PRESEASON: No. 1 Ontario Christian (CA) launches Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings with young, seminal talent highlighting loaded California field

BENSALEM, Pa. – The ball is tipped. Another high school girls’ basketball season is alive and bouncing on the hardwood near you.

We’ll keep it short with the Knights of Ontario (Calif.) Christian are No. 1 in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason girls’ basketball rankings.

Essentially, the Knights pick up where they left off last spring when touted one of the nation’s top lineups. This season they have the top players from the classes of 2026 and 2027. They will play a high-powered schedule as the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section is busting at the gills with four teams in the Elite 25 preseason rankings to go with one from NorCal.

California featured an active transfer portal in the offseason as Elite 25 teams reshaped their squads. Expect that activity to give opportunities to several teams as the season unfolds.

 A check of the Elite 25 preseason rankings has seven teams from East and Southland Regions, respectively. The Midlands have six and five are from the Far West—all from the Golden State.

The games have already started in states such as Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana and Alabama.

So, it’s a good time to check out a game in your area.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 girls’ rankings will return in mid-December with an update as the holiday tournament season gets underway. We will include and recap all the major events, including She Got Game, Art Turner Classic, Nike Tournament of Champions and Iolani Classic, plus any key one-off games.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God’s Blessings to you and your family and friends.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Preseason Girls’ Basketball Rankings, Nov. 17, 2025

Statistics and records are from the 2024-25 season and players are seniors unless denoted.

1. Ontario (Calif.) Christian Etiwanda, Calif. (30-2)

Low-down: When the Knights advanced to the CIF SoCal Region Open Division final, it was accomplished with sophomores and freshmen. Five-star Kaleena Smith, a 5-6 junior, put up solid numbers in 23.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game. Six-foot sophomore Tati Griffin (17.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg) is another impactful player in her class and the nation. At 5-10, junior Dani Robinson is another major talent. One of the biggest losses was 6-7 sophomore starter Sydney Douglas transferring to Corona (Calif.) Centennial but that’s offset by incoming transfers Layia King and Skylar Archer. Chloe Jenkins is a prized freshman talent. The Knights will have their hands full with the St. Joseph Tournament and Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Texas in November. There are two more tournaments in December, including one in the Bahamas. Three more events in January highlighted by an appearance at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.

2. Archbishop Mitty, San Jose, Calif. (27-4)

Low-down: The Monarchs start the season atop the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. Last season was a crazy one for the Monarchs, who advanced to CIF Open Division state championship game after winning the NorCal title but lost to Etiwanda. The biggest question was if McKenna Woliczko had not suffered a season-ending knee injury, would the state hardware rest in San Jose? That’s debatable but it appears Woliczko is back and signed with Iowa. Her junior season after only 10 games but was averaging 22.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while making 59% from the floor. The Monarchs also return 5-8 Emma Cook (UC San Diego), 5-10 W Devin Cosgriff (Michigan), 5-7 junior Tiera McCarthy (P4 offers), 6-2 sophomore F Maliya Hunter (WCAL Player of the Year as a freshman), 5-8 junior G/W Ze’Ni Patterson and 5-9 SF Abi James. The Monarchs have a busy month of December opening the season with four games in the La Jolla Country Day Sweet 16 Tournament in San Diego and then the annual trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions for four more high-end games near Phoenix. If Woliczko is healthy, the Monarchs are primed to win it all in their sixth straight Open Division state final.

3. Long Island Lutheran, Brookville, N.Y. (18-5)

Low-down: As seasons go at LuHi, it was a tad disappointing. Once the February stretch games kicked in, the Lady Crusaders absorbed losses and eventually turned down the invite to CHIPOTLE Nationals. That will change this season with a slew of talent, starting with 6-3 Savannah “Savvy” Swords (Kentucky recruit, 11.4 ppg), 6-0 CG Emily McDonald (Kentucky) and 5-10 G Olivia Jones (Vanderbilt, 19.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) who are headed to SEC schools. Add 5-7 junior G Taylor Brown, 6-0 Sanai Green (Duke) and 6-0 junior CG Cece Arico. At 6-5, freshman C Bridgett O’Hara is fielding several college offers. The remainder of the roster features height in 5-11 Rhylin Fehrenbach (unsigned), 6-3 Emily Forrester and Coco Lohmiller (both juniors), 6-3 sophomore Alice Beckett and 6-3 Leah Dukes (eighth grader). The national schedule will get the Lady Crusaders ready for CHIPOTLE in April.

