CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship in dominant fashion, crushing then-No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 65-44, in the final. Grace Knox put up 19 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals. The Eagles won’t until the regional semifinals.

5. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (25-0)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Defeated John Burroughs (St. Louis), 53-47, in the regular-season finale. The Red Knights play Riverview Gardens in the Class 6, District 3 quarterfinals on Wednesday. The semifinals are Friday and the final Monday.

6. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (39-1)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Won the Class 5A, Region I championship, defeating Argyle, 44-35, in the final. Chrishawn Coleman, the Most Valuable Player, scored 13 points, Emilee Jones had 11 and Brooklyn Terry and Kamryn Wilson eight apiece. The Lady Wolves advance to the 5A semifinal against Cedar Park Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The final is Saturday.

7. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (36-0)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Won the Libertyville Super-Sectional, defeating Libertyville, 53-44. Also stopped Maine South (Park Ridge), 53-47, in the Class 4A Sectional final and

Glenbrook North (Northbrook), 62-32, in the semifinals.

8. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (30-2)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Lost in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final to then-No. 5 Etiwanda, 65-44.

9. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (29-0)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: In the Class AAAAAAA state tournament, the Rams defeated McEachern (Powder Hill), 76-31, in the second round and Richmond Hill, 74-50, in first round. The Rams played Norcross Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

10. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (24-1)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: Defeated St. Mary (Rutherford), 84-8, in the NJSIAA Non-Public B North first round.

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

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: Idle. Regular season complete.

12. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (24-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: In the Division II sectional playoffs, the Lady Cavaliers defeated Franklin, 79-32, in the semifinals and Hughes (Cincinnati), 97-39, in the quarterfinals.

13. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (27-2)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: The Lions tipped off the Class AAA state tournament with two easy wins. Up next was Morgan County (Madison) Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

14. Duncanville, Texas (33-4)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Won the Class 6A, Region II championship, defeating then-No. 19 and archrivals DeSoto, 46-39, in the final. The Pantherette face Summer Creek (Humble) Friday in the 6A state semifinals in San Antonio. The final is Saturday.

15. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (29-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: In the Region 3-AAAA tournament, the Bears defeated Rhea County (Evensville), 89-34, in the semifinals and McMinn County (Englewood), 89-35, in the quarterfinals.

16. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (30-1)*

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship, defeating Lake Central (St. John), 55-28, in the final. It was the program’s first-ever state title and the Bears are only the third team in IHSAA history to record 30 wins. Junior Jaylah Lampley topped all scorers with 19 points and Aniyah McKenzie and Lola Lampley added 12 apiece. The Bears return all five starters next year. Season complete.

17. DeSoto, Texas (27-6)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Lost in the Class 6A, Region II final to No. 16 Duncanville, 46-39. Season complete.

18. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (24-5)*

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: Won Independent School League AA championship, beating Bullis School (Potomac, Md.), 56-49, in the final.

19. Hazel Green, Ala. (30-4)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: The Lady Trojans return to the Class 6A state tournament after knocking off Hartselle, 57-39, in the Northwest Regional final. Up next is the 6A semifinals against Hillcrest (Tuscaloosa) Wednesday morning in Birmingham. The final is Saturday.

20. Johnston, Iowa (23-0)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Defeated Valley (West Des Moines), 60-31, in the Class 5A state quarterfinals in Des Moines. Up next is Waukee Thursday in the semifinals and the final is Saturday evening in Des Moines.

21. Grace Christian, Sanford, N.C (30-0)*

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Perfection! Won the NCISAA 3A, defeating High Point Christian, 82-33, in the final. Grace Strong, the nation’s No. 1 senior and a McDonald’s All-American closed out her prep career with 30 points. Also defeated Concord Academy, 85-51, in the semifinals. It was the third state championship in three different classifications for the Crusaders. Season complete.

22. South Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, Texas (31-3)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: Won the Class 6A, Region I championship, defeating Fort Worth Boswell, 59-44, in the final. The balanced scoring saw Texas A&M recruit Taliyah Parker score 10 points. The Warriors are back in the Elite 25 after a two-month absence. They will play Brennan (San Antonio) Friday in the 6A semifinals in San Antonio in a third trip to the states in four years.

23. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (20-6)

Previous: 25.

The Low-down: Defeated then-No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy, 65-61.

24. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-4)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Lost to then-No. 25 DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.), 65-62. Vivian Iwuchukwu tossed in 19 points and Lourdes Da Silva Costa added 14. Regular season complete.

25. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (24-5)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Lost to St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 45-41, in Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Tournament final.

Dropped: No. 22 Clark (San Antonio).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (23-5)*
2. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (20-5)*
3. Oakland Catholic, Pittsburgh (24-0)
4. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (22-4)
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. (31-3)
2. Verona, Wis. (26-0)
3. Millard West, Omaha, Neb. (24-1)
4. Minnetonka, Minn. (24-2)
5. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (23-3)

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

Southland

1. Summer Creek, Houston (35-3)
2. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (23-5)
3. Walker, La. (35-1)
4. Choctaw, Okla. (24-0)
5. Brennan, San Antonio (32-3)

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

Far West

1. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (30-2)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (24-7)
3. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (27-4)
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (24-4)*
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.