No. 4 Sidwell Friends (DC) claims major tournament title; three from Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings to compete at The Mecca Showcase in the Bronx

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was another quiet week for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. That’s three straight weeks in January without any additions or subtractions.

The biggest news from the Elite 25 is No. 4 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) won a made-for-TV tournament in Minnesota last weekend, dispatching two ranked teams in host Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) and DeSoto (Texas). In the latter game, the Quakers beat DeSoto for the second time this season and closed the contest with 11 unanswered points to win by five points.

In Alabama, unbeaten No. 16 Hazel Green settled the who’s No. 1 overall by winning state bragging rights last weekend. Hazel Green, Alabama’s top-ranked team from Class 6A and a four-time reigning state champion, hammered then-No. 17 Hoover (No. 1 in Class 7A) by 27 points. Hoover dipped six spots in the Elite 25 but have built up enough equity to remain ranked with Alabama’s Area playoffs running Feb. 7, 9 and 11. Both teams are early favorites to win state titles.

One of the nation’s premier showcase events, The Mecca Girls’ Basketball High School Showcase, gets rolling this weekend (Jan. 29 and 30) for two days at the famed Gauchos Gym in the Bronx (N.Y.). Sixteen games, eight on each day, featuring schools from seven states and the District of Columbia and one from Ontario, Canada. Three teams from the Elite 25 are scheduled to play.

The Gauchos Gym is located at 478 Gerard Avenue, Bronx, N.Y. 10451 near Yankee Stadium. The current schedule (as of Tuesday January 25):

Saturday

9 a.m.: Brooklyn (N.Y.) Law vs, St. Joseph by-the-Sea (Staten Island, N.Y.)

10:30 a.m.: Montclair (N.J.) Immaculate v, Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.)

12 p.m.: Winston-Salem (N.C.) Christian vs. Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.)

1:30 p.m.: Putnam (Conn.) Science Academy vs. Capital Courts Academy (Orleans, Ontario)

3 p.m.: Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.) vs. Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.)

4:30 p.m.: No. 4 Sidwell Friends (D.C.) vs. No. 3 St. John Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)

6 p.m.: Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) vs. No. 5 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)

7:30 p.m.: Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.) vs. South Shore (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Sunday

9 a.m.: Mary Louis Academy (Jamaica Estates, N.Y.) vs. New Hope Academy Varsity 2 (Md.)

10:30 a.m.: Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx) vs. Staten Island (N.Y.) Academy

12 p.m.: Winston-Salem Christian vs. Riverdale Baptist School

1:30 p.m.: No. 5 New Hope Academy vs. Capital Courts Academy

3 p.m.: Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.) vs. No. 4 Sidwell Friends

4:30 p.m.: Putnam Science Academy vs. Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.

6 p.m.: Springfield (Mass.) Central vs. St. Mary’s (Manhasset, N.Y.)

7:30 p.m. Baldwin (N.Y.) vs. Nazareth Regional (Brooklyn)

Check back for scheduling updates and any weather advisories. There is a chance of a snow event this weekend in the New York Metropolitan area.

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

The regular season in Florida and Indiana conclude this week and the playoffs start next week and will be over before you know it. We’ll be sure to keep you abreast of the movers and shakers once the state brackets nationwide are revealed.

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

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 26, 2022

1. Etiwanda, Calif. (18-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Low-down: The nation’s top-ranked team was on the ropes Saturday night but used a 20-10 fourth-quarter spurt to take down Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), 59-56, at the Public vs. Private Challenge in San Diego. Trailing 46-39 through three quarters, the Eagles took off down the stretch and erased a 19-point halftime deficit. The Eagles are slated for two games in the Baseline League and two non-league contests this weekend against Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) and Bonita Vista (Chula Vista).

2. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (13-0)

Previous: 2.

The Low-down: Following a successful trip to the West Coast over the Martin Luther King Weekend, the Red Devils beat two teams from Illinois, Normal Community, 62-53, and Bolingbrook, 73-54. Next is local opponents Westminster (Town & Country) on Wednesday and MWAA rivals St. Joseph’s Academy (St. Louis) on Friday.

3. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (12-0)

Previous: 3.

The Low-down: The two-headed monster of junior Zoe Brooks (25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) and Princeton-bound Madison St. Rose (21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) teamed for 46 point, 9 rebounds and 6 steals in a 77-50 victory over Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.). The Lady Lancers also topped Red Bank Regional, 84-26, in league play. On Saturday, they have a formidable foe in No. 4 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) at The Mecca Girls’ High School Basketball Challenge in the Bronx, N.Y.

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (11-0)

Previous: 5.

Low-down: Won Girls High School Basketball Invitational in Minnetonka, Minn., defeating No. 6 DeSoto (Texas), 60-55, in the final. The Quakers closed the game on an 11-0 run. UCLA-bound Kiki Rice scored 14 points in the final. The Quakers stopped then-No. 4 Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.), 66-57, in the semifinals. Rice finished with 21 points.

5. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (17-2)

Previous: 7.

The Low-down: Center Jaida Belton’s double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds helped propel the Lady Tigers over Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro), 78-42, in their lone game. Georgetown-bound point guard PG Kennedy Fauntleroy (Georgetown) scored 19 points. The Lady Tigers are scheduled for three games, including two at The Mecca Girls’ Basketball High School Showcase in the Bronx, N.Y.

6. DeSoto, Texas (22-2)

Previous rank: 6.

