So this is probably not a surprise, as Penn is, like two other teams on this list, in the Indiana Super League.

(Brownsburg didn't make the list, but was tied with Kahuku, Fort Hunt, United, Mira Costa, and Doylestown in the group just outside the Honorable Mentions.)

Penn and Royal Irish played each other three times, and also played in the Midwest playoffs and HS Nationals. The difference? Penn played St. Ignatius and Xavier in a two-game weekend, while Royal Irish played Gonzaga, but just the one game; and two of Penn's opponents in the Midwest single-school tournament were ranked highly, whereas Royal Irish played just the one ranked team in the club bracket.

Tamara Tidey photo

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That ends up being the reason Penn edges Royal Irish. While Royal Irish played 17 ranked teams versus Penn's 16, Penn played more Top-10 and more Top-25 teams.

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