No. 1 Duncanville (TX), No. 2 Lake Highland Prep (FL) dueling for supremacy in Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason girls’ basketball rankings; Azzi Fudd fuels No. 16 St. John’s College (DC)

BENSALEM, Pa. – The longest girls’ basketball is underway. With starting date varying nationwide and games already being played in Alabama, Indiana and Texas, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason girls’ ranking are here.

And we’re in it for the long haul. That means when the season ends in June for California. Hard to believe but California and other states won’t tipping off until April when others will have completed their seasons. It’s the new norm for the 2020-21 school year and if you recall there were several that did not finish up last year.

Moving forward there was a tossup between No. 1 Duncanville (Texas) and No. 2 Lake Highlands Prep (Orlando, Fla.) but we decided on the Texas powerhouse that looks to annex a 12^th state championship from March 5-7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Of course, Texas, like other states will be monitoring the COVID-19 coronavirus and will adjust schedules. The season is fluid. Change is inevitable and there will be cancellations and postponements. Nearly every national holiday tournament has been paused this year. So are many weekend shootout events with national and regional pairings. We’ll rely on how teams perform in their home states and if there happens to be a few programs that will travel to the precious major events.

OK, that’s a foreword to the season and the games will take care of the rest. In some states, the games are days away and others won’t begin until January 2021 and as late as April.

The Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return in late December.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for our staff updates and key games and the top players all season. We’ll keep you abreast of anything breaking in the girls’ hoop universe.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy spending time with your family and friends. Stay safe, mask up, practice social distancing and support your local businesses by buying your holiday gifts.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Preseason rankings, November 20, 2020

(All records and statistics are from the 2019-20 season. Players are seniors unless denoted)

1. Duncanville, Texas (40-3)

The Low-down: Winning state championship is the norm for the Pantherettes who captured the program’s 11^th last year under coach LaJeanna Howard. Two key players off that Class 6A title team are 5-5 sophomore G Tristen Taylor and 6-0 G/F Zaria Rufus (SMU)—both on the all-tournament team. There’s more with 5-8 G Nyah Wilson (Syracuse signee), 5-6 Hope LeMelle (Lamar), 6-0 C/F Anaya Bernard, 5-8 G Kiyara Howard-Garza, 6-1 junior F Laila McLeod and 5-5 G Iyanna McCown. Wilson is a combo guard that can defend on the perimeter and shoot from deep range. With four starters back, Howard’s team is prime to make it an even dozen championship banners in the gymnasium.

2. Lake Highlands Prep, Orlando, Fla. (29-2)

The Low-down: The Highlanders were selected to GEICO Nationals last spring but that event never materialized. Perhaps this year is the charm for the central Florida private school.  Four starters are back with 6-1 Kayla Blackshear and a trio of juniors s 5-6 Sierra Godbolt, 5-7 Stefanie Ingram and 6-2 F Nyla Harris. The Alabama-bound Blackshear (10.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg) has scored more than 1,000 career points. Harris is fielding several Division I offers and averaged a team-high 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. Ingram is the point guard and takes care facilitating the offense with 8.3 points, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals. Godbolt (5.2 ppg, 3.2 apg) is another steady athlete in the backcourt. Five-seven guard Eleecia Carter is one of the top players in the Florida from the Class of 2023 and hit for 8.9 points off the bench.

3. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (23-8)

The Low-down: Once again coach Sam Caldwell rolls out a team that will play anyone or any place. The aggressive scheduling preps his players for the next level. The Lady Tigers goal would be a return trip to the GEICO Nationals (they won the event in 2019). At 6-3, C/F Maria Gakdeng has signed with Boston College. PG Kennedy Fauntleroy is a quick ball-handler and top-notch distributor and 5-8 Chalon Miles is another backcourt addition. Five-eight PG Reniya Jones (UT Arlington), 6-1 Abby Bailey (Mount St. Mary’s), 6-1 F Bianca Pendleton and 6-4 junior C Helena Lasic round out the team.

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

The Low-down: The defending Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions lost out on winning the Ohio Division I championship but have key players that will them back in the conversation. At 6-0, Laila Phelia (13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.8 spg) an affect the game in multiple ways. Phelia, a Michigan pledge, uses her speed on the wing and rebound at both ends. There’s 5-9 junior PG K.K. Bransford (19.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.3 spg) is a three-year starter and one of the top players from the Class of 2022. Bransford is a mismatch for most opponents and will use her physicality to attack the rim. The third regular is 6-0 junior F Abby Wolterman (4.0 rpg). Five-nine F Autumn Crockett will have an expanded role for coach Dr. Scott Rogers’ team.

