BENSALEM, Pa. – Let the season begin!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ basketball preseason rankings are back and the goal is to find the nation’s top schoolgirl teams and the months of November and December will factor in heavily. But it’s a long season stretching nearly six months.

When we return the week prior to Christmas, this will give the nation plenty of time to get started. Some states have been playing since the first week of November but it has not affected the Elite 25.

No. 1 New Hope Academy (Landover Hills, Md.) sits atop the Elite 25—a familiar spot for the Lady Tigers, who resume their supremacy after taking over the top spot to end the 2018-19 season.

New Hope has a loaded roster and play an enhanced schedule with the goal of landing one of the four coveted invitations to the GEICO High School National Tournament in New York. The Lady Tigers are the defending GEICO title holders.

Just in case, DMV stands for District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia or the Washington Metro area. It’s the most fertile strip for hoops on the East Coast  and has a vibe unto itself. Great ball is played there and the players are exploding. We’ve ranked four teams from the DMV to the Elite 25 and have a handful more for future consideration. Keep an eye on No. 25 Sidwell Friends–talent is young and off the hook.

So, that’s all for now.

Check back regularly at www.bluestarmedia.org for staff updates from showcase events and key games all season. We’ll  keep you abreast of anything breaking in the girls’ hoop world.

We hope to see you at a game soon. Best to your families; have a Happy Thanksgiving! – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Girls’ Basketball Preseason Rankings, November 15, 2019

Records and statistics from the 2018-19 season

1. New Hope Academy, Landover Hills, Md. (39-3)

Low-down: In three years, coach Sam Caldwell has built a powerhouse from nothing. Last year the Lady Tigers captured the GEICO High School National Tournament in New York and sent a message to the girls’ hoop universe that another program exists in the DMV and “we are the it team.” Well, that quite a statement but Caldwell has quite a team, starting with three seniors 5-8 guard Tara Cousins (Delaware signee), 6-2 center Deja Bristol (Virginia) and 6-2 forward Elze Motekaityte from Lithuania, who signed with VCU. The Lady Tigers prepped for the upcoming season in Eastern Europe earlier this month. Junior Jada Walker is an elite guard and the MVP at GEICO. Combo guard Delicia Pinnick, 6-0 wing Kennedy Davis, 6-2 center Flera Vinerte, 5-10 Tara Cousins, 6-3 junior Maria Gakdeng and 5-9 Lore Porter add depth. The Lady Tigers are scheduled to play at least Elite 25 teams, including the opener against No. 10 Mount Notre Dame (Cincinnati) on Nov. 23, and will participate in a loaded bracket the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix before Christmas. Caldwell’s ambitious scheduling only makes this team hungrier.

2. DeSoto, Texas (33-7)

Low-down: The Lady Eagles are one of the more talent-rich teams in the land. Since dropping the Class 6A final last March, nine players have received Division I offers. Guard Ash’a Thompson is off to Old Dominion and 6-4 sophomore combo forward Sa’Mayah Smith is the Texas’ top prospect from the Class of 2022. Her classmates Tionna Herron, Jiva Perry, Ayanna Thompson, Ja’Mia Harris, 6-4 Amina Muhammad and Michayla Gatewood join her with multiple offers. Junior wing Kendall Brown has offers from Big 12 and SEC schools. Coach Tonya Young’s team has what it takes to finish the task this season.

 3. Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa, Fla. (29-3)

Low-down: Last December, the Titans served notice to the nation when they upended nationally-ranked Miami Country Day. Well, the Titans proceeded to win the Class 8A state championship with a young nucleus of players. Coach Reggie Lawrence has it going again especially with precocious 6-3 sophomore Janiah Barker (12.2 ppg) around for the next three seasons. The rest of the starters are 6-0 junior Jayla Murray, 6-2 sophomore Amiya Evans, 5-9 junior K’Nisha Godfrey and 5-6 junior Jasmine Peaks with the latter trio forming a three-guard attack. Six-foot post Kristen Sylvester adds depth to the front court. We’ll find out more when the Titans play No. 1 New Hope Academy on Dec. 14 at She Got Game Invitational in Maryland in a must-see game; and then after Christmas at the prestigious Naples (Fla.) Holiday Shootout. The Titans are prime for a trip to the GEICO Nationals.

