We recently released the preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings, highlighted by No. 1
Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.), which brings a 67-game win streak into the season. We've also spotlighted the game's best with the preseason MaxPreps All-America team.
Today, we expand our look at the nation's elite by identifying the best team from all 50 states.
From
Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched
coast-to-coast to find the best team from your state heading into the
2021-22 season.
Alabama
Hazel GreenCoach Tim Miller has led the Trojans to the state tournament each of the past eight seasons, winning five straight. Last year's MaxPreps National Coach of the Year is zeroing in on 700 wins and returns four starters from last year's unbeaten squad.
Leah Brooks, an Alabama commit, averaged 14.1 points and 8.6 rebounds last season and leads a stout junior class that also includes
Amiya Redus,
Sydney Steward and
Zyriah Price.
Alaska
Anchorage Christian (Anchorage)The Lions are led by Washington commit
Sayvia Sellers and dominated competition in the 49th state last season, going 24-3 and grabbing the 4A title. Also returning are
Morgan Maldonado and
Maliyah Alex.
Arizona
Valley Vista (Surprise)The Monsoon grabbed their third-straight 6A title and fifth in six years, downing Perry and Khamile Pierre in the finals. Valley Vista lost Jennah Isai to graduation, but three of the top six scorers —
Olivia Arvallo,
Hannah Young and
Jocelyn Chavez — return to a team that went 25-5 last season.
Arkansas
ConwayThe Wampus Cats return a core that finished ranked but fell in the Arkansas 6A quarterfinals. Stanford commit
Chloe Clardy draws comparisons to Christyn Williams of the Washington Mystics and averaged 24.5 points, seven rebounds and 3.4 steals last season.
Savannah Scott, headed to Auburn, is a 6-5 post presence who is great with her back to the basket or cleaning up off the glass. The aggressive non-conference schedule should prepare them for a state title run and redemption.
California
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)The Trailblazers have the No. 1-rated player in the Class of 2023 in USC commit
Juju Watkins. Head coach Alicia Komaki looks to bring her bunch back to the pinnacle with a second-straight CIF Open Division title. The Sierra Canyon coach is 5 for 5 in title games and the aggressive national schedule should serve the Trailblazers well in the postseason. The supporting cast includes
MacKenly Randolph,
Izela Arenas,
Christy Reynoso and
Crystal Wang.
Colorado
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)The Eagles fell to Grandview in last year's 6A finals and while the Wolves return sophomore sensation Sienna Betts, Valor offsets its graduation losses with Montana commit
Macey Huard, daughter of former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, and sophomore
Quinn VanSickle, who averaged 11.4 points while Huard was the second-leading scorer with 12.8 per night.
Connecticut
Holy Cross (Waterbury)The Crusaders have gone 64-3 over the past three seasons and grabbed the Division M title in 2021-22 behind Iona commit
Mya Zaccagnini, who scored 20 points including her 1,000th in the victory.
Delaware
Sanford (Hockessin)The Warriors return a trio with experience from last season's runner-up finish as
Azareya Kilgoe,
Dallas Pierce and
Jada Snow look to get back to the finals.
District of Columbia
Sidwell FriendsThe reigning MaxPreps National Champions lose Kiki Rice, the MaxPreps National Female Athlete of the Year, to graduation but plan to reload rather than rebuild. And with
Jadyn Donovan leading the charge that's a fair plan as she's the No. 3-ranked player in the Class of 2023. The coaching staff feels depth, size and balance will be strengths. Freshmen
Jayla Jackson and
Ava Yoon already have Division I offers and the 6-4
Zania Socka offers an imposing post presence.
Florida
Montverde Academy (Montverde)The Eagles lost their two top scorers from last season but have a host of talent waiting to step into those roles. Mississippi State commit
Mjracle Sheppard, Illinois commit
Cori Allen, South Carolina commit
Sahnya Jah and transfer and Kentucky commit
Jordy Griggs give Montverde the depth to tackle what coach Special Jennings says is one of the toughest schedules in the country.
Georgia
Lumpkin County (Dahlonega)Though an AAA school, the Indians are the reigning champions, have fared well in several preseason polls and return all the pieces from their title run. Starters
Lexi Pierce,
Ciera Brooks,
Averie Jones,
Mary Mullinax and
Kate Jackson all are back with four of the five grabbing all-state honors.
