Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan junior Tochi Udekwe (2) makes a pass while South Prairie-Max junior Abby Mikkelson (33) guards her in Division A vs Division B girls hoops on Thursday, December 19, at the Lion’s Den.

The South Prairie-Max girls basketball team has been the top ranked Division A girls team for two weeks running. The Bishop Ryan Lady Lions are currently un-ranked in Division B hoops with a 2-3 record going into the home court battle with the Royals.

The visitors remained unbeaten with the 60-22 win over the hosting Lions. The Royals improved to 5-0 while Bishop Ryan dropped to 2-4 with the three losses at the Nedrose Tournament to start the season prior to the non-conference, non-division home contest.

The game was not contested heavily by the Lions as the Royals had a halftime lead of 40-13 and continued that pressure defensively to take a 52-19 lead into the fourth quarter of play. The defensive effort by South Prairie-Max was somewhat negated by the rebounding by Bishop Ryan to keep the contest closer than otherwise it would have been.

The Lions have faced two teams ranked or receiving votes in the current Division B coaches polls. Kenmare-Bowbells is currently ranked sixth and Bishop Ryan faced the Honkers on December 7 at the Shootout on the Prairie. The Lady Lions played Hatton/Northwood the day prior at the same Shootout. Hatton/Northwood received votes in this week’s rankings.

The Royals have wins over ranked and unranked teams in both Division A and Division B classifications. The initial win of the season was over Kenmare-Bowbells when the Lady Honkers were ranked third. The Royals faced Thompson at the Shootout on the Prairie on December 7 and the Tommies are ranked third this week in the coaches polls.

South Prairie-Max will have a break until they travel to play Our Redeemer’s to start 2025 on January 7 in their next matchup.

Bishop Ryan will face St. John on December 30 at the MSU Dome to close out the 2024 calendar year.