BENSALEM, Pa. – All things considered for the end of February, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings did not take any major hits but there is a one newcomer from the great state of Texas.

In the Lone Star State, things are done in a big way and that’s exactly what you call No. 21 Plano’s win over then-No. 3 Duncanville in the Class 6A, Region I final. Plano checks in one spot behind No. 20 Duncanville, which slid 17 units after the loss. Plano is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2000. Duncanville’s 34-game win streak is history and so is the season. Plano could earn a bump if it closes out the 6A bracket this weekend in San Antonio.

No. 8 Centennial (Las Vegas) won its fourth straight Nevada Class 4A state title in dramatic fashion, rallying from 12 points in the fourth quarter and iced it in overtime. No. 4 Hamilton Heights Christian (Chattanooga, Tenn.) took the National Association of Christian Athletes National Division I title for the second consecutive year. No. 5 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) annexed a second straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title dumping No. 15 Paul VI (Fairfax) five slots after taking down their archrivals.

The GEICO Nationals field is taking shape. No. 4 Hamilton Heights Christian is a safe bet to be headed back to New York in March. Joining the Lady Hawks could be Winter Haven (Fla.), which is playing for the Florida Class 8A state championship this week and the top remaining school from Georgia—Holy Innocents’ Episcopal (Atlanta), Westlake (Atlanta) or Collins Hills (Suwanee). The fourth team will come from Washington, Maryland, Arizona or Utah, with Central Valley (Veradale, Wash.) the leading candidate provided it wins the Class 4A state title this week in Tacoma.

Although several state titles will be doled out this week, the 24^th Bishop Walsh Girls Invitational Tournament tips off for a three-day run on Thursday at the host school in Cumberland, Md. The final is Saturday at 6:15 p.m. All eight teams are guaranteed three games.

Thursday’s first round matchups: McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.)-Bishop Walsh, 3:15; Saint James School (Hagerstown, Md.)-Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 4:45; Mount Carmel (Essex, Md.)-St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 6:15; and New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)-Institute of Notre Dame (Baltimore), 8.

Though it’s a bit of a trip into western Maryland—very scenic country—it’s worth the drive and the competition is top shelf as is the committee that pulls together this stellar event. We’ll give you an update next time.

In the Midwest, check out the Illinois Class 3A and 4A state championships this weekend at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal. The 4A bracket is stacked with two Elite 25 teams squaring off in Friday’s semifinals.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from regional events and the state tournaments. We are the leaders in the girls’ basketball world. The Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings will return on March 7.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball rankings, Feb. 28, 2018

1. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (25-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Monarchs cruised into the CIF-Central Coast Section semifinals after defeating league rivals St. Francis (Mountain View), 70-26. They played Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto) Tuesday in the semifinals, with the winner facing Presentation (San Jose) or Pinewood School (Los Altos) in the final on Friday.

2. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (24-0)

Previous: 2.

Low-down: Idle. The Royals received a by to the Brooklyn-Queen Diocesan AA semifinals on Thursday.

3. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (31-1)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: Advanced to Region 4-AAA championship, topping archrivals Blackman (Murfreesboro), 64-36, in the semifinals and Tullahoma, 83-38, in the quaeterfinals.

4. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (24-2)*

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won the National Association of Christian Athletes National Tournament Division I championship, burying New Hope Academy (Hyattsville, Md.), 65-40, in the final. Jazmine Massengill, the Tennessee signee, was named the tournament’s top offensive player and teammate Nigerian Elizabeth Balogun earned the top defender award. The Lady Hawks are expected to receive an invite to the GEICO Nationals.

5. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (28-2)*

Previous: 6.

Low-down: Won a second straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship, defeating No. 15 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 54-49, in the final. Carly Rivera scored 16 points, sinking four 3-pointers. Also beat Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.), 64-53, in the semifinals and St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.), 79-53, in the quarterfinals

6. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (22-2)

Previous: 7.

Low-down: The Rams advanced the CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals, where they met crosstown rival Lincoln on Tuesday. The winner gets Folsom or Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) Saturday in sectional final.

7. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (30-0)

Previous: 8.

Low-down: Advanced to the Region 3-AAA, defeating Rhea County (Evensville), 74-43, in the semifinals and Warren County (McMinnville), 87-22, in the quarterfinals. The final is Wednesday.

8. Centennial, Las Vegas (29-3)*

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Won fourth straight Class 4A state championship, rallying to beat Liberty (Henderson), 74-65, in overtime. In one of the greatest comebacks, the Lady Bulldogs were down 15 points in the fourth period but closed on a 26-14 run, including Jade Thomas’ 3-pointer at the fourth-quarter horn tied it at 61, forcing the extra session. They also topped Reno, 68-30, in the semifinals, as Justice Ethridge had 14 points and nine rebounds. Season complete.

9. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (23-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Xaria Wiggins, a Mississippi State recruit scored 13 points as the Cavaliers trounced Norview (Norfolk), 61-40, Class 5, Region A final. It was their sixth straight region title and 10th in 11 years. Also topped Menchville (Newport News), 92-51, in the semifinals as Aziaha James (19 points) and Wiggins (17) teamed for 36 points. Next up is L.C. Byrd (Chesterfield) in the state quarterfinals on Saturday.

