Top 25 national high school girls basketball rankings: Etiwanda (California) moves up (1/16/2024)

No. 1 Archbishop Mitty and No. 4 Etiwanda are on a collision course again

Archbishop Mitty is still the top high school girls basketball team in the nation, but in-state rival Etiwanda is gaining ground.

Etiwanda, who beat Mitty in the 2023 California Open Division girls basketball state championship game, upset No. 9 Sidwell Friends (Washington D.C.) at the Hoophall Classic and jumped from No. 11 to No. 4 in the latest SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national girls basketball rankings.

No. 1 Mitty is still unbeaten after impressive wins over Northern California powers Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep and Bishop O'Dowd.

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. 16, 2024

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1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA) (14-0 – 1st)

The gap between Archbishop Mitty and the rest of northern California is arguably larger than ever. Mitty blew out Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (75-42) and Bishop O'Dowd (66-18) for its two best in-state wins so far this season.

2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) (12-1 – 2nd)

Even with only 12 wins under its belt, LuHi has a list of impressive wins like no one else in the country. The Crusaders added to it last week against two red-hot ranked teams, beating Rutgers Prep (77-55) and No. 4 Etiwanda (82-62) at Hoophall Classic.

3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL) (17-1 – 4th)

Added yet more impressive wins to resume last week, defeating Bishop Ireton, Elizabeth Seton and Wesleyan - by double digits. Arguably nation's toughest schedule continues with upcoming games against IMG Academy, DME Academy and LuHi.

4. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) (16-3 – 11th)

Before losing to Long Island Lutheran, Etiwanda broke through to beat Sidwell Friends (71-56) at the Hoophall Classic behind Kennedy Smith's 29 points (and six 3-pointers). Loss to LuHi is only defeat of season while at full-strength.

5. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD) (13-3 – 3rd)

Survived close calls against Bishop Ireton and Our Lady of Good Counsel in WCAL play before defeating Sacred Heart (KY) at the St. James MLK Classic. Might not be pretty, but team is getting job done.

6. Grayson (Loganville, GA) (17-0 – 22nd)

Top-ranked public school in the South cruised to a program-defining win Saturday against IMG Academy - 73-56. Victory vaults Rams up 16 spots in the rankings. Was no fluke, as previous wins over Wesleyan, McDonogh, and South Shore indicate.

7. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) (17-2 – 5th)

National title hopes took enormous hit with loss to Grayson, but team bounced back with 62-45 win over St. Francis (GA). IMG's schedule cools off for a couple weeks before it takes on Canadian superpower Crestwood Prep - then the Florida gauntlet.

8. Morris Catholic (Denville, NJ) (13-0 – 6th)

Stayed unbeaten by beating Mater Dei (64-48) and Bethany (67-63). On the week, 5-star PG Mia Pauldo totaled 53 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds, and eight steals - with nine made 3-pointers.

9. Sidwell Friends (Washington, DC) (9-2 – 7th)

With DCSAA gauntlet ramping up, Quakers have great opportunity to put Etiwanda loss behind them quickly. Ramps up Thursday with revenge game against Georgetown Visitation Prep, which stunned Sidwell Friends in the ISL AA Championship last season.

10. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) (16-1 – 8th)

Despite dropping two spots, Trailblazers could still potentially be in national championship race after just close loss to Sidwell Friends. Had blowout wins over Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, CA), Francis Parker and Birmingham last week.

11. Duncanville (Duncanville, TX) (22-3 – 10th)

One of biggest national games of season happens Tuesday against rival DeSoto for district title. Since beating DeSoto by one point at home in mid-December, Duncanville has easily handled all 11 teams it has played. 

12. Incarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, MO) (14-0 – 14th)

IWA's 114-game winning streak will be put to the test Saturday at Sacred Heart in arguably the biggest game of season in Kentucky. Sacred Heart has dropped its past six games against national competition - albeit all have been by close decisions.

13. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL) (13-4 – 23rd)

For all its previous outstanding wins this season, Lake Highland Prep's one-point victory over DME Academy was the marquee win it needed to leap in the rankings. It faces a major text next week against Dr. Phillips.

14. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL) (14-1 – 9th)

Can DME make its way back into national title conversation after loss to Lake Highland Prep? Tough rest-of-season schedule (Morris Catholic, IMG Academy, Montverde Academy, Shabach Christian, Grind Prep, and SPARA) gives team opportunity.

15. Westtown (West Chester, PA) (9-2 – 15th)

On one hand, stock is more tenuous now after recent drop by Sidwell Friends - the best team it has defeated - and loss to Winston-Salem National Christian. On other hand, team has dominated anybody in its path for more than a month.

16. DeSoto (DeSoto, TX) (15-5 – 16th)

At long last, DeSoto has its shot at revenge – and a district co-title – hosting Duncanville on Tuesday. With a win, Eagles would have a good shot at finishing the season as the top-ranked team in Texas.

17. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, TX) (28-1 – 12th)

Stock took a hit as a result of Clark – which represents both Timberview's best win and only loss – getting upset by Brandeis and falling to national bubble. Still, Wolves cruising on 25-game winning streak, including two wins over South Grand Prairie.

18. Grace Christian (Sanford, NC) (18-0 – 17th)

With most of their toughest regular-season foes now behind them, Crusaders might not be tested again until playoffs. Sarah Strong totaled 48 points, 47 rebounds, and 10 assists as they rolled past NC GBB Academy and Terry Sanford last week.

19. Hebron Christian (Dacula, GA) (15-2 – 18th)

It should be smooth sailing on out from here for the Lions, who routed Hart County – the next-highest ranked team in their region – 70-32 on Friday. Appears headed to 16th state title in school history.

20. Johnston (Johnston, IA) (13-0 – 19th)

Coming off bye week, Johnston resumes its unbeaten campaign Tuesday against Urbandale. Then on Friday, the Dragons look to make it 2-0 against Dowling Catholic, the second-ranked team in the state, which they defeated, 65-53, earlier this winter.

21. Sage Hill (Newport Beach, CA) (15-2 – 20th)

Due to weather, the Lightning's crack at Hazel Green at the St. James MLK Classic got canceled. However, they stayed hot with a 16-point win against Riverdale Baptist before leaving Washington, D.C.

22. Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) (12-0 – 21st)

In return to in-state competition, Knights blew out previously-unbeaten Hopewell (86-24) and Osbourne Park (81-40). Health permitting, they'll be the overwhelming favorite from here on out to complete the undefeated regular season.

23. Clackamas (Clackamas, OR) (6-2 – 24th)

Weather in the Northwest has not been kind to the reigning Class 6A champions of Oregon, led by PG Jazzy Davidson. Team was scheduled to travel to Seattle area for MLK Day hoops, but was derailed by snow.

24. Pickerington Central (Pickerington, OH) (17-2 – Bubble)

Despite falling to Canadian juggernaut Crestwood Prep by 12 points, Tigers are back in top 25 – and still unbeaten against Ohio competition (including Purcell Marian). With only U.S. loss coming  to No. 8 Morris Catholic (55-45), they might be here for good.

25. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) (17-2 – Unranked)

Going directly to top 25 from outside the bubble this far into a season rarely happens. But Brazilian dynamo Taissa Queiroz just became eligible, and she dropped 27 points as Cardinals knocked off nationally-ranked Folsom in her first game.

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ON THE BUBBLE:

Bradley Central (Cleveland, TN)

Camden (Camden, SC)

Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee, FL)

Clark (San Antonio, TX)

Folsom (Folsom, CA)

Lone Peak (Highland, UT)

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)

Ontario Christian (Ontario, CA)

Putnam City West (Oklahoma City, OK)

Purcell Marian (Cincinatti, OH)

Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ)

Rutgers Prep (Somerset, NJ)

South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)

Wesleyan (Peachtree Corners, GA)

Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, AZ)

– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca