Louisiana high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings (1/12/2024)

Undefeated Walker tops this week's rankings; No. 4 Southern Lab defeats No. 2 Lafayette Christian

Check out our latest edition of the SBLive Louisiana Top 25 girls prep basketball rankings for the 2023-24 season. 

Let us know your thoughts on X @SBLive_LA and on Facebook at SBLive Louisiana. Who is too high? Who is getting slept on? We want to know.

Note: The power ratings and records are from Geaux Preps on Jan. 11.

1. Walker, 24-0 (previous rank: 2) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 1

The Lady Wildcats beat Washington-Marion, Carencro and Fairview to win the Oberlin Tournament. Ja'Miya Vann was named All-Tournament Team MVP, and Leah Eddards made the All-Tournament Team.

Vann is averaging 13.9 points per game. Kennedi Ard is scoring 14.4 ppg. Eddards is at 12.1 ppg and Arionna Patterson is at 10.2 ppg. Ard (5-9, Sr,) is also averaging 4.3 steals, four rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

Walker also beat H.L. Bourgeois (61-41) on Jan. 10.

2. Lafayette Christian, 18-1 (previous rank: 1) - LHSAA Power Rating Division II select No. 1

The Lady Knights defeated Madison Prep, LaGrange, Wossman and John Curtis Christian to win the Platinum Division of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic at the Alario Center.

According to LGRBasketball, LSU signee Jada Richard scored 18 third-quarter points in the semifinal vs. Wossman, which led by 20 at one point. Richard scored 35 points in the second half and finished with 47 as Lafayette Christian prevailed, 60-57.

The Lady Knights topped John Curtis Christian in overtime, 68-66, in the final. Senior guard Indy Hebert was recognized on X by LGRBasketball, which mentioned her "on ball defending" as a catalyst for LCA.

Taelyn Taylor and Jarissa Davis are two additional important players for coach Errol Rogers. According to Les East of Crescent City Sports, 6-foot sophomore Kaliyah Samuels left the game with a knee injury in a 56-41 win over LaGrange on Jan. 5.

Southern Lab defeated the Lady Knights in overtime, 53-48, on January 10. The Kittens, who led by double digits in the third quarter, won with a physical brand of basketball in front of a vocal home crowd.

Louisiana high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (1/9/2024)

3. Huntington, 15-2 (previous rank: 3) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I select No. 1

The Lady Raiders pummeled Booker T. Washington-Shreveport, 78-28, on Jan. 9. Guards Carley Hamilton and Kyndal Graham are scoring 18.7 and 18.6 points per game. Hamilton, a junior, is averaging a team-high 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. Graham, a sophomore, is getting 2.6 steals with a team-high 2.7 assists per game.

4. Southern Lab, 12-5 (previous rank: 12) - LHSAA Power Rating Division IV select No. 1

The Kittens knocked Lafayette Christian from the unbeaten ranks in overtime, 53-48, in front of a festive home crowd.

Kinsley James scored 18 points with 13 rebounds, according to Robin Fambrough of the Baton Rouge Advocate. Asia Patin had 12 points, eight rebounds, eight steals and five assists.

Freshman Kori Wesley did stellar defensive work vs. LSU signee Jada Richard, while 5-foot-10 senior center Gabriell Hill and LCA's 6-foot senior, Eve Alexander, waged an epic war in the paint.

Southern Lab, which is on a six-game winning streak, previously ended another program's quest for a perfect season when the Kittens beat Liberty Magnet, 63-48, on Dec. 30. The Kittens have games coming up against Wossman and Carencro at the Hamilton Christian Tournament.

5. Parkway, 12-4 (previous rank: 6) LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 8

The Lady Panthers clobbered District 1-5A foes Byrd and Airline by scores of 62-3 and 56-15. 5-foot-8 senior guard Chloe Larry, a Tennessee Tech commit, is the team captain.

Parkway hasn't shown any signs of slowing down without Mikaylah Williams, a true freshman at LSU who was the No. 1 player in the nation.

Larry scored 16 points in the win over Airline. Dakota Howard (5-foot-11 junior) added 12 points and Savannah Wilson (5-foot-10, junior) had 10 points, according to Russell Hedges of the Bossier Press Tribune.

6. Wossman, 15-3 (previous rank: 4) - LHSAA Power Rating Division II non-select No. 1

The Lady Wildcats beat Midland and Vandebilt Catholic ahead of a semifinal loss to Lafayette Christian at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic.

Junior Anyra Wilson was named to the Sugar Bowl All-Tournament Team. LGRBasketball wrote on X that senior Danaya Ross "is clearly the top unsigned guard in the state," and added that she is a two-time state championship MVP. 6-foot-1 junior Ramiah Augerson is a Class 3A all-state player. Southeastern Louisiana signee and senior center Brittany Burton was mentioned as a "Sugar Bowl Standout" by LGRBasketball.

7. John Curtis Christian, 13-4 (previous rank: 5) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I select No. 2

The Patriots defeated Kenwood (Illinois) and Sparkman (Alabama) to reach the finals of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic Platinum Division where they took Lafayette Christian to overtime before losing, 68-66.

Chikae Desdunes' 18 points paced the Patriots. Imani Daniel added 16 points, Ke'Sonya Nelson had 11 and Jayla Albert and Bailey Timmons scored nine points apiece. Desdunes, a 5-foot-9 sophomore, was named to the All-Tournament Team along with Daniel.

Senior point guard Heaven Jordan is ranked as the No. 9 player in Louisiana by LGRBasketball. Daniel (5-9, Jr.) is ranked as the No. 7 player in her class. Desdunes is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2026.

John Curtis kicked off District 9-5A play with a 30-plus point win at Archbishop Chapelle (15-5) on Thursday.

8. Southside, 18-3 (previous rank: 9) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 3

The Lady Sharks defeated Dutchtown (42-17) and Northside (47-35). Freshman Kay'Len Alexander scored 19 points in the win over Dutchtown. Eymani Key added 11 points.

Key, a 5-foot-7 senior, has picked up two scholarship offers since late December. Alexander also led the scoring in the Northside win with 18 points. Alleyah Kennedy and Key each had 10 points.

Class of 2026 point guard Urijah Carmouche has done a good job of putting her teammates in position to score.

9. Bastrop, 23-0 (previous rank: 10) - LHSAA Power Rating Division II non-select No. 3

The Lady Rams defeated Brusly (38-30) and General Trass (66-10).

Mariah Heard (5-5, Sr.) posted 19 points in the win over Brusly. In the Northside win, Alana Myles (5-11, Jr.) scored 18 with Kayleah Wilson and Heard each chipping in 12 points.

Heard is averaging 14.7 points per game. Jameiah Peoples (5-9, Sr.) is at 11.2 ppg. Myles is at 10.8 ppg.

10. Denham Springs, 19-3 (previous rank: 11) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 2

The Lady Jackets beat Parkview Baptist, 56-47, on Jan. 9. That win followed double-digit victories over Albany and St. Scholastica and a 39-37 win at White Castle.

Raegan White hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to lift Denham Springs to a 31-28 win over Live Oak in the opening round of the Livingston Parish Tournament at Walker High in December, according to Charles Salzer of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Those two teams will meet again in a District 5-5A opener at Denham Springs on Jan. 25. Live Oak is now 10-4.

11. Hicks, 25-1 (previous rank: 13) - LHSAA Power Rating Division V non-select No. 1

Hicks began District 4-B play with a 68-57 win over defending Division V select state champion Oak Hill. Hicks is No. 1 in LaMar Gafford's Cenla Power Rankings ahead of Fairview, Natchitoches Central, Anacoco, Oakdale and Oak Hill.

The Lady Pirates travel to Anacoco on Jan. 16 in another big 4-B contest. Hicks will play Oak Hill in the second round of district at Hineston on Jan. 26.

12. Mandeville, 18-5 (previous rank: NR) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 5

The Lady Skippers made big noise at the Gold Division of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic, running through Warren Easton, Oakdale, Zachary and Amite to clinch the title.

Alanna Benoit was named Gold Division MVP. Hannah Benoit and Saleigh Berry both made the All-Tournament Team.

LGRBasketball wrote on X that "(Alanna) Benoit is a 2026 that should be on the radar of all DI coaches regionally as her game & skill set continues to improve!"

Benoit was further praised for "creating scoring opportunities" and scoring "off the bounce."

Mandeville cashed in on seven 3-pointers in the first half of its 64-48 defeat of Zachary.

13. Rosepine, 18-5 (previous rank: 16) - LHSAA Power Rating Division III No. 1

The Lady Eagles earned road wins at Oak Hill and Glenmora. Kelly Norris, Nevaeh Rivera and Addison Fruge are returning senior starters from last year's team that beat Amite in the state championship.

Rosepine has a big District 4-2A game vs. Holy Savior Menard (16-6) on Jan. 16.

14. Fairview, 23-6 (previous rank: 18) - LHSAA Power Rating Division V non-select No. 3

The Lady Panthers beat Ville Platte and Hathaway at the Oberlin Tournament and lost to Walker, 93-73. The 73 points represented the most any opponent has scored vs. Walker, which allowed a previous season-high of 58 points in a 73-58 win over South Beauregard.

The win over Hathaway was a rematch of last year's state championship game won by Hathaway.

15. Carencro, 15-5 (previous rank: 14) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I select No. 5

The Lady Bears beat Pitkin and Hathaway and lost to Walker. 5-foot-8 senior Shelcie LeBlanc scored a season-high of 34 points in a game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic and was named to the All Tournament Team.

16. Anacoco, 24-3 (previous rank: 21) - LHSAA Power Rating Division V non-select No. 2

The Lady Indians began the year with a 3-2 record and have only lost one game since, to Rosepine, at the Rosepine Tournament on Dec. 22. Anacoco has wins over Hicks and Rosepine in December.

Key players include RayLee Mitchell, Izzabella Henry, Brooklyn Bryant, Bailey Davis, Jo Mawae,Emilee D'Amico and Abbie Dowden.

17. Haughton, 21-3 (previous rank: NR) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 4

The Lady Buccaneers are 5-0 in District 1-5A after wins vs. Natchitoches Central and Southwood. Key players include Skylar Branch (Soph.), Bella Hammond (5-10, Soph.), Shaniya Perkins (6-2, Soph.) and Abbie Hooper (5-9, Sr.).

18. Zachary, 14-4 (previous rank: 8) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 6

The Lady Broncos were defeated by Mandeville, 64-48, on Jan. 5. They rebounded with wins over St. Thomas More and West Feliciana.

Ava Raymond (2026) was selected to the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic All-Tournament Team.

Stat leaders from Zachary's 71-42 win over Edna Karr were Cimya Rideaux (19 points, four rebounds, two blocks), Raymond (18 points, five steals, four rebounds), Tiarra McPipe (13 points, seven rebounds, two steals) and Taigan Heck (12 points, four assists, three steals, three rebounds).

19. J.S. Clark, 15-3 (previous rank: 25) - LHSAA Power Rating Division V select No. 2

On Jan. 11, the Lady Bulldogs rolled to a 49-20 halftime lead on the road vs. a St. Martinville team that came into the game with a 15-2 record. J.S. Clark went on to win, 75-32.

Key players include Taylor Barnaba, Tristanie Albert, Hailey Robins, Erianna Ned, Ramya Pickney and Akeelah Williams.

20. Natchitoches Central, 14-8 (previous rank: 15) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I non-select No. 10

The Lady Chiefs lost to District 1-5A opponent Haughton, 48-40, and beat another district foe, Byrd, by a 51-15 margin.

Natchitoches Central has upcoming district games vs. Parkway and Southwood (17-6, 0-4).

21. Liberty Magnet, 13-2 (previous rank: 7) - LHSAA Power Rating Division I select No. 3

The Lady Patriots lost, 72-61, at Madison Prep on Jan. 10. It was a rematch from a Dec. 29 game won by Liberty, 47-36.

Through the first five games of the season, Whitney Hart was averaging a double-double with 23.8 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game. 6-foot-2 junior Quiana Lavergne (12.8 ppg) and 5-foot-3 senior Kaysharia Woods (11 ppg) were scoring in double-figures.

The Lady Patriots will get another shot vs. Southern Lab on Jan. 22 at home. Southern Lab beat Liberty, 63-48, on Dec. 30.

22. Amite, 17-4 (previous rank: 17) - LHSAA Power Rating Division III non-select No. 3

The Lady Warriors beat Church Point, St. Thomas More and Pine, and lost to Mandeville.

Senior guard Hai'ley Brumfield was recognized as one of the Top Unsigned Players at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic by LGRBasketball, who wrote on X that Brumfield is both a "playmaker and an underrated defender."

Senior Miracle Irving also drew praise from LGRBasketball as a Top Unsigned Player. Irving made double-digit 3-pointers in her team's games at the tournament.

23. Albany, 14-5 (previous rank: 19) - LHSAA Power Rating Division II non-select No. 2

The Lady Hornets lost to Denham Springs and beat Holden. Key players include Aubrey Hoyt (5-10, Sr.), KatieLynn Saxon (5-5, Sr.), Morgan Crain, Emma Rogers, Kaidence Ponder (5-9, Jr.), Ava Shields (5-11, Sr.) and Mackenzie Richardson.

Albany hosts District 7-3A rival Amite on Jan. 12

24. Oakdale, 17-5 (previous rank: 23) - LHSAA Power Rating Division IV non-select No. 2

The Lady Warriors bounced back from a loss to Mandeville with wins over Edna Karr, Church Point and Avoyelles.

Emani Young, a senior forward/wing, was recognized as a Top Unsigned Player at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic by LGRBasketball, which wrote on X that Young "creates from the high post" and has a "high motor."

Senior Akeelah Hobson was also noted as a Top Unsigned Player. Hobson is a "scoring guard with vision," LGRBasketball wrote on X.

25. Doyle, 21-3 (previous rank: NR) - LHSAA Power Rating Division III non-select No. 2

The Lady Tigers have won 12 straight games dating back to consecutive losses to Walker and Albany in December.

Key players include Kylee Savant, Allie Savant, Kaelyn Contorno, Bailey Watts, Alyson Fletcher, Peyton Lee, Kassidy Rivero, Shelby Taylor, Emma Roshto and Suri Stewart.

On the Bubble/Best of the Rest

Church Point, Madison Prep, Slidell, Iowa, South Beauregard, LaGrange, Westlake, Arcadia, LaSalle, Lake Arthur, Midland, Vandebilt Catholic, Hamilton Christian, Oak Hill, Sacred Heart, Dunham, Tioga, Ponchatoula, Woodlawn-Baton Rouge, University Lab, Acadiana, Hahnville, Neville, St Thomas More, St. Scholastica

Photo of Southern Lab's Kinsley James (left) and Walker's Ja'Miya Vann by John Oubre, The Advocate 

-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA 

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