You'll see the phrase "Nike TOC" a lot in the following writeup, as seven of the MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball teams — and four of the top 10 — will travel to the Phoenix area for a tournament that's seen everyone from Diana Taurasi to Sue Bird to Maya Moore to Elena Delle Donne to Cameron Brink.
The stars will be out in force this year as well, with Kiki Rice of No. 1 Sidwell Friends leading the way. If you're in the area Dec. 18-22, make the effort to check out the games — you just might see the next national high school champion as well as a future No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
But of course there's more than just the TOC going on, including the United Bank Holiday Invitational in South Carolina and a host of local tournaments with top regional talent. And naturally, the results of these tournaments will have a major impact on the next Top 25.
Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon
Photo by Louis Lopez
1. Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.)Record: 5-0 |
Last week: 2
The Quakers shook up the MaxPreps Top 25 by knocking off DeSoto 54-46 in DMV country. Next up, the Nike TOC
2. DeSoto (Texas)Record: 10-1 |
Last week: 1
The Eagles flew across the country to play Sidwell, and lost. They did, however, bounce back to knock Bishop McNamara out of the rankings.
3. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)Record: 10-1 |
Last week: 3
The Eagles handled preseason-ranked The Webb School by eight but now face competitive Palm Bay on Saturday.
4. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)Record: 6-0 |
Last week: 4
The closest game so far has a 35-point squeaker, but the Royals host No. 19 IMG Academy on Saturday — and expect Hopkins to have to work a lot harder.
5. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 5
The Trailblazers have done most of their traveling already, and will stay close to home during the Christmas break.
6. New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)Record: 7-1 |
Last week: 8
As always, Sam Caldwell brings a top team to the Nike TOC – and New Hope is fully capable of coming home with the title.
7. Etiwanda (Calif.)Record: 5-0 |
Last week: 10
The Eagles rose primarily because others faltered, but to stay in the top 10, they'll have to earn it at the Nike TOC.
8. Classen SAS (Oklahoma City)Record: |
Last week: 16
The Comets hope to light up the Arizona skies, and scoreboards at the Nike TOC, starting Saturday.
9. La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.)Record: 7-1 |
Last week: 18
Like Etiwanda, the Torreys took advantage of ranked teams toppling, and like Etiwanda, will need to do well at the Nike TOC to stay in the top 10.
10. Conway (Ark.)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 19
Who doesn't love a Wampus Cat? We love them so much they're the first Arkansas team in the top 10 in recent memory.
11. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 11
The Lancers have yet to enter the lists for their first joust, but Sunday they finally host unbeaten Chartiers Valley.
12. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.)Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 12
DME will be tested at the United Bank Holiday Invitational in South Carolina, which starts Saturday.
13. Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.)Record: 5-0 |
Last week: 13
The Valkyries aren't playing in any of the big holiday events, so rising in the rankings will be a challenge.
14. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)Record: 5-0 |
Last week: 14
The Red Knights had little trouble in the Stephanie Phillips Classic, winning the final over Rolla 62-19.
15. McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.)Record: 3-0 |
Last week: NR
A couple big wins — and the upcoming trip to the Nike TOC — earned the Eagles a spot in the Top 25.
16. Fremont (Plain City, Utah)Record: 4-0 |
Last week: 21
This spot might be a little rich for the Silverwolves — but we'll know for sure after the Nike TOC.
17. Cedar Park (Texas)Record: 16-0 |
Last week: 23
After playing 14 games before the first of December, the Timberwolves finally took some time off — but they're back at it this weekend.
18. Duncanville (Texas)Record: 13-3 |
Last week: NR
Three losses is a lot for a ranked team, but all three were to Top 25 opponents. Then add in wins over IMG and Bishop McNamara, both of which were ranked higher than the Pantherettes at the time. Total it up, you get No. 18.
19. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)Record: 6-1 |
Last week: 9
The Ascenders descended after a decimation at the hands of Duncanville. They can rise to new heights, though, if they handle No. 4 Hopkins Saturday.
20. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)Record: 8-1 |
Last week: 20
The Highlanders should get a shot at No. 12 DME at the United Bank Holiday Invitational in South Carolina — but that head-to-head loss to No. 19 IMG will prevent a really rapid rise.
21. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.)Record: 5-1 |
Last week: 15
The Panthers handled one of California's best, St. Mary's of Stockton, but then fell to No. 19 IMG on Saturday.
22. Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati)Record: 6-0 |
Last week: NR
Mount Notre Dame doesn't have a mascot, but does have unstoppable
KK Bransford — which is the main reason Ohio's best is unbeaten.
23. Johnston (Iowa)Record: 6-0 |
Last week: NR
The Dragons have a lot of talent, but no one outside of Iowa will get to see it. Travel restrictions rule in the Hawkeye State.
24. Franklin Community (Franklin, Ind.)Record: 11-0 |
Last week: NR
The Grizzly Cubs grace the national rankings for the first time, thanks to a hot start that includes a win over Reynoldsburg, a top Ohio team.
25. Apex Friendship (Apex, N.C.)Record: 7-0 |
Last week: NR
The Patriots made their debut in the MaxPreps Top 25 after a strong start against a solid schedule, and are clearly the best public school team in North Carolina.
Dropped out: No. 6 Bishop McNamara, No. 7 Centennial, No. 17 Edison Academy, No. 22 Hoover, No. 24 Kenwood, No. 25 Christ the King.
