SBLive/SI Top 25 national girls basketball rankings: Archbishop Mitty still on top
Recently-crowned Nike Tournament of Champions winner Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) won both of its games to begin 2024, getting longtime coach Sue Phillips her 800th career victory.
Preseason No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (New York) rebounded from its Nike TOC finals loss to Mitty with a win at the Blue Star Invitational.
The SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive reporters Lance Smith and Todd Milles based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. Reach Lance on Twitter (@LanceSmithTPC) or email him at lance@scorebooklive.com.
SBLIVE/SI POWER 25 GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
Jan. 10, 2024
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1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA) (12-0 – 1st)
Coach Sue Phillips got her 800th career win in 79-8 league demolition of Presentation last week, then beat rival Saint Francis (Mountain View) as well. Faces Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep on Friday in possible CIFCCS Open Division finals preview.
2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) (10-1 – 2nd)
Rebounded from Nike TOC loss to Mitty by blowing out Fort Erie (Canada) at Blue Star Invitational. Michigan commit Syla Swords (28 points) and USC commit Kayleigh Heckel (21 points) led the way as LuHi won 74-30.
3. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD) (10-3 – 3rd)
Had another big week, opening WCAL play with a 94-30 blowout of Bishop O'Connell and routing South Shore, 83-59. at the Nike Swoosh Classic. Needless to say, things are going well in Ron James' first year leading program.
4. Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL) (11-1 – 4th)
Dominated defensively in two wins at the SUTS New Years Classic, beating Somerset Prep (63-38) and Miami Country Day (50-39). It followed that up with a 12-point win against St. Thomas Aquinas on Monday.
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) (16-1 – 5th)
Fresh off their Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational triumph, Ascenders continue their best start in program history. They should be tested Saturday and the following Monday by two of Georgia's top teams, Grayson and St. Francis (Alpharetta).
6. Morris Catholic (Denville, NJ) (11-0 – 6th)
Crusaders held on against underrated Red Bank Catholic on Sunday to win 49-46 and keep their national title hopes alive. They'll be the heavy favorites against Addie Deal-less Mater Dei at the Hoophall Classic on Friday.
7. Sidwell Friends (Washington, DC) (6-1 – 8th)
Following month-long break, Sidwell Friends opened DCSAA play with hard-earned wins against Bullis and Potomac School. UCLA-bound post Zania Socka averaged 16.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game.
8. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) (16-1 – 9th)
Opened Mission League play in style once again, blowing out Harvard-Westlake (96-39), Chaminade (95-54) and Alemany (90-33) as coach Alicia Komaki picked up her 300th career victory during that span.
9. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL) (13-0 – 7th)
After long break, team gearing up for brutal slate for rest of regular season, jumping back in first against Lake Highland Prep on Thursday and weekend games against Dream City Christian National and Bella Vista College Prep (AZ).
10. Duncanville (Duncanville, TX) (21-3 – 14th)
After easy win earlier this week over Mansfield, Pantherettes looking to go 2-0 against arch rival DeSoto this season, They will enter next week's matchup on a 12-game winning streak if they stay hot against Skyline on Friday.
11. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) (14-2 – 15th)
After beating Chino Hills (82-36) and Rancho Cucamonga (80-24) to open Baseline League - reminder it has been more than 13 years since team's last league loss. Faces Upland in last tuneup game before weekend trip to prestigious Hoophall Classic.
12. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, TX) (27-1 – 11th)
Through one go-around of district play, Wolves have blown out everyone in their path. Riding a 24-game winning streak, they continue the jaunt on Friday against Joshua.
13. Clark (San Antonio, TX) (22-1 – 12th)
Renowned defense has been unwavering yet again this season. Despite facing many of Texas' top teams, the Cougars are allowing just 41 points per game. Up next is game at Northside on Wednesday.
14. Incarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, MO) (11-0 – 14th)
With double-digit wins over Park Hills South and Bartlett, Incarnate Word upped nation's longest winning streak to 111 games - and is now 12 victories away from state record set by Strafford in 2019. Will be heavy favorite in every matchup rest of way.
15. Westtown (West Chester, PA) (9-2 – 15th)
Followed up win over Red Bank Catholic with another 20-point win over national-caliber Shabach Christian (62-42) as Jessie Moses, Jordyn Palmer, Olivia Jones, and Atlee Vanesko scored 11 points apiece in balanced effort.
16. DeSoto (DeSoto, TX) (14-5 – 16th)
Steamrolled Mansfield Legacy and Lake Ridge to make it five consecutive wins since trip to Portland for POA Holiday Classic in late December. DeSoto faces Cedar Hill on Friday before getting second game against rival Duncanville the following week.
17. Grace Christian (Sanford, NC) (16-0 – 18th)
Still buzzing from signature wins over Camden (SC) and Rutgers Prep the previous week, Grace Christian held off Legacy Early College, 63-48, to open the new year. Forward Sarah Strong will remains as one of top unsigned seniors in the country.
18. Hebron Christian (Dacula, GA) (13-2 – 21st)
In battle between two of Georgia's top private school squads, Hebron Christian defeated St. Francis (Alpharetta), 66-57. Despite sharing a conference with the likes of Stockbridge and Hart County, Lions will likely cruise through rest of regular season.
19. Johnston (Johnston, IA) (13-0 – 19th)
Another week of in-state dominance for the Dragons. Their biggest game of the regular season comes on Jan. 19 at Dowling Catholic, which they defeated, 65-53. at home in early December.
20. Sage Hill (Newport Beach, CA) (13-2 – 20th)
After loss to Sierra Canyon in late December, Sage Hill bounced back to beat St. Joseph (Santa Maria) and Paramount by double-digits. It then began iPacific Coast League title defense with 76-24 win over Irvine. Now heads to St. James MLK Classic.
21. Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) (10-0 – 23rd)
Didn't play last week, but their most recent win – against Rutgers Prep on Dec. 27 – is now a lot more valuable after Rutgers Prep's breakthrough win against St. John's. Knights will now be heavy favorites going for third consecutive Central Region sweep.
22. Grayson (Loganville, GA) (15-0 – 22nd)
Held off upset bid from Florida heavyweight Blanche Ely, winning 62-55, and then cruised past Archer to remain unbeaten. Matchup Saturday with IMG Academy will be stock booster as national-game-of-the-week candidate.
23. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL) (12-4 – 24th)
In their only game of the week, five Highlanders scored in double figures for six-time state champions in lopsided victory over Trinity Prep. Four losses are to teams in top-25 national rankings.
24. Clackamas (Clackamas, OR) (6-2 – 25th)
Cavaliers picked up another impressive in-state win in their only game last week, defeating Willamette, 69-51. They followed it up Monday with blowout of Central Catholic. Will head up to Washington on Monday for King Showcase event.
25. Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee, FL) (17-1 – Bubble)
With only loss against No. 4 Montverde Academy, Central Pointe Christian makes rankings' debut on 10-game winning streak. Has wins over Winston-Salem Christian National, Shining Star Sports Academy, Cardinal Mooney, and SPARA.
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ON THE BUBBLE:
Archbishop Carroll (Washington, DC)
Bradley Central (Cleveland, TN)
Camden (Camden, SC)
Folsom (Folsom, CA)
Garfield (Seattle, WA)
Lone Peak (Highland, UT)
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Ontario Christian (Ontario, CA)
Putnam City West (Oklahoma City, OK)
Pickerington Central (Pickerington, OH)
Purcell Marian (Cincinatti, OH)
Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ)
Rutgers Prep (Somerset, NJ)
South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
St. John's (Washington, DC)
Wesleyan (Peachtree Corners, GA)
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca
