Blue Star Media Go-To 25 Preseason Girls Basketball rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – Once again the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 preseason girls’ basketball rankings feature the nation’s elite teams. Our special twist is that we won’t assign a number for the teams until January.

Too many holiday tournaments and events will shape the rankings and give us a starting point once the new year begins.

Here are 25 teams to watch for the next six weeks. The Blue Media Go-To 25 rankings will be updated the first week of January.

Until then Happy Holidays and we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media 2013-14 Preseason Girls’ Basketball Rankings

Bay, Bay St. Louis, Miss. (36-0)

The Rub: The Class 4A state champions will get a boost from Vanderbilt-bound 5-11 G Christi Reed, who averaged 24 points and 8 rebound, but is a deadeye three-point shooter. Junior F Ashley Jordan is another big-time recruit.

Bedford North Lawrence, Ill. (28-0)

The Rub: Indiana schoolboy legend Damon Bailey inherits a loaded squad that won the Class 4A championship. Purdue-bound 6-1 junior Dominique McBryde (14.7 ppg), Jenna Allen (14.2) and Alexa Bailey (7.7 ppg) are the nucleus. Brittani Rizzi, a three-point specialist, and PG Sammy Dillman round out the starters.  After opening with three easy wins against in-state competition, the Stars play at nationally ranked Fairmont (Kettering, Ohio) on Saturday.

Blackman, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (26-5)

The Rub: Junior post Alex Johnson (12.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) is a dominant player. Sophomore OB Crystal Dangerfield (14.5 ppg, 3.4 apg) directs the show. G Micah Norris is the defensive ace and junior MeMe Jackson is eligible after sitting out last year under state transfer rules. The Blaze will be tested for the district play—which includes ranked Riverdale and Oakland—playing against national competition in this weekend’s Tennessee Turkey Jamm and at the Naples (Fla.) Shootout after Christmas.

Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (19-9)

The Rub: As the nation’s most recognizable programs, CK is bolstered by four-year starter, Sierra Calhoun, a Duke recruit. The 6-1 senior wing averaged 22 points, 4 rebounds and surpassed 1,000 points as a junior. Additionally, coach Bob Mackey is pleased with the contribution from 5-11 F Kollyns Scarbrough, who has Division I interest and should help the Royals bag another CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens AA title.

Duncanville, Texas (42-0)

The Rub: The two-time Class 5A state champions entered with a 70-game win steak and are 7-0 this season. The Pantherettes are fueled by the Texas-bound backcourt of Ariel Atkins and Tasia Foman, one of the best in the nation. At 5-10, Tiara Davenport is strong frontline player that battles. That’s exactly what coach Cathy Self-Morgan expects from her legendary program.

Fairmont, Kettering, Ohio (27-1)

The Rub: The Division I champions are favored to defend their title with bookend 6-2 post players Makayla Waterman (signed with Ohio State) and Kathryn Westbeld (Notre Dame). Waterman is a skilled interior player who plays relentless defense. Westbeld is a hard-nosed player with a blue-collar work ethic.

Incarnate Word Academy, Bel-Nor, Mo. (31-0)

The Rub: Coach Dan Rolfe’s team captured a third state title in the last four years, winning Class 4. Now all the attention goes to 6-1 junior Napheesa Collier, who averaged 24.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.4 blocks. The Red Knights will enjoy a height advantage and will need it when they play national powers Regis Jesuit (Colo.), Marian Catholic (Ill.) and Notre Dame (Ill.).

Life Center Academy, Burlington, N.J. (28-3)

The Rub: The defending National Association of Christian Athletes Division I national champions will reload with future Division I talent 6-3 Aja Ellison (Maryland recruit), yes her dad Purvis played in the NBA; 5-10 Ashli Jeune (Rutgers); 5-9 Spaniard Crystal Simmons (St. John’s); and 5-7 Isis Young (Florida). Another challenging national schedule awaits the Lady Warriors.

