For the past two weeks, the South Prairie-Max girls basketball team has held the top Division A girls basketball ranking. Prior to their matchup with the Royals at home, the Bishop Ryan Lady Lions had a 2-3 record and were currently unranked in Division B basketball.
With the 60-22 victory over the host Lions, the visitors maintained their winning streak. With the three losses at the Nedrose Tournament to begin the season before the non-conference, non-division home game, Bishop Ryan fell to 2-4 while the Royals improved to 5-0.
The Royals led 40–13 at the half and maintained that defensive pressure to take a 52–19 advantage into the fourth quarter, thus the Lions did not have to fight hard to win the game. In order to keep the game closer than it otherwise would have been, Bishop Ryan’s rebounds partially offset South Prairie-Max’s defensive effort.
Two teams that are ranked or getting votes in the most recent Division B coaches polls have met the Lions. At the Shootout on the Prairie on December 7, Bishop Ryan and Kenmare-Bowbells, who is presently ranked sixth, battled the Honkers. At the same Shootout the day before, the Lady Lions faced Hatton/Northwood. This week’s rankings included votes for Hatton/Northwood.
In both Division A and Division B, the Royals have defeated both rated and unranked clubs. When the Lady Honkers were ranked third, they defeated the Kenmare-Bowbells in their first victory of the season. The Tommies are now rated third in the coaches’ polls, and the Royals played Thompson at the Shootout on the Prairie on December 7.
After taking a vacation, South Prairie-Max will play Their Redeemer’s to start 2025 on the road on January 7.
To end the 2024 calendar year, Bishop Ryan will play St. John at the MSU Dome on December 30.