5. Westlake, Atlanta (30-2)

The Low-down: The Lions have won three consecutive Class AAAAAAA state championships and at least 30 wins in that frame. For more than two decades coach Hilda Hankerson has sent nearly 60 players to college on athletic scholarships. In 2018, Raven Johnson was a precocious freshman point guard. Now she makes the Lions go. At 5-8, Johnson (15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 4.3 spg) is consistent in halfcourt and up-tempo situations with tremendous floor vision. She’s headed to South Carolina but teams with junior Ta’Niya Latson, a 5-8 sophomore. Latson (16.3 ppg, 2.7 spg) is an explosive guard with darting moves and play aggressive defense with active hands that lead to turnovers. For the Lions that usually means lots of points. Six-three Brianna Turnage (7.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) is the anchor of the front line and committed to Virginia Tech.

6. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (28-1)

The Low-down: The Lancers had just won the Non-Public South A sectional title and needed one more win for a state title when the season was abruptly canceled. This year there won’t traditional state championship play in New Jersey as well but a newly created regional format. That won’t deter a talented group that won its last 13 games, including the prestigious Shore Conference Tournament, and remained perfect versus in-state competition. No one graduated so the expectations remain high. Junior G Madison St. Rose (18.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg) is the reigning state player of the year and will attend Princeton. Katie Hill (11.3 ppg, 31 made 3s, Richmond pledge) is another creative scorer, while Emma Bruen and Ashley O’Connor lend backcourt support. At 6-2, junior Megan Cahalan (6.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg) is the post and already committed to Holy Cross. Mikaela Hubbard and Janine Bachmann are a pair of 5-10 sophomores with great upside and 5-9 G Christina Whitehead (Fairleigh Dickinson) adds more depth.

7. Simeon, Chicago (35-2)

The Low-down: The last time the Wolverines rallied in the fourth quarter, down seven points, to defeat Morton, 45-44, in the Illinois Class 3A final. The Chicago Public League champions carry a gaudy 19-game win streak into this term with 6-2 Aneesah Morrow (26.7 ppg, 12.3 rpg), a First Team All-State and hybrid-4. Morrow isn’t leaving town and signed with DePaul. She’s not the only prospect returning as 6-2 F Khaniah Gardiner (10.2 ppg), 5-5 G Nakiyah Callon (9.3 ppg) and 5-7 junior Jayla White (3.6 ppg) flank Morrow. Illinois won’t start their season until after the New Year.

8. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (30-3)

The Low-down: The CIF-Southern Section Open Division champions won’t hit the floor until the spring. That’s if California actually allows a season. But having an opportunity to watch 6-3 Brooke Demetre, a First Team All-State center, can beat teams in the post and from beyond the arc. She’s headed to Stanford. Getting her the ball is much improved, hard-working 5-7 PG Tiarah Galvan. Combo-guard Alyssa Durazo-Frescas signed with UNLV and 6-1 Meaali’l Amosa with Pepperdine. Coach Kevin Kiernan aims for another Trinity League title but the playoffs are still in question for the entire Golden State.

9. Cypress Creek, Houston (41-1)

The Low-down: The Class 6A runners-up are guard driven with 5-6 Rori Harmon and 5-7 Kyndall Hunter—both who signed with the Texas Longhorns. Hunter is a spectacular lead guard and will thrive in transition. Harmon is a creator who can set the pace off the bounce and her quickness. The interior is locked down by 6-3 Taylor Jackson, who was named the 6A all-tournament team last year. Her classmate 6-2 Riyah Francis adds length. If the Lady Cougars return to states it’s because the backcourt is clicking on all cylinders.

10. Renaissance, Detroit (22-2)

The Low-down: There’s a new team from Motown that is chock full of Division I players that won last year’s Detroit Public School League title and two straight district crowns. The Phoenix was ready to annex a Michigan Division I regional championship when the coronavirus halted the postseason. The returning lineup includes 5-11 Nika Dorsey (Bradley signee), 5-10 Mikyah Finley (Wagner), 6-2 F Shannon Wheeler (Dayton) and 5-4 G Kailee Davis (Northern Kentucky), who was the PSL Player of the Year. Coach Shane Lawal’s teams press and squeeze their opponents with Davis (17.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.5 spg) heading the sticky defense.

11. Hoover, Ala. (31-3)

The Low-down: The Lady Bucs have won two of the last four Class 7A titles and lost to crosstown rivals Spain Park in the final. They are the class of Alabama to open the season. Sophomore Reniya Kelly has emerged as elite player, floor leader and explosive guard. Junior combo-guard Aniya Hubbarb was the regional MVP last year but missed the final with an injury. The Class of 2023 also features Kristen McMillan and Olivia Johnigan. Coach Krystle Johnson’s team will flash versatility with shots draining from the deep perimeter and Kelly slashing in the lane.

12. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (30-0)

The Low-down: The Minnesota season starts on Dec. 17 and for a first time in four seasons, there’s no superstar named Paige Bueckers wearing a Royals uniform. Bueckers was the consensus national player of the year and now plays for Connecticut. Moving forward the Royals have won 62 straight games but 6-4 junior Maya Nnaji, a Top-10 prospect from the Class of 2022, 5-11 junior G Amaya Battle and 6-0 sophomore G Taylor Woodson (14.0 ppg) there won’t be a Class 4A co-champion in Minnesota unless more pandemic issues arise and force a cancellation.

13. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (27-5)

The Low-down: Here’s another team that was supposed to play at the GEICO Nationals but were denied by the pandemic. Although the defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions graduated talent aplenty, they have an inside-outside duo of 6-2 F Taylor Gibson and 5-7 PG Yonta Vaughn (7.0 ppg). The Michigan-bound Gibson (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) is a strong, physical inside presence. Gibson can step out and hit the three and face-up to the basket. Vaughn is a true leader on the floor and will push the tempo for the Mustangs. At 6-1, Sahnya Jah is an emerging talent hits the boards and isn’t afraid to mix it up in the post.

14. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (26-3)

The Low-down: The Monarchs are still the class of Northern California and feature senior leadership of 6-1 Marley Langi (UC Davis signee), 5-9 G Makena Long, 5-10 wing Amelia Scharpf, 5-10 G Sydney Bourland (Cal Poly), 5-8 G Hunter Hernandez (UC Irvine) and 6-0 Kaitlyn Springs and 5-10 junior Makayla Moore.

15. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (27-4)

The Low-down: The Red Knights, who return three regulars, are fortunate to have one of the top points guard from the Class of 2022 in 5-6 Saniah Tyler (11.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.6 spg). She’s the athletic floor general that can score, direct the team and defend. The team’s leading scorer is 5-11 G Ellie Vazzana (14.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and is off to Air Force in the next fall. Junior 5-10 F Jaiden Bryant (8.7 ppg, 35 mads 3s, 4.6 rpg) is another important part. Six-foot sophomore G Brooke Coffey (4.4 ppg) will see more time and 6-3 classmate Natalie Potts (10.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.1 bpg) is the main rebounder and rim protector. Last season, the Red Knights advanced to the Class 4 semifinals before the state tournament was called off. This year they hope to make it an eight title since 2010-11 season.

16. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (22-8)

The Low-down: Just the fact that 6-1 Azzi Fudd, the nation’s No. 1 recruit and a transformative player returns, gives the five-time D.C. State Athletic Association crown a leg up. Fudd, who has recovered from major knee surgery, signed with Connecticut her dream school, but she’s not the only returning starter as 6-2 sophomore Delaney Thomas an emerging post presence, 5-7 Zoe Vidaurre, 6-0 F Taylor Napper (St. Bonaventure), 5-10 sophomore Jade Tilman and junior PG Caramina Tañedo should battle No. 13 Bishop McNamara for WCAC supremacy. The season won’t start until January so league games are a premium.

17. Penn, Mishawaka, Ind. (27-3)

The Low-down: The Kingsmen return three starters, including Ohio State-bound Kaitlyn Costner (12.8 ppg), a versatile guard who came on strong in the Class 4A sectionals. At 5-7, Trinity Clinton is a two time MVP of the Northern Indiana Conference. Jordyn Smith, a 5-6 point guard, also returns after missing a good portion of last season with a knee injury but helped coach Kristi Ulrich’s team advance to the 4A Semistates.

18. Bolingbrook, Ill. (26-8)

The Low-down: If last year was any indication, the Raiders will be in the thick of things during the Class 4A playoffs. Last year’s third-place finish at states set the table for this season. At 5-6, junior Kennedi Perkins (14.1 ppg, 2.5 apg) is the top returning scorer and Western Michigan-bound 6-0 F De’Ahna Richardson is brimming to be a double-double regular. Six-foot post Faith Domercant and 5-11 F Katelyn  Hoekema add size up front.

19. Converse (Texas) Judson (33-9)

The Low-down: The Rockets advanced to the Class 6A semifinal before losing to eventual champions Duncanville by nine points. However, the regional champions are primed for a return trip to the 6A Final Four with four of the top five scorers back, including juniors F Amira Mabry (14.1 ppg) and G Michaela Verrett (7.9 ppg), who is a 3-point threat, and guards 5-7 Kierra Sanderlin (17.5 ppg) and Tiana Rose (5.2 ppg). Sanderlin is considered a blue-chip prospect and athletic lead guard, who is headed to Rutgers in the fall.

