Top 25 national high school girls basketball rankings: Archbishop Mitty still No. 1 (1/22/2024)
Archbishop Mitty (California) is closing in on a month at No. 1 as the top high school girls basketball team in the nation, but preseason favorite Long Island Lutheran (New York) continues to remain a strong challenger.
The Crusaders handled St. John Vianney, 74-48, to add to an already-strong national resume. Defending national champion and third-ranked Montverde Academy (Florida) also had two impressive victories to stay on the heels of the leaders.
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. 22, 2024
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1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, CA) (17-0 – 1st)
Scored 80 or more points in all three games last week, steamrolling San Francisco foes Archbishop Riordan, St. Ignatius, and University. Sophomore McKenna Woliczko nearing 1,000 points for career (924 in 45 games).
2. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY) (13-1 – 2nd)
Yet another brilliant win in its only game of the week, routing St. John Vianney, 74-48, as USC signee Kayleigh Heckel totaled 18 points to become a 2,000-point scorer for her career.
3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL) (18-1 – 3rd)
Followed up 56-41 win over new top-25 entrant Wesleyan with 56-42 victory against high-powered SPARA. Transfer Jaloni Cambridge (20.9 ppg, 8.3 apg) fitting in nicely as Eagles' floor leader.
4. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) (19-3 – 4th)
Busy week. After losing to Long Island Lutheran on Monday, Eagles flew home to beat Los Osos and St. Lucy's last week in league play before registering one of season's best wins yet, a 94-23 victory over state-ranked Rancho Christian.
5. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD) (14-3 – 3rd)
Now on a nine-game winning streak after defeating reigning WCAC champion St. John's, 67-50, to remain undefeated in league play - and extend homecourt dominance.
6. Grayson (Loganville, GA) (19-0 – 6th)
Followed up IMG Academy victory with three more statement wins, rolling past Norcross, South Gwinnett, and McEachern. With only region play left before playoffs, look for Grayson to complete undefeated regular season.
7. IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) (18-2 – 7th)
Ascenders held off SPARA, 58-55, in their only game of the week. Weather permitting, IMG Academy takes its shot at Canadian juggernaut Crestwood Prep on Friday.
8. Sidwell Friends (Washington, DC) (9-2 – 9th)
Had a week off from competition after rivalry matchup with Georgetown Visitation Prep was postponed to Tuesday due to inclement weather.
9. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, CA) (22-1 – 10th)
Four games away from sweeping Mission League play in back-to-back seasons, team had three blowout wins last week. Sophomore guard Jerzy Robinson averaged 28.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
10. Morris Catholic (Denville, NJ) (14-0 – 8th)
Was on upset alert but remained unbeaten once again, outlasting St. Rose, 67-63. Despite dropping two spots, Morris Catholic has opportunities to shine coming soon with DME Academy, St. John Vianney, and Long Island Lutheran all left on schedule.
11. Incarnate Word Academy (Bel-Nor, MO) (15-0 – 14th)
After holding off Sacred Heart, 52-50, Incarnate Word has won 115 games in a row, and needs only eight more victories to tie Missouri's all-time mark. Will need to get through St. Joseph's Academy and Fremd to match record.
12. DeSoto (DeSoto, TX) (17-5 – 16th)
Broke through for its most significant win yet, getting revenge against rival Duncanville (53-48) that'll likely lead to district co-title. DeSoto then blew out Mansfield Legacy, 61-11.
13. Duncanville (Duncanville, TX) (23-4 – 11th)
Loss to DeSoto was deflating, but Duncanville is still in line for half of the district title. It got back in the win column later in the week by cruising past Mansfield Legacy, 79-35.
14. Westtown (West Chester, PA) (12-2 – 15th)
Another week, another statement win for the Moose, who routed Archbishop Wood 58-30, as ninth grader Jordyn Palmer totaled game-high 21 points. Young squad just beginning extended run.
15. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, TX) (30-1 – 17th)
Became first Texas program to hit magical 30-win mark, including 27 consecutive victories after thumping Midlothian and Burleson last week. Defeated three in-state champions during streak.
16. Grace Christian (Sanford, NC) (20-0 – 18th)
Yet to be tested since turn of new year. Grace Christian is now 20-0 after three wins last week (Terry Sanford, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Bishop McGuinness) - and will likely cruise through rest of the regular season.
17. Hebron Christian (Dacula, GA) (17-2 – 19th)
Might be looking at back-to-back undefeated campaigns amongst Georgia competition. After an 82-36 non-league win against Stockbridge, Lions walloped region foes Monroe Area and Franklin County by combined score of 161-25.
18. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, FL) (14-4 – 13th)
Last week's leap to No. 13 was mostly due to a win over DME Academy, which just fell to the bubble after upset loss. That's why Lake Highland Prep drops a bit, but there are opportunities for big wins with Dr. Phillips and Colonial on deck.
19. Johnston (Johnston, IA) (16-0 – 20th)
Dragons' defense dominated in biggest test of the year. In a battle of the top two teams in Iowa, Johnston won, 43-31, at Dowling Catholic and essentially clinched a conference title.
20. Sage Hill (Newport Beach, CA) (18-2 – 20th)
Still hasn't had close game since Dec. 29 loss to Sierra Canyon, winning eight games in a row by 12 points or more. Last week, Lightning blew out Northwood and Woodbridge in league play before 75-58 win against North (Torrance).
21. Thomas Dale (Chester, VA) (13-0 – 22nd)
Syvannah Dawson had near triple-double (31 points, nine assists, nine steals) in team's 84-35 rout of Deep Run. Dawson (18.5 points, 6.7 assists, 4.3 steals) and Nylah Wilson (21.7) have formed into productive duo.
22. Wesleyan (Peachtree Corners, GA) (15-2 – Bubble)
Finally back after a long stint on bubble. Wolves haven't beaten any top-25 teams this season, but they have defeated the likes of St. Francis (GA) and Bradley Central, with only losses coming against Montverde Academy and Grayson.
23. Clackamas (Clackamas, OR) (6-2 – 23rd)
Snow and ice put a halt to much of the state's action over the past 10 days. What has heated up in junior PG Jazzy Davidson's recruiting as she narrowed her list (USC, UCLA, Stanford, Duke, South Carolina, LSU, TCU, Texas).
24. Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa, CA) (20-2 – 25th)
Crushed Analy, 71-12, and Ukiah, 74-12, in league play before defeating Woodside Priory (59-31) at the Sabrina Ionescu SI20 Showcase where Taissa Queiroz was named outstanding player for the event.
25. Putnam City West (Oklahoma City, OK) (12-0 – Bubble)
After spending some of last season ranked and all of 2023-24 on the bubble, the Patriots are back in the top 25. Despite taking on many of Oklahoma's best teams, they've beaten every opponent by more than 10 points.
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ON THE BUBBLE:
Bella Vista College Prep (Scottsdale, AZ)
Bradley Central (Cleveland, TN)
Camden (Camden, SC)
Clark (San Antonio, TX)
DME Academy (Daytona Beach, FL)
Edmond North (Edmond, OK)
Folsom (Folsom, CA)
Gabriel Richard (Ann Arbor, MI)
Lone Peak (Highland, UT)
Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL)
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Minnetonka (Minnetonka, MN)
Ontario Christian (Ontario, CA)
Pickerington Central (Pickerington, OH)
Purcell Marian (Cincinatti, OH)
Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, NJ)
Rutgers Prep (Somerset, NJ)
Shawnee Mission South (Shawnee Mission, KS)
South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, MI)
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
– Lance Smith | lance@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveca