Indiana providing postseason drama already as No. 9 Hamilton Southeastern survives section final while previously-ranked defending champion Lawrence Central eliminated.
Lawrence Central dropped out of this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings after losing 47-42 to
Lawrence North (Indianapolis) in a section final matchup, seeing its repeat bid end early in the proceedings.
Hamilton Southeastern had to rally from a nine-point halftime deficit against Westfield, who upset Noblesville the night before. The Royals reeled off an 18-6 third-quarter run to wrestle the lead away before winning the section title 46-38.
There are still a handful of landmines for Hamilton Southeastern to sidestep on the path to the title, including a potential matchup with 24-1
South Bend Washington (South Bend).
Pool play begins Feb. 15 but all eyes will be fixed on Feb. 22 as Ontario Christian meets Sierra Canyon and Etiwanda and Mater Dei square off in the final round of pool play. Pool winners advance to play for the Southern Section Open Division title March 1.
Etiwanda is the two-time reigning Open Division state champion.
Sophia Pearl is averaging 11.6 points for No. 24 River Ridge. The Furman commit is one of five players averaging double figures for the Knights. (PHOTO: Kenny Grimes)
Record: 25-1 |
Last week: 1
Kaleena Smith is averaging 23.9 points, 7.8 assists and 4.6 steals per game for the Knights.
3. Hebron Christian (Dacula, Ga.)
Record: 24-1 |
Last week: 3
The Lions closed out the regular season with an 82-14 win over Franklin County as
Danielle Osho led four players in double figures with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Record: 26-2 |
Last week: 4
Tough news for the Monarchs as they will be without junior sharpshooter
Kaeli Wynn for the postseason run after suffering a knee injury.
5. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
Record: 20-1 |
Last week: 5
Unbeaten in WCAC play, the Mustangs finish conference play this week with three games and end with a showdown with No. 16 St. John's on Saturday.
Maya Makalusky had 25 in a 46-38 win over Westfield in the section title game. They draw 24-2 Homestead (Fort Wayne) on Saturday in the regionals.
10. Etiwanda (Calif.)
Record: 22-4 |
Last week: 11
The Eagles and No. 7 Sierra Canyon have battled for the Southern Section Open Division title in each of the past three seasons.
12. Johnston (Iowa)
Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 14
Jenica Lewis set a school record with eight 3-pointers, scoring 26, in an 86-54 win Thursday over Central DeWitt (DeWitt).
13. Conway (Ark.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 15
Emerie Bohanon had 23 points as the Wampus Cats came back in the second half to beat North Little Rock (Little Rock) 58-50.
14. Clackamas (Ore.)
Record: 17-2 |
Last week: 16
The only Oregon team to challenge the Cavaliers is Tualatin in early January. The two could be on a collision course in the Class 6A playoffs.
The Quakers fell 61-52 to once-ranked Bullis (Potomac, Md.) on Monday.
18. Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)
Record: 24-0 |
Last week: 19
The top seed in the Class 4A bracket, the Riverhawks begin the quest for a repeat title Friday against the winner of Uintah (Vernal) and Stansbury (Stansbury Park).
20. Judson (Converse, Texas)
Record: 35-1 |
Last week: NR
The lone loss for the Rockets came Nov. 9, a 65-60 overtime defeat to 29-3 Wagner (San Antonio).
23. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.)
Record: 28-0 |
Last week: 23
The regular season ends Tuesday as the Golden Eagles battle Clovis North (Fresno).
ON THE BUBBLE: Lincoln (Dallas, Texas), 33-2;
Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.), 21-2;
Lyons (LaGrange, Ill.), 28-2;
Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.), 22-2;
Kenwood (Chicago, Ill.), 27-2;
Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.), 19-0;
Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas), 27-3;
Bullis (Potomac, Md.), 18-6,
South Bend Washington (South Bend, Ind.), 24-1,
Tualatin (Ore.), 17-1
