It hasn't effected the rankings yet, but key early injuries could prove to be big factors, especially in California.
It appears top-ranked Mater Dei will be without top inside presence Alexvz Vailetema for some time. She is out with stress fractures in her leg. She's likely out for the nation's top tournament, the Nike TOC in Phoenix, which starts Dec. 18.
Previous No. 5 Brea Olinda and No. 8 Long Beach Poly each lost premier inside players with ACL tears, as well. Another power, Bolingbrook (Ill.), welcomed back a fallen star, Morgan Tuck, out with an ACL tear since May en route to a pair of victories.
Four new teams enter the rankings, led by No. 18 Mt. Lebanon (Pittsburgh).
Xcellent 25 National High School Girls Basketball Rankings
1. (No. 1 preseason) Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 2-0
Even without Vaioletema (6-foot-1), deep Monarchs rung up 175 on first two foes.
2. (2) St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.), 1-0
Opened with 79-31 win over Brooke Smith’s old school, Marin Catholic (Kentfield), before a 74-38 Foundation win (doesn’t count on record) over NorCal Division I power Kennedy (Sacramento).
3. (3) Bolingbrook (Ill.), 2-0
Has outscored two foes 133-55 in first two outings. More importantly, Tuck looks almost 100 percent.
4. (6) Ben Davis (Indianapolis, Ind.), 5-0
All-American candidate Bria Goss is averaging 17.2 ppg in early going.
5. (7) MacArthur (Irving, Texas), 14-0
Had scares from Bishop Lynch-Dallas (66-63), Frisco (71-64) and Summit-Arlington (71-68), but otherwise Odyssey Sims and company have taken care of business.
6. (9) Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, Pa.) 0-0
Opened season on Tuesday with Conwell-Egan Catholic and then plays Thursday at home against Chester.
7. (10) St. Michael Academy (New York), 2-0
Defense is the Eagles’ focus in the early going after allowing just 52 in first two outings.
8. (8) Long Beach Poly (Calif.), 4-0
Jackrabbits trying to adjust to life without injured 6-3 post Thaddesia Southall, out for the year with an ACL tear.
9. (12) Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas), 8-1
Summit (Arlington) didn’t quite get MacArthur but did bite the Bobcats with a 63-56 win on Nov. 21. POY candidate Chiney Ogwumike is averaging 25.2 points.
10. (13) Whitney Young (Chicago), 2-0
Small, yes, but deep also, as it showed in 84-25 opening win at Orr, as 10 different players scored, led by 18 from Alexis Lloyd.
11. (15) Regina (South Euclid, Ohio), 1-0
Defending Division III champion looked sluggish offensively in 44-33 win over Green.
12. (16) Murry Bergtraum (New York), 4-0
Gained revenge in 59-49 win over Manhattan Center as senior guard CeCe Dixon had 20 points, Doris Ortega 17 and Shukurah Washington 18 rebounds. Visiting Manhattan Center upset Bergtraum 61-54 last season.
13. (17) Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) 0-0
Young but talented squad opens Thursday at home against Red Blank Catholic.
14. (18) Timberview (Mansfield, Texas), 10-1
A 43-40 hiccup to West Mesquite has spoiled an otherwise flawless early season for the Wolves. Kentucky-bound Meagan Conwright (14.8 ppg) and Kansas-bound Keena Mays (13.1) lead the charge.
15. (19) Midwest City (Okla.), 1-0
Class AAAAAA finalist looked good in opener, a 79-21 rout of Westmoore.
16. (20) Central Dauphin (Harrisburg, Pa.), 0-0
Opens season Friday at home against Council Rock North.
17. (21) Redan (Stone Mountain, Ga.), 3-0
Jerry Jackson’s team has looked very consistent offensively with outputs of 63, 63 and 71.
18. (NR) Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh) 0-0
With all five starters returning from 31-0 team, the Blue Devils can’t wait to open season Dec. 14 at Butler.
19. (NR) Hoover (Birmingham, Ala.), 9-0
Has allowed 35 points or less in all but one game thus far.
20. (NR) South Broward (Hollywood, Fla.), 7-0
Huge win over previous No. 4 Dillard (59-46) and 7-0 start vault the Bulldogs into No. 20 spot.
21. (4) Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 3-1
Opened inauspiciously with 59-46 loss to South Broward. Has since allowed just 78 points in three games, including back-to-back wins of 68-12 and 72-11.
22. (5) Brea Olinda (Brea, Calif.), 3-1
Much larger than a stunning 68-64 loss to NorCal power Oak Ridge was loss for the season of star 6-2 post Justine Hartman with an ACL tear.
23. (NR) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 1-0
Remarkable freshman class showed stuff in opening 62-48 win over San Jose Archbishop Mitty, which has already defeated Potter’s House Christian.
24. (11) Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.), 6-2
Narrow losses to Memphis Central (71-70) and Mitty (67-60) have hungered the Lions.
25. (24) Neptune (N.J), 0-0
Opens the season Dec. 18 against Long Branch.
Dropped out: No. 14 Elmhurst (Fort Wayne, Ind.), No. 22 Sacramento (Calif.), No. 23 Hillsboro (Nashville, Tenn.), No. 25 Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Ill.).
