No. 25 Stevenson (IL) debuts in Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings; No. 2 Incarnate Word Academy (MO) wins in-season tournament title

BENSALEM, Pa. – There was minimal movement in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings with one addition from the Midwest and another from the same region taking a fall after a rare loss.

Once the month of February hits, it’s tournament time with the Elite 25 teams advancing deep or winning championships. In the coming weeks, state champions will be feted and national tournaments involving Independent and National Association of Christian Athletes are slated. Ultimately, teams that qualify are looking for the coveted invitation to the GEICO High School Nationals in April.

No. 25 Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.), a located in northern suburb of Chicago and Lake County, enters the Elite 25. The Patriots (28-1) are Illinois’ No. 1 team in Class 4A and begin the regional playoffs next week. The Patriots are a balanced squad with senior guard Simone Sawyer the go-to player.

Staying in the Midwest, No. 2 Incarnate Word Academy (Bel Nor, Mo.) won the Webster Winter Challenge behind a Most Valuable Player performance by Saniah Tyler, who is a Kentucky signee. No. 22 Rock Bridge (Columbia, Mo.) took third place but was upset in the semifinals. The Bruins plummeted 11 spots with the setback. It was supposed to be a preview of the Missouri Class 6 final but the host school, Webster Groves, played spoiler. That matchup could still take place if both teams advance to the Class 6 final on March 18.

As for the GEICO Nationals, as we said before, there will be two separate four team events. In Fort Myers, Fla., the GEICO Nationals involving teams such as Montverde (Fla.) Academy, New Hope Academy (Md.), IMG Academy (Fla.) or DME Sport Academy (Fla.) would be viable candidates for games on April 1 and 2. The following weekend, four state champions from states such as Utah, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Washington at an undetermined site.

So, two GEICO girls’ champions will be crowned. Same goes for the boys. And that’s the deal with the season ending national tournaments that all schools aspire to earn an invitation.

In California, the one of the nation’s toughest brackets was assembled. The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Open Division selected eight powerhouse teams and placed them in two pools of four. That means three pools games with the Pool A and B winners playing for the title on Feb. 26. Obviously, No. 1 Etiwanda earned the top seed.

The action commences Saturday (teams preceded by their seed):

Pool A. 8-Windward at 1-Etiwanda, 5-Rosary Academy at 4-Mater Dei.
Pool B. 7-Bishop Montgomery at 2-Sierra Canyon School, 6-Orangewood Academy at 3-Corona Centennial.

Feb. 16
Pool A. — 5-Rosary at 1-Etiwanda, 8-Windward at 4-Mater Dei.
Pool B. — 6-Orangewood Academy at 2-Sierra Canyon, 7-Bishop Montgomery at 3-Corona Centennial.

Feb. 19
Pool A. 4-Mater Dei at 1-Etiwanda, 8-Windward at 5-Rosary
Pool B. 3-Corona Centennial at 2-Sierra Canyon, 7-Bishop Montgomery at 6-Orangewood Academy

Here’s the official CIF-Southern Section Open Division schedule.

Finally in Utah, there’s a new queen of the court. Last week, Teya Sidberry of Judge Memorial (Salt Lake City) became the state’s all-time leading scorer. Entering a game against Providence Hall (Herriman), Sidberry needed 40 points to equal Julie Krommenhoek’s career mark of 2,384 points but a layup late in the fourth quarter upped her total to 42 points for the evening and career math went to 2,386. Judge won the game 94-33.

Sidberry, a Utah recruit, became the second girls’ player to eclipse the 2,000-point barrier. Last month, Sidberry established a Utah single-game scoring mark when she dropped 56 points against Providence Hall. The previous record was 55 points. In her opening 20 games, she’s recorded 19 double-doubles with the Utah Class 3A state tournament on the horizon. Judge is the state’s top-ranked 3A squad. Sidberry is averaging 36.0 points.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return on Feb. 16.

Please stay safe, mask up and get vaccinated or a booster shot. In some states the coronavirus rates are falling daily; keep it up. Let’s hope it won’t curtail attendance at playoff games.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Feb. 9, 2022

1. Etiwanda, Calif. (24-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The Lady Eagles are perfect heading into the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs and won their 22^nd straight Baseline League title after beating Bonita Vista (Chula Vista), 69-33. Coach Stan Delus’s team went 10-0 in league play.

2. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (18-0)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Won the Webster Winter Challenge, defeating Webster Groves, 71-54, in the title game. Saniah Tyler bucketed 20 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Junior center Annie Potts added 17 points as the Red Knights won for the 58^th consecutive game.

3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (19-0)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: Madison St. Rose, a Princeton signee, pumped in 28 points and Junior guard Zoe Brooks added 14 as the Lady Lancers crushed Saddle River (N.J.) Day, 76-51, at the Coaches Choice Showcase. Earlier in the week, Brooks surpassed 1,000 career points when the Lady Lancers topped Life Center Academy (Burlington), 72-50. Brooks finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Three games are on tap this week, including a showdown with New Jersey’s No. 2 team Rutgers Prep (Somerset) on Sunday at Kean University in Union.

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (17-0)

Previous: 4.

Low-down: The Quakers rolled over two Independent School League opponents. Sophomore Leah Harmon fired in a career-high 51 points, making 20-of-25 shots and 10 3-pointers, in an 88-54 win over St. Andrew’s Episcopal (Potomac, Md.). Two league games are on tap this week.

5. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (19-2)

Previous: 5.

