Girls’ basketball Top 20: Paul VI reclaims top spot; Largo, Glenelg, Northern, Wilson join rankings

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/highschools/girls-basketball-top-20-paul-vi-reclaims-top-spot-largo-glenelg-northern-wilson-join-rankings/2016/02/29/abda6dda-def7-11e5-8d98-4b3d9215ade1_story.html

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1. Paul VI (30-1) Last week: 2

The Panthers regain the top spot in the rankings after beating No. 10 St. John’s last Monday to capture their third straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship.

2. Oakton (28-0) LW: 3

The Cougars notched a 44-41 win over No. 14 Langley Friday before winning a second straight Virginia 6A North region title in a 46-36 victory vs. then-No. 7 Fairfax Saturday.

3. National Christian (28-1) LW: 1

The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season to Potter’s House (Fla.) in the National Association of Christian Athletes Tournament in Tennessee, but took third place with two wins to close out last week.

4. Riverdale Baptist (33-3) LW: 4

The Crusaders beat Potter’s House, 75-36, to win the NACA Tournament championship last week and will play in the Bishop Walsh Invitational Tournament starting Thursday.

5. Old Mill (22-0) LW: 5

The Patriots will be without forward Rebecca Lee (knee) but hope to have starters Brandi Hall and Brianna Ward back for Tuesday’s Maryland 4A East region quarterfinal against Severna Park.

6. Forestville (19-2) LW: 6

After beating then-No. 19 Wise in the Prince George’s County championship game, the Knights start the Maryland 1A North playoffs against Chesapeake Math and IT Tuesday.

7. Georgetown Visitation (25-3) LW: 8

Alexis Gray hit eight threes in an ISL AA semifinal win over National Cathedral then dished out six assists as the Cubs beat No. 20 Bullis for their 10th straight league title Sunday.

8. Fairfax (27-2) LW: 7

After suffering their first two losses of the season in the conference and region finals, the Rebels face two-time defending state champion Cosby in the Virginia 6A state quarterfinals Friday.

9. Edison (23-2) LW: 9

Freshman Carole Miller (13 points) paced the Eagles when they captured their fourth straight region championship in a 48-35 win over Potomac (Va.).

10. St. John’s (23-7) LW: 10

The Cadets earned a bye in this year’s DCSAA tournament and will face either Bell or Georgetown Day in the quarterfinal round Tuesday.

11. Good Counsel (22-6) LW: 11

Junior Lindsey Pulliam was named co-WCAC player of the year and will lead the Falcons into the Bishop Walsh Invitational Tournament this week.

12. Whitman (19-3) LW: 12

The Vikings’ quest for a Maryland 4A state championship — and a second consecutive 4A West region title — begins against Blair on Tuesday.

13. North Point (21-2) LW: 16

After sitting through a tornado warning delay, the Eagles rallied to beat then-No. 13 Chopticon, 48-47, for the SMAC championship last Wednesday.

14. Langley (24-5) LW: 14

The Saxons gave then-No. 3 Oakton a scare in the region semifinals and then beat Herndon in a consolation game to earn a No. 3 seed in the Virginia 6A state quarterfinals.

15. Chopticon (21-3) LW: 13

After suffering their first loss since Dec. 18 to North Point, the Braves will look to rebound against South River on Tuesday in the Maryland 4A East region quarterfinals.

16. Howard (21-2) LW: 17

The Lions won their playoff opener by 40 points and hope to avenge their 2014 playoff loss to Paint Branch when they host a Maryland 4A North region quarterfinal Tuesday.

17. Largo (14-5) LW: NR

The Lions earned a No. 1 seed in the Maryland 2A South region playoffs after reeling off 12 wins in a row to close the regular season.

18. Glenelg (18-4) LW: NR

Opponents are averaging just 33 points per game in the Gladiators’ last six wins and their defense helped secure a No. 1 seed in the 3A East region playoffs.

19. Northern (19-3) LW: NR

Guard Natalie Laplaca had 21 points when the Patriots closed out the regular season with an 82-74 win over Crossland last week.

20. Wilson (19-7) LW: NR

The Tigers beat reigning DCIAA champion Anacostia, 59-45, last Wednesday to capture their first league title since 1993 and earned a first-round bye in the DCSAA tournament.

Dropped out: No. 15 Loudoun County (21-3), No. 18 West Springfield (21-6), No. 19 Wise (17-4), No. 20 Bullis (21-7)

On the bubble: Loudoun Valley (17-7), Friendship Collegiate (20-5), Herndon (20-7), Tuscarora (20-6), Churchill (18-5)