20. Carmel, Ind. (27-3)

The Low-down: Coach Kristi Kaniewski-Ulrich guided the Greyhounds to the Class 4A Semistate regional final but fell short of the ultimate goal. This year they will lean on 6-0 junior Kate Clarke (17.1 ppg) and 6-1 F Bridgett Dunn (12.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg)—who could be a double-double player and is off to Kent State. Dunn is a serious candidate for Indiana’s Ms. Basketball. Clarke, a wing guard, verballed to Michigan.

21. Cardinal Newman, Columbia, S.C (24-1)

The Low-down: The two-time defending South Carolina Independent Class AAA champions carry a 20-game winning skein into the season but will need to replace high-scoring 6-0 G Audrey Watkins (now at Western Carolina). Coach Molly Moore has 10 returning players, including 6-3 C junior Ashlyn Watkins, who is a top-15 prospect in her class. Watkins is mobile in the post and excels in an up-tempo attack. Sophomore Tanaja Kennedy, junior G Sarah Dayhuff, Megan Holbrook and Megan Slattery are back big-game experience.

22. Reynoldsburg, Ohio (18-8)

The Low-down: Whenever mentioning premier state tournament brackets, Ohio’s Division I is near the top and stay afloat teams need at least two players to form that one-two punch. At 6-2, junior Alexia Mobley (Louisville recruit) is an athletic hybrid-4 and one of the better players in the nation on the perimeter. Six-foot junior wing Mari Russell is another Power-5 recruit and transferred in from Dublin Coffman. Meanwhile, 5-6 PG Trinity Ramos is the floor general and will dictate the tempo for the Raiders, who are prime for a deeper run in the postseason.

23. Rutgers Prep, Somerset, N.J. (25-5)

The Low-down: The Argonauts have all the pieces in place to win a New Jersey regional tournament this winter. New Jersey won’t be conducting a Non-Public B tournament or Tournament of Champions due to pandemic concerns. Six-two F Christina Dalce (13.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.3 bpg) is one of the state’s top players and signed with Villanova. G Kaylie Favours (8.3 ppg, Lafayette recruit), G Isabella Pellecchia (5.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Delaware-bound G Mia Yanogacio (6.3 ppg, 43 made 3s) and junior F Katherine Donahue all return and form a solid nucleus.

24. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (25-2)

The Low-down: In June, coach Jessika Caldwell learned of two transfers that could shift the balance of power in Colorado. The Huard sisters, senior Haley and sophomore Macey—both 6-1 are the new kids on the block but will make an immediate impact. Haley Huard will attend Montana in the fall. The sisters previously played at Puyallup (Wash.), where their dad Brock was an All-America QB before landing in the NFL. At 6-3, C/PF Raegan Beers was a First Team All-State Class 5A as a sophomore and is committed to Oregon State. Five-nine PG Kindyll Wetta and 5-8 G Jenna Siebert are returning starters.

25. Winter Haven, Fla. (22-9)

The Low-down: It was a bitter ending for the Blue Devils last February on a buzzer-beater in the Class 6A semifinals. It stopped a run for a fourth state title in five years. However, one senior starter graduated and coach Johnnie Lawson welcomed two transfers—5-7 PG Jasmine Peaks and 6-0 F Jayla Murray—from Tampa Bay Tech the team they stopped in the regional final. Peaks is a leader on the floor and Murray is a terror on the boards. G/SF Trinity Hardy and junior combo-guard Kayla Smith also return. Hardy is headed to Army-Wet Point upon graduation.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (22-6)
2. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (21-7)
3. Sidwell Friends, Washington, D.C. (23-5)
4. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (22-1)
5. Paul VI, Chantilly, Va. (32-4)

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

Midwest

1. North Central, Indianapolis (17-10)
2. Kenwood, Chicago (27-7)
3. Wayzata, Plymouth, Minn. (24-5)
4. Edison Public Academy, Detroit (23-0)
5. Waukee, Iowa (23-2)

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

Southland

1. Norman, Okla. (24-1)
2. Hazel Green, Ala. (35-2)
3. DeSoto, Texas (32-3)
4. Northside, Fort Smith, Ark. (26-4)
5. Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn. (29-0)

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

Far West

1. Grandview, Aurora, Colo. (24-3)
2. Valley Vista, Surprise, Ariz. (28-3)
3. West Linn, Ore. (21-6)
4. Centennial, Las Vegas (24-6)
5. Iolani School, Honolulu (25-2)

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 nationwide. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.