Hawaii
'Iolani (Honolulu)The Raiders lost first-team all-state players Jaety Mandaquit to a mainland transfer and Jovi Wahinekapu Lefotu to graduation, but the reigning state champions look to repeat with guards
Abby Tanaka,
Haylie-Anne Ohta and
Paige Oh and center
Mele Sake.
Idaho
Coeur d'AleneThe Vikings return nearly everyone from an 18-5 team last season.
Madison Symons, a 6-foot center, averaged 18.3 points last year while the 5A IEL MVP passed the 1,000 career-point mark as well She's joined by
Libby Awbery,
Kelsey Caroll, and
Teagan Colvin.
Illinois
Benet Academy (Lisle)The Redwings look to improve upon last season's 4A third-place and 30-5 finish. Indiana commit
Lenee Beaumont returns after the 6-1 guard averaged 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 assists to earn all-state honors. She's joined by sisters
Maggie Sularski and
Emilia Sularski along with
Samantha Trimberger.
Indiana
South Bend Washington (South Bend)The Panthers won last season's 3A title and have a lot of firepower returning from the 27-3 squad. Senior
Rashunda Jones returns after posting 11.6 points per night, while coach Steve Reynolds' two youngest daughters, sophomore
Kira Reynolds (10.6 points, 10.0 rebounds per game) and senior
Amiyah Reynolds (9.2 points per game), also are back. Amiyah is committed to Maryland.
Iowa
JohnstonThe Dragons won the 5A title and finished No. 16 in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Chad Jilek's bunch returns Iowa State commit
Aili Tanke, junior
Aaliyah Riley, senior captains
Molly Noelck and
Emma Hampton along with
Jayce Blanchard and
Isabella Balsley.
Kansas
DerbyThe Panthers enter the season with a ton of experience from last season's 6A runner-up finish, a youthful core and the quest to finish the job this season. Leading Derby's charge is senior
Addy Brown, who led the team with 14.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last season. Joining her are
Naomi White (10.8 points per game) and
Maryn Archer (10.0).
Kentucky
Sacred Heart (Louisville)ZaKiyah Johnson, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 boards for the two-time state champions. The No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2025 by ESPN HoopGurlz leads a nucleus of six contributors from last year, including junior
Reagan Bender (11.4 points per game),
Angelina Pelayo (9.5) and
Triniti Ralston (8.3).
Louisiana
Parkway (Bossier City)The Panthers are fueled by LSU commit and the No. 2-rated player in the senior class
Mikaylah Williams. She posted 22.8 points, 8.0 boards and 3.7 assists in a runner-up finish last season. She has help around her with
Makenna Miles,
Ty’lissa Henderson,
Chloe Larry and
Aniya Russell.
Maine
Cheverus (Portland)Junior guard
Maddie Fitzpatrick and junior post
Emma Lizotte return to help the Stags defend their title after going 17-2 to win the AA title.
Maryland
Bishop McNamara (Forestville)The Mustangs are led by UConn commit and Preseason MaxPreps All-American
Qadence Samuels. They went 20-5 last season, with all but one loss to teams in the MaxPreps Top 25. Joining Samuels are
Zhen Craft, top 10 2024 guard
Madisen McDaniel and
Maise Crowley.
Massachusetts
NorwoodThe Mustangs lost Villanova commit Meg Olbrys, but juniors
Tricia Wladkowski and
Alexa Coras each return for new coach Kristen McDonnell, who comes over from the boys team.
Michigan
West BloomfieldThe Lakers blitzed their way to the school's first Division I state title behind rising junior twins and Michigan State commits
Indya Davis and
Summer Davis, both top 60 recruits. Rising senior
Sydney Hendrix is committed to Florida A&M and the team returns five of the top seven players from a squad that is riding a 25-game win streak into the season.
Minnesota
Hopkins (Minnetonka)The Royals have lost two games in four seasons and return a big portion of the lineup that only dropped a game to last season's MaxPreps National Champion Sidwell Friends.