4. Westtown School, West Chester, Pa. (27-4)

Low-down: It was a bummer of an ending to the 2024-25 season for the Moose, who lost in the CHIPOTLE Nationals semifinals to eventual champions IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 64-61, in a 3-pointer at the buzzer. However, coach Fran Burbidge’s team did bag a fourth straight Pennsylvania Independent School Athletic Association AA state and fifth straight Friends Schools League championships. The roster is reconfigured but 6-1 junior All-American Jordyn Palmer (USA U17 gold medalist in 2024) returns and so does Ohio State-bound 5-11 CG Atlee Vanesko. Six-foot Jada Lynch is a key transfer from New Jersey. There are only three seniors and international players from China, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary. Burbidge is a sage coach and has scheduled with a steady hand. In December, the Moose play two national teams at the Art Turner Memorial in Chantilly, Va., followed by a date with Catholic League champions Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) and then four games at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona. In January, it’s two national opponents at the Hoophall Classic over the MLK Weekend in Springfield, Mass., and finally two more at the Showboat Showcase near Atlantic City.

5. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (28-3)

Low-down: Coming off a season in which the Trailblazers won the Mission League title and advanced to the CIF-SoCal Open Division semifinals, much of the same, if not more, is expected. Coach Alicia Komaki will lean on 6-1 SG Jerzy Robinson, one of the top players in the Class of 2026 and a slam dunk for the McDonalds All American Game in March. Robinson is undecided on college and was the USA U16 Most Valuable Player and won gold medal with Americans at the FIBA U19 World Cup last summer. She’s s double-double machine averaging 26.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a junior but is currently injured and awaiting medical clearance. Oregon-bound Emilia Krstevski is a 6-4 post who played for the Canadian U17 National Team. At 6-5, Roseline Oladkun is one of top post players from the Class of 2028. Payton Montgomery also returns and PG Delaney White is a needed transfer. The Blazers will play two games at an event the Bahamas before Christmas and then head to the Desert Holiday Classic in nearby Palm Springs (Dec. 26-20).

6. Montverde (Fla.) Academy (26-2)

Low-down: The Eagles advanced to the CHIPOTLE Nationals but fell to in-state rivals IMG Academy (Bradenton) in the championship game. Coincidentally, MVA hired coach Anthony Jones from nearby Dr. Phillips (Orlando), who won the event in 2011 and 2013. Last season, Jones, a five-time Florida coach of the year, guided Phillips to a second-place finish in Class 7A and won six Florida state titles. Jones has three talented seniors in 6-3 F Missy Odom (Florida State), 5-11 F Jamila Ray (Western Kentucky) and 5-7 G Zaniyah Williams (Auburn). At 5-6, junior PG Jordan Speller is one of top players in her class. The Eagles have events in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and Hawaii to open the season. On Feb. 5, 2026, the Eagles host IMG and travel to No. 18 DME Academy (Daytona Beach) on Feb. 19.

7. Legion Prep Academy, Dallas (19-10)

Low-down: The Bulldogs are another team making their initial appearance in the Elite 25. Despite missing last season with an ACL injury, a 6-2 F Jacy Abii is one of the nation’s top players and signed with Notre Dame. She’ll line with 6-2 CG Kamora Truitt (North Carolina State recruit) and 5-7 G Rieyan DeSouze (Texas A&M)—both who helped DeSoto to a runner-up finish in Texas Class 6A in 2023. Jemini Mitchell, a 6-1 junior, is one of the top players in her class and plays multiple frontcourt positions. With talent comes national games on the Grind Session and a trip to the Nike Tournament of Championship before Christmas in Arizona.

