STATEMENT: No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (NY) climbs to Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings summit; No. 2 Ontario Christian (CA) avenges loss and one newbie from Texas

DANIA BEACH, Fla. – What’s new is old for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings. Simply, there’s a third No. 1 team of the season with Long Island Lutheran of Brookville, New York ascending to the summit.

For the Crusaders (9-0) it’s the adage: Been there done that.

Remember for portions of the 2023-24 season, the Crusaders were No. 1 with a powerhouse lineup and McDonald’s All American galore. They were in position to win the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship but absorbed key losses en route to a 21-2 mark and upset loss in the CHIPOTLE Nationals in April.

Coach Christina Raiti’s team is unbeaten in nine outings and several national challenges ahead with No. 7 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and three games at the Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament in Florida (likely meeting the ranked host school too) later this month. They already have won tournament titles in Florida and Hawaii.

So, how did LuHi arrive at No. 1?

Well, No. 2 Ontario (Calif.) Christian (20-1) beat then-No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 61-44. OC’s super sophomore Kaleena Smith went off for 23 points but that’s not  the story. Mitty’s junior All-American McKenna Woliczko was injured early in the second quarter, falling to the deck grabbing her right knee and then was carried off the court by trainers. Mitty was winning 19-17 but OC then took command. Mitty appeared to be the remainder of the game in a daze.

Woliczko’s is done for the year with a torn ACL it was announced on social media on Tuesday, Jan. 7. She had an MRI the previous day and it was confirmed. Losing a generational talent is massive blow for the Monarchs, who were among the favorites in the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division. The Monarchs should have enough to win the NorCal Region with Clovis West (Fresno) the primary challenger but the Southern Region is stocked with Elite 25 teams OC, Mater Dei, Sierra Canyon School and defending state champions Etiwanda.

We’ll have an update when something breaks from the West Coast.

The lone newcomer to the Elite 25 is No. 20 Judson (Texas) Converse (Texas) Judson, who enters as the top-ranked team in Class 6A with a 25-1 record. No. 9 Clovis West (18-0) and No. 10 Conway (Ark.) vaulted 12 slots apiece. Both teams are playing at a high level and have won tournament titles and have flawless or near flawless records. Otherwise, seven teams remained in position from the previous week; 12 dipped at least two slots and five went up with the top-4 experiencing a major reshuffle.

This week there’s a terrific event down the Jersey Shore on the campus of Georgian Court University in Lakewood on Sunday, Jan. 12. The All-Jersey three-game lineup is a sneak peek at the postseason top programs. Consider it a full day of hoops.

The second annual Hoop Group Girls Boardwalk Showcase features three matchups (Times are Eastern):

12 p.m.: Manasquan vs. Red Bank Regional

1:30 p.m.: No. 3 Morris Catholic (Denville) vs. Red Bank Catholic

3 p.m. St. John Vianney (Holmdel) vs. Blair Academy (Blairstown)

The boys’ event follows on the same court but the girls ooze talent. Must-see basketball and check out the tickets online at an intimate setting.

Well, that’s it for another week. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball rankings return Wednesday, Jan. 15. We’ll have a look ahead to the key games and events that will be played over the Dr. Martin Luther King Weekend (Jan. 16-20). The Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts will feature a few fantastic matchups.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Jan. 8, 2025

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (9-0)

Previous rank: 2.

The Lowdown: The Crusaders are back atop the Elite 25. Taylor Brown led a balanced scoring attack with 15 points and four others scored in double figures to beat Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic, 65-47, at the Blue Star Invitational in Philadelphia.

2. Ontario (Calif.) Christian (20-1)

Previous: 3.

The Lowdown: Kaleena Smith scored 23 points and the Knights took down then-No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 61-44. Also defeated Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.), 93-42, at the Sabrina Ionescu SI20 Classic in Concord, Calif.

3. Morris Catholic, Denville N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 4.

The Lowdown: Defeated Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone), 65-53, at the Garden State New Year’s Ball in Wayne, N.J. Up next are three games this week, including a showdown with Red Bank Catholic on Sunday, Jan. 12 at the Hoop Group Girls Boardwalk Showcase in Lakewood, N.J.

4. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (9-1)

Previous: 1.

The Lowdown: Defeated St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.), 79-54 and lost to then-No. 3 Ontario (Calif.) Christian, 61-44, at the Sabrina Ionescu SI20 Showcase in Concord, Calif. Junior McKenna Woliczko left the game in the second quarter of the latter game with an injury.

5. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (14-0)

Previous: 5.

The Lowdown: Defeated Mission Hills, 84-46. The Trailblazers have three games this week.

6. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (12-1)

Previous: 6.

The Lowdown: The Eagles romped to victory in a pair of game at Stars Under the Sun in Miami.

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

Previous: 7.

The Lowdown: Defeated Academy of Central Florida National (Kissimmee), 60-26, and Palm Bay (Melbourne), 60-41.

8. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (17-0)

Previous: 8.

The Lowdown: The Royals had two close calls this last week. They defeated Carmel, 47-42, and Plainfield, 57-55, in overtime.

9. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (18-0)

Previous: 21.

The Lowdown: Won the Denver East Holiday Ball Tournament championship, defeating Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), 84-64, in the final. According to a social media site, the Golden Eagles have travelled 7,531 miles over three states over 16 days and won all three tournament chips. Talk about being road warriors.

10. Conway, Ark. (17-1)

Previous: 22.

The Lowdown: Idle.

11. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (8-1)

Previous: 9.

The Lowdown: Improved to 3-0 in conference play with a 56-34 win over Elizabeth Seton (Bladensburg, Md.). The Mustangs were scheduled (weather pending) to play three of the top teams in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference this week, including a showdown with Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.) on Sunday, Jan. 12.

12. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (12-3)

Previous: 10.

The Lowdown: Sophomore Jessie Moses scored 22 points and classmate Jordyn Palmer added 19 to pace the Moose over Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.), 61-49, at the Blue Star Invitational in Philadelphia.

13. Hebron Christian Academy, Dacula, Ga. (12-1)

Previous: 11.

The Lowdown: Defeated Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), 60-53, at the St. James She Got Game Classic in Georgia.

14. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (6-0)

Previous: 12.

The Lowdown: Idle. The Red Knights are on the cusp of a national record for consecutive victories.

15. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (16-0)

Previous: 13.

The Lowdown: Defeated Hazel Green (Ala.), 62-36, and McMinn County (Athens, Tenn.), 97-19.

16. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (16-1)

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Defeated Anthony Wayne (Wayne, Ohio), 63-57, and Merrillville (Ind.), 51-32. Seven games remain in the regular season that ends on Jan. 25.

17. Etiwanda, Calif. (10-4)

Previous: 15.

The Lowdown: After a shaky start, the Eagles ride a six-game win streak after defeating Carondelet (Concord), 79-56, and Monache (Porterville), 65-26. Three games on tap this week and Eagles are coming on strong.

18. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (10-1)

Previous: 16.

The Lowdown: Idle. Two games were postponed, including on Monday, Jan. 6 for heavy snowfall in the DMV.

19. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (16-2)

Previous: 17.

The Lowdown: Iowa-bound point guard Addie Deal had a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists plus 4 assists and 2 steals to earn game MVP honors when the Monarchs stopped Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 83-30, at the Kiernan Klassic in Santa Ana.

20. Converse (Texas) Judson (25-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

The Lowdown: Texas’ top-ranked Class 6A team slides into the Elite 25. The Rockets carried an 18-game win streak into this week’s two games in District 29-6A, including a showdown with San Marcos.

21. Johnston, Iowa (9-0)

Previous: 19.

The Lowdown: Defeated Centennial (Ankeny), 55-43.

22. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (7-2)

Previous: 20.

The Lowdown: Defeated Cooper (Union), 60-49.

23. Belleville, Mich. (7-0)

Previous: 23.

The Lowdown: Defeated East Kentwood (Kentwood), 53-38, at the Motor City Showcase in Detroit.

24. Duncanville, Texas (17-5)

Previous: 24.

The Lowdown: Defeated Lancaster, 55-48, in district play.

25. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (7-4)

Previous: 25.

The Lowdown: Idle.

Dropped: No. 20 Lincoln, Dallas.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (13-0)
2. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (10-0)
3. Bishop Ireton, Alexandria, Va. (11-1)
4. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (6-3)
5. Paul VI, Haddonfield, N.J. (5-0)

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

Midwest

1. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (15-1)
2. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (12-0)
3. Lyons, La Grange, Ill. (16-1)
4. Kenwood, Chicago (15-1)
5. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (8-2)

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

Southland

1. Flower Mound, Texas (22-1)
2. Walker, La. (21-0)
3. Lincoln, Dallas (24-2)
4. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City (13-1)
5. Norman, Okla. (9-1)

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

Far West

1. Clackamas, Ore. (7-2)
2. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (6-3)
3. Ridgeline, Millville, Utah (13-0)
4. Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif. (12-3)
5. South Medford, Medford, Ore. (11-2)

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

Records through Monday

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 at @clawlor.