Alivia McGill is the No. 14 player in the Class of 2024 while Stanford commit
Nunu Agara is No. 37 in the 2023 class and Michigan commit
Taylor Woodson No. 59. The Royals should get depth from sophomores
London Harris,
Lauren Hillsheim and
Dilan Tubbs.
Mississippi
Germantown (Madison)Madison Booker is back and the state player of the year and Texas commit looks to get the Mavericks to a title after falling short last season. Booker, who won two golds with USA basketball, averaged 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds as Germantown went 24-7. Joining Booker are junior
Alana Rouser and
Julia Glasgow.
Missouri
Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)The Red Knights enter the season with a national-best 67-game win streak and a host of talent looking to extend it further. In addition to
Natalie Potts,
Brooke Coffey and
Kaylynn Janes, coach Dan Rolfes also has Division I transfer
Zoe Best and four freshmen who should see playing time.
Montana
Nebraska
Elkhorn North (Elkhorn)Britt Prince is back for the Wolves after a 26-1 season and Class B title. She will lead the charge for a three-peat for the school that opened in 2020. Along with Prince are 6-2 senior
Grace Heaney and 5-11
Hannah Nadgwick.
Nevada
Centennial (Las Vegas)While Karen Weitz, the winningest coach in state history, has taken on the Bulldogs' boys team as well, she remains committed to running toward an eighth straight title on the girls side. Losing Montaya Dew to early graduation hurts, but
Kaniya Boyd,
Danae Powell and
Charlece Ohiaeri all were key parts to last season's title.
New Hampshire
BedfordThe Bulldogs return
Emma Kasyjanski,
Lana McCarthy and
Kate Allard from a 15-4 team that lost in the Division 1 final.
New Jersey
St. John-Vianney (Holmdel)Zoe Brooks, regarded as a top 10 prospect in the Class of 2023, is a do-it-all player who looks to take over the lead role after Madison St. Rose's graduation. She averaged 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.7 assists as the Lancers only lost to Sidwell Friends.
Janie Bachmann, a Holy Cross commit, is a 6-foot swing who's comfortable on the perimeter or in the paint.
Breana Delaney,
Ashley Sofilkanich,
Mikaela M Hubbard,
Aleena Dinker and
Julia Karpell help the Lancers with an in-your-face press defense and an attack, up-tempo offense.
New Mexico
Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)The Hawks are looking for a 5A three-peat this season after going 29-0 for the title. They carry a 42 game win streak and bring back seven players from last season, including 6-1 junior
Taejhuan Hill (12 points per game) and
Storm Nguyen (3.8).
New York
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville)LuHi lost McDonald's All American Paris Clark but
Kate Koval,
Uta Nakamura and
Diora Ressaissi all return. Koval, a 6-5 post who dropped an 18.7-12.0 double-double last year, has seen her stock rise over the club season. She's physical on the block and can be a matchup nightmare.
North Carolina
Northern Guilford (Greensboro)The Nighthawks fell to eventual 4A champ Chambers and return all but one player from a 28-1 team. Leading the way for Kim Furlough's squad are
Christina DeLisa,
Laurel Zlotkowski and transfer
Skyler Fowler.
North Dakota
Century (Bismarck)It's hard to bet against a team with Nebraska commit and two-time state MaxPreps Player of the Year
Logan Nissley. She averaged 22.0 points and 9.9 rebounds a game for the 24-1 Patriots. She connected on 45 percent of her 3-pointers and 81 percent of her free throws.
Ohio
Purcell Marian (Cincinnati)The Cavaliers look to repeat as Division 3 champions after losing only one player to graduation while starting five freshmen in the title game. Sophomore
Dee Alexander was the D3 player of the year after averaging 24.5 points and 12.2 rebounds as her squad went 27-1 to capture their first title. She's joined by
Ky Miller and
Jayda Mosley.
Oklahoma
Classen SAS (Oklahoma City)The Comets finished No. 7 in the MaxPreps Top 25 and though they lose All-American Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, there's plenty coming back for James Perinovic's squad, including
Jaida O'Conner. She averaged 10 and six last season and signed with Louisiana-Monroe.
