Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball preseason rankings tip off busy campaign

BENSALEM, PA – Well, we’re back!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball preseason rankings launch with 25 teams listed alphabetically. This is our practice and it received tremendously positive feedback. So, when all the national matchups are done by late December, we’ll see how these team fared and get a sensible working order based on strength of schedule and quality wins.

Check back periodically at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from showcase events all season. Our staff will be busy until early April.

With so many events, shootouts and tournaments between now and the New Year, the Elite 25 rankings will have a different shape and number affixed to the team when we return following the holiday season.

We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Girls’ Basketball preseason rankings, Nov. 21, 2014

Teams are listed in alphabetical order and all players are seniors unless noted. Records are from the 2013-14 season.

Bedford North Lawrence, Ind. (27-1)

The Skinny: In the last two seasons, the Stars are 55-1 with two Class 4A crowns. Indiana schoolboy legend Damon Bailey was the coach but bolted for assistant’s gig at Butler University. That leaves Jeff Allen as the head man and he’s blessed with 6-1 Dominique McBryde (Purdue), 6-2 Jenna Allen (Indiana) and 5-8 Alexa Bailey (Butler) at the core. The Stars are 2-0 heading into tonight’s showdown with Lawrence North (Indianapolis)—No. 2 in the Indiana 4A rankings.

Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (34-1)

The Skinny: This is the nation’s best team and now they’ll have a chance to prove it with an uber-aggressive schedule. A year later, the Lady Blaze won the program’s first-ever Class AAA title and a repeat is possible as six of the top seven players return, including four Division I-bound starters. The six are—seniors 5-11 MeMe Jackson (Tennessee, 9.4 ppg), Middle Tennessee state-bound F Alex Johnson (12.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg), 5-10 K.K. Williams (Georgia State) and 5-6 Angel Allen (Western Carolina) and juniors 6-3 Jazz Bond and 5-6 Crystal Dangerfield (14.5 ppg), who verballed to Connecticut. The Lady Blaze will play in Georgia, Kentucky and the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona before Christmas.

Conway, Ark. (28-5)

The Skinny: The defending Class 7A state champions return loaded starting five, headed by PG Jordan Danberry, who is headed to Arkansas. Joining her in the backcourt is Davidson-recruit Kianna Speight. Junior G Alexis Tolefree is a confident scorer who will see the ball in transition and on the wings. An early season test against Elite 25 ranked Elizabethtown (Ky.) occurs on Dec. 5 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Desert Vista, Phoenix (30-2)

The Skinny: As one of the nation’s top bigs, 6-4 Kristine Anigwe, is one of the big reasons why the Thunder can repeat in Division I. As a junior, the USA U17 national team player and California recruit, produced 16.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while shooting 60% from the floor. Last month, veteran coach Willie Gray (five state titles in Virginia) was named the Thunder’s third mentor in as many years. He has plenty to work with.

Eastside, Paterson, N.J. (27-4)

The Skinny: At 6-0, Taylor Brown (18.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg) drives the engine of the defending Group 4 state champions. Brown signed with Clemson and will be a force as the Ghosts are on track to capture a State Tournament of Champions title. She’s joined by

5-5 Kayla Diaz (NJIT), 5-9 Nia Adams (Robert Morris) and Juliet James (Bridgeport). Should be another banner year in The Silk City.

Fremd, Palatine, Ill. (27-4)

The Skinny: The Vikings will go as far as G Haley Gorecki, a Duke recruit who averaged 23 points and six rebounds as a junior, will take them. Gorecki will have plenty of help with 6-2 sophomore Grace Tworek, 6-2 junior Bryana Hopkins and pass-first 5-3 junior PG Brianna Lewis.

Elizabethtown, Ky. (32-5)

The Skinny: The Panthers fell one game short of winning the Kentucky single-class championship. That won’t likely happen this year with blue-chip 6-2 junior Erin Boley (Notre Dame verbal), who is a face-up PF who will stretch the defense. F Reauma Cleaver (12.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg) signed with Louisiana Tech and Darrien Huff, a 5-9 combo guard, with Charleston. Coach Tim Mudd, 501-128 in years, will have at least Division I players on the floor and a return to the Sweet Sixteen is inevitable with Butler (Louisville) the main threat.

Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (24-4)

The Skinny: The Royals had their run of three straight Class 4A titles interrupted last March and now 5-10 finisher T.T. Starks (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.7 spg), an Iowa State signee, and juniors 5-8 Ashley Bates, 6-1 Liz Bulver and 6-0 Nia Hollie must get it right. At 6-3, sophomore Jazz Martin adds more height to the frontline.

Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (23-2)

The Skinny: The Crusaders’ start five seniors and are prime to repeat as New York State Federation Class AA champions. The three-guard attack features Lauren Brozoski (Michigan), Erin Storck (Sacred Heart) and Nani Redford (Harvard). Up front it’s 6-1 Taylor Byrne (Seton Hall) and 5-11 Evelyn Ommemmah, considered a strong rebounder. The loaded schedule will only push LuHi higher in the national spotlight.

Marian, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (25-2)

The Skinny: The defense wins championships and the Mustangs annexed the Class A chip last March. PG Bailey Thomas (8.6 ppg, 2.7 spg), a 5-10 junior, is a lockdown defender. Her sister, Samantha Thomas (9.0 ppg), does the same as a 6-0 sophomore wing. The senior duo of F Brittany Gray and G Kara Holinski also are back. Veteran coach Cicerone, 559-193 overall with five state titles, will challenge the Mustangs with non-league dates with Benton Harbor (Mich.) on Dec 13 and at nationally ranked Whitney Young (Chicago) on Jan. 17.

Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (27-3)

The Skinny: The unquestioned Blue Star Media preseason player of the year, 6-3 Katie Lou Samuelson signed with Connecticut, and averaged 26.3 points and 9.4 rebounds, displaying a feathery touch shooting 62% from the field and 54% from 3-point range. The 5-8 Velasco twins, Andee and Bianca, are going to Loyola Marymount. Andee is a game-changer while Bianca stretches defenses with spot-up shooting. At 6-3, Ally Rosenblum adds length in the paint. The schedule includes the prestigious Nike TOC before Christmas and ranked Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) on Jan. 17.

McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (28-2)

The Skinny: The Indians have two Class AAAAAA state titles in the last two years and with 5-8 athletic PG Te’a Cooper (19.6 ppg, 6.0 apg) orchestrating the offense en route to the McDonald’s All-American Game it might three. Georgia-bound 6-3 fleet F Caliya Robinson (13.0 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 6.6 bpg, 3.8 apg, 3.3 spg) is a stat machine and can play a number of positions but is primarily a rebounder.

McKinney North, McKinney, Texas (29-5)

The Skinny: The Bulldogs entered the season with a hunger following a loss in the Class 4A final. Six-foot Chanterria Jackson (13.0 ppg) has signed with Long Beach State and is surrounded by plenty of young talent, including sophomores, 5-7 Stephanie Jackson, 5-10 Tia Wright and 5-8 Brea Powell. Alex Coleman, London Holland, Jocelyn Scott, Lauren Foster and Mikayla Foy also return.

Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (30-1)

The Skinny: The Mustangs return four starters and look to become Mecklenburg County first team to win back-to-back Class 4A titles. Coach Barbara Nelson welcomes back Southern California-bound Aliyah Mazyck, junior Stuart Ayer and 4A MVP Rydeiah Rogers (16.0 ppg, 12.7 rpg), who will suit up for North Carolina State next fall.

Natchez, Miss. (27-2)

The Skinny: The Lady Bulldogs may fly-under-radar but the reigning Class 5A champions (the other was 1993) return four starters and are Mississippi’s top-ranked team. Coach Alphaka Moore will count on junior Ernesha Chatman (7.0 ppg) and sophomore and Kiredis Clark (8.0) in the backcourt and junior Zyaire Ewing and senior Rashonae Rice in the frontcourt. The team features overall depth that could lead to a third crown.

Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (29-1)

The Skinny: The Saints fell one game short of the program’s first state championship, but with three starters back and two tall Nigerians—led by 6-9 junior Felicia Aiyeotan—that could change in Class AAA. Georgia Tech-bound guard Ciani Cryor will push the tempo and the Philadelphia Catholic League will test the Saints’ mettle.

Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (29-5)

The Skinny: The Panthers seek a second double—winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association championships—with 6-4 skilled post Jonquanae Cole (North Carolina State commit) and juniors Raven Jones (Villanova) and Jasmine Whitney combining for a top-notch backcourt. The Panthers face another brutal non-league slate not mention the grind of the WCAC.

Plano West, Plano, Texas (27-6)

The Skinny: The Wolves advanced to the Class 5A state semifinals but won’t be satisfied until they bring the hardware back to the Metroplex. At 6-1, junior swing Natalie Choi (17.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg) was the District 10-5A Offensive Player of the Year and ranked nationally in the Top 20 of the Class of 2016. PG Sydney Skinner (9.2 ppg), a Harvard recruit, complements her running mate Chou. Junior G Morgann Yancey, junior Kaelin Domingeaux and junior G Callie Owens (7.7 ppg) also return.

Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (27-3)

Skinny: The backcourt of Pittsburgh-bound 5-7 Tania Lamb and sophomore Danae Miller will make the Jackrabbits go. Eliza Matthews, a 6-2 post, will be a handful to guard down low. Sophomore C Ayanna Clark (USC commit) transferred to crosstown St. Anthony, leaving a hole in the middle. If coach Carl Buggs returns to the state tournament (6 titles), winning the a second consecutive CIF-Open Division title might be a stretch, but Division I might be realistic.

Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (27-3)

The Skinny: One of Missouri’s most successful programs aims for a four-peat in Class 5. If the Bruins do bag another trophy it’s because they boast reigning state player of the year, 6-1 Sophie Cunningham (three-time first team all state), and 6-4 Cierra Porter (9.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg). Both signed with hometown University of Missouri.

Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (28-3)

The Skinny: After capturing the Dick’s Sporting Goods High School National Tournament, the Crusaders return one starter but welcome the usual cast of transfers. First, 6-2 Lena Niang (North Carolina State), who averaged a double-double as a starter. The biggest impact will be a high-energy 6-4 C Zion Campbell (Mississippi State) from St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) and freshman PG Honesty Grayson, who previously prepped at Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.).

St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (25-6)

The Skinny: With four starters back from a team that reached the Final Eight of the CIF Open Division bracket, the Rams will build around a trio of juniors, 6-0 Kat Tudor (13.3 ppg), 5-9 Mi’Cole Cayton (11.5 ppg) and 5-8 Angel Johnson (7.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), and 5-6 sophomore Naje’ Murray (8.3 ppg). The fortified schedule that includes three elite tournaments—Iolani Classic (Hawaii), Nike TOC (Arizona) and West Coast Jamboree (California)—all before New Year’s Day. Toss in matchups with instate powers Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland), Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) and La Jolla Country Day.

Salmen, Slidell, La. (33-1)

The Skinny: The Spartans return a solid core that bagged a second straight Class 4A championship. It all starts with 6-5 left-handed C Kalani Brown—her father P.J. played in the NBA and her mother DeJuana at Louisiana Tech—who averaged 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 5.0 blocks and 2.0 steals as a junior. She is the reigning Louisiana Miss Basketball and Gatorade state player of the year. Add guards Tiara Warren and Darnelle Webb and frontliners Shelanita Starks and junior Kayla Sibley and it’s time to say,”three-peat.”

Vista Ridge, Cedar Park, Texas (23-3)

The Skinny: Texas’ top-ranked Class 5A team is still working for the elusive bid the state Final Four and coach Pecos McDaniel may have the winning combination. It begins with 5-5 PG Japreece Dean, a Texas Tech signee who averaged 18.0 points and 4.2 assists, and West Virginia-bound G Katrina Pardee (15.3 ppg). Junior G Mikayla Christian (TCU commit) and junior F Danielle Rainey are transfers. Watch out for freshman twins, Jhakya and Keziah Dilworth, who are 5-10 and showing promise for the Lady Rangers.

Whitney Young, Chicago (32-3)

The Skinny: The defending Class 4A champions won’t rely on height of last year’s club. This time the backcourt of 5-9 Madinah Muhammad (Mississippi), 5-7 Katrina Beck (Illinois State) and 5-9 junior Kiara Lewis will run circles around the competition. DePaul-bound 5-11 Tanita Allen (12.0 ppg) will provide athletic, slashing moves to the rim.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Shabazz, Newark, N.J. (33-1)

2. Eleanor Roosevelt, Greenbelt, Md. (26-0)

3. St. Mary’s, Manhasset, N.Y. (21-6)

3. Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg, Pa. (28-5)

5. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (22-4)

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

Midlands

1. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (34-2)

2. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel-Nor, Mo. (31-1)

3. Lawrence North, Indianapolis (25-2)

4. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (22-6)

5. St. Thomas More, Champaign, Ill. (33-2)

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

South

1. Potter’s House Christian, Jacksonville, Fla. (32-6)

2. Richardson, Texas (29-7)

3. Ridgeway, Memphis (30-4)

4. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (24-3)

5. Dunbar, Fort Myers, Fla. (29-2)

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

Far West

1. South Medford, Medford, Ore. (26-4)

2. Salesian, Richmond, Calif. (30-7)

3. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (29-4)

4. Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland, Calif. (23-4)

5. Gonzaga Prep, Spokane, Wash. (25-1)

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

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Girls’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from November until the conclusion of the high school season. 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 April 4. Follow him on Twitter: @clawlor.