No. 23 New Hope Academy (MD) re-enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings after claiming Independent Nationals crown; No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (FL) two wins from state title glory

BENSALEM, Pa. – The first salvo of the postseason was fired last weekend in Mooresville, North Carolina at the Insider Exposure Independent School National Tournament. With two teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings in the house and another looking to climb back in level of play went through the stratosphere.

In the end, No. 20 Winston Salem Christian (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and No. 24 Montverde (Fla.) Academy both lost and dipped double-digit slots in the Elite 25. That meant No. 23 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.) was up to the challenge and the Lady Tigers made a statement with three victories, including one in overtime against then-No. 9 WSC.

It’s exactly what coach Sam Caldwell’s needed to regain credence moving forward.

No. 12 Edison Public Academy (Detroit), Michigan’s top-ranked team regardless of classification size (or division), debuts after a 5-0 start to the delayed season. Elsewhere in the Midlands Region, No. 13 Simeon  (Chicago) return to action as Illinois’ No. 1 Class 3A squad. There aren’t any state playoffs in Illinois so each game is precious.

With the month of March less than a week out, the GEICO High School Nationals are approaching. Last year, the four-team event was canceled over COVID-19 concerns but this season it has the green light. No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla,) and No. 3 Westlake (Atlanta) are slam dunks provided both win state championships in Florida and Georgia, respectively. Same goes for 22-0 Fremont (Plain City, Utah) and 2-1 Herriman (Utah) both of whom tip the Utah Class 6A tournament this week with the final on March 6 in Salt Lake City.

State champions from the North Carolina and South Carolina independent associations are also eligible. No. 22 Cardinal Newman (Columbia, S.C.) is three wins from a third straight South Carolina Independent Class AAA title.

There’s a chance St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) would get an invite with McDonald’s All American Azzi Fudd but last weekend’s victory by New Hope Academy at Independent Nationals certainly cries for attention.

Clearly, the GEICO field needs to be selected within the next two weeks for the April 2 and 3 dates. Lake Highland Prep, Westlake and Fremont are favorites to annex state titles but the fourth team might wind up as a surprise. My choice is New Hope Academy but it still has another national event to navigate and two dangerous games later this week.

Although there will be no McDonald’s All American Games, the rosters were announced Tuesday afternoon. Here are the 24 girls listed alphabetically that made it, including four from teams in the Elite 25 girls’ rankings. It would have been the 20th version of the prestigious girls’ game.

McDonald’s All American Game selections 

Roster features: Destiny Adams, Manchester Township (N.J.); Clarice Akunwafo, Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro, Calif.); Sonia Citron, Ursuline School (New Rochelle, N.Y.); Maryam Dauda, Bentonville (Ark.); Amari DeBerry, Williamsville (N.Y.) South; Brooke Demetre, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.); Sania Feagin, Forest Park (Ga.); Azzi Fudd, St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.); Aubryanna Hall, Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio); Rori Harmon, Cypress Creek (Houston); Jillian Hollingshead, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.); Kyndall Hunter, Cypress Creek (Houston); Raven Johnson, Westlake (Atlanta); Greta Kampschroeder, Naperville (Ill.) North; Teonni Key, Cary (N.C.); Rayah Marshall, Lynwood (Calif.); Kayla McPherson, Madison County (Danielsville, Ga.); Aaliyah Moore, Moore (Okla.).; Reigan Richardson, Cannon School (Concord, N.C.); Saniya Rivers, Ashley (Wilmington, N.C.); Payton Verhulst, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.); and Jersey Wolfenbarger, Northside (Fort Smith, Ark.).

Well, that wraps up Week Three in February and the action is picking up with state tournaments in full swing and other states starting to get into a flow or on the verge of returning to the court for springtime season. Florida, Indiana and South Carolina will crown champions this weekend.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return on March 3.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for our staff updates. We’ll keep you abreast of anything breaking on the girls’ basketball universe. For now, keep safe and mask up.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball rankings, February, 24, 2021

1. Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Fla. (17-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: The nation’s top-ranked team won the Class 4A, Region 2 championship, topping Crystal River, 81-20, in the final. They also stopped Eustis, 67-57, in the semifinals. Next is the 4A state tournament semifinals vs. Bishop Kenny (Jacksonville) Thursday morning in Lakeland

2. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (23-0)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: The Cougars continue after winning the Ohio Division I Cincinnati 5 sectional after stopping Turpin (Cincinnati), 66-32, in the final. They also toppled Western Hills (Cincinnati), 85-6, in the semifinals. Michigan-bound Laila Phelia scored a game-high 17 points, making 8-of-11 shots. Next is Lakota East (West Chester) or Colerain (Cincinnati) Saturday.

3. Westlake, Atlanta (15-0)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Lady Lions play Northside (Warner Robins) today in the Class AAAAAA first round.

4. Cypress Creek, Houston (28-0)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Crushed Cinco Ranch (Katy), 67-29, in the Class 6A Area playoffs. Next Heights (Houston) tonight in the Region 3 quarterfinals.

5. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (10-0)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: Three players struck for 20 or more points and the Lady Royals drubbed crosstown rival Minnetonka, 82-53. Taylor Woodson topped the winners with 21 points and Amaya Battle and Maya Nnaji scored 20 points apiece. The action continues Friday at Edina.

6. DeSoto, Texas (21-2) #

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: The Lady Eagles walloped Shoemaker (Killeen), 69-18, in the Class 6A bi-district playoff game. Played Legacy (Tyler) Tuesday in the Area playoff round. Last week junior Ja’Mia Harris committed to Texas Tech. That’s fourth player on the team to commit or sign with a Division I program.

7. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (9-0)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: The defense clamped down last week allowing 66 points in three overwhelming victories. Junior G Madison St. Rose paced the offense with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals when the Lancers romped over Matawan (Aberdeen), 79-12. They also beat Red Bank Catholic, 68-32, and Middletown North, 57-22. The Lancers are scheduled to play powerhouse Trenton Catholic Academy (Hamilton) Friday in the de facto state championship. New Jersey won’t have a postseason so it’s must-see hoops and will determine the state’s top team when it is all said.

8. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (23-0)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: With less than a week left in the regular season, the Red Knights stayed perfect with two lopsided wins over St. Joseph’s Academy (St. Louis), 67-40, and John Burroughs (St. Louis), 66-45, as Brooke Coffey poured in 17 points, making five 3-pointers in the latter game. When the Class 6, District 5 playoffs tipoff on Monday, they play Hazelwood Central (Florissant) in the semifinals. The final is March 4.

9. Hazel Green, Ala. (33-1)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: The Lady Trojans advanced to the Northwest Regional championship game for the seventh straight year after knocking out Mortimer Jordan (Kimberly), 52-27, the Class 6A regional semifinals. They also beat Scottsboro, 58-25, in a sub-regional game. Next is Hartselle Wednesday in the regional final.

10. Hoover, Ala. (29-1)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Defeated Clemens (Austin), 79-35, the Class 7A Regional semifinals and will play Austin (Decatur) Thursday in the final. The regional champion heads to the 7A state finals on March 2 with the title game on March 3.

11. Converse (Texas) Judson (23-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated Lake Travis (Austin), 66-48, in the Class 6A Area playoff game. Next is the region quarterfinals.

12. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: Upon entering the Elite 25, the Pioneers captured three games last week, most notably a 69-58 win over Renaissance (Detroit). Three more games this week capped by Saturday meeting with Cass Tech (Detroit).

13. Simeon, Chicago (1-0)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: Defeated Evanston, 62-45, in the season opener.

14. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (0-0)

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: The CIF-Southern Section Open Division champions won’t play until the spring.

15. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (0-0)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: California Interscholastic Federation teams won’t start until the spring.

16. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (9-0)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: The Wolves shellacked Cherokee Trail (Aurora), 60-37, Mullen Denver), 63-47, and Overland (Aurora), 90-27. Colorado’s top-ranked Class 5A is on a roll.

17. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (11-0)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: The Eagles clinched the 5A Jeffco League championship last week. They also beat Regis Jesuit (Aurora), 67-45, Bear Creek (Lakewood), 78-30, and Chatfield, 89-51.

18. Newark, Ohio (24-1)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: The Wildcats cruised into Wednesday’s Division I Central 4 semifinals after wiping out Olentangy Orange (Lewis Center), 62-13, in the quarterfinals and Mifflin (Columbus), 64-19, in the first round.

19. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Villanova-bound Christina Dalce’s 15 points led the Argonauts over Franklin (Somerset), 65-33. Belle Pellecchia scored 15 points when the Argos trounced Montgomery (Skillman), 87-27. It was 24-1 after one quarter and 48-9 at the break.

20. Winston Salem Christian, Winston-Salem, N.C. (25-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Went 2-1 at the Independent School National Tournament. The Lions lost to No. 25 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.), 73-71 in overtime in the semifinals.

21.  Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (10-0)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: Season complete.

22. Cardinal Newman, Columbia, S.C (15-1)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: The two-time defending SCISA Class AAA champions opened their title defense Tuesday vs. Porter-Gaud (Charleston) in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday and the final is Saturday in Sumter. In the lead-up to the tournament, two games were canceled.

23. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (10-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: Won the Insider Exposure Independent School National Tournament, beating Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 44-38, in the final. Maria Gakdeng had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals. In the semifinals, the Lady Tigers topped then-No. 9 Winston Salem Christian (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 73-71, in overtime. Junior Kennedy Fauntleroy pumped in 34 points and along with Gakdeng were named Co-Most Valuable Players.

24. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (22-2)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: The Eagles went 2-1 at the Independent School National Tournament in Mooresville, N.C., after dropping the opening game.

25. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (5-1)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Lost to rival Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield), 44-38, but rebounded to beat Lansdale (Pa.) Catholic, 77-47. Tough week in league play with Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) Tuesday and West Catholic (Philadelphia) Thursday.

Dropped: No. 24 Ensworth School (Nashville, Tenn.) and No. 25 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (10-0)*
2. Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, N.J. (8-0)
3. Madison, Vienna, Va. (16-1)*
4. Trinity, Washington, Pa. (16-1)
5. Bridgewater (Mass.)-Raynham (12-0)

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

 Midwest

1. Crown Point, Ind. (24-1)
2. Hersey, Arlington Heights, Ill. (7-0)
3. Pius X, Lincoln, Neb. (20-0)
4. Millard South, Omaha, Neb. (21-1)
5. Mason, Ohio (19-0)

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

 Southland

1. Duncanville, Texas (25-2)
2. Ponchatoula, La. (29-0)
3. Bearden, Knoxville, Tenn. (26-1)
4. Norman, Okla. (13-0)
5. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-2)

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

Far West

1. Fremont, Plain City, Utah (22-0)
2. Highland, Gilbert, Ariz. (11-0)
3. Herriman, Utah (20-1)
4. Seton Catholic Prep, Chandler, Ariz. (13-0)
5. Mountain View, Meridian, Idaho (20-2)*

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

* Won state championship or national tournament title

 # Includes forfeit loss

Records are through Monday

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 nationwide. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.