Oregon
BeavertonThe Beavers went 25-1 and took home the 6A title with a young team. Returning all-state selections include OregonLive's POY
Lainey Spear,
Zoe Borter and
Madison Naro.
Pennsylvania
Plymouth Whitemarsh (Plymouth Meeting)First team all-state choice
Abby Sharpe returns for the state champions, who also ended the season No. 23 in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Joining Sharpe is
Erin Daley (9.5 points per game) along with
Angelina Balcer and
Azzareya Crumpton.
Rhode Island
North KingstownAll-state first team selection
Jordan Moreau and
Jillian Rogers both return to lead the Skippers after winning the D1 title last season. Moreau nearly averaged a double-double while Rogers dropped 19.2 per night as the team went 23-2.
South Carolina
CamdenThe Bulldogs return four of their top five scorers from last year's 21-7 AAA runner-up, including
Joyce Edwards. She averaged 23.8 points and 12.3 rebounds and is joined by junior
Morgan Champion (12.5 points per game),
Deanna Jeffcoat (8.0) and
Zyasia Carter (7.4).
South Dakota
O'Gorman (Sioux Falls)The Knights return a ton of talent that went 21-3 and won the AA state title a year ago. All-state guard
Mahli Abdouch (13.1 points, 5.4 assists per game) leads the way for Kent Kolsrud's bunch.
Tennessee
The Webb School (Bell Buckle)The Feet won a second-straight Division II-A title last year and 6-6 traditional post
Aalyah Del Rosario has emerged as a force as part of the US U18 gold medal-winning team over the summer. The LSU commit averaged 7.3 points and a team-high 7.8 boards.
Bree Robinson was part of Team Canada at the U17 and
Angelica Velez also is headed to LSU with Del Roasrio.
Texas
DeSotoThe Eagles are coming off a year in which they won the Texas 6A title while only dropping two games, both to MaxPreps National Champion Sidwell Friends. In addition to Class of 2024 guards
Nisaa Muhammad and
Mylasia Smith, transfer
Vivian Franklin should lead a core that also includes four freshmen —
Amayah Garcia,
Rieyan DeSouze,
Amari Byles and
Kamora Pruitt — with multiple Power 5 offers. DeSoto hasn't lost to a Texas team on the court since 2020.
Utah
Lone Peak (Highland)BYU commit
Kailey Woolston was the state player of the year averaging nearly 20 points and six rebounds. She leads a squad that Nancy Warner says is relentless on both ends of the floor. The addition of Woolston's younger sister
Kennedy Woolston, an all-around player on offense, will make an immediate impact as the Knights will test themselves early in the season.
Vermont
Rice Memorial (South Burlington)State player of the year
Elyce MacDonough is back for a chance at a state title repeat. The Green Knights were also on the verge of a title in 2020 when COVID canceled the season.
Virginia
St. Paul VI (Chantilly)The Panthers went 22-8 last season and spent time in the MaxPreps Top 25. They grabbed a VISAA Division I title and return a stacked lineup that includes
Brooke Batchelor,
Anna Kunzwiler,
Louis Volker,
Laura Williams and 2025 6-1 wing
Riley Hamburger.
Washington
Garfield (Seattle)The Bulldogs were young when they ran the table last year en route to a 3A state title and No. 21 finish in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Katie Fiso shined with 22.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while
Malia Samuels committed to USC and
Imbie Jones is headed to Wisconsin.
West Virginia
HuntingtonThe Highlanders downed Morgantown in last year's 4A finals and take the nod here with
Amara Jackson (11.2 points per game),
Lacee Smith (9.3),
Jada Turner (8.7) and sophomore
Ella Giles (5.2) all returning.
Wisconsin
GermantownThe Warhawks went 23-6 last season before a quarterfinal upset in the Division 1 bracket. MaxPreps All-American and UConn commit
K.K. Arnold is back for her senior year after averaging 24.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 4.4 steals. The Warhawks also return three players who averaged more than 4.9 points, including
Rachel Murphy,
Danica Gosz and
Lucy Leininger.
Wyoming
East (Cheyenne)The Thunderbirds begin the season nine wins from breaking the state mark of 48 straight wins after going 28-0 last year en route to the 4A title. They return all-state players
Boden Liljedahl and
Bradie Schlabs.