MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason National Girls Basketball Rankings

The arrow in the middle of the wheel spins every year, flicked by the whims of DNA and the luck of the coaching draw.

One year, the arrow might point to the San Francisco Bay Area; the next, to New York City. Back in the ‘90s, there was a year in which the state of Minnesota produced 22 Division I female basketball players, a class topped by the Miller twins, who both still play in the WNBA.

In 2011-12, there are likely areas the metaphorical arrow might point to as the best in the nation: Atlanta is flat loaded, and Tennessee also has an outstanding crop of top players. But the prize this season goes to what's known as the DMV. That, to the uninitiated, is Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia, and when it comes to the best high school teams in the country, you can barely get out of the Beltway traffic without bumping into one.

At the top of the list is our national No. 1, Riverdale Baptist, but a case could be made that St. John's out of D.C. belongs at the head of the table. And then there's Our Lady of Good Counsel, which lost five games last year – four to St. John's. But don't sleep on the Academy of the Holy Cross either, since the Tartans gave St. John's one of its two losses. The other Cadet loss? Riverdale Baptist.



"In our league, we've got three national-level teams," says Tom Splaine of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

It's not like this is the first time the DMV has had some punching power. Ten years ago, the DMV could boast about Marissa Coleman (St. John's, Maryland) and Monique Currie (Bullis School, Duke), who both play for the Washington Mystics, and Kaili McClaren (Good Counsel, UConn) now playing overseas. In addition, Nikki Teasley (St. John's. North Carolina) was the starting point guard when the Los Angeles Sparks won the WNBA title, and Kara Lawson (West Springfield, Tennessee) has a WNBA ring from Sacramento and an Olympic gold medal.

But Splaine feels the DMV might be even stronger this season.

"The coaching in the last 10 years in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference has been very good," he says, but obviously coaching can only go so far. It takes talent to win at the highest level and Riverdale Baptist alone has Jonquel Jones (Clemson), 6-foot wing Jennie Simms (West Virginia) and 5-11 shooting guard Kelila Atkinson (Wake Forest).

The other three have similar star-studded rosters, and as they play in the same league (along with teams such as Archbishop Spalding, which would be a regional power in most other areas of the country), they'll go head-to-head often. Riverdale Baptist is, obviously, not a Catholic school, and thus won't meet any of the other three – unless it's at the Nike TOC in Phoenix before Christmas. The Crusaders will be at that powerhouse tournament, as will St. John's and Good Counsel, and will get a chance to prove themselves on a national stage.

And though Riverdale Baptist will have the most prominent target on its back there, and in every other game, all the schools from the DMV will carry a little of the same burden. That comes with the territory of the arrow aimed at the best in girls basketball in the country.

At least for this year.

MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 PRESEASON NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS PRESENTED BY THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

1. Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) (30-4 last season)
If you like size, you'll love the Crusaders. Start with 6-3 forward Jonquel Jones, an underrated high school All-American, if there is such a thing, add 6-0 wing Jennie Simms (West Virginia), 5-11 shooting guard Kelila Atkinson (Wake Forest) and 6-2 post Brittany Jenkins-Murray, and there's size everywhere. Point guard Auteoanna Jones is "only" 5-7, but since she's just a sophomore, maybe she'll grow some. Oh, and Riverdale Baptist has a tremendous schedule, so if the Crusaders can run the table, they are a no-doubt No. 1.

2. St. Mary's (Phoenix) (28-2)
The Knights finally have some seniors, which is pretty scary since last year, without any, their average margin of victory in the Arizona 5A playoffs was 25.7 points. And even though seniors Shilpa Tummala and Cortnee Walton are NCAA Division I players, it's generally conceded that the junior class is stronger, and that's scarier still. On top of that, they're at home for the Nike TOC. If the Knights win in Phoenix, they should roll through Arizona.

3. Memphis Central (Tenn.) (29-9)
Nine losses is a lot of losses for a Top 5 team, but the Warriors battled through tragedy (the deaths of two teens close to the team) and a brutal travel schedule. With everyone back, including seniors Danielle Ballard and Aaliyah Whiteside, Memphis Central has the talent and the schedule to make a run at No. 1. And just winning in Tennessee won't be easy, as Riverdale (No. 11 below), Clarksville and Mt. Juliet are all very strong as well.

4. St. John's (Washington, D.C.) (33-2)
Four starters return for the Cadets, who lost only to Riverdale Baptist and league rival Holy Cross, a team they beat twice. In addition, St. John's brings in 6-1 freshman Dejanae Boykins and gets Jade Clark back from an ACL tear. In short, the Cadets should be better, and they'll get to show just how much so at the Nike TOC.

5. Norcross (Ga.) (29-3)
Any roster that includes 6-1 senior Diamond Deshields (daughter of former MLB infielder Delino DeShields) is going to be pretty formidable, but coach Angie Hembree also has senior Tori Carter, junior Shayla Cooper and sophomore Bri Williams back from the 29-3 Georgia 5A champions. There are also a couple of D-1 senior posts to anchor the inside game, and a solid schedule - all of which adds up to a Top 10 preseason ranking.
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6. Bolingbrook (Ill.) (29-2)
The Raiders lost their point guard to Tennessee and a post to Illinois, but they're still Top 10 material thanks to the presence of 6-2 UConn-commit Morgan Tuck and 6-3 Illinois-commit Nia Moore. Cabriana Capers, a mere 6-1, will go to Auburn, and junior guard Kennedy Cattenhead is also a Division I-level player. In short, don't expect much of a dropoff from the Illinois champs.

7. MacArthur (Irving, Texas) (37-2)
The Cardinals have to stand for pretty much all of Texas because they're one of the very few teams that get out of state. Their trip this year is to the Nike TOC in Phoenix, where they'll measure themselves against the nation's best. Then they'll go back to Texas, and face some very tough opposition there, but with elite guard Alexis Jones and a solid supporting cast, they should be able to handle pretty much anyone.

8. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis) (27-4)
The two-time defending Missouri Class 5 champions have three starters back, including 6-3 post Taylor Manuel, and two sterling sophomores in 6-2 McKenna Treece and 5-6 Nikiah Bell. The Knights will play in the Nike TOC as well as against Whitney Young of Chicago, but the really big games for Incarnate Word are against intracity rival St. Joseph's Academy.



9. Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) (29-0)
The Vikings bring back a pair of elite players in South Carolina commits Xylina McDaniel and Asia Dozier - and yes, McDaniel is the daughter of former NBA All-Star Xavier McDaniel. Spring Valley did lose two D-1 starters, including the point guard, and doesn't play a great schedule, so winning the Crescent Bank Holiday Invitational is pretty much a must to retain this ranking.

10. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) (34-2)
Riverdale is behind Memphis Central only because the Warriors lost to Memphis Central in the state finals last spring. But with four starters back, led by Georgia-bound Shacobia Barbee, no one would be surprised if Riverdale avenged that loss when the teams meet in preseason. And no one would be surprised if they play for the Tennessee title again in March.
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11. Twinsburg (Ohio) (27-0)
With 6-4 post Malina Howard and high-scoring Ashley Morrissette on the wing, the Tigers are the preseason favorite in Ohio - but it's far from a done deal. Games against Bolingbrook, Shabazz and Detroit Country Day give Twinsburg a chance to prove itself nationally, but in-state rivals Princeton and Canton McKinley might be just as tough.

12. Hoover (Ala.) (33-4)
This is the year for the Buccaneers: They have four returning senior starters, and another Division I senior who came off the bench, so Hoover fans would have high expectations even if 6-1 junior post Marques Webb hadn't transferred in. The Buccaneers only have a few key intersectional games, though, and they need to win them to stay in the Top 15.

13. Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) (34-2)
Yes, Taryn Griffey is the daughter of Ken Griffey, Jr. — or, for old school fans, the granddaughter of Ken Griffey — and she's got all the talent her genes would suggest. The sophomore guard has plenty of help (junior guard Sydnei McCaskill and sisters Ciara and Arianna Cumbie on a roster that returns essentially intact), so look for the Panthers to run the show in Florida.

14. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (34-1)
The defending national champions will be hard-pressed to repeat, given the graduation of national Player of the Year Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (now at UConn) and two USC recruits (Kiki Alofaituli and Alexyz Vaioletama). Still Jordan Adams (also USC-bound) and Alexas Williamson return, plus Canadian transfer Nirra Fields (UCLA), who tore it up this summer. The Monarchs might not win 34 games, but they're definitely a team no one wants to play.

15. Whitney Young (Chicago) (25-4)
Janee Thompson and Alexis Lloyd supply veteran leadership — and lots of talent -— for a roster that, as always, is lacking in experienced post play. But this year there's hope that some youngsters will give the Dolphins enough presence in the paint to knock off Bolingbrook.
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16. Windward (Los Angeles) (29-4)
It's pretty simple: If 6-7 junior Imani Stafford, daughter of former USC and WNBA star Pam McGee, is healthy and focused, the Wildcats are one of the best teams in the country. But Stafford may not be back until late December due to an injury, so like Buford, Windward must drop back. With sophomore point guard Jordin Canada running the show and plenty of talent on the wings, if the athletic Stafford is on the court, Windward can play with anyone.



17. Nazareth (Brooklyn, N.Y.) (27-3)
Apache Paschall has been battling health problems for a year, but his powerhouse team shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the Kingsmen might be better this year if their elite transfers are eligible. At this writing, they're not, so Nazareth slides to 20. But if all the players at the school get on the court (appeals are pending), the Kingsmen are Top 5 material.

18. Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) (38-1)
Due to an ongoing bureaucratic battle with the Florida High School Athletic Association, Potter's House can't play other teams in Florida and more than a few out-of-state opponents. Even so, the Lions' talent is undeniable, despite the loss of three D-1 players. Antoinette Bannister and Hillary Fuller will keep the Potter's House train rolling along.

19. Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) (33-1)
The Bulldogs lost just once last year, but it was in the last game of the season — and two valuable seniors moved on. Still, coach Vanessa Watson has plenty of talent left, including Aliyyah Hanford and Zaire O'Neil, and Shabazz looks to be the best of New Jersey.

20. Buford (Ga.) (30-3)
If Andrea Carter were healthy, this ranking would be higher, but even though she may come back this season, the loss of the dynamic point guard is a major blow. Kaela Davis is the real deal, and even though the Atlanta area is loaded this year, the Wolves should still stay in the Top 15 if they can survive the TOC without Carter.
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21. Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.) (24-1)
Michigan schools don't travel much, but the Yellowjackets will play No. 12 Twinsburg, which will be a good out-of-state test for a senior-heavy roster. There's talent as well as experience, with 5-11 wing Aerial Powers leading the way.

22. Marion County (Lebanon, Ky.) (27-7)
The talent says Top 15, but the seven losses last year, most to in-state rivals rather than national powers, advise caution. Juniors Makayla Epps and Kyvin Goodin-Rogers are difficult matchups, but the Knights need to show well at the Nike TOC to retain this ranking.

23. Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) (14-11)
Eleven losses? For a nationally ranked team? First, the Rams played a brutal schedule last year, and paid the price in the won-loss record. Second, even though they had 6-3 junior Kailee Johnson, they didn't have much else. This year, they've added elite guard Jordan Reynolds to the mix, and that combo will be very tough for anyone in Oregon to keep up with.



24. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) (27-5)
The Gaels return four starters from a very good team, but coach Sheryl Krmpotich also has three rotation players and a good freshman to call on, so expect Bishop Gorman to be the best in Nevada this year. The key, though, will be a strong season from junior wing Diamond Major, a slasher who specializes in defense.

25. Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.) (28-4)
The Chargers look to be North Carolina's best, even though they don't always play the top teams in that state due to their size. But speaking of size, 6-3 sophomore Jetarie White gives Providence Day an inside presence as good as any on the East Coast, and do-everything guard Tiffany Mitchell is the perfect complement.