Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings: Archbishop Mitty No. 1 after winning Nike TOC (12/23/2024)

It's not even Christmas yet, but high school girls basketball season now has its fourth No. 1 team following Mitty's dominance at the Nike TOC.

Here are the national high school girls basketball rankings from The Sporting News for the week of Dec. 23.

READ: Last week's rankings (Dec. 16)

Top 25 High School Girls Basketball Rankings

1. Archbishop Mitty (CA) (8-0 – 7th last week)

Mitty beat the top-ranked team in the country to win the Nike TOC behind dominance from McKenna Woliczko? Seems like deja vu. One year after leaping to No. 1 following an upset of Long Island Lutheran, the Monarchs have done it again for a shocking 59-34 blowout of Ontario Christian in the finals. Wolizcko was named the MVP again after dropping 38 points and 17 rebounds against Clackamas and 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists against Ontario Christian.

2. Ontario Christian (CA) (14-1 – 1st)

It's rare to see potential CIF Open Division state championship previews occur during the regular season, but how about this. Ontario Christian doesn't have to wait until a potential March rematch for another crack at Archbishop Mitty – they play again on Jan. 4 at the SI 20 Showcase.

3. Mater Dei (CA) (12-2 – 17th)

When was the last time that California teams swept the top three of a national ranking? Not sure, but the last time Mater Dei was ranked this high on a national level was during the 2019-20 and 2019-20 seasons when it went back-to-back as CIF-SS Open Division champions. Mater Dei's only losses came to the only two higher-ranked teams, so it was clear for takeoff in the rankings after upsetting Bishop McNamara.

4. Bishop McNamara (MD) (5-1 – 3rd)

Mater Dei was No. 17 last week, so why didn't Bishop McNamara drop more for the loss? Before getting upset, it had already beaten IMG Academy by 23 points, Central Pointe Christian Academy by 25, Bullis by eight, and Sage Hill by 26. And Bishop McNamara bounced back after losing to beat Clackamas 53-48. Now it's the conference favorite entering another brutal year of Washington Catholic play.

5. Westtown (PA) (6-0 – 6^th)

Biding time while most other top-ranked teams have gotten their hands dirty with national competition. Westtown did handle Shining Star Sports Academy 73-64 in its one crack at a ranked foe.

6. Long Island Lutheran (NY) (5-0 – 8^th)

LuHi has only played five games, but its season-opening wins against Bishop Ireton (79-73) and St. Paul VI (78-44) are already aging particularly well as those downed foes have otherwise been untouchable. Long Island Lutheran opens the Tampa Bay Christmas Invitational as a heavy favorite against ever-dangerous Miami Country Day. 

7. Sierra Canyon (CA) (9-0 – 9^th)

Unsurprisingly, Sierra Canyon had no trouble winning the top division at the Tarkanian Classic for the second time in three years, although Couer D'Alene and Vanden managed not to get totally dismantled. Expect a similar showing – or perhaps an even more dominant one – this week at the Glendora Christmas Tournament.

8. Lawrence Central (IN) (13-0 – 10^th)

Still unbeaten, and for the most part unscathed. Lawrence North is the lone team to give the Bears a scare, losing 52-51 to them on Dec. 12, and that rematch is on Jan. 16.

9. Sidwell Friends (DC) (7-0 – 12^th)

Make it seven wins against seven excellent teams for the Quakers. They beat Potomac School 58-35 in their only game of the week.

10. Morris Catholic (NJ) (4-0 – 11^th)

Narrowly avoided disaster against a quality foe in St. Frances Academy, winning 58-55 in its first test of the season.

11. Montverde Academy (FL) (7-1 – 2nd)

It's a nine-spot drop for Montverde Academy after a major upset to Canadian powerhouse Fort Erie International, which has lost to Bishop McNamara and Paul VI (VA). It didn't help the Eagles' stock that some of the best teams they've beaten, such as Purcell Marian, Winston-Salem Christian, and St. Thomas Aquinas, recently took stop-dropping losses. With that said, Montverde has been without arguably its top player, Agot Makeer, since November. This might not prove to be a season-altering loss.

12. Hebron Christian (GA) (10-1 – 4th)

In one of the biggest upsets of the year so far, Hebron Christian fell 55-52 to Langston Hughes on Friday at the Cherokee Invitational. So why didn't Hebron Christian fall more? The Lions defeated Langston Hughes 62-55 six days prior, and Langston Hughes, now on the bubble, is otherwise unbeaten with wins against Holy Innocents' Episcopal, Hoover (AL), and Westminster Academy.

13. Bradley Central (TN) (13-0 – 13^th)

Bradley Central handily defeated McMinn County, Bartlett, and Clarksville Christian to stay unbeaten.

14. Red Bank Catholic (NJ) (2-0 – 14^th)

After much ado, the Caseys are finally underway and off to a good start. They beat St. Joseph-by-the-Sea 70-44 and Virginia Academy 61-37.

15. Incarnate Word Academy (MO) (3-0 – 16th)

The Red Raiders jump back into action after Christmas at the Visitation Christmas Tournament.

16. Pewaukee (WI) (7-0 – 18th)

Still nothing but wins of 15 points or more for the Pirates, which defeated West Allis Central 89-4 and Homestead 55-40. They play one of the biggest tests of the season on Friday against Whitney Young.

17. Johnston (IA) (8-0 – 19th)

Johnston finally was tested and won a defensive grinder 49-41 against Dowling Catholic. They meet again in conference play on Jan. 24.

18. Princess Anne (VA) (7-0 – 20th)

The tour de force continues. Princess Anne has scored at least 80 points and more than doubled its opponents score in all seven contests, including against recent victims Ocean Lakes (95-24) and First Colonial (97-9).

19. Lincoln (TX) (21-0 – 21st)

Sitting pretty at 21-0 after a well-earned week off from games. With most of its big tests already in the past, Lincoln has a strong chance at an undefeated regular season.

20. Clackamas (OR) (3-2 – 23rd)

Despite two losses, the Nike TOC wasn't a bad showing for the Cavaliers. They were close losses to national title contenders in Archbishop Mitty and Bishop McNamara, and those were sandwiched in between convincing wins against Princeton and Purcell Marian.

22. IMG Academy (FL) (9-3 – 4th)

Reeling after a 40-38 loss to PHH Prep on Friday. The Ascenders did pick up a nice win the day before, blowing out another Arizona power Bella Vista College Prep 62-24.

23. Duncanville (TX) (11-4 – Bubble)

Fired up after beating rival DeSoto 74-55. Duncanville will pick right after Christmas at the Sandra Meadows Classic, which includes a high-profile matchup with Boswell.

24. Cypress Springs (TX) (17-3 Bubble)

Now up to 13 wins in a row, including against Etiwanda, Summer Creek, and Audenried, since starting 4-3. It turns out Cypress Springs was missing an important piece, junior guard Tamiah Harrison, in its last loss, which came 51-48 to Frisco Memorial. Its only others were against Lincoln and Duncanville.

25. Etiwanda (CA) (4-4 – 25th)

Etiwanda resumes play after Christmas at the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic.