Even in the best of times, high school basketball is wildly unpredictable. Teenage problems, high school drama and the ups and downs of adolescent life create oceans of uncertainty when it comes to figuring out how well a team might play on a given night.
This year, COVID-19 has kicked that baked-in unpredictability to new heights, especially when it comes to the MaxPreps Top 25. For example, No. 1 Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) and No. 2 Westlake (Atlanta) were scheduled to play a game — but it was canceled. And with it was the on-the-court decider for the top spot. This week, No. 8 Norman (Okla.) was supposed to play Classen SAS (Oklahoma City), which had knocked off No. 13 DeSoto (Texas) earlier this season — but that game has been called off.
And now, as we move into postseason in many states (some of which will allow fans for the games), we can only expect more of the same. Some seasons will likely end with a COVID cancellation in the playoffs, maybe even a forfeit. Others may find themselves without key players or head coaches down the stretch thanks to contact tracing or test results.
The bottom line? What is usually a crazy sport will be crazier than ever in 2021, and anyone who has any confidence in any predictions just isn't paying attention. And though rankings are fun and state titles are impressive achievements, the most important result this year is that everyone involved with all these teams makes it through the season in good health.
This year, that's a championship worth playing for.
NOTE: We encourage all girls basketball teams to update schedules and results on MaxPreps – especially those in the mix for MaxPreps Top 25 consideration. For assistance or questions, please reach out to support@maxpreps.com.
Through three games, junior star Jennah Isai of No. 18 Valley Vista (Surprise, Ariz.) is averaging 18.0 points, 5.7 steals and 5.3 rebounds per outing.
Photo by Chris Stanley
1. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)Record: 14-0 |
Last week: 1
The Highlanders start the 4A Region 2 playoffs Thursday and 19-4 Wesley Chapel is the likely second-round opponent. Ribault and American Heritage, which will be the biggest tests, are a ways down the road.
2. Westlake (Atlanta)Record: 15-0 |
Last week: 2
Westlake has some time off to prepare for the AAAAAA playoffs as the first game isn't until Feb. 23 at the earliest. At some point, though, expect a matchup with unbeaten Buford.
3. Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati)Record: 20-0 |
Last week: 3
The Cougars finished the regular season with a convincing 67-39 win over a solid Notre Dame Academy team and move on to the Division 1 Princeton 2 playoffs Saturday against 32nd seed Middletown.
4. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)Record: 6-0 |
Last week: 4
The Royals should have smooth sailing until Feb. 18, when the bus will load up for a crosstown game at rival and new No. 25 Minnetonka — which came within one point of knocking off the nation's No. 4 team the first time around.
5. Edison Academy (Detroit)Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 5
We're pretty sure the Pioneers will finally begin their season Feb. 10 against Cornerstone Health & Tech but Michigan's rollout of winter sports hasn't been all that smooth. Maybe this time.
6. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)Record: 16-0 |
Last week: 6
The toughest regular season game remaining for the Red Knights appears to be Burroughs on Feb. 24, but even then, the chances of an upset are remote. Postseason, however, will present more of a challenge.
7. Cypress Creek (Houston)Record: 26-0 |
Last week: 7
The Cougars have rampaged through the Houston area so far. That pattern of domination is likely to continue through the first two games in the 6A Region 3 playoffs. But No. 13 DeSoto or perennial power Duncanville will likely show up eventually, and that will be a different story.
8. Norman (Okla.)Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 8
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding Thursday's game vs. Classen SAS but unfortunately it was canceled, meaning the biggest challenge left before postseason will be a Feb. 19 trip to Edmond Memorial.
9. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)Record: 3-0 |
Last week: 9
It took a long time for New Jersey to get going, but it didn't take long for a big game to show up on the schedule: The Lancers against unbeaten Saddle River Day on Saturday. Luckily for the No. 9 team, it's in the friendly confines.
10. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 12
Do the Panthers really deserve a top 10 ranking? If Virginia's best can beat talent-laden Bishop McNamara at home Saturday, there will be no doubt.
11. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)Record: 19-1 |
Last week: 12
The Eagles' season is complete unless an invite to the GEICO Nationals is forthcoming — and that assumes that the event is even played this year.
12. North Central (Indianapolis)Record: 24-2 |
Last week: 14
The 4A playoffs begin Saturday and the Panthers could potentially play two games in one day. The second could be against 20-4 Roncalli. Down the road, Bedford North Lawrence, which has a win over North Central, could make an appearance.
13. DeSoto (Texas)Record: 20-2 |
Last week: 13
To avoid a repeat of fights that have marred a couple of Eagle games, the DeSoto administration chose to forfeit the game against Cedar Hill last week.
14. Newark (Ohio)Record: 19-1 |
Last week: 16
The Wildcats wind up the regular season Friday, and will begin the Division 1 Central 4 playoffs Feb. 16 versus Mifflin. There are a lot of games in the Ohio postseason, and a lot of good teams, so there's no guarantee that Newark and No. 3 Mount Notre Dame will meet but it would be fun.
15. Fremont (Plain City, Utah)Record: 18-0 |
Last week: 15
The Silverwolves host 15-2 Syracuse on Friday in what should be the last test before the Utah 6A playoffs begin — but even then, Fremont is the heavy favorite to run the table.
16. Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.)Record: 2-0 |
Last week: 18
The Vikings got a late start but are making up for lost time. There are three games in the next seven days, culminating with a Tuesday matchup against longtime rival and perennial power Cardinal O'Hara.
17. Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)Record: 4-0 |
Last week: 17
The Wolves will get their first test Friday traveling to unbeaten Arapahoe. The toughest tests, though, likely won't come until postseason.
18. Valley Vista (Surprise, Ariz.)Record: 3-0 |
Last week: 20
The Monsoon travel to 6-1 Hamilton on Friday, and though that spacious gym won't be unfamiliar, it's still a tough place to play.
19. Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.)Record: 3-0 |
Last week: 19
Setting up games has been a challenge for a lot of teams this year, and the Argonauts are no exception — which is why the schedule is more likely to resemble a walk in the park than a walk on the wild side.
20. Anderson County (Lawrenceburg, Ky.)Record: 13-0 |
Last week: 22
The Bearcats slipped past Bethlehem 57-56 last week to stay in the MaxPreps Top 25 — but with unbeaten Elizabethtown and talented Sacred Heart back-to-back next week, the ranking is definitely in peril.
21. Hazel Green (Ala.)Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 21
The Trojans are ready to start the 6A playoffs, and won't face 7A Hoover again, as the schools are in different divisions. And Hazel Green has already beaten the second- and third-ranked 6A teams handily, so it could be a relatively easy ride the rest of the way.
22. Ponchatoula (La.)Record: 26-0 |
Last week: 23
The Bayou State's best beat Mt. Carmel, the second-ranked 5A team, by 21 on Monday. The Green Wave have two games remaining in the regular season before the playoffs begin Feb. 18.
23. Upperman (Baxter, Tenn.)Record: 25-0 |
Last week: 25
The regular season is over, and the Division II playoffs won't start until Feb. 20, so the Bees will have plenty of time to get busy on the practice floor.
24. Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.)Record: 19-1 |
Last week: NR
The Bulldogs jump into the rankings thanks to a 47-39 win over previous No. 10 Ensworth. This offsets an early season loss to Alcoa, which has won 13 of its last 16 games. A trip to 24-2 Grainger is on the docket Saturday.
25. Minnetonka (Minn.)Record: 7-1 |
Last week: NR
It's rare that a team gets into the MaxPreps Top 25 thanks to a loss, but the Skippers' ability to come within one point of No. 4 Hopkins got them a bid. That said, unbeaten Chaska is Friday's opponent, so the celebration could be short.
Dropped out: No. 10 Ensworth (Tenn.), No. 24 Johnston (Iowa)