4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (33-1)

Low-down: Since taking over eight years ago, coach Alicia Komaki has won four state championship and the most recent was last year’s CIF Open Division championship. In order to add a fifth, the Trailblazers will ride the talents of  5-7 point guard Ashley Chevalier (Texas signee), 5-10 Alexis Mark (Boise State) and 5-8 point guard Vanessa DeJesus (Duke). Chevalier is a lefty lead guard who dictates the pace and can score in an array of ways. At 6-feet, Rosemary Odebunmi adds size to the post as does 6-3 junior Theresa Berry, who rebounds and can step out for the midrange jumper.  The schedule has regular season dates with Poly (Long Beach) and No. 20 Winward and the opening game is a matchup with No. 2 DeSoto at the Sandra Meadow Hoopfest in Texas. Prior to Christmas it’s the Nike TOC and after it’s a road trip north to the West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area.

5. Centennial, Las Vegas (31-2)

Low-down: The Lady Bulldogs won fifth straight Nevada Class 4A state championship(11^th overall), however lost in GEICO Nationals semifinals. Coach Karen Weitz may have graduated several Division I players but returns and reloads with 5-11 junior guard Taylor Bigby, who recently committed to Oregon. Bigby is an athletic guard and active scorer at three levels. She’s considered one of the top guards in the Class of 2021. At 5-9, Daejah Phillips is a dependable scorer and defender and an elite recruit. The same goes for Aishah Brown, a 5-11, an active forward who excels in transition and is an active rebounder and 5-10 Jade Thomas (UNLV). At 6-1, Aishah Brown (UC San Diego) crashes the boards and both Phillips and 5-8 guard Teionni McDaniel are off to Hawaii. The schedule features a trip to the Nike TOC before Christmas and two games in California against No. 12 Mater Dei and Windward on Jan. 3 and 4, respectively, at the Matt Denning Nike Hoops Classic.

6. Westlake, Atlanta (30-0)

Low-down: Quietly the Lions repeated as Georgia Class AAAAAAA state champions and with a bevy of players back another title run is in the works. At 6-5, Lydia Freeman (14.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.5 blocks) is one of the taller players in the South and huge roadblock in the paint. Five-eight junior Raven Johnson (17.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg) is a double-double waiting to happen. There’s another dependable scorer in 5-7 guard Carlyse Hooks (East Tennessee State), who averaged 11.2 points and 2.6 steals. Same goes for 5-7 junior Olympia Chaney (8.5 ppg), who along with Johnson are the top shooters from beyond the arc. The Lions are 60-2 over the last two seasons and are eyeing a return trip to the GEICO Nationals after missing out last April.

7. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (24-4)

Low-down: Angel Reese has been a mainstay for the Lady Panthers for three years. She’s helped SFA to three straight IAAM A Conference championships and two conference titles. Now the 6-3 wing turned down numerous Power 5 offers and signed with in-state power Maryland Terrapins. As a junior, she averaged 18.1 points, 20.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. She’s back by 5-8 junior Aniya Gourdine, 5-11 junior Anani Humphrey, 5-8 Khalia Turner and 5-9 sophomore Daimoni Dorsey. The schedule is rugged with stops at the DMV Super Games, She Got Game Classic (in Maryland), John Wall Christmas Invitational (after Christmas in North Carolina), Blue Star Invitational and two games at the Stand Against Violence Showcase in Pittsburgh.

8. Hamilton Heights Christian, Chattanooga, Tenn. (24-3)

Low-down: There’s one mantra annually for the Lady Hawks—reach the GEICO Nationals. Last year it didn’t happen as coach Keisha Hunt’s club was nudged out for the trip to New York. To make sure it doesn’t happen two years, the Lady Hawks are loaded and it starts in the middle with talented Brazilian Kamilla Cardoso. The 6-6 center is greatly improved is headed to Syracuse.  Ruth Balogun (Central Arkansas), a 5-10 guard, is also off to a Division school. At 6-2, Treasure Hunt is a four-year starter and likely McDonald’s All-American. She’s headed to Kentucky. Getting back to GEICO Nationals is imperative and another loaded schedule helps.

9. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (31-4)

Low-down: Last year the Mustangs made noise in December and actually ascended to No. 1 in the Elite 25 before settling down in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference schedule. McNamara is the favorite this season with several teams such as St. John’ College, Good Counsel and Paul VI chasing. Three inked national letters-of-intent last week—6-1 wing Madison Scott (with Mississippi); 5-11 Liatu King is a strong wing and headed to Pittsburgh and 5-7 guard Channa Hayes is an Albany commit. The roster has a good mix of experience and budding youth and schedule that will gauge the Mustangs’ level in a hurry.

10. Mount Notre Dame, Cincinnati (27-2)

Low-down: The Cougars are back with three starters and a carry 16-game win streak after winning the Ohio Division I state championship and seventh overall. Dr. Scott Rogers can rely on dependable ballhandler 5-5 point guard Makira Cook (Dayton signee) and 5-11 sophomore KK Bransford, one of the top players from the Class of 2022. Bransford is a mismatch for smaller guards and attacks the rim. Junior Laila Phelia, a 5-11 guard, is a 3-point shooter and thrives in the transition game and creates off the bounce. The opening weekend features two games in the Journey to Tourney and a date with No. 1 New Hope Academy. That’s quite a way to tip things off.

11. South Shore, Brooklyn, N.Y. (26-3)

Low-down: Once 5-9 Kateri Poole transferred in, it was a game changing moment for the PSAL Class AA champions. The Ohio State-bound point guard is a shoo-in for the McDonald’s All-American Game. Last year, she averaged 18.4 points and 5.9 rebounds and earned second team all-state at Monsignor Scanlan (Bronx). Danajiah Williams is a 5-11 wing who can stretch the defense and signed with hometown St. John’s. She’s joined on the perimeter by 5-10 wing Chloe Wilson (Fairleigh Dickinson). The Lady Vikings are heavily favorite to annex another city title but the main goal is getting past No. 15 Christ the King and Long Island Lutheran at the New York State Federation Class AA Tournament in March.

12. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (28-5)

Low-down: A year from now, Brooke Demetre will be the poster girl for the prototypical stretch-4. That’s a vogue position to play and the 6-3 Demetre happens to be the best in her class at it. The junior has already verballed to Stanford, showing she’s highly coveted recruit and an early favorite to earn McDonald’s All-American status. Demetre has talent surrounding her in 5-10 Camyrn Kiernan (Concordia signee), 5-8 junior Alyssa Frescas, 6-1 junior Meaali’I Amosa and 5-8 Anna Bradley. Additionally, there’s a cluster of 10 players from the Classes of 2022 and ’23 to keep the program fueled for the future. Last season, the Monarchs advanced to the CIF-Southern Region Open Division semifinals and this year will contend with high-rollers from the Elite 25 Sierra Canyon School and Windward. Coach Kevin Kiernan’s team will find out early their worth with tournament play at in-state Redondo Beach and Fullerton and the West Coast Jamboree, plus a trip to the Iolani Classic in Hawaii in mid-December.

13. Africentric Early College, Columbus, Ohio (28-0)

Low-down: There won’t be any let up for the Nubians, who completed the first undefeated season in program history, won a seventh state title and second straight Ohio Division III crown. Coach Will McKinney welcomes 5-8 guard Alexia Smith (Minnesota signee). The post is manned by 6-3 Sakima Walker (Rutgers) and at 5-9, Nyam Thornton is an elite guard, who is off to Texas Tech. An early test is No. 8 Hamilton Heights Christian on Dec. 7 for the Nubians, who enter the season having won 39 straight over two seasons.

14. Edison Public School Academy, Detroit (27-1)

Low-down: The Pride of the Motor City features a trio of Division I bound players that should keep the winning alive. The backcourt of 5-8 off-guard Shaulana Wagner is headed to Xavier and 5-3 point guard Daija Tyson to Bradley. Six-foot wing Gabby Elliott is a strong rebounder and headed to Clemson. At 5-7, junior Damiya Hagemann and 6-0 sophomore Ruby Whitehorn will have expanded roles. After winning the Michigan Division II title, the third consecutive title for the Pioneers, the fourth is within touching distance.

15. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (27-4)

Low-down: Some consider it as a transition year at the Queens, New York powerhouse, but coach Bob Mackey is always up for challenges. After winning a 16^th New York State Federation Class AA title (sixth under Mackey), the Royals will reload with three regulars and two exciting newcomers to the lineup. At 6-5, Natalija Marshall is an inside presence and rim protector and signed with Notre Dame while 6-4 Alayah Brown (knee injury) is back and cleared to play after sitting out the 2018-19 campaign. Senior Jaclyn DiBartolo is a 5-7 shooter and leader. The next promising CTK player is 6-1 sophomore Sanyah Glenn, a high major says the coach. There’s international intrigue with 5-9 junior combo Ainoyaoh Holzer, a member of the Swiss U18 National Team. The Brooklyn-Queens AA league fixtures will keep CTK busy and so will games with Riverdale Baptist School (Md.), St. John Vianney (N.J.) and Paul VI (Va.), plus a pre-Christmas excursion to the Cresmon Holiday Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

16. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Minn. (32-0)

Low-down: Finally, 5-11 super guard Paige Bueckers earned a state championship ring after annexing the Class 4A title and recording a perfect season. Bueckers (24.4 ppg, 5.5 apg) signed with Connecticut and for an encore she’d like to make it two straight 4A crowns. Since joining Hopkins as an eighth grader the team has a 149-8 record in four seasons. Bueckers (USA U19 National Team) enters her senior campaign with 2,218 career points and is 118 off the school career record. But one player isn’t a team and that’s why having 6-4 sophomore Maya Nnaji (7.2 rpg, 10.5 ppg), 5-7 Kayhla Adams (9.2 ppg), 5-10 sophomore Amaya Battle (8.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) and 5-11 freshman Taylor Woodson (7.8 ppg) in the fold is crucial. The Royals have scheduled wisely within state—Minnesota has tight travel restrictions—and have an early date with reigning 3A champion De La Salle (Minneapolis) and two with Lake Conference rival Wayzata (Plymouth) and another with Aquinas (La Crosse, Wis.), but the focus is March 11-14 for the state tournament.

17. Benet Academy, Lisle, Ill. (28-7)

Low-down: After a fourth place finish in Class 4A, the Redwings return a solid core of seven players led by 6-1 forward Brooke Schramek (Wisconsin recruit) and 5-11 guard Kendall Holmes (DePaul). Coach Joe Kilbride will pick from a strong senior class to fill out the lineup that includes 5-7 Ashley Berry, 5-9 junior Molly Sheehan, 6-1 Lindsey Rogers, 5-11 Lexi Moriarty and 6-0 junior Kendall Moriarty. The Redwings won’t back down from the competition with scheduled events at the Naperville Tipoff Tournament, Chicagoland Showcase Invitational, Montini Christmas Tournament and Derril Kipp Hoopfest.

18. Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa. (30-1)

Low-down: The Patriots come off a Pennsylvania Independent state championship and 12-0 mark to capture the Inter-Ac League title. The roster is packed with at least six or seven future Division I players from basketball-rich Philadelphia area. Three signed with East Coast schools, including 5-11 wing Elle Stauffer (Harvard), 5-8 guard Jaye Haynes (La Salle) and 5-6 point guard Maddie Vizza (Northeastern). At 6-2, Becca Boothe (6.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg) is an elite junior with volleyball hops. A marque regular season game sees the Patriots face No. 24 Neumann-Goretti on Jan. 26.

19. Amarillo, Texas (37-4)

Low-down: The two-time UIL Class 5A champions carried a 19-game win into the season. The core of the team will revolve around 5-11 forward Zayla Tinner, who was on the all-tournament last March and another returning starter 5-7 Ansleigh Westlake. The Sandies will play in several tournaments in November and December in preparation for district play and another run at the 5A title.

20. Windward School, Los Angeles (26-6)

Low-down: For the third straight year, the Wildcats won the CIF-Southern Section Open Division title. A four-peat will be tough with No. 3 Sierra Canyon School sitting atop the state rankings but with 6-1 McKayla Williams (Gonzaga) leading the way and six burgeoning freshmen and sophomores on the roster it should be a quick rebuild for coach Vanessa Nygaard. Williams averaged a double-double at 13 points and 10 rebounds. At 6-feet, Juju Watkins is a mature, versatile guard as a freshman. She’ll manufacture points off the bounce, by passing and from the perimeter. Two big tests are Rosary Academy on Dec. 12 and Sierra Canyon on Jan. 22.

21. Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton, N.J. (24-5)

Low-down: It’s a very competitive year for New Jersey and the Lady Mikes are the best in the preseason. Coach Bob Fusik’s team won were Non-Public B South and Mercer County champions but winning the state and the program’s first Tournament of Champions chip since 2011 is the goal. The Lady Mikes are stoked by 5-3 guard Maniya Custis (signed with Central Florida).; 6-3 forward Ciara Bailey (Towson) and 6-0 guard Giana Hernandez-Boulden (West Virginia). At 5-8, junior Jasmin Boyd is a glue player.

22. Northwestern, Kokomo, Ind. (27-3)

Low-down: The Tigers won the Class 3A state championship last year but now they are in Class 4A and Indiana’s top overall team. That’s OK when you feature future Big Ten players 6-1 forward Kendall Bostic (Michigan State signee) and 6-foot guard Madison Layden (Purdue). Bostic has a great work ethic and is physical in the blocks and thrives in up-tempo as does Layden, who scores in bunches and is a serious 3-point threat.

23. Ensworth School, Nashville, Tenn. (29-2)

Low-down: The Lady Tigers are back and better than ever with four starters on the floor. At 6-feet, versatile forward Dontavia Waggonner is headed to North Carolina State and one of the state’s top players. She’s joined by 5-9 junior Annabel Frist, 6-0 junior Kaiya Wynn, 6-0 sophomore post Kamil Collier and sophomore point guard Jayda Woods. The Tennessee Division II-AA title comes down to a battle with rival Brentwood Academy. Coach Mary Taylor Cowles’ program has won two of the last three state crowns and a fourth is looking good.

24. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (20-9)

Low-down: Coach Andrea Peterson’s club saw their run of Class AAA state championships halted at four last March. At 5-6, Diamond Johnson was Pennsylvania’s Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 25.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.0 steals a game and recently signed with Rutgers. The Saints are guard-oriented and quick with juniors 5-8 Jonelle Price, 5-5 Mackenzie Hayes, 5-4 Sierra Bermudez 6-2 Prunelle Mingo, 5-6 Christa Ricks and 5-9 Omoiye Jordan. The Saints won’t be ducking anyone with the nation’s most difficult schedule that includes No. 18 Germantown Academy, No. 11 South Shore (at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn) and No. 9 Bishop McNamara. That’s on top of a visit to the Boo Williams Holiday Tournament in Virginia after Christmas for three games and the Philadelphia Catholic League fixtures with rivals Archbishop Wood, Cardinal O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll.

25. Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. (23-6)

Low-down: The already crowded DMV, a hoop haven, has another team with big-time talent. It starts with 5-11 point guard Kiki Rice (19.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 6.6 apg) considered the top player at her position in the Class of 2022. She’s joined by 6-0 freshman Jadyn Donovan, who is the next ballyhooed recruit from the District. The Quakers will play a loaded schedule, including trips to New York and Philadelphia and games against some of the best teams the DMV.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (25-1)
2. St. Rose, Belmar, N.J. (28-2)
3. Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, Md. (32-7)
4. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (17-12)
5. Edison, Alexandria, Va. (27-2)

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

Midwest

1. Whitney Young, Chicago (25-6)
2. Iowa City, Iowa (19-3)
3. Crown Point, Ind. (28-1)
4. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (28-2)
5. Johnston, Iowa (22-3)

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

Southland

1. Ryle, Union, Ky. (33-5)
2. Northside, Fort Smith, Ark. (28-1)
3. Southeast Raleigh, Raleigh, N.C (25-6)
4. Summer Creek, Houston (33-7)
5. Lovejoy, Ga. (29-4)

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

Far West

1. Shadow Mountain, Phoenix (28-3)
2. Garfield, Seattle (23-4)
3. St. Mary’s, Stockton, Calif. (22-9)
4. Millennium, Goodyear, Ariz. (26-4)
5. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (24-4)

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 Senior Writer Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.