The No. 1 team in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings, Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.), hasn't played a game since Dec. 11. Though there are games on this week's schedule, who knows when the Quakers might play again?
Those teams that do play may or may not have a full roster, or their top players, or even their coach.
With more uncertainty on the calendar in the next few weeks, the main hope for all teams, regardless of whether they are in the MaxPreps Top 25 or not, is that the situation settles down soon enough so that the season can conclude in a somewhat normal fashion. Between now and then, there's no telling what might – or might not – happen.
Senior guard Ashley Oliver and No. 20 Fremont (Plain City, Utah) haven't lost a game to an in-state opponent in nearly two years.
Photo by Darin Sicurello
5-0 |
Last week: 1
The Quakers haven't played since Dec. 11 but are expected to take the court Sunday against No. 17 St. Paul VI.
2. DeSoto (Texas)Record: 16-1 |
Last week: 2
The Eagles didn't dominate in Northern California at the West Coast Jamboree but they got the job done, winning three straight against solid competition.
3. Etiwanda (Calif.)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 4
A showdown with No. 5 Sierra Canyon last week was canceled.
4. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)Record: 4-0 |
Last week: 9
Jump to No. 4 thanks to a big win over No. 7 DME at the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational. D.C. power St. John's is on tap Sunday.
5. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 5
The Trailblazers didn't get to play No. 3 Etiwanda last week and now will settle into local competition for a few weeks.
6. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)Record: 8-0 |
Last week: 6
The Royals should continue to rule in Minnesota as no team in the Land of 10,000 Lakes can come close to matching their talent level.
7. DME Academy (Daytona Beach, Fla.) Record: 16-1 |
Last week: 7
Despite the loss to St. John-Vianney, DME holds on to No. 7. But a similar outcome against No. 11 Montverde Academy on Jan. 12 would result in a significant drop.
8. Classen SAS (Oklahoma City, Okla.)Record: 10-1 |
Last week: 8
The only loss is to No. 3 Etiwanda – and that was very close. The Comets don't have much left on the schedule until postseason.
9. New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.)Record: 13-2 |
Last week: 11
The next chance for a rankings booster will come Jan. 30 against No. 4 St. John-Vianney.
10. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 13
In 10 days the Red Knights will meet Carondelet (Concord, Calif.), which lost to No. 2 DeSoto by just six last week.
11. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)Record: 12-3 |
Last week: 3
Montverde tumbles to No. 11 after losing to No. 7 DME and unranked Bearden, but will have a chance to right the ship against DME Jan. 12.
12. La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.)Record: 11-2 |
Last week: 14
The Torreys shouldn't have much trouble with San Diego-area opponents but there are some out-of-area challenges looming.
13. Cedar Park (Texas)Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 15
Cedar Park is the class of its region and won't travel far – so expect a lot more wins.
14. Duncanville (Texas)Record: 20-4 |
Last week: 16
After outlasting Conway during some physical final seconds last week, the Pantherettes can now set their sights on No. 2 DeSoto, which will visit the friendly confines Jan. 25.
15. Conway (Ark.)Record: 14-1 |
Last week: 10
The Wampus Cats found out how hard it is to win in Duncanville, losing by one in the title game of the Sandra Meadows Classic. They return to home to travel to once-beaten North Little Rock on Friday.
16. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)Record: 11-3 |
Last week: 20
The three losses are to teams in the top seven – DME twice and St. John Vianney once – but another challenge looms with No. 25 Woodward Academy the likely opponent this weekend.
17. St. Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.)Record: 7-2 |
Last week: 19
The Panthers can make a huge leap if they upset Sidwell Friends Sunday – but it's a win-win situation as a loss is to be expected.
18. Rock Bridge (Columbia, Mo.)Record: 10-0 |
Last week: NR
The Bruins jump into the MaxPreps Top 25 with wins over three solid teams – including previous No. 12 Sacred Heart – at the Naples Holiday Shootout.
19. Princeton (Cincinnati, Ohio)Record: 10-0 |
Last week: 20
The next serious challenge comes Jan. 12 when the Vikings host once-beaten Mason.
20. Fremont (Plain City, Utah)Record: 7-2 |
Last week: 21
The Silverwolves are the clear alpha in Utah and should easily fend off any contenders for the top spot.
21. Hoover (Ala.)Record: 15-2 |
Last week: NR
It was a big week for the Buccaneers as they knocked off previous No. 17 IMG to return the MaxPreps Top 25.
22. Johnston (Iowa)Record: 9-0 |
Last week: 23
The Dragons are in full flight in Iowa but unbeaten Dowling Catholic would like nothing better than to assume the role of St. George Jan. 14.
23. Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga.)Record: 10-1 |
Last week: 25
The War Eagles will play No. 18 Lake Highland Prep Sunday. A win in that one would likely vault them into the top 20.
24. Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.)Record: 13-1 |
Last week: 12
The loss to Rock Bridge will be hard for the Valkyries to overcome as there are no elite opponents left on the schedule.
25. Franklin Community (Franklin, Ind.)Record: 16-2 |
Last week: 22
The Grizzly Cubs hang on to the last spot in the MaxPreps Top 25, though there are those who believe Bedford North Lawrence is the top team in the Hoosier State.
Dropped out: No. 17
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.); No. 24
Panther Creek (Cary, N.C.)