10. Edwardsville, Ill. (30-0)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A Illinois Wesleyan SuperSectional, defeating Mother McAuley (Chicago), 59-43. Also captured the Champaign Centennial Sectional, defeating Rock Island, 48-44, in overtime as senior Myriah Noodel-Haywood flipped in a game-high 18 points. Next is the Class 4A semifinal Friday at Redbird Arena in Normal. The final and third-place game is Saturday

11. Westlake, Atlanta (27-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Played No. 14 Collins Hill (Suwanee) in the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals on Tuesday. Also beat Marietta, 72-49, in the second round.

12. Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C. (28-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Defeated Leesville Road (Raleigh), 62-33, in the 4A East third round and Rolesville, 65-35 in the second round. Played Green Hope (Cary) on Tuesday in the fourth round. The East final is Saturday.

13. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (27-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: Doubled up Fellowship Christian School (Roswell), 82-41, in the Class A-Private second round. The Golden Bears hosted Christian Heritage School (Dalton) in the state quarterfinals Tuesday.

 14. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (25-2)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: Rolled past South Gwinnett (Snellville), 75-46, in the Class AAAAAAA second round. The Eagles played No. 11 Westlake (Atlanta) Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

15. Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (27-4)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Lost to No. 5 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 54-49, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Association Conference final. Also, Aurea Gingras’s 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left was difference in a 63-61 win over Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) in the semifinals. Defeated Elizabeth Seton (Bladensburg, Md.), 63-38, in the quarterfinals.

16. Baldwin, N.Y. (20-1)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Lady Bruins defeated Freeport, 74-44, in the Nassau County tournament semifinals and Calhoun (Merrick), 85-28, in the quarterfinals. Next up is the AA final vs. Massapequa Saturday at SUNY Old Westbury.

17. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (34-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Won Class 4A Lewis University SuperSectional, defeating Bolingbrook, 43-35. Also won the Proviso West Sectional beating Benet Academy (Lisle), 54-31, in the final. Next up No. 10 Edwardsville in the 4A semifinals on Friday.

18. Winter Haven, Fla. (30-1)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: The Blue Devils are headed to the Class 8A Final Four this week in Lakeland after edging Melbourne, 56-51, in the Region 2 final. They will play Lincoln (Tallahassee) in the semifinals on Friday. The winner gets Nova (Davie) or Tampa Bay Tech for the title on Saturday.

19. Mansfield (Texas) Timberview (39-2)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Won the Class 5A, Region II championship, defeating Mansfield Summit, 54-32, and Lone Star (Frisco), 49-36, in the semifinals. Mikayla Hutchinson had 12 points and four steals. Next up is Kerrville Tivy in the 5A semifinals Thursday in San Antonio.

 20. Duncanville, Texas (39-2)

Previous: 3.

Low-down: Upset in the Class 6A, Region I championship contest, losing to Plano, 60-48, halting the win streak at 34 games. The Pantherettes were uncharacteristically sloppy, committing 25 turnovers. Season complete.

21. Plano, Texas (33-6)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Won the Class 6A, Region I championship, shocking No. 3 Duncanville, 60-48, in the final. Delaware-bound Lolo Davenport came off the bench to score 19 points. Coach Rodney Belcher’s team is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2000 and will play Cypress Creek (Houston) Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

22. Eastview, Apple Valley, Minn. (26-0)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: The Thunder completed a perfect regular season, stopping Burnsville, 75-44, as Megan Walstad (24 points) and Macy Guebert (17) teamed for 41 points. Also defeated Eagan, 73-36.

23. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (23-0)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: Rachel Martindale scored 19 points in a 45-26 win over Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL Class AAAAAA quarterfinals. The Tigers played rivals Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh) in the semifinals on Tuesday. The final is Saturday at the University of Pittsburgh’s Petersen Event Center.

24. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (17-1)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: Ashley Primas netted 28 points and Darionna Little had 10 points and 12 rebounds in a 76-46 win over Cody (Detroit). Also beat Saginaw Central, 57-55, in overtime. The Class C District 74 tournament starts this week with the semifinals on Wednesday. The final is Friday.

25. Mercer County, Harrodsburg, Ky. (29-3)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: Won the 46th District championship, downing West Jessamine (Nicholasville), 68-25, in the final. The Region 12 tournament tipped Tuesday against Rockcastle County (Mount Vernon).

Dropped out: No. 19 Hoover, Ala.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Manasquan, N.J. (24-2)
2. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (24-2)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (21-4)*
4. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (22-5)*
5. New London, Conn. (24-0)

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

Midlands

1. East Kentwood, Kentwood, Mich. (21-0)
2. Iowa City, Iowa (24-0)
3. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (22-2)
4. Northwestern, Kokomo, Ind. (29-1)*
5. Mukwonago, Wis. (22-2)

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

South

1. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-3)
2. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (29-1)
3. Converse (Texas) Judson (33-4)
4. Choctaw Central, Philadelphia, Miss. (31-1)
5. Amarillo, Texas (38-2)

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

Far West

1. Central Valley, Veradale, Wash. (24-0)
2. Mesquite, Gilbert, Ariz. (27-3)
3. Windward School, Los Angeles (22-3)
4. Southridge, Beaverton. Ore. (23-1)
5. Konawaena, Kealakekua, Hawaii (26-2)*

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

 * Won state, national or 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. Teams with fifth-year or reclassified players won’t be considered. 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter @clawlor.