Elite 11: Tests Loom

Bainbridge vs. Chief Sealth and Garfield vs. Woodinville are among games this week that will test Elite Eleven status.

OK, everyone, vacation's truly over. It's time to get busy and hold down spots in the HoopGurlz.com Elite Eleven.

That seems possible this week and next, as several key matchups loom.

The testing period begins with No. 6 Garfield, which plays Inglemoor, No. 11 Woodinville and No. 1 Chief Sealth in succession.

Woodinville, 9-0, is ranked in the Elite Eleven for the first time this week. It was a difficult call for the last spot in the rankings because Central Kitsap also is sitting out there at 10-0 and both Woodinville and Central won separate divisions of the Surf 'n Slam tournament in San Diego. We wonder if Woodvinville could withstand CK's hyperactive frontcourt duo of Megan Hoisington and Kayla Bennett, while we'd love to know if CK could handle LeeAnn Palo and Amanda Best on the perimeter for Woodinville.

Bottom line for us: Woodvinville will get tested plenty and will be pressed to maintain its ranking. If it falters, we'll gladly elevate Central Kitsap, which plays in the weaker Narrows League Bridge Division and has a great shot at running the table during the regular season. Woodvinville's first test will come on Friday the 13th when it hosts Garfield.

The HoopGurlz.com Elite Eleven high-school girls basketball team rankings are featured on KING-TV's Sports Blitz and The Seattle Times.

The game of the week will be on Wednesday, when Chief Sealth hosts No. 9 and unbeaten Bainbridge. Boosted by freshman sensation Brittany Gray, the 12-0 Spartans have been the surprise team of the early season. They have one quality win, over White River, so far this season, but Sealth will provide the first true measuring stick. And maybe vice versa.

Meanwhile, we welcome University back to the fold. The Titans fell out of the Elite Eleven while Tennessee-commit Angie Bjorklund nursed the stress fracture in her left tibia. She's now back and Unviersity may have more quality wins - over Auburn Riverside, Snohomish and Gonzaga Prep - than any team in the state. University and Woodinville took spots vacated by Auburn Riverside and Monroe, which suffered its first loss of the season to Snohomish, but was injury depleted, so we know we expect to hear from the Bearcats again.

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HoopGurlz.com Elite Eleven

Washington State's Top Teams Regardless of Classification

1. Chief Sealth (3A) Record:* 8-0 Last week: 1
Comment: Killer B's - Bellevue, Bainbridge, Blanchet - are next

2. Prairie (4A) Record: 11-1 Last week: 2
Comment: Katie Madison had 30 pts. vs. Hudson's Bay

3. Lewis & Clark (4A) Record: 8-0 Last week: 3
Comment: Heather Bowman had 21 pts vs. Ferris

4. Eisenhower (4A) Record: 10-0 Last week: 4
Comment: Laiken Dollente had 26 pts vs. Eastmont

5. Meadowdale (4A) Record: 9-0 Last week: 5
Comment: Latrina Woods had 27 pts vs. Lynnwood

6. Garfield (4A) Record: 6-1 Last week: 6
Comment: Vivian Frieson had 12 ppg last week

7. River Ridge (3A) Record: 10-0 Last week: 7
Comment: Gabby Wade had 24 rebounds last week

8. Lincoln (4A) Record: 9-1 Last week: 8
Comment: Showdown with Mount Tahoma on Friday

9. Bainbridge (3A) Record: 12-0 Last Week: 9
Comment: Allie Picha has 43 pts last 3 games

10. University (4A) Record: 8-2 Last Week:NR
Comment: Avenged loss to Gonzaga Prep

11. Woodinville (4A) Record: 9-0 Last week:NR
Comment: LeeAnn Palo had 48 pts. vs. Juanita, Bothel

Dropped: Auburn Riverside (formerly No. 10) 9-2, Monroe (No. 11) 10-1

The Wait List

Auburn Riverside (4A) 8-2, Central Kitsap (4A) 10-0, Chelan (2A) 9-0, East Valley (2A) 9-0, Ellensburg (3A) 8-3, Freeman (1A) 7-1, Gonzaga Prep (4A) 7-2, Inglemoor (4A) 8-1, Jackson (4A) 6-2, King's (2A) 9-1, Monroe (4A) 10-1, Snohomish (4A) 6-3, Tumwater (3A) 7-3, White River (3A) 9-2, Woodinville (4A) 9-0

New to list in bold

Dropped: None