Usually, the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is full of big games with lots of impact on the rankings — but right now, "usual" is a word that's conspicuous by its absence.
There is one team in the MaxPreps Top 25 girls high school basketball rankings playing a major event this weekend that will draw out-of-state competition — No. 6 Mount Notre Dame of Ohio vs. Compass Prep of Arizona. As for ranked teams from different areas of the country going head-to-head? Not likely this year.
Which means that making sense of the national rankings — always a difficult task — is even more complicated in 2021, especially with some states (such as California) not even playing in the winter and thus not included.
Still, we're confident every one of the teams in the list below is a very good. It's just unfortunate that we're unlikely to find out how good, as schools are wisely staying local as much as possible and doing all in their power to keep players, coaches, officials, fans and relatives safe.
(NOTE: Please update schedules and results on MaxPreps. If there are issues, please reach out to coachsupport@maxpreps.com for assistance.)
MaxPreps Top 25 Girls High School Basketball Rankings
Record: 11-0 | Last week: 1
The Highlanders took care of a major challenge last week by jumping on No. 14 Montverde early and rolling to a 57-47 win. DME Sports Academy, at 10-3, is Monday's test.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 2
Still looking at a Feb. 1 start.
Record: 8-0 | Last week: 3
It won't be an easy week for Westlake, with 11-1 Langston Hughes on Friday and 8-2 Forest Park on Monday. Though Langston Hughes has the better record, note that Forest Park took No. 14 Montverde to overtime earlier this season.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 4
Wayzata isn't quite as strong as it was last year, when it was Hopkins' main Minnesota rival, but next Tuesday's game should still be a serious test for the No. 4 team in the country.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 5
Another team still sitting in limbo.
Record: 12-0 | Last week: 6
If the Journey to the Tourney can be played this weekend, the Cougars take on Compass Prep of Arizona on Saturday and 11-3 Springboro on Sunday.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 7
There was some concern the Cadets might not play at all this year, but it appears that games will be played and some sort of schedule will be announced soon.
Record: 3-0 | Last week: 8
After disposing of unbeaten Marquette 60-42, the Red Knights have only one game this week — against 1-3 Nerinx Hall.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 9
The Lancers' first game should be played Jan. 21.
Record: 18-0 | Last week: 10
Jersey Village is 15-0 — and coming off a 69-0 win Saturday — so that Jan. 13 game might be a serious test. Then again, Jersey Village hasn't played anyone nearly as good as the Cougars.
Record: 6-0 | Last week: 13
If the Tigers hold on to this No. 13 ranking, it will have earned it: First up is powerful Moore on Friday, then rival Norman North on Saturday and finally young but talented Edmonds North on Tuesday. Oklahoma is awfully good this year.
Record: 5-0 | Last week: 12
We'll know a lot more very soon, as the Raiders play once-beaten traditional power Pickerington Central on Thursday, and then unbeaten Wayne on Saturday.
Record: 9-0 | Last week: NR
The Redskins are the first newcomer jumps into the rankings thanks to a big win over previous No. 11. Classen, which had beaten No. 21 DeSoto. But it's one thing to get into the rankings — it's another thing to stay there.
Record: 13-1 | Last week: 14
You can't really punish a team for losing to No. 1, but the Eagles needs to be ready for 12-3 Mekiva on Thursday. At this point, the margin for error is slim.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 15
No word on when or if the Quakers will begin their season.
Record: 18-0 | Last week: 16
That perfect record will be tested by 12-4 Thompson on Friday and perennial power St. Francis of Georgia (now 8-1) Monday.
Record: 4-1 | Last week: 17
As a team that relied heavily on scheduling out-of-area games, New Hope's future slate is uncertain. What is certain is the level of talent on the roster.
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 19
After Friday's game against Harpeth Hall, the Tigers are off until Jan. 26.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 20
The Argonauts are still searching for their first game — which may be harder to find than the golden fleece.
Record: 10-0 | Last week: 25
The Silverwolves have lots of talent in a smaller state, so the next challenge probably won't come until Jan. 22, when Syracuse shows up on the schedule.
Record: 14-1 | Last week: 18
The Eagles should have a relatively easy time of it, at least until Jan. 23. That's the date of the rematch with No. 23 Duncanville.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 22
There's hope for games, but nothing confirmed yet — still, expect some schedule info soon.
Record: 18-1 | Last week: 23
There are three Texas teams in the Top 25 right now — likely there will be only two after the Panthers and DeSoto play Jan. 23.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 24
It seems less and less likely the Riverhawks will play basketball this winter, but we won't know for sure until a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association meeting Jan. 19.
Record: 9-0 | Last week: NR
With a win over previously unbeaten Madison Central, the Wildcats jump into the Top 25 — which is unfamiliar territory for Mississippi schools.
Dropped out: No. 11 Classen SAS (Oklahoma City), No. 21 Valley Vista (Surprise, Ariz.).
