Incarnate Word jumps into top 10 in high school basketball rankings

The Incarnate Word (St. Louis, Mo.) girls’ basketball team is not used to losing in March.

The Red Knights won state titles every season from 2017-19, and again in 2021. They had been on their way to a championship in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season.

Behind star players Saniah Tyler, Natalie Potts and Olivia Hahn, Incarnate Word appears primed for more greatness this season, bringing a 29-0 record into their matchup Saturday against Troy-Buchanon (Troy, Mo.) in the Class 6 state quarterfinals.

The Red Knights of @iwa_hoops hoist the Class 6, District 3 title plaque in victorious celebration last night. pic.twitter.com/SP5Bo84AEu

— John Sextro 🏀 🥎 🏐 🎙 (@johnsextro) March 5, 2022

The Red Knights’ dominant play in recent weeks — they beat Howell Central (St. Charles, Mo.) 79-32 in the District 3 championship — has pushed them to No. 10 in this week’s rankings, which experienced a lot of turbulence but is still led by Sidwell Friends. (You can find last week’s rankings here).

1. Sidwell Friends (D.C.), 27-0

The Quakers added more hardware to their collection this weekend with a D.C. State Athletic Association (DCSAA) championship.

2. Hopkins (Minn.), 21-1

The Royals kicked off the 6AAAA postseason this weekend with two wins.

3. DeSoto (Texas), 33-2

The Eagles completed their “legacy tour” with a 40-23 win over South Grand Prairie and a second consecutive 6A state championship.

4. Classen SAS (Okla.), 21-1

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs scored 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting as the Comets beat Blanchard 53-24 in the 4A state quarterfinals Tuesday.

5. St. John Vianney (N.J.), 29-1

The Lancers clinched a berth in the state championship with a 69-50 win over Paul VI on Wednesday in the South Jersey Non-Public A final.

6. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), 28-2

The Trailblazers beat Sierra Canyon 60-51 on Tuesday in the Open Division regional final, avenging their loss from Feb. 26.

7. Etiwanda (Calif.), 28-1

The Eagles’ loss to Sierra Canyon was their first of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

8. New Hope (Md.), 27-2

The Tigers are waiting to see if they’ll get a bid to GEICO Nationals.

9. Cedar Park (Texas), 36-0

Gisella Maul scored 27 points as the Timberwolves earned their second straight 5A state championship with a 45-40 win over Memorial.

10. Incarnate Word (Mo.), 26-0

The Red Knights have beaten each of their previous three opponents by an average of 47 points.

11. La Jolla Country Day (Calif.), 24-3

The Torreys’ season came to a heartbreaking end Saturday in the form a 63-62 defeat to Sierra Canyon in the CIF open division region semifinal.

12. Montverde (Fla.), 18-3

With their season over, the Tigers are awaiting a potential bid to GEICO Nationals.

13. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 23-4

After winning the 4A state championship, the Highlanders hope to earn a GEICO Nationals bid.

14. Hazel Green (Ala.), 33-0

The Trojans defeated Oxford 55-38 in the 6A championship game for their fifth straight state title.

15. Johnston (Iowa), 26-0

The Dragons beat Waterloo West 51-31 to claim the 5A state title one year after losing in the championship game.

Congratulations to the Johnston Dragons for their @IGHSAU 5A Championship win over Western Waterloo, 51-31. #IAHSBKB #IowaPBSSports @JCSD_Girlsbball @JCSD__Athletics @JohnstonCSD pic.twitter.com/3HHlOJ0kxW

— Iowa PBS (@IowaPBS) March 5, 2022

16. Woodward Academy (Ga.), 27-2

After beating Warner Robbins by 22 points, the War Eagles challenge Forest Park on Thursday in the AAAAA state final.

17. Lone Peak (Utah), 23-0

The Knight beat Fremont in the 6A state championship to cap a perfect season.

18. DME (Fla.), 21-3

DME is in practice mode, waiting for a potential bid to GEICO Nationals.

19. IMG (Fla.), 11-4

Like Montverde and DME, the Ascenders have shut things down in hopes of earning a spot at GEICO Nationals.

20. Noblesville (Ind.), 25-4

The Millers beat Franklin Community 76-52 to claim the 4A state title, the program’s second state crown and first since 1987.

21. South Bend Washington (Ind.), 27-3

The Panthers annihilated Silver Creek 93-35 in the 3A state championship game last weekend.

22. Fremont (Utah), 24-3

The Timberwolves fell to Lone Peak in the 6A state final.

23. Conway (Ark.). 28-2

The Wampus Cats were stunned in the second round of the 6A playoffs, falling to Central 66-60.

24. Duncanville (Texas), 34-7

The Pantherettes’ season came to an end Feb. 26 with a loss to DeSoto in the 6A Region II final.

25. St. John’s (D.C.), 19-5

The Cadets’ momentum from winning the WCAC conference championship ended with a defeat to Georgetown Visitation in the DCSAA semifinal.

Josh Needelman is the High School Sports Editor at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JoshNeedelman.