No. 24 Grace Christian (NC) joins Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings; No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (NY) hosts three ranked teams this weekend

BENSALEM, Pa. – The midway point of February usually means playoff basketball. In some cases, it means win or go home.

The start of this week saw 16 teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball in the postseason having played or on the verge of the first game.

Last week, two California teams from the Elite 25 competed in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Open Division pool play and won. No. 4 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) and No. 6 Etiwanda each captured the first of three pool games with the final two this week and the two pool winners meeting for the Open Division title over the final weekend in February. The regional knockout playoffs follow.

Other teams are on the verge of playoffs and that includes the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference which gets underway next week and the Philadelphia Catholic League tips its quarterfinals on Thursday at the higher seed. The semifinals will be played Feb. 20 at Saint Joseph’s University’s University City campus at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET.

The championship doubleheader is a homage to the league and its rich history. The festive doubleheader will be played Feb. 26 at the iconic University of Pennsylvania’s Palestra or the “Cathedral of Basketball.” The girls’ final is at 6 p.m., and the boys follow. If you want tickets get them quickly because the semifinals and final will sell out.

Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield, Pa.) and Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.) are the favorites but don’t sleep on defending champions Lansdale Catholic, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) or Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.).

This week’s Elite 25 rankings have one addition and two teams that help shake up the rankings.

No. 11 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) shot up four slots after taking down No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy by two points. Montverde dipped nine slots after a rare home court loss.

No. 24 Grace Christian (Sanford, N.C.) joins the Elite 25 rankings and recorded a perfect mark in the regular season at 27-0. The Crusaders feature the nation’s top-ranked senior, 6-foot-2 Sara Strong. She’s still uncommitted to college and will play in the McDonald’s All-American Game in Houston. This week the Crusaders open the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 3A playoffs as the top seed and clearcut favorite. If they win out as expected, the Crusaders would be unbeaten in 30 games.

No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) will host a series of games on campus and then the boys will do the same at a nearby college. The Lady Crusaders entertain Elite 25 teams Monteverde Thursday and No. 5 Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) Friday both at 5 p.m., and then No. 15 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) visits Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., or President’s Day.

As for the boys event, the Bob McKillop Invitational is a first year event hosted by No. 4 Long Island Lutheran on the campus of Hofstra University in Hempstead. This is another event that will sellout so buy tickets in advance.

Finally, we have two state champions, the first of the 2023-24 school year. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association had two Honolulu private schools win the hardware. In Division 1, Iolani School needed overtime but defeated Kamehameha-Kapalama, 39-38. Justice Kekauoha, Mele Sake and Mia Frye (Most Outstanding Player) were all tournament.

Maryknoll won the Division II crown with a 46-33 win over Hanalani. Maryknoll’s Hailey Perez and Isabella Arrisgado were selected all tournament.

Kudos, ladies and coaches for completing the mission and achieving a season long goal. Aloha!

Okay, that’s it for the second week in February. The state tournaments are rolling and so are the games. Before you know it, March will be here and that’s when a majority of power states will crown their winners. Hawaii was the first and there are many more in the hopper.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on Feb. 21.

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. 14, 2024

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (23-0)

Previous rank: 1.

The Low-down: The nation’s No. 1 team from Northern California just keeps on rolling in overwhelming fashion. Last week, the Monarchs scored a pair of wins in the West Catholic Athletic League over Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco), 79-38, and St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco), 74-40. In the former game, super sophomore McKenna Woliczko flipped in 29 points and cleared 10 rebounds. The regular season ended Tuesday with Valley Christian (San Jose) and then the CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs, which tip Friday.

2. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (17-1)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Idle. The Lady Crusaders close out the regular season with three Elite 25 teams, including Montverde (Fla.) Academy, Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) and Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) this weekend at the Long Island Lutheran Showcase.

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

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Won the Friends School League championship for the fourth straight year, defeating Friends School (Philadelphia), 64-33, in the final. The freshmen backcourt duo of Jessie Moses (game-high 26 points) and Jordyn Palmer (21 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 blocks) dominated. The Moose topped Shipley School (Bryn Mawr), 88-44, in the semifinals. Up next is the Pennsylvania Independent Schools state tournament quarterfinals. Coach Fran Burbidge’s team enters states on a 20-game win streak.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (27-1)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: MacKenly Randolph posted another double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds in an 82-43 blowout of Orangewood Academy (Garden Grove) in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool A playoffs. Pool A continues this week with showdowns against Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and Sage Hill School (Newport Beach).

5. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (22-0)

Previous: 6.

The Low-down: Advanced to the Morris County Tournament final, beating Morristown, 70-38, in the semifinals. Mia Pauldo dropped in 26 points as the Crusaders face Chatham Friday while seeking a third consecutive title. Also beat Bayonne, 83-56, and Pequannock (Pompton Plains), 104-38, in the regular season. In the former game, Madison Miller delivered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

6. Etiwanda, Calif. (26-3)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Kennedy Smith (27 points) and Grace Knox (25) teamed for 52 points as Eagles rolled over Corona Centennial, 90-38, in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division Pool B playoffs. The Eagles finish pool play with games on Wednesday and Saturday.

7. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (22-0)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Defeated Cor Jesu (St. Louis), 70-26, and Visitation (St. Louis), 85-27. The nation’s longest current win streak stood at 122 games entering this week. Only three games to go in the regular season, including two league contests on Tuesday and Thursday. The final is Feb. 21 vs. John Burroughs (St. Louis).

8. Mansfield Timberview, Arlington, Texas (35-1)

Previous: 9.

The Low-down: Defeated Lake Dallas (Corinth), 66-32, in the Class 5A bi-district playoff game. The Wolves went 16-0 in District 8-5A.

9. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (32-0)

Previous: 10.

The Low-down: The Rams opened the postseason, defeating Lincoln Park (Chicago), 80-12, in the Class 4A Highland Park Regional semifinals. They face Lane (Chicago) Thursday in the final.

10. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (25-0)

Previous: 11.

The Low-down: The Lady Rams were perfect in the regular season after disposing Newton (Covington), 75-33. Georgia Tech-bound Danielle Carnegie surpassed 2,000 career points last week and has more than 900 rebounds entering the Class AAAAAAA postseason.

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

Previous: 15.

The Low-down: It was a statement victory when the Ascenders traveled to then-No. 3 Montverde (Fla.) Academy and walked away with a slim 64-62 triumph.

12. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (20-2)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The Eagles fell to then-No. 15 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 64-62. Jaloni Cambridge scored 19 points and Vivian Iwuchukwu 13. Up next is a trip to the Long Island Lutheran Invitational for dates with Elite 25 teams No. 2 LuHi Friday and No. 15 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) Saturday. After that it’s down to two regular season games.

13. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (21-1)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: Idle. The Lady Cavaliers quest for a third straight OHSAA state title begins Wednesday against New Richmond in the Division II sectional first round.

14. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (21-3)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: Defeated Elizabeth Seton (Bladensburg), 56-36, and Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 76-24, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference. The Lady Mustangs have three WCAC games this weekend before entering the conference tournament next week.

15. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (19-3)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: The Quakers went 4-0 last week and are 10-0 in the Independent School League play with two games left. They also face Elite 25 teams No. 12 Montverde (Fla.) Academy and No. 2 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.) on Long Island this weekend.

16. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (23-2)

Previous: 16.

The Low-down: Defeated Stephens County (Toccoa), 81-23. Danielle Osho contributed 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals and junior PG Mia James bucketed 16 points. Up next are the Region 8-AAA playoffs.

17. Duncanville, Texas (29-4)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Defeated Hutto, 100-35, in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs. Up next is a date with Rockwall in the Area playoffs.

18. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (25-1)

Previous: 18.

The Low-down: Closed out the regular season with an easy 91-39 victory over Chattanooga Christian on Senior Night.

19. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (27-1)

Previous: 19.

The Low-down: Defeated Mount Vernon (Fortville), 58-30, in the Class 4A regionals. Up next is Plainfield Saturday in the SemiStates.

20. DeSoto, Texas (23-5)

Previous: 20.

The Low-down: The Panthers shared the District 11-6A title with No. 17 Duncanville. They also played Harker Heights on Tuesday in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs. The winner goes to Area round.

21. Hazel Green, Ala. (28-4)

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Defeated Cullman, 69-27, in the Class 6A Northwest Regional first round. The Lady Trojans play Clay-Chalkville Thursday in the semifinals. The final is Feb. 20.

22. Clark, San Antonio (29-2)

Previous: 22.

The Low-down: The Cougars are the District 28-6A champions with a 15-1 record. They met San Marcos on Tuesday in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs with winner getting Cedar Ridge in the Area playoffs.

23. Johnston, Iowa (20-0)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: The Dragons are back at it Saturday in the Class 5A, Region 1 semifinals after producing a flawless regular season ledger.

24. Grace Christian, Sanford, N.C (27-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Low-down: The Crusaders join the Elite 25 after superb regular season and clearly led by unsigned 6-2 senior Sara Strong, who is a McDonald’s All-American and nation’s No. 1 recruit. Up next is the NCISAA Class 3A playoffs, where they are the No. 1 seed and won’t play until the quarterfinals on Saturday. The semifinals are Tuesday and the final is Feb. 24 at North Raleigh Christian Academy.

25. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (18-5)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: Olivia Schmitt, a Syracuse recruit, put up 14 points, 3 assists and 4 assists in a 72-39 victory over Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.).

Dropped: No. 25 Edison Public School Academy (Detroit).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Thomas Dale, Chester, Va. (20-0)
2. Oakland Catholic, Pittsburgh (22-0)
3. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (18-4)
4. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (17-5)
5. Woodgrove, Purcellville, Va. (22-1)

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. (26-3)
2. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (26-1)
3. Verona, Wis. (22-0)
4. Millard West, Omaha, Neb. (20-1)
5. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (20-2)

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

Southland

1. Summer Creek, Houston (30-3)
2. Fort Bend Austin, Sugar Land, Texas (30-2)
3. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (20-5)
4. Walker, La. (33-1)
5. Choctaw, Okla. (21-0)

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

Far West

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (23-6)
2. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (26-3)
3. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (27-2)
4. Sage Hill School, Newport Beach, Calif. (24-3)
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.