Instead of a preseason ranking this year, the Blue Star Media staff decided to present 25 girls’ basketball teams to watch. The reason? Simple. The month of December is crazy and the national rankings usually take a beating. College coaches scratched their heads wondering; why not wait ‘til after the New Year?
We listened.
Having prepared rankings for USA TODAY and ESPN, conventional wisdom says you must have a number assigned to a team and then see how well your teams—especially atop the rankings—survive and hope No. 1 doesn’t shoot an air ball out of the huddle.
The staff will be attending several events nationally, with a heavy emphasis on the Nike Tournament of Champions at high school gyms in the East Valley of Phoenix. Several Go-To 25 teams will play at the Nike TOC but the top-two brackets (of eight teams) will be heavily scrutinized. However, there are several other events, which will impact the rankings when they are released again in early January.
Once teams get back to their league, region and district games in January, only a handful of events are left before teams start the postseason beginning in the first week of February. There are no guarantees when the rankings are released in January, there might be seismic shift or minimal movement. We’ll spell it all out but in the meantime enjoy the holidays and check back to www.bluestarmedia.org for updates on both the boys and girls’ sides. We’re also on Twitter. My handle is clawlor.
Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor
Go-To 25 girls’ basketball rankings, teams are listed alphabetically
(Records from the 2011-12 season), Release: November 21, 2012
Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (21-10)
Low-down: After a horrific 7-8 start last season, the Vikings went 13-2 down the stretch, including their third-straight Class AAA crown. A fourth title isn’t far-fetched with Jackie Pierson and Jess Kaminski handling the ball and providing leadership. The Philadelphia Catholic League title likely will be contested with Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia), Archbishop Carroll (Radnor) and Cardinal O’Hara (Springfield).
Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland, Calif. (30-3)
Low-down: Here are four reasons why the Dragons will repeat in CIF Division III and likely bag the No. 1 ranking in the Blue Star Media Go-To 25: point guard Ariell Bostick (San Diego State recruit), 6-3 Breanna Brown (Virginia Tech), 6-3 Oderah Chidom (Duke) and 6-1 Kendall Waters (Cal-Berkeley). Add the sophomore backcourt of Aisha Robertson and Asha Thomas and this is a scary-good team. They’ll prove in December at the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions in Chandler, Ariz., where several Go-To 25 teams will be playing.
Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (25-2)
Low-down: The inside-outside combo of 6-3 Kailee Johnson (Stanford signee) and 5-10 point guard Jordan Reynolds (Tennessee) should send fear in most opponents. The state of Oregon is normally solid and the Rams are aware of Oregon City and defending Class 6A champion South Medford if they hope to advance past the state semifinals.
Columbus North, Columbus, Ind. (23-4)
Low-down: The Bull Dogs lost the Class 4A final in overtime and are currently Indiana’s top-ranked team. Since Pat McKee took over three seasons ago, the defense allows only 43 points per game. Sophomore Ali Patberg has shown plenty of promise. Let’s see what happens on Jan. 3 when the Bull Dogs visit Whitney Young (Chicago).
Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (30-4)
Low-down: Florida’s Class 8A champions advanced to the National High School Invitational final but lost by four points to Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.). The main cast returns, but 8A state player of the year junior Taryn Griffey (tore ACL at an open gym in October) won’t. Coach Anthony Jones will rely on Jade Cheek, wing sharpshooter Hannah Schaible (signed with George Washington), speedy guard Sydnei McCaskill (Georgia), 6-3 center Stephanie Ratliff (Towson) and I’munique Green to win Nike-sponsored tournaments in Honolulu and Phoenix.
Dreher, Columbia, S.C. (25-1)
Low-down: The Blue Devils have three dependable scorers in 5-9 Kaydra Duckett, 6-2 Jheleiya Dunlap and 5-3 point Shaniqwa Hopkins. A second straight state title is in the crosshairs.
Duncanville, Texas (40-1)
Low-down: The Pantherettes, who are the Lone Star State’s top-ranked preseason Class 5A club, won their seventh state title in March but first since 2003. Coach Cathy Self-Morgan welcomes back seven lengthy players from that championship roster, including 5-11 Kiara Perry, 5-10 Ariel Atkins, 5-10 Kirby Anderson, 5-6 Tasia Foman, 6-2 Destiny Mean, 6-1 Antoina Robinson and 6-0 Shannon Franklin.
Edwardsville, Ill. (34-2)
Low-down: The rematch with Whitney Young (Chicago) is still months away but the dream Class 4A title game showdown is taking shape. The duo of Division I-bound seniors Lauren White (Northern Kentucky) and Emmonnie Henderson (Louisville) are the base but contributions from Kortney Dunbar and Aaliyah Covington are necessary.
Fairmont, Kettering, Ohio (24-3)
Low-down: Super 6-2 juniors Kathryn Westbeld and Makayla Waterman are the foundation but two three-year starters Alona Skipper and Duquesne-bound Chelsea Welch form the backcourt. Sophomore forward Shea Morgan and transfer guard Dani Schaefer provided a dose of depth. A national schedule chock full of talented team, notably Bolingbrook (Ill.) will toughen the Firebirds for the Division I state tournament.
Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (29-5)
Low-down: The WCAC champions feature Virginia-bound Amanda Fiorvanti, Stacy Koutris and Nicole Enabosi along an experienced frontline.
Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South (23-4)
Low-down: A solid, experienced core returns for coach Kevin Richards’ squad that reached the Class A final. The team is built around Bucknell-bound 6-1 post Claire DeBoer, who averaged a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore point guard Cierra Rice directs the offense while 5-10 junior transfer Bre’nae Andrews will bolster the lineup when she returns from injury in late December. South opens the season at Whitney Young (Chicago) on Dec. 1
Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (30-1)
Low-down: The two-time Class 4A champions are experienced, with a loaded schedule. Point guard Taylor Anderson directs the offense and wing Nia Coffey is a reliable scorer. Viria Livingston (knee injury) has been lost, making things a bit tighter for the Royals.
Marion County, Lebanon, Ky. (34-5)
Low-down: The Lady Knights boast 5-10 Makayla Epps (17.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and 6-1 Kyvin Goodin-Rogers (13.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg), both of whom signed with Kentucky. Coach Trent Milby’s squad has two holiday tournaments plus dates with Hathaway Brown (Ohio) and Science Hill (Tenn.) in January. A state championship is the only thing left for this group, which has made noise for the last five years.
Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (35-3)
Low-down: In spite of graduation losses, the Monarchs are still a very good team. Andee Velasco is the point guard while Khalia Lark and Alli Brown have expanded roles. However, the sister duo of 6-0 senior Karlie and 6-3 Katie Lou Samuelson (both transfers from Edison of Huntington Beach) will point the squad closer to a fourth straight CIF Division I state title.
Norcross, Ga. (26-6)
Low-down: Coach Angie Hembree aims for the program’s third large-class state title since 2010. At 6-2, swing Diamond DeShields (North Carolina recruit) is one of the nation’s top players and plays for the gold-medal winning USA Basketball U19s. The Blue Devils will have plenty of competition in Region 7-AAAAAA from North Gwinnett, Duluth and Brookwood.
Ossining, N.Y. (23-1)
Low-down: After falling a game short of a Class A state championship, coach Dan Ricci’s squad is the favorite this season. With all five starters back, including McDonald’s All-American shoo-in Shaniya Chong (33.3 ppg), a Connecticut recruit, a national schedule should be manageable. The Pride is loaded with nine seniors, oozing with experience.
Poly. Long Beach, Calif. (31-4)
Low-down: The Jackrabbits are back with a national contending team. The deep, athletic roster tabs 5-8 Keyla Morgan as the leader and lockdown defender. At 5-8,
junior guard Arica Carter is the program’s next superstar. Tania Lamb, a 5-6 guard, is a budding sophomore and 5-3 junior Justyce Dawson runs the point.
Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, Md. (37-2)
Low-down: The Lady Crusaders captured the National High School Invitational last March, with several players graduating to BCS schools. Then coach Diane Richardson left for a college gig. But, not to worry because former assistant Samuel Caldwell inherited a national program that usually features transfers. Junior 5-8 wing Auteaonna Gilmore is an elite player and 6-1 Maya Singleton is headed to Marshall. Another challenging schedule—three tournaments in December, including the Nike TOC—should keep the recruiters flocking to Prince George’s County.
Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo. (26-3)
Low-down: The defending Class 5 state champions are Missouri’s top-ranked large school. Bri Porter, a 6-3 post, signed with Mizzou and is one of four starters back. Sophomore Sophie Cunningham, a first team all-state performer last year, will start the season on the bench with an ankle knack.
Science Hill, Johnson City, Tenn. (38-1)
Low-down: The lone blemish in 2012 was in the Class AAA final when high-scoring Shy Copney (tore ACL) was missing. The Middle Tennessee-bound 5-9 Copney is expected back in December and that’s a joy to Lady Hilltoppers’ coach Darrell Barnwell. Coveted 6-1 junior center Gabby Lyon also returns with a cast of teammates who are primed to bag the elusive state championship.
Seton LaSalle, Pittsburgh (30-0)
Low-down: The Rebels are fresh off a memorable season, becoming only the third undefeated team in WPIAL history to win a state title. A coaching change and gobs of talent, led by 6-1 junior Naje Gibson and a pair of Duquesne recruits Cassidy Walsh and 5-10 senior guard Angela Heintz are reasons why the Rebels carry a 30-game win streak.
Shabazz, Newark, N.J. (30-2)
Low down: The Bulldogs return three starters 5-9 senior Naqaiyyah Teague, 6-0 junior Zaire O’Neil and 5-11 junior post De’Aishia Jones. Two juniors, 6-0 Doniyah Cliney and 5-11 Altiliyah Butler, add height to a mercurial squad, which runs, presses and squeezes an opponent. This year the main competition in Group 2 is Point Pleasant Beach.
St. Mary’s, Phoenix (30-0)
Low-down: The defending Go-To 25 national champions did graduate talent but not tradition. Three-year starter and All-American Courtney Ekmark is the mainstay in winning the last two Arizona Class 5A, Division I titles. The 6-foot Ekmark, who said she’ll sign with Connecticut, is joined by the backcourt of Dominique Williams (UCLA) and Danielle Williams (Michigan) and 6-2 post Chantel Osahor. Additionally, there are at least six other Division prospects on the bench. A date with Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) is in the making at the Nike TOC, where the Knights are the title-holders.
St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (32-4)
Low-down: The Rams are tough—always tough—and this year is no different with Unique Coleman (a Pacific recruit) and Onome Jemerrigbe (UC Santa Barbara) leading the way. Sophomore Bri Moore will be needed to score, taking pressure off her Division I-bound teammates.
Whitney Young, Chicago (34-0)
Low-down: Linnae Harper, a 5-6 dynamo guard, is one of the fun players from the Class of 2013. After leading the Dolphins to the Class 4A title, averaging 18.7 points, 14 boards and three dimes, the Kentucky-recruit, is ready for a senior encore. When she’s double and triple-teamed there is 5-11 forward Taylor Brame, 6-5 Khaalia Hillman and 5-10 Tanita Allen. A heavy schedule will allow coach Corry Irvin to tweak her lineup before the postseason.
High-Fives by Region
East
1. St. Anthony’s, Melville, N.Y. (23-5)
2. Nazareth Regional, Brooklyn, N.Y. (18-4)
3. Lake Taylor, Norfolk, Va. (21-4)
4. Gaithersburg, Md. (27-0)
5. Murry Bergtraum, Manhattan N.Y. (18-8)
Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Midlands
1. Reynoldsburg, Ohio (26-1)
2. Incarnate Word, St. Louis (26-7)
3. Montini Catholic, Lombard, Ill. (33-5)
4. Southeastern Hamilton, Fishers, Ind. (20-1)
5. Marist, Chicago (32-2)
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
South
1. Pflugerville, Texas (39-1)
2. Riverdale, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (34-3)
3. Southaven, Miss. (29-3)
4. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (26-4)
5. Salmen, Slidell, La. (28-2)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
1. La Jolla (Calif.) Country Day (32-1)
2. South Medford, Medford, Ore. (30-0)
3. Centennial, Las Vegas (29-3)
4. St. Mary’s, Berkeley, Calif. (27-8)
5. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (22-5)
Geography: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
About: The Blue Star Media Go-To 25 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 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.
