With only a handful of states still playing, most high school girls basketball players have shifted to a spring sport or club play – but a few teams are still practicing in preparation of two national tournaments that will affect the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings.
The first – GEICO Nationals, which runs March 31 through April 2 – matches five schools that didn't play for state championships. The second – the inaugural State Champions Invitational on April 7-8 – brings together four state titlists.
Right now, only eight states allow teams to compete in either event, but there's hope that more will soon let champions extend the season by a few weeks.
Kiki Rice, Sidwell Friends
Photo by Cory Royster
Record: 28-0 |
Last week: 1
The Quakers' last game was March 6. Their next one is April 8 in the State Champions Invitational. That's a long time to spend practicing.
2. DeSoto (Texas)
Record: 35-2 |
Last week: 2
Season complete.
3. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Record: 30-2 |
Last week: 3
Season complete.
4. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)
Record: 30-1 |
Last week: 4
The Lancers rolled over Rutgers Prep 72-52 to win the last edition of the New Jersey Tournament of Champions, which matched winners of the various public and private playoffs. Garden State officials decided to eliminate one of the few remaining all-level postseason events.
5. Etiwanda (Calif.)
Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 5
Season complete.
6. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 6
The Royals, as expected, took care of business in the Minnesota 4A playoffs, downing White Bear Lake 52-27 in the semis and then St. Michael Albertville 72-26 to win their eighth state title.
7. Classen SAS (Oklahoma City)
Record: 24-1 |
Last week: 7
Season complete.
8. New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)
Record: 27-2 |
Last week: 8
The last time New Hope won a game by less than 15 points was Feb. 10. In the four since, the average margin of victory was 60 points – which doesn't exactly prepare a team for the GEICO Nationals.
9. La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.)
Record: 25-3 |
Last week: 9
Season complete.
10. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
Record: 29-0 |
Last week: 10
The Red Knights won their fifth straight Missouri Class 6 title by romping past St. Joseph's Academy 71-23 in the semifinal and handling Kickapoo 67-50 in the championship game.
11. Cedar Park (Texas)
Record: 37-0 |
Last week: 11
Season complete.
12. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 18-3 |
Last week: 12
The Eagles last played Jan. 29, nearly two months before their next one at GEICO Nationals. Talk about a long layoff.
13. Hazel Green (Ala.)
Record: 35-0 |
Last week: 13
Season complete.
14. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Record: 23-3 |
Last week: 14
Did you know DME stands for Direct Mail Express? Well, now you do.
15. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)
Record: 25-4 |
Last week: 15
The Highlanders, like Noah, must wait 40 days before the deluge of practices ends.
16. Johnston (Iowa)
Record: 26-0 |
Last week: 16
Season complete.
17. Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga.)
Record: 29-2 |
Last week: 17
The War Eagles will be at peace until the State Champions Invitational on April 8.
18. Hoover (Ala.)
Record: 34-3 |
Last week: 18
Season complete.
19. Duncanville (Texas)
Record: 34-7 |
Last week: 19
Season complete.
20. Conway (Ark.)
Record: 29-2 |
Last week: 20
Season complete.
21. Garfield (Seattle)
Record: 20-0 |
Last week: 21
Season complete.
22. Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 22
Season complete.
23. Plymouth Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.)
Record: 33-0 |
Last week: 23
The PIAA 6A championship is Saturday, and 27-1 Mt. Lebanon will be no easy mark. Mt. Lebanon lost to Upper St. Clair by five in February but has beaten their local rival twice, which sets up an intriguing final for both teams.
24. Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.)
Record: 24-4 |
Last week: 24
Season complete.
25. West Bloomfield (Mich.)
Record: 25-1 |
Last week: 25
The Lakers rode a 24-game winning streak into the Division 1 final against Hartland and emerged not only with 25 in a row but also their first-ever Michigan state title.
