Girls basketball rankings: See the latest team rankings, plus key playoff dates

The regular season is winding down with playoffs on the horizon for many teams. The last two weeks featured plenty of action, with plenty of upsets and statement wins. Check out the latest rankings, plus teams of the week, teams to watch, and key dates to mark on your calendar.

Big School Rankings (Class 5A, 6A):

(Records included games played through Wednesday, Jan. 31)

1. Archbishop Wood (14-5)

The Vikings don’t have anything to prove, but they sure cemented their status as the team to beat with huge wins over PCL rivals Lansdale Catholic (4-2 in PCL) and Archbishop Carroll (5-1). The Vikings, at 8-0, are the only unbeaten team in the PCL now, and their remaining games are against three teams with a combined 2-22 record.

2. Neshaminy (16-4) 

It’s been an eventful couple weeks for Neshaminy, culminating in Wednesday’s huge 40-25 win against CB East. Other big games include a win against rival Pennsbury for the second time this season, Lola Ibarrondo reaching 1,000 career points in Tuesday’s win over Truman, and Reese Zemitis breaking her own school record for points in a game with 35 against Nazareth. Their lone loss in their last seven games was against CR South, in a bit of an upset in a low scoring 36-32 game.

3. CB East (16-3)

The Patriots continued to cruise right along, winning seven straight until running into Neshaminy on Wednesday. Those seven games included wins against quality teams such as Gwynedd Mercy, Abington and Pennsbury. Anna Barry scored in double digits in six straight games, including 23 points against Pennridge.

4. North Penn (18-2)

The last time the Knights lost a game, it was still 2023, Santa had yet to arrive, and the region was still in the midst of a snowless-streak. Since that Dec. 19 loss to CB East, the No. 2 team in the district standings, the Knights have reeled off 14 straight wins. Their last seven wins were all against under .500 teams, but earlier this month they defeated Neshaminy and Bensalem. The February 6 rematch against CB East could decide the SOL Colonial.

5. Bensalem (13-5) 

It’s safe to say that the Owls are for real! Bensalem has reeled off five straight wins, including Tuesday’s huge 44-40 victory over Pennsbury, helping the Owls move to second place in the SOL Patriot Division. Standout Amber Howard scored her 1,000th career point on Saturday, and has scored 20 points or better in three of her last six games. The win over Pennsbury was the Owls’ first in their last 15 matchups going back nine seasons.

6. Gwynedd Mercy (16-3) 

The Monarchs went 4-1 over the past two weeks, their lone loss to CB East. Bailey Balkir and Emilia Coleman are continuing impressive sophomore campaigns, with help from junior Megan McDonnell, who has scored 16 and 10 points in the Monarchs last two games.

7. Abington (14-5) 

The Ghosts went 4-3 over the last two weeks, but all three losses, to CB East, Upper Dublin and Haverford, were against teams in the top six in the district standings. In their four wins, they averaged 67 points per game, including an 87-point explosion against Springfield. Maya Johnson, Piper McGinley, Mikiaya Durham and Jordan Reynolds are all capable of leading the team in scoring on any night, and all four scored in double digits against Springfield, exemplifying their balanced approach.

8. Pennsbury (12-6)

After a stretch that saw the Falcons play just two games in two weeks, they made up for lost time, playing seven games in 12 days. Playing more suited the Falcons, who went 5-2 in a stretch that included coach Frank Sciolla recording his 500th career win. Sofia Vitucci has been one of top scoring players in the league during that time, averaging 21 points per game. Their losses were to division rivals Bensalem and Neshaminy.

9. Upper Moreland (13-6) 

The Golden Bears have won five of their last six, though the one loss was a tough one to neighboring rival and division opponent Lower Moreland. UM is one game out of first place in the SOL Freedom behind LM, with divisional games against Cheltenham and New Hope-Solebury to close out the season. Lily Hansen has had the hot hand of late, with two 20-point games.

10. Council Rock South (11-7) 

The Golden Hawks went 3-3 over the past two weeks, with a huge win against Neshaminy. Kathryn O’Kane scored 10 or more points in five of those games. CRS has a rematch against division rival Pennsbury on Thursday, after losing 53-27 in their first matchup, the Golden Hawks will look to make a statement.

Small School Rankings (Class 1A- 3A):

1. Lansdale Catholic (14-3) 

After winning 11 straight to start the season, the Crusaders had a brief rough stretch when they lost three straight games. Two of those losses were to Catholic League powers Archbishop Wood (8-0 PCL) and Archbishop Carroll (5-2). They rebounded with a league win over Little Flower to improve to 5-2, but have a couple tough matchups against Neumann-Goretti (6-1) and Cardinal O’Hara (5-1) to close the regular season.

2. Germantown Academy (19-4)

The Patriots continue to pile up the wins, with only one loss in their last seven games. That loss was to Inter-Ac leading Penn Charter, which holds a one game lead over the Patriots. The Patriots have two more weeks of league games, including a rematch against Penn Charter on Feb. 9.

3. George School (13-8) 

After experiencing a rough stretch to start the month, the Cougars went 4-1 with their lone loss to state power Westtown.

4. Conwell-Egan (9-9) 

The Eagles persevered through an incredibly difficult schedule for the past two months and came out on the other side, reeling off three straight PCL wins. The Eagles (4-3) are seventh in the standings, and while tough matchups loom against Archbishop Carroll and Cardinal O’Hara, they are in position to clinch a playoff spot.

5. Faith Christian (12-7) 

The Lions continue to dominate in the BAL, with wins against MaST Charter, Morrisville, Phil-Mont Academy and Christian Academy, with losses to Collegium (4A) and Renaissance Academy (3A). The Lions are in first place in the district Class 2A standings, and hold a three-game lead.

6. Villa Joseph Marie (10-8) 

The Jems had to face Gwynedd Mercy (16-3) and Villa Maria (12-7) three times over the past two weeks, and while those games resulted in losses they had comfortable wins in their four other games. Three of their last four wins were by 15 or more points, with Grace Pizzica and Ava Gummieny leading the way.

Key Dates for the Upcoming Postseason:

• Playoff season kicks off Friday, Feb. 2 with the Friends Schools League playoffs. No. 5 George School will visit No. 4 Shipley School, with the winner advancing to the semifinals on Tuesday. GS defeated Shipley 61-55 in their regular season meeting on Jan. 23.

• The Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs begin Feb. 15 with the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals on Feb. 20 and the championship game Feb. 26 at the Palestra. Archbishop Wood is in first place, while Lansdale Catholic is in fifth with four games to play. Conwell-Egan is in seventh place but well ahead of the bottom four teams.

• The Suburban One League boys and girls tournaments will begin Feb. 9, with the finals on Feb. 13 at Holy Family. The four division winners plus the next highest ranking teams in the District One standings make the tournament. As of now, Neshaminy, North Penn, CB East, Upper Dublin, Bensalem, Abington, Lower Moreland and Upper Moreland are positioned to make the tournament.

• The Inter-Ac playoffs being Feb. 16 for Germantown Academy.

• The District One playoffs begin Feb. 16, with the seeding meeting on Feb. 11.

Girls Basketball: The top players, performances and wins in Bucks County girls hoops

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Girls basketball rankings, teams to watch as regular season wraps