FLY EAGLES FLY: No. 1 DeSoto (TX) perches atop Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball preseason rankings; No. 2 New Hope Academy (MD), No. 3 Montverde Academy (FL) follow

BENSALEM, Pa. – What a difference a year makes.

A year ago, the high school basketball season was essentially wiped out by the pandemic.

The entire nation is bouncing back after a season (or none in certain states such as Hawaii and Nevada and District of Columbia) unlike any other we have ever seen.

So, let the games tip off. Looking forward to a “regular” or normal season. We deserve it, so do the student-athletes.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return in mid-December with an update as the holiday tournament season gets underway.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God’s Blessings to your family and friends. Get vaccinated and your booster shot. Stay safe!

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Preseason Rankings, Nov. 11, 2021

Records and statistics are from the 2020-21 season unless denoted.

 1. DeSoto, Texas (28-2)

Low-down: The reigning UIL Texas Class 6A state champions might be one of the most talented team ever in the girls’ game. And the wealthy just seem to get richer with a pair of Kansas State recruits, Ja’Mia Harris and Michayla Gatewood, are back following torn ACLs. But there’s more because the Eagles have five more Division I signees. The frontline is composed of height and grit with 6-4 Sa’Myah Smith (LSU recruit), 6-5 Tionna Herron (Kentucky) and 6-4 Amina Muhammad (Texas). That’s three future Southeastern Conference bigs. And with Jiya Perry (SMU) and Ayanna Thompson (Mississippi) off the bench and seeing time in the backcourt, it’s going to awfully hard to beat the Eagles. The schedule is demanding with District 11-6A with No. 5 Duncanville and Cedar Hill but the national portion of the slate sees then head to Washington, D.C. for the Capitol Classic and She Got Game showcase plus there are games in Minnesota and over Thanksgiving against No. 3 Montverde (Fla.) Academy.

2. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (14-3)

Low-down: Coach Sam Caldwell will play anyone, anytime and anywhere. That’s how you build a nationally-ranked program in the talent rich DMV. Five players signed earlier this month, including 5-11 Kiran Dandridge (St. Bonaventure), PG Kennedy Fauntleroy (Georgetown), 6-2 Jalyn Brown (Louisville), C/PF Jaida Belton (Coastal Carolina) and 6-1 Alphonsia Eleko (Charlotte).

3. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (21-2)

Low-down: The Eagles are clearly the best team from the Sunshine State. Three international-experienced players are off to college, including 6-5 C Fatima Diakhate (Central Florida), 6-3 Janiah Barker (Georgia), 6-1 Jordana Cordio (Texas) and Fernanda Ovalle (Xavier). Diakhate is played for the Canadian U-19 National Team. Barker, who transferred in from Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.), played for the U.S.A. Basketball 3×3 U-18 National Team. Ovalle represented Chile at the 2019 FIBA U-16 Americas Championships, averaging 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. Coach Special Jennings is building something “special” in central Florida. This should be the year the Eagles qualify for the GEICO High School Nationals.

4. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (29-0)

Low-down: It was the perfect season for the Red Devils, who were crowned the Class 6 state champions. Five-nine G Jaiden Bryant is a three-year starter and inked a national letter-of-intent to Missouri State. At 6-2, post Natalie Potts is a junior who getting plenty of college offers. Potts averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds and was named the St. Louis Metro Player of the Year. Saniah Tyler signed with Kentucky while Morgan Ramthun will play locally at Missouri-St. Louis. Tyler, a, explosive 5-6 point guard, contributed 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Essentially, she stuffs the stat sheet for coach Dan Rolfe’s team. With nine experienced players back, the Red Devils are favored to repeat in Class 6.

5. Duncanville, Texas (28-3)

Low-down: One of the nation’s most storied programs know how to win but this year appears to be DeSoto’s year. If the Pantherettes can reach the winner’s podium for a 12^th time in program history it’ll be a tribute to Oklahoma-bound, 6-3 Kiersten Johnson, all-state G Victoria Flores (16.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) and junior G Tristen Taylor (14.4 ppg, 4.0 spg, 3.3 apg). Flores is a transfer into Duncanville from Pinkston.

6.  Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (16-1)

The Low-down: Advanced to Class AAAA semifinals, where its win streak was snapped at 78 games. The Royals return all five starters, most notably Amaya Battle (Minnesota signee), Maya Nnaji (Arizona) and Alayna Contreras. Six-foot junior Taylor Woodson is another big-time talent. Too bad Minnesota has strict travel rules because the Lady Royals would be attractive team for national tournaments and events.

7. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (28-0)

The Low-down: The two-time defending Blue Star Media Elite 25 National champions and Ohio Division I title holders are considered the state’s top team but that could change quickly. The Cougars, who have 72 consecutive games, will lean heavily on Notre Dame-bound 5-11 K.K. Bransford, who is the nation’s seventh best guard in her class and McDonald’s All American Game shoo-in. With Bransford running the show, the Cougars have won two state and three league titles. She averaged 21.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.1 assist and 3.0 steals per outing. Six-foot F Abby Wolterman (5.7 ppg. 5.5 rpg) and 5-5 Crysta LaCrosse also return. Junior G Taylor Stanley (3.2 ppg, 2.6 apg) should have an expanded role. Same goes for 5-10 junior Keisha Francisco.

8. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (25-7)

Low-down: The Valkyries won Kentucky’s single-class state championship and will feature Western Kentucky-bound 5-11 G Josie Gilvin, 5-7 junior PG Triniti Ralston, 6-0 senior Alex Wolff, sophomore Reagan Bender and 5-8 Claire Russell. Again, they will face a top-notch schedule. At 5-11, freshman G ZaKiyah Johnson is a burgeoning talent. The schedule includes trips to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Huntsville, Ala. and Minneapolis. There are also two games in Ohio against Newark and Pickerington Central plus an in-state contest with DME Academy.

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (10-9)

Low-down: The Ascenders are relatively new program to the national scene but they have become a factor in a hurry. One of the biggest additions this year is Oregon-bound 6-3 F Grace VanSlooten, who transferred in for the upgrade in competition and will likely earn McDonald’s All American honors. PG Kailyn Gilbert, an Arizona recruit, orchestrates the offense.

10. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (14-0)

Low-down: Coach Dawn Karpell made the most of a shortened 2020-21 season, playing a challenging schedule and preparing for this one. Three players are off to Division I programs, including Princeton-bound 5-10 Madison St. Rose, the two-time New Jersey Gatorade Player of Year. Additionally, there’s 6-3 Meg Callahan (Holy Cross) and 5-10 Ashley O’Connor (Fordham). St. Rose averaged 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. The Lady Lancers play one of the more competitive schedules plus the Shore Conference and then Non-Public A state tournaments. It should be another busy March for Karpell’s squad.

11. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (4-1)

Low-down: The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is arguably one of the best leagues in the country and unquestionably the best on the East Coast. It was a shortened season for the Lady Mustangs last season but it’s a new year and coach Frank Oliver, Jr. is a real winner in the DMV. The point guard is 5-8 Gia Cooke (Texas A&M signee) and backcourt mate Yonta Vaughn (West Virginia). Out on the wing is 6-1 junior Sahnya Jah and 5-6 G Madisen McDaniel adds depth in the backcourt. At 6-1, freshman Zhen Craft is showing promise.

12. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day School (16-5)

Low-down: The San Diego powerhouse are in line for another trip to Sacramento for the state championships in March. A year ago, it was a learning experience during truncated spring season due to COVID-19. The Torreys are scheduled to play in four in-season tournaments. A pair of juniors are national recruits and difference-makers. It starts with 6-4 post Breya Cunningham and 5-6 PG Jada Williams, who recently verballed to UCLA. Add 5-9 sophomore G Tajianna Avant-Roberts and there’s a solid core and exceptional coaching staff.

13. Plano (Texas) East (21-4)

Low-down: The Metroplex is one loaded town this season the likes of top-ranked DeSoto, No. 5 Duncanville, South Grand Prairie and Frisco Liberty. You better add the Panthers to that list. With 5-9 PG Kayla Cooper, an Oklahoma recruit, engineering the offense and SMU-bound 5-9 SG Donavia Hall stretching the opposing defense, they should be in the mix in Class 6A come March.

14. Crown Point, Ind. (25-1)

Low-down: The Lady Bulldogs carry a 17-game win streak into the season, including the Class 4A state championship. At 6-3, F Lilly Stoddard is one of the state’s top players and already signed with Purdue. As a junior, the four-year regular averaged10.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. IUPUI commit Jessica Carrothers (23.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.1 spg and 3.9 apg) is another key regular on a team that is the favorite to repeat in 4A.

15. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (20-5)

Low-down: The Trailblazers were blessed to get 6-0 junior G Juju Watkins, a transfer from Windward School (Los Angeles) but she won’t be eligible until Dec. 26 for transfer rules. Until then sophomores Izela Arenas and 6-0 F MacKenly Randolph–both had fathers who played in the NBA–will hold down the fort. There’s more talent with 6-2 Crystal Wang, a native of China, and 6-0 Leia Edwards.

16. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (11-0)

The Low-down: The Pioneers carry a 59-game win streak into this season and with 6-2 F Madisen Wardell and 6-0 Ruby Whitehorn back in the fold, the Pioneers will be a heavy favorite to capture another Class B state championship.