Manvel, Texas (33-4)

The Rub: The UIL Texas Class 5A Final Four could be special if the Mavericks push through in Region III. Last season, the Mavs fell in the regional quarterfinals but with the “Big Three” returning—all blue chip players—that will change. Notre Dame-bound F Brianna Turner (20.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) played for the USA U19 World Championship squad; athletic junior swingman Jordan Hosey (14.2 ppg), a Texas recruit; and Minnesota-commit F Rangie Bessard (13.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg) are the difference-makers.

Marian Catholic, Chicago Heights, Ill. (33-1)

The Rub: Veteran coach Dan Murray takes over for Annie Byrne after her Spartans annexed the Class 4A championship last March. Three starters—Kauai Bradley, Teniya Page and Ashton Millender—return as does Dajhae Mullins from a knee injury. The Spartans play Missouri champion Incarnate Word (Bel-Nor, Mo.) on Jan. 11 in a national showdown.

Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (30-2)

The Rub: Playing in the crucible known as the CIF-Southern Section, the Monarchs won’t lack for quality competition and will seek it with trips to the uber Nike Tournament of Champions in Chandler, Ariz., that’s followed by a post-Christmas trip up the coast to the West Coast Jamboree. Both tournaments will reshape the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 rankings. Meanwhile, with four starters back, led by 6-3 junior Katie Lou Samuelson and 5-7 Andee Velasco (Loyola-Marymount recruit), coach Kevin Kiernan’s team should ascend the CIF Open Division winner’s podium in March. Pencil in the Monarchs as a frontrunner for the mythical national title.

McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (18-12)

The Rub: G Te’a Cooper, a North Carolina recruit, and Wake Forest-bound Taylor Gordon is finally eligible after transferring. Six-foot Aunesha Williams transferred from Cherokee along with her 6-1 twin Audrisha. Six-three PF Caliya Robinson moved in from Kell (Marietta) and is one of the nation’s top juniors. The Indians opened the season with a win over powerhouse Norcross but now play ranked Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) on Friday.

Myers Park, Charlotte, N.C. (29-1)

The Rub: Coach Barbara nelson’s team has lost twice in the last two seasons. The Class 4A title is a reality especially with four starters back, headlined by a pair of juniors, 5-9 G Aliyah Mazyck (12.1 ppg, 3 spg) and 6-1 F Rydeiah Rogers (13 ppg, 11 rpg), who averaged a double-double as a sophomore.

Nazareth Regional, Brooklyn, N.Y. (17-11)

The Rub: The Lady Kingsmen will go as far and as fast as their point guard, Bianca Cuevas, who signed with South Carolina, can take them. The Brooklyn school lost in the State Federation Tournament Class A semifinals but several key contributors return. Nazareth’s biggest obstacle is league rivals Christ the King (Middle Village).

Paul VI, Fairfax, Va. (29-4)

The Rub: The Panthers were derailed late in the season but this time it’s their turn to capture the coveted Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Bishop Walsh Tournament. And with the triumvirate of 5-10 sophomore Jasmine Whitney (7 ppg), 5-11 wing Ariana Freeman (Louisville) and physical 6-3 junior C Jonquanae Cole, a major college prospect, back intact, this could be a special year. A trip to Florida for the ultra-competitive Naples Shootout after Christmas will give many a gauge of the potential on the national scene.

Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (30-5)

The Rub: Carl Buggs has a team that is capable of winning the national championship, but winning the CIF Open Division and running the table will unlock that noble notion. The Jackrabbits are always blessed with speedy guards, however with the transfer of frontline players, 6-1 Emoni Jackson (Michigan) and 6-2 Lajahna Drummer (UCLA), perhaps the biggest prize is within grasp.

Regis Jesuit, Aurora, Colo. (26-2)

The Rub: The well-stocked roster will buoy the defending Class 5A state champions. The Raiders, who will compete next month at the NHSI, have six Division I signees, including state player of the year Diani Akigbogun (Texas), Kelsi Lidge (Drexel), Jordan Molyneaux (Seton Hall), Neffie Lockley (Howard), Anna Ptasinski (Lafayette) and Justine Hall (Purdue). Here’s another serious national championship contender, backing the claim with a rugged schedule.

Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (35-0)

The Rub: The Warriors have won the last two Class AAA championship and are 4-0 this season, pushing the win streak to 62 games. Four-year starter Alexa Middleton (15.9 ppg, 3.7 spg) signed with Tennessee and is a Miss Basketball candidate. At 6-1, C Brandy Alley is a dependable post and Clemson-bound Shelbie Davenport (13.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is an elite all-around performer.

