Top 25 national high school girls basketball rankings: Long Island Lutheran, Morris Catholic poised for showdown (2/5/2024)
Archbishop Mitty (California), the No. 1 high school girls basketball team in the country, passed its toughest remaining regular-season test by handling Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, 75-42 - and will play three more games in West Catholic action over the next 11 days.
Second-ranked Long Island Lutheran (New York) has another major hurdle to clear soon - No. 8 Morris Catholic on Feb. 17. The unbeaten Crusaders (20-0) moved up two spots in the latest SBLive/SI Power 25 national girls basketball rankings.
Meanwhile, defending national champion and No. 3 Montverde Academy (Florida) survived a scare from Palm Bay, 56-55, last week, but still has repeat hopes.
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
Feb. 5, 2024
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1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA) (21-0 – 1st)
Hard not to like Mitty's chances at repeating atop the CIFCCS after it swept Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep – the section's No. 2 team – 75-42 and 91-55 in league play. Sophomore McKenna Woliczko goes over 1,000 points (36 points against SHCP).
2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) (17-1 – 2nd)
Remains one Archbishop Mitty loss from taking over as consensus No. 1 team in country. In 117-83 win over Brooklyn Law & Tech, which entered 19-1, Lauryn Swann totaled 38 points and seven steals – and announced pledge to Arizona same day.
3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL) (20-1 – 3rd)
Came within one point from repeat national-title hopes getting dashed, but prevailed, over formidable Palm Bay, 56-55. Jaloni Cambridge jump shot from the wing with 5.8 seconds complete frantic final-minute comeback.
4. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) (25-3 – 4th)
As No. 2 seed in CIFSS Open Division playoffs, Etiwanda will host Corona Centennial, Bishop Montgomery, and Ontario Christian in pool play. All three of last week's victories, the Eagles put up 80-plus points.
5. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD) (19-3 – 5th)
Took care of Paul VI, 62-43, in only game. With win, Bishop McNamara has a 14-game winning streak - and is 7-0 in WCAL play. Also, guard Maddy McDaniel learned she is headed off to McDonald's All-American Game.
6. Grayson (Loganville, GA) (23-0 – 6th)
Only South Gwinnett and Newton stand in way of undefeated regular season, and Grayson pummeled both in the first go-around of regional play.
7. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) (21-3 – 7th)
Picked up 10-point win over Central Pointe Christian Academy in its only game. Closes regular season in facing DME Academy and Montverde Academy.
8. Morris Catholic (Denville, NJ) (20-0 – 10th)
With 50-43 win over St. John Vianney, Morris Catholic remained unbeaten and continued its ramp-up to facing Long Island Lutheran on Feb. 17.
9. Sidwell Friends (Washington, DC) (15-3 – 8th)
Lost to Canada's Crestwood Prep (54-48), but stock is unaffected. Responded with dominant DCSAA wins over Potomac School and Connelly School of the Holy Child.
10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) (27-1 – 9th)
Was awarded top overall seed in Southern Section playoffs after a dominant regular season. Will host Orangewood Academy, No. 18 Sage Hill, and Mater Dei in pool play.
11. Incarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, MO) (18-0 – 11th)
Routed Pattonville in its only game of week. Eight more wins (five regular season; three playoff) would break Missouri's all-time winning streak of 125 games.
12. DeSoto (DeSoto, TX) (21-5 – 12th)
Enters the playoffs as arguably the team to beat in 6A, but it'll be a bloodbath as usual with Duncanville and reigning champion Clark ready for battle.
13. Duncanville (Duncanville, TX) (27-4 – 13th)
Was one of the nation's top stock risers of regular season before DeSoto loss - and had time to regroup before 6A playoffs.
14. Westtown (West Chester, PA) (20-2 – 14th)
Went untested in a sweep of the Friends Schools circuit, and finished regular season on 17-game tear. All of those wins were by double-digit margin..
15. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, TX) (33-1 – 15th)
Now on 30-game winning streak, Wolves enter playoffs as heavy favorite in 5A despite a crowded field.
16. Grace Christian (Sanford, NC) (25-0 – 16th)
With Rutgers Prep moving up to No. 23 from bubble, Grace Christian now has a win over a top-25 opponent (59-55 win Dec. 30).
17. Hebron Christian (Dacula, GA) (21-2 – 17th)
Only losses are to Lu-Hi and Montverde, so room to move up rankings is there. Only real resistance in AAA playoffs could be Wesleyan.
18. Sage Hill (Newport Beach, CA) (24-2 – 18th)
Gets rematches in CIF-Southern Section pool play against only teams it has lost to – Mater Dei and Sierra Canyon. Thunder are 0-5 against them in past two seasons.
19. Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) (17-0 – 19th)
Outscored opponents in three wins last week, 237-81, Getting to 20-0 seems like lock for Knights before entering playoffs.
20. Johnston (Johnston, IA) (19-0 – 20th)
Dragons look to complete the undefeated regular season against Ankeny and Southeast Polk - teams they beat by more than 20 points previously.
21. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) (24-2 – 22nd)
After another dominant sweep of North Bay, team has now gone more than a decade since losing a league game. Finished regular season on 22-game winning streak.
22. Folsom (Folsom, CA) (20-4 – 23rd)
With two games left before the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, Folsom appears to be on a collision course for a rematch with St. Mary's (Stockton).
23. Rutgers Prep (Somerset, NJ) (16-4 – Bubble)
Finally jumps in top 25 after nearly two seasons on bubble. Argonauts have lost only to top-20 national teams (Thomas Dale, Grace Christian, Lu-Hi, Bishop McNamara).
24. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) (31-0 – 25th)
Went undefeated through regular season and GCAC Tournament with convincing wins against Fenwick, Saint Ignatius, and Montini Catholic.
25. Purcell Marian (Cincinatti, OH) (19-1 – Bubble)
Been more than two months since only loss to Pickerington Central as team is riding high on 17-game winning streak.
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ON THE BUBBLE:
Camden (Camden, SC)
Clark (San Antonio, TX)
Gabriel Richard (Ann Arbor, MI)
Lincoln (Lincoln, IL)
Lone Peak (Highland, UT)
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Ontario Christian (Ontario, CA)
Pickerington Central (Pickerington, OH)
Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ)
Shawnee Mission South (Shawnee Mission, KS)
South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca
