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.