Rolling Meadows, Ill. (30-4)

The Rub: All five starters return for a senior-laden squad that lost the Class 4A final in the waning seconds. At 5-6, PG Allie Kemph orchestrates the Mustangs’ offense and makes solid decisions. Alexis Glasgow, a 5-11 wing headed to Northwestern, and 6-2 post Jenny Vliet should have the Mustangs back in title contention.

Seton-LaSalle, Pittsburgh (27-3

The Rub: The Western Pennsylvania school won’t stumble in the Class AA playoffs with 5-10 Yacine Diop and 6-0 swing Naje Gibson, both headed to Pittsburgh. Joining them is junior PG Cassidy Walsh. Diop, who grew up in Senegal, is an athletic guard with size and length. Gibson is solid in transition and deadly on the perimeter.

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

The Rub: The Lady Bulldogs may be the nation’s best team. They have a chance to prove it after Christmas at the West Coast Jamboree in California. The power, athletic trio of 6-1 F Zaire O’Neil (Georgia Tech signee), 6-0 DeAisha Jones (uncommitted) and 6-1 Doniyah Cliney (South Carolina) could point them in that direction. Coach Vanessa Watson’s club also will play Life Center Academy (Burlington) in January for New Jersey’s unofficial state championship at the Mecca Showcase in The Bronx (N.Y.). 

Southwest DeKalb, Decatur, Ga. (24-8)

The Rub: The Panthers won four state titles in six years under coach Kathleen Richey-Walton. Junior Nicole Martin (16.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg) is the top returning scorer and three-point bomber Davion Walton (10.3 ppg).

Sparkman, Harvest, Ala. (33-1)

The Rub: The Senators will relay on Kentucky-bound 6-1 Alexis Jennings (22.1 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg, 3.2 spg) and look to advance past the Class 6A Northwest Regional final. At 5-10, North Florida-commit Maiya Rumph is a strong wing player and 5-10 F Toni Brewer plays in the post. Coach Patrick Delay’s team is deep with 12 returning players, including seven juniors.

Warren Easton, New Orleans (34-3)

The Rub: The Lady Eagles return four starters from a team that is favored in Class 4A and the top team in New Orleans. G Lawriell Wilson (14 ppg), F Lacey Joseph, 5-11 junior F Sabrina Banks (10 ppg) and 6-3 post Alisha Celestine (7 ppg) are the core. PG Kechelle Figueroa (9 ppg) and WG Shaniqua Tobias form a solid backcourt.

Windward School, Los Angeles (32-1)

The Rub: When quality players the ilk of 5-6 PG Jordin Canada (signed with UCLA) and 6-1 F Kristen Simon (USC) are you team leaders, expect another big-time season. Canada is a handful for any defense while Simon uses silky smooth post moves to finish in the lane.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (29-6)

2. Murry Bergtraum, Manhattan, N.Y. (25-3)

3. Rancocas Valley, Mount Holly, N.J. (29-2)

4. Wilson, West Lawn, Pa. (27-3)

5. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (14-12)

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

Midlands

1. Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (25-5)

2. Whitney Young, Chicago (29-5)

3. Columbus (Ind.) North (25-1)

4. St. Thomas More, Champaign, Ill. (32-3)

5. Notre Dame Academy, Toledo, Ohio (25-4)

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

South

1. Shades Valley, Birmingham, Ala. (31-2)

2. MacArthur, Irving, Texas (26-9)

3. New Hope Christian, Thomasville, N.C. (31-2)

4. Northside, Fort Smith, Ark. (27-4)

5. St. Pius X Catholic, Atlanta (30-3)

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

Far West

1. St. Mary’s, Albany, Calif. (30-5)

2. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (31-3)

3. Desert Vista, Phoenix (16-11)

4. Dobson, Mesa, Ariz. (22-8)

5. Layton, Utah (17-8)

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

About: The Blue Star Media Go-To 25 High School Girls’ Basketball Rankings are released weekly from January 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 8, 2014. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.