Etiwanda is the three-time defending Open Division state champion while Sierra Canyon won in 2021-22. Ontario Christian is looking for
its first trip to the state final while Sage Hill was the Division 1
runner-up last season.
All four teams are expected to advance to the Open Division regional playoffs where additional clashes could materialize.
No. 1
Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) continued to roll as the top team in the MaxPreps Top 25. The Mustangs went back-to-back in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference tournament with a 59-45 win Monday over Bishop Ireton.
Sophomore
Jaylah King was outstanding in the title game with 27 points, 14 rebounds and five steals while junior
Qandace Samuels had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Nyair McCoy scored 10 and dished out six assists.
The two could meet in the South Non-Public A championship game, a fourth meeting this season. Red Bank Catholic holds a 2-1 edge in the season series, winning the first and third meetings.
Arynn Finley hopes to bolster her legacy at Etiwanda with another state title. The Eagles battle No. 5 Sierra Canyon tonight in the Southern Section semifinals. (PHOTO: Sam Stringer)
1. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
Record: 27-2 |
Last week: 1
Head coach Ron James has taken McNamara to the WCAC tournament final in all three seasons with the program. The Mustangs have also won three regular season titles with a record of 40-1.
Tatianna Griffin dropped 44 points in a Southern Section Open Division quarterfinal win over Fairmont Prep (Anaheim) while
Kaleena Smith added 28.
3. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
Record: 23-2 |
Last week: 3
The Monarchs beat Half Moon Bay 89-23 in the opening game of Central Coast Section Open Division pool play with games remaining against Saint Francis (Mountain View) on Tuesday and St. Ignatius College Prep (San Francisco) on Thursday. The section final is Saturday.
Arynn Finley scored 19 and
Chasity Rice added 16 points in an 87-36 win over St. Joseph (Lakewood) in the section quarterfinals.
The Cavaliers opened Class 5 region A postseason play Monday with a blowout win over Cox (Virginia Beach).
The Timberwolves close out the regular season Saturday against West Linn before beginning the quest to repeat as Class 6A state champions.
The Casey have a first-round bye in the South Non-Public A tournament and meet the Princeton Day-Union Catholic winner March 2.
Open postseason play Thursday against Donovan Catholic (Tom's River).
11. Johnston (Iowa)
Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 10
Indianola is the opponent Tuesday in the Class 5A region 1 final.
Harlingen is the Tuesday opponent for the Chaparrals as they look to reach the Conference 6A Division 2 regional finals.
The Bucs beat Sparkman 79-30 in the opening round of the Class 7A state postseason and are three wins from their sixth straight championship.
Face Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Corpus Christi) with the winner moving to the Conference 5A Division 1 regional final.
Amalia Holguin had 24 points as the Lightning advanced in section play with a 56-45 win over Mater Dei on Thursday. It was the first win for Sage Hill over the Monarchs, who then beat Oak Park 59-58 to advance to the semifinals.
Aaliah Spaight scored a game-high 25 points as the Gaels needed double overtime to beat Democracy Prep Agassi Campus (Las Vegas) 79-76 on Friday for the Class 5A state title.
19. Miami Country Day (Miami, Fla.)
Record: 25-2 |
Last week: 20
Palmer Trinity (Miami) stands in Miami Country Day's way in the Class 2A state tournament as it looks for a fourth straight title.
Jayla Constant led four players in double figures with 20 points Friday as the Panthers handled Putnam City (Oklahoma City) 90-7. Northwest Clasen (Oklahoma City) is on the slate Thursday.
Bella Flemings is averaging 19.0 points per game as the Bears head into Tuesday's Conference 6A Division 1 tournament game against Johnson (Buda).
Jump back into the rankings after beating previously-ranked Wayzata (Plymouth) 77-74 and Minnetonka 82-75. All three should factor into the Class AAAA postseason battle.
The Bulldogs fell to Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) in the regular-season finale but stay in the rankings based on strength of schedule.
Senior
Mikaia Litza leads East in scoring at 17.8 points per night. The Red Raiders have gathered wins over once-ranked Arrowhead (Hartland) and Providence Academy (Plymouth, Minn.).
The Bears are on a 45-game win streak and have won 63 straight home games behind Ms. Tennessee Basketball nominee
Kimora Fields.
On the bubble: Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.), 28-0;
St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.), 23-2;
Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.), 30-2;
Westside (Anderson, S.C.), 25-1;
Hebron Christian (Dacula, Ga.), 26-1;
Clovis (Calif.), 22-9;
Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.), 28-3;
Naperville Central (Naperville, Ill.), 25-6;
Ryan (Denton, Texas), 33-4