8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (19-4)

Low-down: Funny thing happened last April in Indiana as the Ascenders won CHIPOTLE High School Nationals championship. And coach Frank Oliver will get another crack at it and a brutal national schedule with trips to New York, Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts and the Bahamas will prep his team. The senior signees are 6-2 Joyce “Isi” Etute (from Luxembourg), 6-4 All-American Kelsi Andrews (should be cleared in January after an injury)with South Carolina, 5-4 Asia Keels with Norfolk State and 5-10 Cai Roberson with UMBC. Top juniors are 5-10 Jessie Moses, 6-3 Mya Clark, 6-2 Nevaeh Roberson and 6-1 Maddie Mignery.

9. St. James Performance Academy, Springfield, Va. (NR)

Low-down: The Northern Virginia program with a multipurpose athletics complex is a newbie on the national scene. The biggest coup was luring coach Tamika Dudley from national powerhouse Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) last March. Dudley won championships at Sidwell and Woodbridge (Va.) with great players. Dudley has attracted Maryland-bound G Jordyn Jackson (19.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg) from Sidwell her previous address. There’s 5-8 junior G Jezelle Banks (21.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.1 rpg and 3.1 spg) from Ursuline Academy in Wilmington, Del. CG Denver Carlton is headed to Fordham and 6-2 Lyla Coogan to Richmond. A national schedule will only help build the program’s profile with high-end talent and perhaps an invite to CHIPOTLE Nationals.

10. Bishop McNamara, Forestville, Md. (29-1)

Low-down: The Lady Mustangs took the Maryland Private Schools Tournament and Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships and will be in line to repeat that double chip. However, the competition is amped up in the WCAC with at least five teams in contention. Coach Ron James has three building blocks in 5-9 sophomore CG Jayla King, 6-1 junior Qandace Samuels and 5-3 junior PG Nyair Coy. At 6-1, freshman PF Carsyn Lassiter is emerging as the next powerful post in the DMV.

11. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (26-6)

Low-down: The WCAC is one of the nation’s top conferences and along with No. 10 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.), St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) and Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.) and the Cadets are back in the Elite 25 after a long absence. One of the nation’s top guards is 5-11 Morgan Stewart (19.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), who chose Florida State over Maryland, West Virgina and Vanderbilt among others. Morgan is surrounded by 6-4 SMU-bound Camille Nesmith (12.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg),  5-9 Sam Eller (New Hampshire recruit), 6-0 sophomore McKenzie Small, PG Zoe Conner and 5-9 junior Logan Miller. The Cadets play an expectational slate with a trip to the Junior Orange Bowl Class in Miami.

12. Etiwanda, Calif. (28-5)

Low-down: The Eagles are the two-time Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions fueled by capturing the CIF Open Division state championship for a third straight year. Don’t count out a fourth but California is extremely loaded and the Open Division is the prized chip. Despite losing three key players, including Grace Knox and Aliyahna Morris, all is not lost. The triumvirate of 5-10 G Arynn Finley (Florida), 5-7 junior G Chasity Rice and 6-2 junior SF Aliyah Phillips will form a strong nucleus with several younger players earning expanded roles. There’s height in the transfer portal with 6-1 Jaylee Moore and 6-3 Tess Oldenburg joining the roster. The Eagles will play in several events and tournaments to keep them relevant in the Elite 25 rankings.

13. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (29-4)

Low-down: The Trinity League champions fell in the CIF-SoCal Open Division semifinals but have talent aplenty returning. It starts with 6-2 Kaeli Wynn (17.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg) who signed with South Carolina. Wynn will stretch the floor from 3-point range. Junior G Harmony Golightly and 6-2 Stella Hoss also will be regulars. Six-foot Noelle Mulvanny is a wing and is headed to UC San Diego. A strong freshman class will add depth. The early portion of the schedule is stuffed with tournament play, including Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona and Pacific Office Automation Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore. There’s also a cross-country trip to the Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass. for a date with Elite 25 power Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.).

14. Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, Ky. (35-5)

Low-down: The Valkyries captured a state-record fifth straight KHSAA State Championship (nine overall) under coach Donna Moir and the program won’t miss a beat with the next talented crop. Marshall-bound 5-10 F/G Brianna Wilkins has more than 2,000 points and 500 rebounds entering her senior season. Sophomores 5-8 Riley Gilvin and 5-4 Tahri Ralston are two of the best in the Bluegrass State in their class. A 14^th appearance at the Final Four will materialize as the team chemistry develops. The holiday season (Dec. 18-22) is highlighted by a trip to Coral Springs, Fla. for The Kreul, a showcase event with several national teams.

15. River Ridge, Woodstock, Ga. (31-1)

Low-down: Jason Taylor has coached Lady Knights the GHSA state titles (Class 5A and 6A) over the past two seasons and now goes for the treble with blue-chip roster. He opened the season with his 300^th win. Finley Parker, a 6-3 W/F, already has SEC offers and the height.  At 5-5, sophomore G Reagan Mulligan is one of the top 3-point specialists in her class. and5-9 PG Makayla Robinson (Samford) has emerged as an under-the-radar senior. G Kyla Cantey and 5-10 Whitley Coleman are reliable starters.

16. Homestead, Fort Wayne, Ind. (24-3)

Low-down: The Spartans are always in the mix and will be the favorites to win the program’s first Class 4A state championship since the 2016-17 campaign. The senior class is loaded with Louisville-bound G Myah Epps (15.0 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.0 spg) and Gabby Helsom (18.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg), a Toledo signee, form a top-notch backcourt. Kendall McLaughlin (3.1 ppg), sophomores Delaney Noll (6.2 ppg) and Suzy Perego and junior Eva Scarbeary round the rotation for Indiana’s No. 1 team. The Spartans are currently 3-0.

17. Incarnate Word Academy, Bel Nor, Mo. (29-2)*

Previous: 14.

The Lowdown: Won the Missouri state championship for an eighth consecutive time after securing Class 6 title but that’s the annual goal for Dan Rolfes’ squad. Two seniors, 6-3 Nevaeh Lucious (Missouri State) and Peyton Olufson (Sant Louis, are the leaders. At 6-2, sophomore F Bridget Fitzgerald has the P4 schools on her radar. Ava Albanese (UC Santa Barbara), Addi Owen (Southeast Missouri State) and Savannah Stricker (Lindenwood) add more experience.

18. DME Academy, Daytona Beach, Fla. (27-9)

Low-down: One of the nation’s top independent programs is back with a bevy of talent. The main star is 6-3 Spanish post Sara Okeke, who performed admirably last summer the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, playing aggressively and actively. UConn, Tennessee, South Carolina and LSU are recruiting her heavily. Six-foot WF sharpshooter GiGi Battle is an Indiana recruit, 5-10 CG Chikae Desdunes signed with Penn State, 5-10 Tessa Gladieux with Massachusetts and junior G Timani Harris is an up-and-coming talent. DME’s national schedule is fueled by the Grind Session dates.

19. Spire Academy Geneva, Ohio (7-13)

Low-down: New to the national scene, Spire is hoping to lay the foundation with super seniors in transfers 6-0 Saniyah Hall (USC) and 5-9 PG Ariyana Cradle (Louisville). Hall is the nation’s top-rated senior recruit and transferred back home (she’s from nearby Lorian, Ohio) from national power Montverde (Fla.) Academy. Last summer, she tore it up with the gold-medal winning FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 19.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.9 spg. She also bagged a gold FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup. Six-foot- G Frankie McLain signed with Albany and 6-2 Gianel Quist with VCU. Coach Mike Dooley is considered one of the nation’s top skill development mentors.

20. Christ the King, Middle Village, N.Y. (25-6)

Low-down: Coach Bob Mackey’s squad is blessed with four Division I players that helped the Royals win the New York Catholic High School Athletic Association AA crown and City championship. The center of attention is 6-4 Olivia Vukosa (Connecticut signee), a gifted post with passing and perimeter skills, but mostly international experience with Croatia in FIBA events. Last summer, Vukosa competed at the U20 EuroBasket B Division. Additionally, there’s 5-8 junior Josephine Pinnock and sophomore guards Arielle Lopez and Alyssa Hidalgo. Another strong regional schedule and a trip to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona before Christmas will prep the Royals for March.