17. The Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tenn. (28-2)

Low-down: We noticed the Feet (yes that’s their nickname) last year at the Division II-A state tournament and winning it. Sophomores Ava Butts, Brookelyn Pedigo and Charlotte Carkuff return from that state championship squad but the biggest addition is 6-5 junior Aalyah Del Rosario, considered an elite recruit from the Class of 2023. Junior PG Angelica Velez will control the flow of the offense.

18. South Bend (Ind.) Washington (22-6)

Low-down: This is the year of the cat … as in Panthers. A year ago, they fell to Silver Creek in the Class 3A final. That won’t happen this year with Maryland-bound 6-3 F Mila Reynolds and her sister Amiyah Reynolds. Mila nearly averaged a double-double last year at 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. She also is closing in on 1,500 career points. There’s more with junior Rashunda Jones, who is a pass-first guard with quick hand. F Shamarah Allen is provides help up front.

19. Hoover, Ala. (32-1)

Low-down: The expectations are to win claim another Class 7A state championship for the close-knit Lady Bucs. And why not, the Lady Bucs have won three titles in the last five years. F Aniya Hubbard (Florida Atlantic) is the inside muscle and three guards stoke the transition with elite junior Reniya Kelly and seniors Jayla Harris and Devon Davidson pushing the pace.

20. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (17-2)

Low-down: The Vikings were crowned Class 4A state champions and that’s a sixth PIAA title if you care. A seventh won’t come easy but never doubt coach Mike McDonald. With 6-1 Ryanne Allen back, it’s a comforting feeling to have one of the nation’s top seniors. Allen, a Vanderbilt signee, average 15.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. Allen possesses a high basketball IQ and plays with confidence. Junior Deja Evans is already fielding Division I scholarship offers. However, the Philadelphia Catholic League is one of the best on the East Coast. That should prepare the Vikings for another state tournament run.

21. Archbishop Carroll, Radnor, Pa. (9-7)

Low-down: The Patriots reached the Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals in last year’s truncated season. Four starters return for coach Renie Shields, including 6-1 Maggie Grant (a Villanova signee), 5-6 Grace O’Neill (Drexel), 5-11 junior Taylor Wilson and junior G Meg Sheridan. Five-nine sophomore Brooke Wilson and junior Courtland Schumacher also are back and will compete for the final starter.

22. Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. (0-0)

Low-down: We had the Quakers ranked in the Elite 25 in 2019-20 but the team was too young and did not live up to expectations. Last year, the District of Columbia schools were denied a season for COVID-19 concerns. However, the core of UCLA-bound Kiki Rice, one of the nation’s top seniors, 6-0 junior Jadyn Donovan and 6-1 sophomore PG Kendall Dudley back this could be a special year in the Nation’s Capital.

23. Woodward Academy, College Park, Ga. (22-1)

Low-down: It was a banner year for the Lady War Eagles, who won the Class AAAAA state and Region 3-AAAAA championships. At 6-0, Sydney Bowles (Georgia signee) earned first team all-state honors and averages 23.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game during her three-year prep career. Also returning is Sara Lewis

24. Frisco (Texas) Liberty (22-9)

Low-down: A solid nucleus of five players return for the Redhawks, who took second place at the UIL Class 5A tournament. Combo guard Jazzy Owens-Barnett has signed with Rice and averaged 11.8 points and 3.9 rebounds earning all-state honors. Coach Ross Reedy’s team is built around guard play and feature returnees Jezell Jolie Moreno, Ashley Anderson, Journee Chambers and Kamen Wong. Should be an interesting year for the Redhawks, who look to annex another state title in which they last won in 2020.

25. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (20-4)

Low-down: The Knights advanced to the OHSAA Division I semifinals before falling to Newark, 55-41. Three starters/tri-captains are back, featuring high-energy PG Emma Rasmussen, Grace Schill and 6-0 Lanae Riley, who signed with Middle Tennessee State. Riley, a combo forward, averaged 22 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals a season ago.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (11-1)
2. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (0-0)
3. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (0-0)
4. Cardinal O’Hara, Springfield, Pa. (15-4)
5. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (10-2)

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

Midwest

1. Bolingbrook, Ill. (10-3)
2. Dublin (Ohio) Coffman (22-2)
3. Johnston, Iowa (18-2)
4. Kenwood, Chicago (13-0)
5. Waterloo (Iowa) West (19-2)

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

Southland

1. DME Sports Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (14-9)
2. Marietta, Ga. (21-5)
3. Blanche Ely, Pompano Beach, Fla. (18-2)
4. Classen SAS, Oklahoma City (17-2)
5. Cedar Park, Texas (27-1)

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

Far West

1. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (17-1)
2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (21-1)
3. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (17-0)
4. Centennial, Las Vegas (0-0)
5. Valley Vista, Surprise, Ariz. (28-3)

Geography: Alaska, 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 at the conclusion of the season in April. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.