THE CRUSADE BEGINS: No. 1 Long Island Lutheran (NY) tops Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason girls’ basketball rankings; No. 2 Etiwanda (CA), No. 3 Montverde Academy (FL) close behind

BENSALEM, Pa. – If you think about it, the basketball season is a journey or a crusade. Teams strive to reach the top in their state classifications or league standings while some are in the mix higher offerings.

That’s why we are pleased to present the Blue Media Elite 25 Preseason Girls’ Basketball rankings. Once the calendar hits the month of November, there’s call to finish up the national rankings in football and girls’ volleyball and concentrate on the staccato of the orange orb that is filled with a rubber bladder.

It will be a reality soon but for now let’s hand out kudos to No. 1 Long Island Lutheran of Brookville, New York. The Crusaders are chock full of Division I talent here and abroad, and they will play a schedule that is befitting a team on a mission with another date at the GEICO High School Nationals in March in Fort Myers, Fla.

Last time we checked in was mid-April when the State Champions Invitational was played in Washington, D.C.

A check of the Elite 25 preseason rankings sees there are 14 states and the District of Columbia represented. There five teams from California and four from Texas and Florida.

The games have already started in states such as Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama.

So, get out to a game in your area soon.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return in mid-December with an update as the holiday tournament season gets underway. We will make sure to include all the major events, including She Got Game, Art Turner Classic, Nike Tournament of Champions and Iolani Classic, plus any key one-off games. We’re looking forward to season, so keep us bookmarked.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God’s Blessings to your family and friends.

To all the coaches, players, school administrators, event operators and game officials, please enjoy season and be safe.

Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Preseason Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Nov. 10, 2023

Statistics and records are from the 2022-23 season and players are seniors unless denoted.

1. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (23-3)

Quick Hitters: Talk about a loaded roster with motivation for the upcoming season. The Lady Crusaders took the final New York State Federation Class AA championship (event was nixed) and advanced to the final of the GEICO High School Nationals but fell short. With a mixture of Division I recruits and transfers, coach Christina Raiti has plenty of options and depth … At 6-5, C Kateryna “Kate” Koval (from Ukraine) leads the balance squad and was New York State’s Gatorade player of the year. She averaged 15.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game while connecting on 60.7% of her shots. She was also Most Valuable Player at the Nike TOC.

More regulars are Michigan-bound 6-0 Sylva Swords (15.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.1 apg), 6-1 sophomore Savvy Swords (10.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.7 apg), 5-9 PG Kayleigh Heckel (15.9 ppg, 6.3 apg, 3.7 spg) and 6-2 Syracuse-signee Ka’Shya “Shy” Hawkins (9.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.1 spg). … once again, the Lady Crusaders will look to defend their title at the Nike Tournament of Champions before Christmas in Mesa, Arizona, and a two-game junket in the Bahamas before embarking on slate that features at least four Elite 25 preseason squads.

2. Etiwanda, Calif. (32-3)

Quick Hitters: One of the nation’s most talented teams is fresh off a powerful victory in last year’s CIF Open Division state final. The Eagles are back and ready for another run at it with 6-1 junior Kennedy Smith and elite classmates in 5-6 PG Aliyahna Morris and 6-2 WF Grace Knox. Six-one F Mykelle Richard is off to Long Beach State in next fall. … coach Stan Delus aggressively scheduled with guaranteed games against six Elite 25 teams, a journey to the Nike Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore.; not to mention the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs.

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (26-1)

Quick Hitters: For the second straight year, the Eagles were champions of the GEICO High School Nationals in Fort Myers, Fla. Right after winning it, coach Special Jennings bolted for Jacksonville University. Matt Shewmake was then hired away from The Webb School (Tenn.) and should make a seamless transition after playing a highly competitive fixture list … the Eagles have international players from Japan, Sweden and Nigeria plus eight different states. Two of the top starters are 6-4 Vivian Iwuchukwu (undecided) and 6-3 junior transfer Lourdes Da Silva Costa. Add in 6-0 Chloe Sotell, 5-7 Jaloni Cambridge and 5-9 Kamrah Banks (from Indianapolis) and it’s another powerhouse team … the schedule includes a visit to the Nike TOC and two games on Long Island in February against Elite 25 teams. They also host No. 9 IMG Academy on Feb. 9.

4. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (30-3)

Quick Hitters: The Quakers captured a second consecutive District of Columbia State Athletic Association AA and State Champions Invitational championships and featured a loaded squad that will play a rugged schedule with a trip to the Iolani Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii and a date with No. 2 Etiwanda (Calif.). F Zania Socka-Ngueman and 6-2 W Kendall Dudley have already pledged to UCLA and Marley Long to William & Mary.

5. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (22-5)

Quick Hitters: The Moose are another newbie on the national scene but for reasons such as talent, winning tradition and a super coach. The Moose annexed a second consecutive Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association championship and advanced to the GEICO Nationals semifinals. …coach Fran Burbidge has a young roster that will get it done as the season progress, starting with freshmen, 6-1 F Jordyn Palmer and Jessie Moses and sophomore Atlee Vanesko. Palmer (15.0 ppg) is no ordinary freshman having been a finalist for USA U16 National Team. Experience arrives with athletic lefty G Zahra King (13.3 ppg), Temple-bound 5-11 wing Savannah Curry (9.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg), 6-1 F Michelle Oak, 6-1 junior Aidan Langley and 5-10 transfer Olivia Jones (from Cedar Cliff), who was Pennsylvania’s Class AAAAAA Player of the Year in 2023.

6. Morris Catholic, Denville, N.J. (27-4)

Quick Hitters: The Lady Crusaders won the Non-Public B state championship but then lost to Desert Vista (Phoenix), 67-59, in the State Champions Invitational quarterfinals. They are the top team from the Garden State and have the personnel … backcourt of twins Mya and Mia Pauldo is elite. Mia earned first team all-state honors, averaging a team-high 17.6 points, 5.2 assists and 3.3 steal per game. Mya is also a scorer and facilitator after putting up 11.1 ppg and 4.8 apg. Six-three PF Madison Miller signed with USC Upstate and 5-8 combo-guard Kennedy Brown is receiving plenty of attention while 6-2 WF Alexis Rosenfeld is headed to Manhattan … coach Billy Lovett will play a strenuous schedule with a return trip to the John Wall Classic in North Carolina, a date in the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts and late season road game at No. 1 Long Island Lutheran on Feb. 17.

7. Purcell Marian, Cincinnati (27-2)

Quick Hitters: The Cavaliers are one of the top teams from the Midwest and No. 1 in Ohio. They have won two straight OHSAA state championships and a third should be months away. In the offseason, Ohio State-bound F Seini Hicks (13.0 ppg, 10 rpg) transferred in from West Clermont (Ohio) and should solidify the frontline. Hicks will blend in with 6-0 top-shelf junior Dee Alexander (25.8 ppg, 9.6 spg, 2.5 spg), who is the reigning Ohio Ms. Basketball; sisters Cy’Aira and Ky’Aira Miller, Jordan Dey (Canisius) and Jayda Mosely. Scheduling highlights are a trip to the Junior Orange Bowl Classic in Miami (Dec. 26-28) and MLK Classic in Columbus, Ohio (Jan. 13 and 15).

8. DeSoto, Texas (28-6)

Quick Hitters: Youth was served last year for the Panthers, who with four freshmen played in a third consecutive UIL Class 6A final but fell short against No. 16 Clark (San Antonio). Wow! And now for their encore. … for the next three seasons, unless someone transfers, it’s 6-2 WF Amaari Byles, 5-7 PG Rieyan DeSouze (12.0 ppg), 5-10 Amayah Garcia and 6-2 WF/G Kamora Pruitt. All are Top 25 players from the Class of 2026 and expect a tough schedule to be forged moving forward.

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (12-13)

Quick Hitters: It was a down year for the Ascenders who could not crack a .500 record with a strong cast. That’ll change because Frank Oliver is the new head coach after a successful run at Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) … the Division I prospects are aplenty with Tajianna Robert (Louisville), Kelis Fisher (Connecticut), Heloisa Carrera (Mississippi), Leah Harmon (Miami), Ciniya Moore (Yale) and Sienna Dauer (Davidson). Expect the Ascenders to get an invite to the GEICO Nationals in March but a trip to the Nike TOC in December is a great prep event.

10. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (30-2)

Quick Hitters: The Panthers re-emerged on the national scene after winning the Florida Class 7A state championship for the second straight year and were invited to the prestigious State Champions Invitational in Washington, D.C. … PG Trinity Turner (20.0 ppg, 11. rpg) is a double-double regular and quartet of juniors in C Elise Horne (6.0 rpg), 5-10 F Ronnice Berry, 5-9 WF Sariah Johnson (7.0 rpg) and 5-7 G Anilys Rolon (10.1 ppg). Sophomore G Kendall Perry (13.0 ppg) is a proven scorer.

11. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (31-1)

Quick Hitters: Don’t sleep on this powerhouse program from the Los Angeles area. The Trailblazers won CIF-Southern Section Open Division championship but fell to No. 2 Etiwanda in the region final … coach Alicia Komaki has the Blazers pointed in the right direction with returning regulars 6-2 F MacKenly Randolph (16.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg), 5-9 G and Louisville-signee Izela Arenas, and C Emilia Krstevski. Randolph is down to Louisville and Michigan State (her dad Zach attended). However, the biggest offseason news surrounded the transferring of super soph Jerzy Robinson from Arizona into the program. She’s considered the No. 1 player in her class … the early schedule features Elite 25 Texas teams DeSoto and South Grand Prairie, the Iolani Classic in Hawaii and the West Coast Jamboree after Christmas.

12. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (28-3)

Quick Hitters: The Monarchs lost a heartbreaker in the CIF Open Division championship game to No. 3 Etiwanda, 69-67, ending a 21-game win streak … the team will lean on 6-2 sophomore McKenna Woliczko, one of the best from the Class of 2026; 6-2 G Morgan Cheli, who signed with the UConn Huskies and 6-1 Elana Weisman and 6-1 Belle Bramer … Coach Sue Phillips is an elite club and USA National Team coach for a reason: no ducking tough games. She has the Monarchs headed to the Nike TOC in Arizona, Nike Holiday Classic in Oregon in December, and stand-alone games in NorCal.

13. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-4)

Quick Hitters: Always one of California’s top teams and a contender in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division, the Monarchs captured the Trinity League title and went to Southern Region semifinals. Expect more of the same with this term … two seniors signed early, 6-2 F Jenessa Cotton with Duke and Emily Shaw (with Central Washington. The powerfully-built Cotton emerged on the national recruiting radar. She averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds as a junior. Six-foot G Addison Deal is an elite junior prospect … the schedule includes three major trips to three major events: Nike TOC (Mesa, Ariz.), Nike Holiday Classic (Portland, Ore.) and Spalding Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.). They also face Oakland (Calif.) Tech at home on Dec. 11 before heading to Arizona.

14. Hazel Green, Ala. (36-1)

Quick Hitters: The Lady Trojans are Alabama’s standard bearers having won six consecutive state championships, including last year’s Class 6A chip and stretched the state record winning streak to 87 games but saw it snapped by Hoover (Ala.) … at 6-3, F Leah Brooks signed with Alabama and is a member of the career 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound club. She’s joined by junior G/F Kelsi Andrews, who was a gold medal winner with the USA U16 National Team at the FIBA Americas Gold Cup. Teammates Amiya Redus (Shorter) and Sydney Steward (Faulkner) have inked letters of intent … coach Tim Miller’s team captured his 10^th state title (with three different schools) after his team beat recorded his Huffman (Birmingham), 53-40, in the 6A final. Last season, he also surpassed the 700-win plateau.

15. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (20-8)

Quick Hitters: It’s a program that needs to be recognized for the excellence, attracting players globally. DME features a four nationally Top-100 ranked players according to one media outlet. The talent starts with 6-3 Taj Bloom from Chicago who signed with Mississippi State. At 6-2, Tabita Betson is an Aussie who signed with Colorado and can dominate inside and outside … PG Ines Goryanova from London, England, played three years at Putnam Science Academy (Conn.) and is off to Baylor. Keira Scott, a 6-2 wing from Northern Virginia, will take her talents to Syracuse next fall as will 5-5 PG Olivia Schmitt… the ultimate goal is to qualify for the GEICO Nationals.

16. Clark, San Antonio (34-3)

Quick Hitters: The Cougars raced to the UIL Class 6A state championship, knocking off a talented field. So far, they are 7-0 in the early with at least three quality wins, including Summer Creek (Houston) … the go-to player is 6-4 Arianna Roberson, who signed with Duke, and averaged 15.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 4.0 blocks and 2.0 spg and was the MVP of the 6A state tournament … Roberson has help in Kamryn Griffin, 5-7 PG Natalie Huff and 5-6 junior PG Jade Perez.

17. Centennial, Las Vegas (25-2)

Quick Hitters: The Lady Bulldogs won the Class 5A state championship. It was the program’s eighth straight Nevada state title and 14th overall but they fell in the in State Champions Invitational semifinals to nationally ranked Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) and coach Karen Weitz will build on it … the Lady Bulldogs are led by Tennessee-bound 5-8 G Kaniya Boyd, who is a defensive whiz and triggers the attack, 6-0 F CiCi Ajomale and 5-7 Danae Powell is a proven go-to scorer. Jada Price adds depth to the backcourt and 6-0 junior Ayla Williams up front. They’ll need it with a national schedule on tap again.

18. Bradley Central, Cleveland, Tenn. (35-1)

Quick Hitters: The reigning Class 4A champions look for a repeat that’s always a challenge in Tennessee’s largest classification … 6-0 sophomore F Kimora Fields, 5-7 junior combo-guard Avary Maye Brewer and 5-10 junior F Harmonie Ware are the nucleus plus a precocious group of underclassmen … the schedule includes the hosting the Bearettes Thanksgiving Classic, Sandestin Tournament after Christmas in Florida and the She Got Game Classic in Atlantic on Jan. 6.

19. South Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, Texas (27-7)

Quick Hitters: The Warriors have loaded schedule and have opened with a 6-0 mark and hope to improve on a Class 6A regional quarterfinal appearance … 6-5 C Adhel Tac is back after missing more than three month last season with a foot fracture. Tac has signed with South Carolina and is ready to lead the Warriors deep into the UIL Class 6A bracket … Tac is joined in the lineup Erica Carr (San Diego pledge), Texas A&M-bound Taliyah Parker, Taylor Barnes, who averaged 13.4 ppg and was named District 8-6A MVP and F Anyla Herbert.

20. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (21-6)

Quick Hitters: Ronald James is the new coach after previous skipper Frank Oliver headed off the sun of Florida at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The Lady Crusaders are considered the frontrunner for the Washington Catholic Athletic Association championship …the top recruits are 5-10 PG Madisen McDaniel, who signed with South Carolina and 6-1 PF LaNaé Corbett (UMBC). Also returning are 5-8 junior Princess-Alexandria Moody, 6-2 Zhen Craft and 6-3 Maisie Crowley with the latter two bolstering the frontline.

21. Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, Pa. (23-6)

Quick Hitters: After bowing out of the PIAA Class 6A tournament in the semifinal round to archrivals Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.), the Lions are prime for another successful and focus on the coveted Philadelphia Catholic League title, featuring a deep squad … junior Molly Rullo and a trio of seniors 5-8 WG Joanie Quinn (La Salle signee), Carly Coleman and Greta Miller are the bedrock and sophomore PG Megan Rullo will have an expended role.

22. Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers, Ind. (21-3)

Quick Hitters: The Royals were eliminated in last year’s Class 4A Sectional final but have a strong core returning … Indiana-bound Maya Makalusky (15.5 rpg), sophomore PG Kennedy Holman and 6-foot sophomore F Kayla Stidham are mainstays … the Royals are 4-0 after weeks and Indian’s No. 1 Class 4A team.

23. Germantown, Madison, Miss. (29-2)

Quick Hitters: The Mavericks entered the season with an 18-game winning streak and capped the term winning the Class 6A state crown and are 3-0 … at 6-0, F Alana Rouser is who the Mavericks will build around. She recently signed with Florida Atlantic … combo-guard Raegan Jordan, Julia Glasgow and PG Micaiah Satcher all return with big-game experience.

24. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (36-3)

Quick Hitters: One of the nation’s top teams returns their top three scoring threats in Regan Bender, ZaKiya Johnson and Angelina Pelayo … the Valkyries annexed a third consecutive Mingua Beef Jerky Kentucky Sweet 16 championship. In Kentucky, there is one overall state champion … Coach Donna Moir has 773 career wins and six state titles after completing second three-peat.

25. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (32-0)

Quick Hitters: The Red Knights are the two time Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions and winners of winner of sixth straight state championship by annexing the Missouri Class 6 title. They enter on a 100-game win streak. … coach Dan Rolfes, who led by the USA U16 National Team, features Division I recruits in 6-0 Kaylynn Janes (Northern Iowa), Peyton Hill and 5-10 junior PG Neveah Caffey.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (31-1)
2. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (26-7)
3. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, Pa. (16-11)
4. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (25-5)
5. South Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y. (22-6)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. Bedford (Ind.) North Lawrence (27-3)
2. Johnston, Iowa (24-2)
3. Nazareth Academy, La Grange Park, Ill. (35-1)
4. Example Prep, Frankfort, Ill. (21-2)
5. Princeton, Cincinnati (28-2)

Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (25-6)
2. Mount Hebron, Dacula, Ga. (32-0)
3. Buford, Ga. (27-4)
4. Summer Creek, Houston (35-5)
5. Camden, S.C. (29-2)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. Clovis West, Fresno, Calif. (30-2)
2. Sage Hill, Newport Beach, Calif. (21-10)
3. Clackamas, Ore. (26-4)
4. Garfield, Seattle (23-1)
5. Xavier College Prep, Phoenix (20-6)

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls High School Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November  until the conclusion of the high school season in April. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.