Mater Dei knocked off Oaks Christian to remain undefeated and maintain its No. 1 ranking.
Photo by David Hood
The early rounds of most state playoffs generally aren't a huge challenge for members of the Xcellent 25 — but you never know. After all, two teams dropped out this week, allowing New Hope Christian Academy of North Carolina and Mead of Washington to move in.
There are also plenty of other candidates on the bubble, just waiting for inevitable postseason upsets to occur, though of course those teams aren't immune to the playoff shocker either.
So all in all, it's safe to say that this version of the Xcellent 25 is likely to look a lot different than the one a month from now.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Girls Basketball Rankings Presented by the Army National Guard1. (Last week 1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 25-0Oaks Christian was supposed to be a challenge: Mater Dei 74, Oaks Christian 46. The regular season concludes this week, and then the long and difficult California playoffs begin.
2. (2) Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 23-0In a postseason tuneup — not to mention a bitter crosstown rivalry — the Warriors host No. 21 Blackman Friday night. And the two will likely meet again in the Tennessee playoffs.
3. (3) Duncanville (Texas) 35-0DeSoto, even on the road, was no match for Duncanville. The playoffs start next week, but the Panthers should draw at least a couple easy games.
4. (4) Windward (Los Angeles) 24-0California has added an Open Division to its playoff structure, which means Windward will undoubtedly be in the same bracket with No. 1 Mater Dei in the Southern California Regionals.
5. (5) Marion County (Lebanon, Ky.) 27-0The Knights have 21-5 North Hardin on the road Friday, 19-1 Henderson County on Saturday and then always tough Mercy, at Mercy, Tuesday. Marion County will be ready for postseason.