21. Monsignor Scanlan, Bronx, N.Y. (16-8)

Low-down: The New York Catholic High School Athletic Association AA title is a two-team race with the Crusaders rolling out seven Division I players in Syracuse-bound 5-7 Madison Howard, 6-4 Emely Del Rosario; 5-9 Joei Toledo and 5-10 Journey Atkins are juniors; and 6-3 Mikayla Beasley (dad played in the NBA) is a superb sophomore. At 5-5, Crystal Thomas is a promising freshman.

22. Lawrence Central, Indianapolis (22-2)

Low-down: Indian’s second-ranked Class 4A team lost in the sectionals last year as reigning 4A state champions. This year, the Bears feature 6-2 Lola Lampley (LSU) and Aniyah McKenzie (UIC) but transfers Keke Butler (Boston College), Riley Schellhammer and Aubri Ingram could make the difference. Coach Jannon Lampley’s team will be tested with a challenging schedule.

23. Lancaster, Texas (27-6)

Low-down: The Tigers opened the season at 7-1 and are among the top teams to beat for the UIL Class 6A, Division II title after dropping out in the state semifinals last season. Junior G Ava Womack (22.0, 7.0 rpg, 5.0 apg) transferred in from nearby DeSoto and will strengthen the squad. Five-seven CG MaKenzie White (13.5 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 spg) and PG Monique Phoenix (11.8 ppg, 70 made 3-pointers) are quality double-digit scorers who can dial in from long range. W Arianna Davis is headed to UNLV. The Tigers have early season test with No. 1 Ontario (Calif.) Christian on Nov. 28.

24. Providence Academy, Plymouth, Minn. (32-0)

The Lowdown: After annexing a record-setting fourth consecutive Minnesota Class 2A state championship, the Lions are primed for a fifth. At 5-9, Maddyn Greenway has signed with Kentucky and won a gold medal with the USA U19 World Cup last summer in Czechia and a McDonald’s All American Game shoo-in. Junior Emma Millerbernd and freshman Beckett Greenway also return to a strong roster.

25. Belleville, Mich. (28-1)

The Low-down: Three starters return from a team that won Michigan’s Division 1 state championship. In his fifth season, coach Jason Wilkins brought the first-ever title to the school. The Tigers graduated only two senior starters but have three big-time players that will make up for the loss. Marquette-bound 5-8 G Se’Crette Carter is a sniper from the perimeter and will stretch the opponent’s defense. Six-foot junior Sydney Savoury (27.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) is the reigning Michigan Gatorade player of the year and is hearing from programs such as Notre Dame, Oregon, LSU, Kentucky and Florida. Finally, 6-0 sophomore Paisley Stephens is fielding P4 offers. Circle the date Dec. 23 when the Tigers visit No. 23 Lawrence Central in Indianapolis.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Va. (28-0)
2. Neumann-Goretti, Philadelphia (26-4)
3. Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic (27-5)
4. St. John Vianney, Holmdel, N.J. (22-7)
5. Bullis School, Potomac, Md. (25-8)

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

Midwest

1. Minnetonka, Minn. (16-12)
2. Staley, Kansas City, Mo. (30-2)
3. Northwest Waukee, Iowa (19-5)
4. Johnston, Iowa (26-0)
5. Arrowhead, Hartland, Wis. (25-4)

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

Southland

1. Winter Haven, Fla. (27-2)
2. Dawson, Pearland, Texas (34-5)
3. Putnam City North, Oklahoma City, Okla. (29-1)
4. St. Francis, Alpharetta, Ga. (28-3)
5. Westlake, Auston, Texas (27-8)

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

Far West

1. Centennial, Las Vegas (23-2)
2. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (16-10)
3. Tualatin, Ore. (26-2)
4. Oak Park, Calif. (21-4)
5. Carondelet, Concord, Calif. (30-6)

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 mid-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, social mediums and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released in April of the 2025-26 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.