There's a new No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings – the same team that started the season there.
Etiwanda won its second straight state title with a
brilliant game plan that used a 3-2 zone to stymie the Mitty
offense. McDonald's All American
Kennedy Smith scored 15 in the championship game.
Long Island Lutheran, who is expected to participate in Chipotle Nationals next month, dropped from the top spot in December following a 77-76 loss to Mitty in the Nike TOC final. Aiding their claim to No. 1, the Crusaders own an 82-62 victory over Etiwanda.
While there's still work to be done for Long Island Lutheran to be crowned MaxPreps National Champion, the Crusaders have the inside track and would lock it up with a Chipotle Nationals title.
Grayson (Loganville) moved to No. 4 after winning Georgia's AAAAAAA title. The Rams beat North Paulding (Dallas) 65-44 on Saturday behind 21 points from Georgia Tech commit
Danielle Carnegie.
Tatum Brown added 14 and
Malaya Jones chipped in 10.
No. 2 Etiwanda poses with the CIF Open Division trophy after beating previous No. 1 Archbishop Mitty. The Eagles' 60-48 win on Saturday moves Long Island Lutheran back to the top of the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. (Photo: David Steutel)
1. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.)
Record: 21-1 |
Last week: 2
The Crusaders should be the top seed at Chipotle Nationals in April.
2. Etiwanda (Calif.)
Record: 32-3 |
Last week: 3
Puff Morris led the Eagles with 20 points in the CIF Open Division final.
3. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
Record: 30-1 |
Last week: 1
McKenna Woliczko led Mitty with 14 points,
Abi James added 12 and
Belle Bramer 10 in the state final.
4. Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Record: 32-0 |
Last week: 5
The school became the first to win the boys and girls AAAAAAA titles in the same year.
5. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 23-3 |
Last week: 6
The Ascenders are expected to be invited to Chipotle Nationals.
6. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
Record: 28-5 |
Last week: 7
Without McDonald's All-American
Maddy McDaniel, the Mustangs won the inaugural Maryland Private School championship. They beat Bullis (Potomac) 70-65 behind
Zhen Craft, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
7. Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)
Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 8
The Crusaders won tight games in the semifinals and final of the Non-Public B bracket, earning their second straight state title.
Mia Pauldo led Morris Catholic with 20 points in the 53-49 win over Rutgers Prep (Rutgers) in the championship game.
8. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Record: 31-3 |
Last week: 4
Fell 54-51 to Etiwanda in the Southern California Open Division regional finals.
9. Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 21-4 |
Last week: 9
Expected to participate in Chipotle Nationals.
10. Hebron Christian (Dacula, Ga.)
Record: 30-2 |
Last week: 10
A 62-60 win over Wesleyan (Norcross) gave the Lions back-to-back AAA titles. They were led by 15 points from
Aubrey Beckham while
Danielle Osho added 14 points and 15 rebounds in the championship game.
11. Duncanville (Texas)
Record: 35-4 |
Last week: 11
Season complete. Class 6A state champions.
12. Johnston (Iowa)
Record: 29-0 |
Last week: 12
Season complete. Class 5A state champions.
13. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)
Record: 28-0 |
Last week: 13
Coach Dan Rolfes won his 700th game as the Red Knights march on toward a seventh straight state title.
14. Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.)
Record: 25-5 |
Last week: 14
Season complete. Class 4A state champions.
15. Purcell Marian (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 15
The Cavaliers have a Friday semifinal date with 25-3 Copley with the winner playing for the Division II title.
16. St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Record: 26-5 |
Last week: 16
Season complete. DCSAA Class AA champions.
17. Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Record: 30-1 |
Last week: 17
Season complete. Class 4A state champions.
18. Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.)
Record: 25-6 |
Last week: 18
Could land an invite to Chipotle Nationals.
19. Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.)
Record: 38-0 |
Last week: 19
Season complete. Class 4A state champions.
20. Bradley Central (Cleveland, Tenn.)
Record: 34-1 |
Last week: 22
Kimora Fields,
Tatianna Stovall,
Avary Brewer and
Harmonie Ware (MVP) were all selected to the all-tournament team after the Bearettes grabbed their second straight Division I Class 4A title. Bradley Central beat Bartlett 58-43 in the finals.
21. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas)
Record: 40-2 |
Last week: 20
Season complete. Class 5A state runner-up.
22. DeSoto (Texas)
Record: 27-6 |
Last week: 21
Season complete.
23. Burroughs (St. Louis, Mo.)
Record: 26-3 |
Last week: 23
The Bombers play a Class 5 semifinal game Wednesday against Marshfield.
24. Putnam City West (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 24
The Patriots climbed out of a 10-point third-quarter hole to beat Edmond North (Edmond) 41-40 on Saturday in the Class 6A championship game. The title was the first for Putnam City West since 1981.
25. Manchester (Midlothian, Va.)
Record: 27-2 |
Last week: NR
Senior
Mia Woolfolk and junior
Rayne Wright led the Lancers to the school's first title, beating previously-ranked Thomas Dale (Chester) 51-42 in the Class 6 final.