The Low-down: The Lady Lions featured three players in double-digit scoring in a 70-42 triumph over National Christian Academy (Fort Washington). Kennedy Fauntleroy topped everyone with 23 points, Laila Reynolds had 13 and Taniya Lawson added 11. Coach Sam Caldwell’s team won the transition game, outscoring their opponent, 24-6, and forced 26 turnovers. This week there are two games scheduled.

6. DeSoto, Texas (26-2)

Previous rank: 6.

The Low-down: The Eagles won the District 11-6A championship, topping Cedar Hill, 59-32. LSU-bound Sa’Myah Smith contributed 14 points, 15 rebounds and blocked six shots.

7. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (20-0) #

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Idle. The Cougars open their OHSAA Division I state title defense on Wednesday against Oak Hills in the district first round. The winner plays Monroe in the district quarterfinals on Feb. 16.

8.  Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (16-1)

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Arizona-bound Maya Nnaji flipped in 16 points and the Royals walloped crosstown rivals Minnetonka, 70-46. Nnaji’s 30 points were too much for Edina in a 75-46 road victory.

9. Cedar Park, Texas (29-0)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: The Lady Timberwolves are one win from a perfect regular season after beating East View (Georgetown), 92-35, and Rouse (Leander), 62-34.

10. Classen SAS, Oklahoma City (16-1)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: Defeated U.S. Grant (Oklahoma City), 82-10. Jordan Harrison scored 41 points, sinking 17-of-31 shots (55%).

11. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (20-2)

Previous: 12.

The Low-down: The regular season finishes up against The Bishop’s School (La Jolla) on Friday.

12. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (23-1)

Previous: 13.

Low-down: Senior Celia Vaughn poured in 27 points, including six 3-pointers, in an 84-38 win over Crossroads School (Santa Monica) to clinch a fourth consecutive Gold Coast League title. Juju Watkins, one of the nation’s top juniors, had a monster game with 37 points and 23 rebounds when the Blazers thumped Windward (Los Angeles), 85-53. Up next are the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.

13. Hazel Green, Ala. (29-0)

Previous: 14.

Low-down: Blasted Columbia (Huntsville), 80-20, in the Area 16, Class 6A semifinals. The final is Friday. Also closed out a perfect regular season, beating Lee (Huntsville), 66-34.

14. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (21-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Monarchs had a busy week, going 4-0. They beat Moreau Catholic (Hayward), 74-34, and need two more wins this week to close out a perfect mark in the West Catholic Athletic League before heading into the postseason.

15. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (19-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Knights won twice last week and close out the regular season against Strongsville on Thursday.

16. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (18-3)

Previous: 17.

The Low-down: Idle.

17. DME Sports Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (22-2)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: Defeated The Rock School (Gainesville), 72-51. The next big event scheduled is the Independent Schools national tournament.

18. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (20-2)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Defeated Wesleyan (Norcross), 64-35.

19. Hoover, Ala. (28-3)

Previous: 21.

Low-down: Rolled over Spain Park (Hoover), 61-18, in the regular-season finale.

20. Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga. (21-2)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Lady War Eagles trounced Banneker (College Park), 72-34, and Drew (Riverdale), 99-20. The regular season concludes this week.

21. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (23-1)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: Won the Class 4A, Sectional 6 title, defeating Fort Wayne South Side, 87-55. The Spartans play Noblesville in the Marion Regional semifinals on Saturday.

22. Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (19-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Went 2-1 at the Webster Winter Challenge in Webster Groves, Mo. The Bruins were upset in the semifinals but rebounded to beat Cardinal Ritter (St. Louis), 59-46, in the third-place game. Missouri-bound Averi Kroenke scored a game-high 24 points.

23. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (21-2)

Previous: 23.

The Low-down: Defeated Louisville Christian Academy, 68-54, in the week’s lone game. Six games are left in the regular season.

24. Carondelet, Concord, Calif. (21-2)

Previous: 24.

Low-down: In the regular-season finale, the Cougars defeated St. Ignatius (San Francisco), 65-58, at the Contra Costa Challenge. The CIF-North Coast playoffs start next week.

25. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (28-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Low-down: Illinois’ top-ranked Class 4A debuts in the Elite 25 with two games remaining in the regular season starting with Waukegan on Wednesday and Nazareth Academy (Orland Park) on Friday. In a 62-47 win over St. Viator (Arlington Heights), guard Simone Sawyer, a Pennsylvania recruit, scored 16 points and moved in second place on the program’s all-time scoring list at 1,582 points. The Patriots open the 4A playoffs on Monday in the regional semifinals. The final is Feb. 18.

Dropped: No. 19 Edison Public Academy (Detroit).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (11-4)
2. South Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y. (19-0)
3. Mount Lebanon, Pittsburgh (19-0)
4. Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (18-1)
5. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (14-1)

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

Midwest

1. Johnston, Iowa (19-0)
2. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (22-2)
3. Millard South, Omaha, Neb. (20-0)
4. Franklin, Ind. (25-1)
5. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (6-2)

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

Southland

1. Conway, Ark. (22-1)
2. Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (20-0)
3. Argyle, Texas (31-0)
4. Summer Creek, Houston (32-2)
5. Bullitt East, Mount Washington, Ky. (22-3)

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

Far West

1. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (23-5)
2. Fremont, Plain City, Utah (17-2)
3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (21-4)
4. Beaverton, Ore. (16-1)
5. Pasco, Wash. (18-0)

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

Records through Monday’s games

# Includes a forfeit win

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 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 in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.