BENSALEM, Pa. – The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings enter March and let the madness of the stretch run take hold.

It’s truly the culmination of a great season.

There are two additions to the Elite 25 rankings with No. 24 Lawrence North (Indianapolis), which captured the Indiana Class 4A state championship. No. 23 Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) is playing for Georgia’s Class AAAAAAA championship this weekend putting its perfect record on the line.

Kudos to the Lawrence North Wildcats and all state or conference champions from the Elite 25.

Speaking of tournament play, the GEICO High School Nationals is becoming a bit clearer. Teams from Nevada, Maryland, District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Washington, Florida, Georgia and Utah are in the running.

This week my ballot includes (in no particular order) Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), Westlake (Atlanta), Hamilton Heights Christian Academy and Cashmere (Wash.). Lake Highlands Prep (Orlando, Fla.) and St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) are out.

We keep hearing that Cashmere is going to get a serious look and knew it around Christmas when it excelled at an event in Oregon. The tiny school from central Washington is unbeaten and features McDonald’s All-American  guard Hailey Van Lith, who signed with Louisville. If Cashmere wins Washington Class 1A that will be the impetus for an invitation to GEICO Nationals. Regardless who they play in the semifinals, it would be a story from the Bible: David vs. Goliath. Remember, two years ago, Central Valley (Veradale, Wash.) won GEICO National on the strength of the twins Lacey and Lexie Hull (now at Stanford). We’re thinking there’s another feel-good story brewing.

The GEICO Nationals will be played April 3 and 4 at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y.

OK, that’s it for another week.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from showcase events, postseason tournaments and key games all season. We’ll keep you abreast of anything breaking in the girls’ hoop world.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings return on March 11.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, March 4, 2020

1. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (26-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: Laila Phelia and Makira Cook scored 17 points apiece, beating Loveland, 61-48 in the Division I Cincinnati 3 Sectional final. The Cougars play Springboro in the Region 4 semifinals Wednesday. The final is Saturday with the winner advancing to next weekend’s Division I state semifinals in Columbus.

2. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, Chattanooga, Tenn. (25-1)*

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Won National Association of Christian Athletes Division 1 tournament championship, beating New Hope Christian Academy (Landover Hills, Md.), 70-51, to go 3-0 at the event. Next up is trip to GEICO Nationals on April 3 in New York.

3. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (30-1)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Won the CIF-San Diego Section Open Division championship, defeating  Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 54-37. It was the program’s 10^th sectional title but the first since 2013.  Oregon-bound point guard Te-Hina Paopao had a monster game with 26 points and 13 rebounds and freshman Breya Cunningham added 15 points. The Torreys also stopped Bonita Vista (Chula Vista), 48-46, in the semifinals. The Torreys are back at it Saturday in the Southern California Region Open Division semifinals. The final is March 10.

4. Cypress Creek, Houston (40-0)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A, Region III championship, defeating Clear Springs (League City), 60-40, for the team’s staggering 40^th win of the campaign. Next is the Class 6A semifinals with McKinney Friday in San Antonio.

5. Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C (26-1)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Class 4A East Regional final, topping Ashley (Wilmington), 60-46, in the semifinals. The regional final is Saturday against crosstown rivals Millbrook in Fayetteville. The state final is March 14.

6. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (27-0)

Previous: 6.

Low-down: After scoring 92 and 89 points the opening two rounds of the Section 6-AAAA tournament, the Royals meet Wayzata (Plymouth) Thursday in the final.

7. Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn. (27-0)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: Defeated Hutchison School (Memphis), 87-25, in the Division II-AA state quarterfinals. The Tigers play Baylor School (Chattanooga) Friday in the semifinals.

8. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Idle. The Lady Crusaders won’t play again until the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals in late March.

9. Duncanville, Texas (38-3)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Won Class 6A, Region I championship, beating Cedar Hill, 56-54, in the final. Also beat Arlington Martin, 66-49, in the semifinals but the real game was in the quarterfinals as Deja Kelly dropped in six straight free throws in the final minute to erase a 43-41 deficit in a 47-43 victory over then-No. 12 DeSoto. The Pantherettes play Converse Judson Friday in the Class 6A state semifinals in San Antonio.

10. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (30-2)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Won CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship, beating then-No. 21 Windward School (Los Angeles), 77-65, in the final. Coach Kevin Kiernan bagged his 11^th sectional title and the first for the Monarchs since 2012. Sophomore Soleil Montrose came off the bench to score 20 points, nailing all four 3-pointers. Next is Poly (Long Beach) Wednesday in the CIF-Southern California Open Division Regional first round.

11. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (20-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: The Pioneers closed out a perfect regular season with two wins and a forfeit in the playoffs. Next is University Prep (Detroit) Wednesday in the Division 2 District 56 semifinals.

12. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (27-5)*

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Idle. The Lady Mustangs are eyeing the GEICO Nationals in April.

13. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (32-4)*

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Won the Virginia Independent Schools Division 1 championship, toppling Bishop O’Connell (Arlington), 52-43, in the final. Season complete.

14. Westlake, Atlanta (29-2)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: Advanced to the Class AAAAAAA final, beating Cherokee (Canton), 62-33, in the semifinals and Norcross, 63-34, in the quarterfinals. The state final is Saturday versus undefeated and No. 23 Collins Hill (Suwanee) in Macon.

15. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (24-3)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Captured its fifth straight CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division title, knocking off Pinewood School (Los Altos Hills), 76-44. Also downed St. Ignatius (San Francisco),  62-31, in the semifinals. Next up is the Northern California Open Division semifinals Saturday.

16. Windward School, Los Angeles (25-5)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Freshman phenom Juju Watkins bucketed 28 points but it wasn’t enough in a 77-65 setback to No. 10 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division final. The Wildcats play Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) Wednesday in the Southern California Open Division Regional first round.

17. Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, N.J. (25-1)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Won Mercer County Tournament, defeating Stuart Country Day (Princeton), 60-43. Freshman Zoe Brook was named Most Valuable Player after collecting 16 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds in the final. It was the Lady Mikes’ third straight county title and ninth overall. Leianya Massenat’s 22 points were enough to help hold off Trenton Central, 93-42, in the semifinals  The Lady Mikes open the Non-Public B South Jersey Tournament against Our Lady of Mercy (Newfield) Thursday in the quarterfinals.

18. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (28-2)*

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Won Class 4A state championship, beating Bishop Kenney (Jacksonville), 61-46. The Highlanders used a 15-5 third-quarter run to pull away from a 27-23 lead at the break. Nyla Harris scored 20 points and Eleecia Carter came off the bench to tally 14 points. In the semifinals, they beat Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 62-35. Stefanie Ingram netted 13 points. The season might not be over because the GEICO Nationals might be calling.

19. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (25-3)*

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won its fifth consecutive  IAAM A Conference championship. Regular season is complete but will the Lady Panthers head to the GEICO Nationals.

20. St. Joseph Central Catholic, Huntington, W.Va. (22-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Crushed Tug Valley (Williamson), 83-42, in the Class A Region 4, Section 2 final. Also manhandled Buffalo, 92-31, in the semifinals a Bailee Adkins doubled up at 14 points and 12 assists and 9 assists. The regional playoff is Wednesday against Williamson. The winner moved onto the Class A state tournament that starts on March 11 in Charleston.

21. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (27-4)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Went 3-1 at the National Association of Christian Athletes Division 1 Tournament. Season complete.

22. DeSoto, Texas (32-3)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Lost to No. 9 Duncanville, 47-43, in the Class 6A, Region I quarterfinals. In spite of the loss, the Lady Eagles remain in the Elite 25. Season complete.

23. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (31-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: The Eagles enter the Elite 25 on the cusp of a perfect season and a berth in the Class AAAAAAA final against No. 14 Westlake (Atlanta) Saturday in Macon.

24. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (26-4)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won Indiana Class 4A state championship, upending then-No. 8 Northwestern (Kokomo), 59-56. Junior guard tossed in 22 points, nailing five 3-pointers. It was the program’s first-ever state title. Season complete.

25. Northwestern, Kokomo, Ind. (29-1)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Upset in the Class 4A state final by No. 24 Lawrence North (Indianapolis), 59-56. The senior tandem of Madison Layden (25 points, 8 rebounds) and Kendall Bostic (20 points, 14 rebounds) combined for 45 points and 22 rebounds. The Tigers were going for a third consecutive state title after winning the previous two in Class 3A. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 17 Amarillo (Texas) and No. 18 Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (25-1)
2. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (23-8)
3. Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (25-0)
4. Poly, Baltimore (20-1)
5. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (24-1)

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

Midwest

1. Fairmont, Kettering, Ohio (24-2)
2. Newark, Ohio (26-2)
3. Aquinas, La Crosse, Wis. (22-1)
4. Morton, Ill. (36-0)
5. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (32-4)

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

Southland

1. Meridian, Miss. (29-1)
2. Hazel Green, Ala. (35-2)*
3. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (30-2)
4. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (27-3)
5. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (28-3)

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

Far West

1. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (25-6)
2. Centennial, Las Vegas (24-6)*
3. Cashmere, Wash. (22-0)
4. Woodinville, Wash. (26-0)
5. Iolani School, Honolulu (25-2)*

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

* Won a state, national or recognized conference/league postseason tournament championship

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 Senior Writer 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 at @clawlor.