The latest edition of the Republican Herald’s Elite Eight power rankings offers a snapshot of the competitive landscape in high school basketball as of January 19, 2026. The rankings reflect the performance of teams in the Schuylkill League, revealing a tie at the top for the boys’ teams, while the girls’ rankings see Lourdes maintaining its dominance.
Boys Basketball Rankings
In a thrilling week of action, the boys’ basketball rankings feature a tie for first place.
Minersville (14-1; 9-1) has climbed to the No. 1 spot after securing victories over Tamaqua and Blue Mountain. The Battlin’ Miners are on an impressive 11-game winning streak, with their only loss coming against Pottsville on December 11. They will face Pottsville again this week, presenting an opportunity for revenge.
Pottsville (13-3; 9-0) also shares the top ranking after holding the lead for the past two weeks. The Crimson Tide have been on a five-game winning streak since their last defeat to Eastern Lebanon County. Upcoming matches against Minersville, North Schuylkill, and Williamsport will test their mettle.
Tri-Valley (15-1; 9-0) remains a strong contender in the rankings, having won nine consecutive games since their last defeat. With upcoming games against Shenandoah Valley, Nativity BVM, and Marian Catholic, the Bulldogs are poised to challenge for the top spot.
Schuylkill Haven (12-4; 6-3) has bounced back from recent struggles with a decisive 75-65 victory over Weatherly. The Hurricanes face significant challenges this week with matches against Marian, Minersville, and Williams Valley that could define their season.
In a notable debut, North Schuylkill (9-4; 5-4) has entered the rankings following back-to-back victories. After a challenging previous season, the Spartans are already at nine wins this year and are aiming for a District 11 playoff spot.
The rankings are rounded out by Blue Mountain (9-7; 5-4) and Nativity BVM (7-8; 6-3). Blue Mountain seeks to recover from losses to top-ranked teams, while Nativity has surged with five wins in their last six games, including a standout performance against Schuylkill Haven.
Girls Basketball Rankings
The girls’ basketball rankings showcase the continued excellence of Lourdes, who remains unbeaten in the Schuylkill League.
Lourdes (14-1; 9-0) has extended its winning streak to eight games, outscoring opponents by an impressive average of 50-22 this season. Led by Kylla Sandri, who averages 12.4 points per game, the Red Raiders have shown dominance throughout the league.
Schuylkill Haven (12-4; 8-1) is closely trailing Lourdes, having recently secured a narrow victory against Mahanoy Area. McKenna Runkle stands out in their lineup, averaging 14.7 points per game.
North Schuylkill (9-4; 8-1) has made strides this season, sitting third in the rankings after impressive wins. Mahanoy Area (12-3; 8-1) also continues to climb, having secured a playoff spot with recent victories.
Tamaqua (11-4; 6-3) and Williams Valley (13-3; 6-3) are in contention, while Marian (9-7; 6-3) and Pine Grove (10-6; 5-4) round out the rankings. Each team faces critical matchups this week that could influence their standings as the season progresses.
As the season unfolds, teams will continue to battle for supremacy in the Schuylkill League, making for an exciting and competitive atmosphere in high school basketball.
