Sometimes this rankings biz is just cruel.
New Hope Christian calmly went about its business this past weekend, knocking off Archbishop Williams of Massachusetts in New York -- but suddenly finds itself out of the Xcellent 25 because someone else stumbled.
That someone was Potter's House Christian, which lost twice (without star Rellah Boothe) in New York, and Potter's House owns a win over New Hope. So, logically, New Hope has been behind Potter's House in the rankings all year -- but the two losses dropped the Florida team out of the Xcellent 25. And since New Hope lacks a win over a ranked team (or even a team knocking on the door), New Hope drops out with them.
Coming in are two newcomers, unbeaten Ridgeway out of Memphis and unbeaten Stonewall Jackson of Virginia. It's really hard to go unbeaten, no matter what level you play at, and that's worth a lot in the Xcellent 25. Of course, all the unbeaten teams will get tested in their state playoffs, which are noted more for stunning upsets than staying true to form -- and for serious sports fans, are simply some of the best events available.
All records are current as of Monday's play.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
1. (1) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 21-1Katie Lou Samuelson's two-game absence because of a hyperextended knee didn't slow Mater Dei, which won by 49 and 24. And arguably the nation's best player is now back in the lineup.
2. (2) Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), 16-0The weather has played havoc with Neumann-Goretti's schedule, but not with the outcomes. Don't expect a stumble, even in the AA playoffs.
3. (3) Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 21-2Blackman was down 12 in the first quarter to arch rival Riverdale, and then was behind by one in the third period -- but
Crystal Dangerfield and
Alex Johnson led the Blaze to an eventual 64-53 win.
4. (4) St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.), 22-1St. Mary's continues its romp through league play, but has one tough nonleague opponent -- Bishop O'Dowd on Valentine's Day -- lined up before the postseason begins.
5. (5) Whitney Young (Chicago), 22-1After disposing of tough Trinity on Saturday, Whitney Young now starts the Chicago city playoffs, which shouldn't be too much of a test. And remember, Whitney Young's only loss was in the first game of the season, back on Dec. 6.
Erica Ogwumike, Cypress Woods
Photo by Ken Murray
The 4A playoffs start next Tuesday, and eventually, Bedford North Lawrence, No. 24 Lawrence North and Columbus North will settle it on the court.
7. (7) Cypress Woods (Cypress, Texas), 25-1The road is smooth for the last few games of the regular season, but in the brutal Texas postseason, expect more than a few bumps.
8. (8) Elizabethtown (Ky.), 24-2Like many of the Xcellent 25, Elizabethtown downshifts at the end of the regular season and focuses on local opponents and getting ready for the playoffs.
9. (9) Long Beach Poly (Calif.), 20-2Alemany stayed with the Jackrabbits for three quarters and made a late run that fell four points short, but in the end, Long Beach Poly was just too good. Which is the reason for this ranking.
10. (10) Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.), 19-1In the first meetings between Myers Park and its last three opponents, the most points Myers Park gave up was 22. The least Myers Park scored was 65. Enough said.
11. (11) Desert Vista (Phoenix), 22-3Chandler and Basha, the final two regular season opponents for Desert Vista, are nice, solid high school girls basketball teams. Desert Vista is No. 11 in the nation. Or, to put it another way, when do the playoffs start?
12. (13) Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 23-1It seems like every high school in Florida makes the postseason, as there are eight different divisions and as many as 32 teams in each divisional bracket. Dillard is in the 5A bracket and the regional finals will be Feb. 14, with the state tournament to follow.
13. (14) Miami Country Day, 25-2Miami Country Day hasn't played since Jan. 24, but shouldn't be too stretched in the Florida 3A regional playoffs -- and most likely not even in the 3A state championship.
14. (NR) Manasquan (N.J.), 15-1Manasquan jumps back into the Xcellent 25 by avenging its only loss, to St. John-Vianney, in impressive fashion. The final was 64-39 Tuesday night, fueled by a committed man defense and a 26-7 edge in the fourth quarter.
15. (19) Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta), 24-0Holy Innocents survived the challenge of always-tough Wesleyan, winning 52-46, but will face some more during the Georgia AA postseason.
16. (17) Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.), 22-2The big one in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference will be next Tuesday when Paul VI travels to once-ranked Bishop McNamara (now 19-4). Since the game at Paul VI was a 53-52 win for the hosts, it's not that hard to imagine McNamara returning the favor Feb. 10.
17. (NR) Ridgeway (Memphis, Tenn.), 19-0Ridgeway has emerged as a serious threat to No. 2 Blackman in Tennessee's 3A postseason, and though the Roadrunners haven't lived up to their mascot by traveling much, it's hard to do better than go unbeaten.
18. (20) Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.), 17-1Minnesota's postseason doesn't begin until March, and Hopkins is unlikely to be seriously challenged before then.
19. (21) Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.), 18-0One more relaxing regular season game and then Gonzaga Prep will have a chance to prove just how good it is during the 4A playoffs.
20. (22) Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.), 18-0Princess Anne only beat Maury by five, at home -- and Friday travels to Maury's home gym. That will be the final regular season test, but it's not going to be an easy one.
21. (23) Braintree (Mass.), 11-0The weather has played havoc with Braintree's already limited schedule, but presumably many games will be made up in the near future.
22. (24) St. Rose (Belmar, N.J.), 17-0St. Rose should be unbeaten when it hosts No. 15 Manasquan on Valentine's Day -- and winning that game would cement St. Rose's spot in the Xcellent 25. At least for a while.
23. (25) Konawaena (Kealakekua, Hawaii), 26-1Konawaena has won its last three games by an average of 79 points. To put that into perspective, how many teams in your area have even scored 79 points in one of the last three games?
24. (15) Lawrence North (Indianapolis), 20-1Lawrence North was up by 14 in the third quarter against a very good Heritage Christian team, but let the lead, the game and its perfect season slipped away in a 53-51 loss. There will be no chance for revenge against 3A Heritage Christian, but redemption beckons in the 4A playoffs.
25. (NR) Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, Va.), 18-0Stonewall Jackson jumps into the Xcellent 25 thanks to a solid intersectional record (some nice wins in New York and New Jersey) and that unbeaten record. Then again, Riverdale Baptist Saturday could easily knock Stonewall Jackson off this precarious perch.
Dropped out: No. 15 Potter's House Christian, No. 16 New Hope Christian, No. 18 St. John-Vianney
