The No. 1 girls high school basketball team in the country hasn't played for three weeks. The No. 2 team hasn't played at all. The preseason favorite in Alaska hasn't met an in-state opponent this season, but instead is playing a series of games in Mississippi right now. That's right – Mississippi.
Of course it's hardly a news flash that these are strange days, so in a way, all of this is sort of "normal." And so the MaxPreps Top 25 girls high school basketball rankings are about as "normal" as we can make it, absent big tournaments, intersectional matchups and, in many states, regular season or postseason play.
And Lake Highland Prep, the No. 1 team, mentioned above, is back in action Friday, and No. 2 Bishop McNamara will start Saturday. As the saying goes, every journey begins with but a single step.
Sydney Steward, Hazel Green
Photo by Joe Boyd
Record: 11-0 | Last week: 1
The Highlanders' last game was Jan. 6 against No. 14 Montverde. The next one is Friday against 13-7 Colonial, which wraps up the regular season — but since Florida is planning to have its state playoffs, at least there are more to come.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 2
The Mustangs hope to squeeze in 10 to 15 games before the season ends, and it starts Saturday against Seton. The big one, though, is Feb. 3 against Paul VI.
Record: 12-0 | Last week: 3
The first time around, the Lions outscored their next two opponents 170-45, so the likelihood of an upset is not all that high. In fact, infinitesimal might be stretching it.
Record: 3-0 | Last week: 4
Wayzata still has talent, but the Royals hammered their rival, 102-52. Expect more of the same in the game this week.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 5
The Pioneers begin Jan. 27, but the biggest test looks to be several weeks away: rival Renaissance on Feb. 20.
Record: 16-0 | Last week: 6
The Cougars have one game this week, and barring disaster, will be the heavy favorite the rest of the regular season.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 7
The Cadets likely will play six regular season games (the first of which will be Feb. 6) but the presence of uber-talented
Azzi Fudd may still have St. John's in line for the GEICO High School Nationals, should it be played.
Record: 14-0 | Last week: 8
The Red Knights beat Westminster Academy by four the first time around — it was 75-46 in the rematch. The two games this week will not be as challenging.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 9
New Jersey is kicking into first gear, with the Lancers starting next Tuesday — but note that strong Red Bank Catholic is on the schedule Feb. 6.
Record: 21-0 | Last week: 10
The Cougars are having little trouble handling Houston competition and has already beat their next two opponent by a combined score of 158-21. Don't look for much to change.
Record: 7-0 | Last week: 11
The Tigers got past a quality Edmond North team 69-62, but won't have to work nearly as hard in their two games this week.
Record: 10-0 | Last week: 16
The Tigers have three games in the next seven days, and maybe fatigue will have an impact. If not, expect three wins.
Record: 13-0 | Last week: 13
The Redskins, like many members of the MaxPreps Top 25, should have little trouble navigating the upcoming local competition.
Record: 17-1 | Last week: 14
After taking care of 17-2 Plant 59-49 last week, the Eagles host unbeaten Winter Haven on Saturday in what could be the last competitive game of the season.
Record: 15-1 | Last week: 21
The Eagles jump six spots thanks to a second win over previous No. 23 Duncanville. The 69-60 victory was obviously a big one, but Mansfield on Jan. 27 could be another challenge.
Record: 20-2 | Last week: NR
The Panthers' two-point win over previous No. 12 Newark — on the road — vaults Indiana's best back into the MaxPreps Top 25. But there a lot of good teams in Indiana, so North Central will have to work to retain its spot.
Record: 5-2 | Last week: 17
New Hope has played the toughest seven-game schedule in the country, and it gets no easier with the trip to unbeaten Paul VI on Thursday.
Record: 13-0 | Last week: 18
Syracuse was considered the biggest threat to the Silverwolves in Utah, and that turned out to be no problem. The next hurdle? A trip to Davis next Tuesday.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 19
The Argonauts finally take the court next Tuesday against Immaculata — and hopefully it will be the first of many games.
Record: 16-1 | Last week: 12
The Wildcats lost to new No. 16 North Central by two, and they've proved to be Ohio's best — so No. 20 seems about right.
Record: 1-0 | Last week: 21
Arizona is under way, and though the Monsoon starts slowly, the schedule will eventually call for five games in a single week — which is a test no matter how good you are.
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 22
The sharpshooting Vikings will play a 12-game, conference-only schedule, beginning this week — but that conference is the always tough Philadelphia Catholic League, so there will be challenges,
Record: 27-1 | Last week: NR
The Trojans jump into the rankings after a 65-45 hammering of Hoover last week — and the only loss was to No. 16 Ensworth, by three points.
Record: 9-0 | Last week: NR
The Bearcats join the Top 25 party, but draw 5-1 Spencer County on Thursday — and the schedule in competitive Kentucky will ramp up in the coming weeks.
Record: 20-0 | Last week: NR
The Green Wave washes into the MaxPreps Top 25, which is rare territory for Louisiana teams, but must face Anchorage Christian, which was 27-2 last season, on Thursday.
Dropped out: No. 15 Hoover (Ala.); No. 24 Chiawana (Pasco, Wash.), season postponed until spring; No. 23 Duncanville (Texas); No. 25 Meridian (Miss.).
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