The Low-down: For the second time this season, the Eagles lost to then-No. 5 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), 60-55, in the final of the Girls High School Basketball Invitational in Minnetonka, Minn. The Eagles allowed the game’s final 11 points to cough up a 55-49 lead in the fourth quarter. Kentucky-bound center Tionna Herron scored 19 points in the loss. In the semifinals, they beat Grandview (Aurora, Colo.), 68-54. The Eagles outscored Grandview by 21 points in the second half.

7. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (17-0) #

Previous: 8.

The Low-down: Defeated Mercy McAuley (Cincinnati), 74-32, and Cooper (Union, Ky.), 47-31. The Cougars have two game this week, including Lakota East (Liberty Township) on Monday.

8.  Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (13-1)

Previous: 4.

The Low-down: Split two games at the Girls High School Basketball Invitational. Minnesota-bound guard Amaya Battle scored 19 points in a 67-55 loss to then-No. 5 Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) in the semifinals. The Royals rallied to take third place with a 66-37 thrashing of Grandview (Aurora, Colo.). Maya Nnaji, Taylor Woodson and Battle tallied 14

9. DME Sports Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (20-1)

Previous: 9.

Low-down: Sydney Shaw (13 points), Amiya Evans (12) and Tyana Walker (11) combined to score 36 points during a 70-57 victory over Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota). The only scheduled game this week is Thursday vs. IMG Academy (Bradenton).

10. Cedar Park, Texas (25-0)

Previous: 10.

Low-down: With a perfect 9-0 mark in the District 25-5A, the Lady Timberwolves are rolling with five games left in the regular season. It will take some great team to beat the defending Class 5A state champions this season.

11. Classen SAS, Oklahoma City (14-1)

Previous: 11.

Low-down: Idle.

12. Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (14-0)

Previous: 12.

Low-down: Won the Truman Tournament in Independence (Mo.), beating the host school, 41-37 in the final. In the semifinals, the Lady Bruins beat Blue Springs South, 48-43.

13. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (17-1)

Previous: 13.

The Low-down: It was a light week for the Valkyries, who posted a lopsided win over a local opponent, and now set their sights on the Republic Bank Louisville Invitational Tournament that runs Jan. 25-30.

14. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (16-2)

Previous: 14.

The Low-down: The Torreys defeated Pacific Ridge (Carlsbad), 67-24, and Mount Miguel (Spring Valley), 68-44.

15. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (20-1)

Previous: 15.

Low-down: The Blazers recorded a pair of lopsided victories and have scheduled three regular season games left.

16. Hazel Green, Ala. (25-0)

Previous: 16.

Low-down: The Lady Trojans left no doubt with a statement win on Saturday. Samiya Steele contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in a 59-32 humbling of then-No. 17 Hoover (Ala.) in a showdown of Alabama’s top two teams. Coach Tim Miller’s team has won 49 consecutive games and the last four Class 6A state championships.

17. Carondelet, Concord, Calif. (14-1)

Previous: 18.

Low-down: The Cougars were perfect in three games, including a 79-60 victory over Heritage (Brentwood) at the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase.

18. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (15-1)

Previous: 19.

Low-down: The Monarchs stretched their win streak to six games with two victories.

19. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (16-0)

Previous: 20.

Low-down: Lanae Riley, a forward who signed with Middle Tennessee State, had 25 points and 4 rebounds and sophomore guard Adrena Gordon scored 12 points to defeat Green (Uniontown), 73-39, culminating a 3-0 week.

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

Previous: 21.

The Low-down: Defeated Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota), 68-25, and Carrollwood Day (Tampa), 58-32. The Eagles play twice this week at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament.

21. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (4-1)

Previous: 22.

Low-down: The Pioneers finally played a game after a 15-day layoff and remain Michigan’ top-ranked team regardless of division. Four games have been cancelled.

22. Lake Highland Prep, Orlando, Fla. (18-3)

Previous: 23.

Low-down: The Highlanders needed overtime but they held off Colonial (Orlando), 86-82. The regular season concludes Saturday against No. 20 Montverde (Fla.) Academy in a local showdown.

23. Hoover, Ala. (23-3)

Previous: 17.

Low-down: Lost to then-No. 16 Hazel Green (Ala.), 59-32, in a battle of the state’s top two teams. Aniya Hubbard scored 12 points and Reniya Kelly added 9 in the setback. The Lady Bucs bounced back to beat Norcross (Ga.), 62-37.

24. Duncanville, Texas (26-5)

Previous: 24.

The Low-down: The Pantherettes shook off a loss two weeks ago to blow away two District 11-6A opponents. They played No. ghgh DeSoto on Tuesday and by the end of the week the regular season is down to three games.

25. Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga. (16-2)

Previous: 25.

Low-down: The Lady War Eagles are 8-0 in Region 3-AAAAA play after two more wins. They have three region games this week.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (15-0)
2. Saddle River (N.J.) Day School (12-0)
3. St. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (12-3)
4. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (9-4)
5. Chartiers Valley, Bridgeville, Pa. (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. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (19-1)
2. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (20-2)
3. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (24-1)
4. Johnston, Iowa (14-0)
5. Millard South, Omaha, Neb. (16-0)

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

Southland

1. Conway, Ark. (17-1)
2. Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (16-0)
3. Holy Innocents’ Episcopal, Atlanta (17-2)
4. Argyle, Texas (28-0)
5. Summer Creek, Houston (27-2)

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

Far West

1. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (18-5)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (16-3)
3. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego (13-3)
4. Fremont, Plain City, Utah (14-2)
5. Beaverton, Ore. (12-1)

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

Records through Monday’s game

# 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.