Rankings will likely receive a shuffle next week as many teams prepare for Nike TOC.
Ariell Bostick and Bishop O'Dowd will certainly earn their No. 1 ranking if they emerge from this week's Nike TOC unscathed.
File photo by David Steutel
The Dragons are probably pretty sick of practice by now — but they should get three challenging games this week at the Nike TOC in Phoenix.
Read Clay Kallam's Nike TOC preview2. (2) Whitney Young (Chicago) 8-0The Dolphins are rolling as they head into the other top tournament this year, the Naples Holiday Classic after Christmas.
3. (3) Science Hill (Johnson City, Tenn.) 10-0The Hilltoppers aren't taking it easy — they draw No. 6 Riverdale Saturday at Riverdale, and then will join Whitney Young and a host of other elite teams at the Naples Holiday Classic.
4. (4) St. Mary's (Phoenix) 8-0Only one team has scored more than 32 points against the Knights, and their last win was by a 53-11 margin. Games will be tougher in the Nike TOC.
5. (5) Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) 9-0Much will be revealed at the Nike TOC, with three of the top five and four of the top nine all in the same bracket.{PAGEBREAK}
Bianca Velasco and 9-0 Mater Dei defeated St. Joseph on Saturday, but they will have their hands full this Thursday.
Photo by Mike Bouffard
What are the odds of two schools with the name "Riverdale" being next to each other at five and six in the national rankings? More important, what are the odds of this Riverdale beating Science Hill Saturday?
7. (7) Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 6-0The Jackrabbits haven't played in 10 days so, like O'Dowd, they'll be ready to go when the Nike TOC begins.
8. (8) Duncanville (Texas) 17-0The Pantherettes had no problem with Mansfield Timberview, a team some thought would be one of the best in Texas.
Cedar Hill and star
Jada Terry are next.
9. (9) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 9-0The Monarchs tuned up for the Nike TOC with a 77-34 win over St. Joseph.
Ossining (N.Y.) and
Saniya Chong will be a tougher test Thursday.
10. (10) Dreher (Columbia, S.C.) 8-0Dreher's waiting for the Naples Holiday Classic, which has three members of the top ten in its 16-team top bracket.{PAGEBREAK}
Lindsay Allen and unbeaten St. John's will head to Puerto Rico for their holiday tournament.
File photo by James Conrad
The Cadets handled tough St. Mary's Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.) to stay unbeaten, and will now absorb some sunshine in the Puerto Rico Holiday Shootout.
12. (14) Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) 2-0In the most dramatic Xcellent 25 game of the week,
Naqaiyyah Teague hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer as the Bulldogs knocked off previous No. 23 Good Counsel 64-63.
13. (13) Fairmont (Kettering, Ohio) 6-0Xenia should be no problem Wednesday, but unbeaten Centerville, at Centerville, on Saturday will be a test.
14. (17) Oregon City (Ore.) 5-0The Pioneers enjoyed the beach, and the basketball, knocking off Carroll of Texas and Dr. Phillips of Florida to win the 'Iolani Classic. And their tans are better too.
15. (15) Marion County (Lebanon, Ky.) 7-0The Knights are in the 24-team Republic Bank Classic this week, and unbeaten Mercy, among others, should provide a challenge.{PAGEBREAK}
Jaden Sturm and Pflugerville have built up a 19-0 record early this season.
Photo by Jamie Harms
The Rebels will play in the Pickerington North tournament after Christmas, and should have little to concern themselves with before then.
17. (19) Reynoldsburg (Ohio) 6-0The Raiders won by 10 Tuesday, and have another relatively difficult game against Pickerington North Friday, but then take a break until the Diamond State Classic.
18. (20) Centennial (Las Vegas) 6-0Arbor View had lost just once, but the Bulldogs chewed up the Aggies 80-33. The Nike TOC is next.
19. (24) North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) 7-0Next up, the Naples Holiday Classic — and a good week there could vault the Bulldogs up the rankings.
20. (21) Pflugerville (Texas) 19-0The Panthers needed a fourth-quarter surge to get by Wagner, and have one more game before heading to Florida after Christmas.{PAGEBREAK}
Regis Jesuit burst into the rankings after coming up with some big wins in New York.
Photo by Matt Daniels
The Raiders already laid waste to New York — winning four games, including one against Christ the King, which just upset previous No. 16 Nazareth. The Nike TOC is next.
22. (NR) Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 11-0It's a great year for girls basketball in Murfreesboro. Blackman, with wins over Bolingbrook of Illinois and DuPont Manual of Kentucky, joins Riverdale in the Xcellent 25.
23. (NR) Ossining (N.Y.) 4-0Saniya Chong is averaging more than 31 a game, and she'll play at UConn — but she'll need help from her teammates at the Nike TOC if the Pride is to hang on to this ranking.
24. (22) Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) 5-2The Falcons, still without star guard Lindsey Spann, lost on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to No. 15 Shabazz — and the other loss is to No. 11 St. John's.
25. (25) Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) 8-0Nia Coffey had 15 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals as the Royals held off Lakeville North 69-62. No report on how many hot dogs she sold at halftime.
Dropped out: No. 11 Rock Bridge, No. 16 Nazareth, No. 23 McDonogh.
