Return of McKenna Woliczko from injury could make Mitty a force next season.
While the celebration continues for 2024-25 national champion
Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.), we are already looking ahead to the 2025-26 season with our way-too-early MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings.
For Mitty, much of that optimism rests on the recovery of
McKenna Woliczko from her season-ending ACL injury in January. If Woliczko comes back full strength, head coach Sue Phillips will have a formidable roster on her hands.
In Woliczko's absence, the Monarchs made a run to the Open Division title game as a host of players stepped into new roles and gained valuable experience.
Ontario Christian, meanwhile, returns the bulk of a team that won the Southern Section Open title before falling to eventual state champion
Etiwanda in the SoCal regional final. National Sophomore of the Year
Kaleena Smith and National Freshman of the Year
Tati Griffin lead the way backed by
Sydney Douglas and
Dani Robinson.
2024-25: 27-4
Notable losses: None
Notable returners: McKenna Woliczko,
Devin Cosgriff,
Tiera McCarthy,
Ze'Ni Patterson,
Maliya Hunter,
Abigail James,
Emma CookIf Woliczko returns strong from her ACL injury, the Monarchs will be a force. They still reached the Open Division final and that experience will be a boon for a relatively young group.
2. Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.)
2024-25: 30-2
Notable losses: Alanna NealeNotable returners: Kaleena Smith,
Tati Griffin,
Sydney Douglas,
Dani RobinsonThe Knights return a core that includes the sophomore and freshman players of the year in Smith and Griffin, respectively, in addition to Freshman All-American Douglas.
3. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)2024-25: 29-2
Notable losses: Vanessa Harris,
Zhen Craft,
Mary Amoateng,
Princess-Alexandria MoodyNotable returners: NyAir McCoy,
Nevaeh Roberson,
Qandace SamuelsSamuels and McCoy were All-Americans and head coach Ron James gets the most out of the Mustangs .
4. Etiwanda (Etiwanda, Calif.)2024-25: 28-5
Notable losses: Aliyahna Morris,
Grace Knox,
Shaena BrewNotable returners: Arynn Finley,
Chasity Rice,
Aliyah PhillipsReplacing Morris and Knox will be tough but the Eagles haven't won three straight Open Division title by accident.
5. Bullis (Potomac, Md.)2024-25: 24-8
Notable losses: Meghan Yarnevich,
Sanai TroutmanNotable returners: Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka,
Blue Jackson,
Adora Nwude,
Kai PowellWilson-Manyacka, the No. 2 player in the Class of 2027, powers the Bulldogs after averaging 18 points per game. Jackson showed potential during her freshman campaign.
The biggest offseason question for the Quakers is if the talent will stay after head coach Tamika Dudley left for the St. James Performance Academy following their state title victory. If MaxPreps All-Americans Jackson and Leary are there to lead the rest, Sidwell will again be a top 10 squad.
7. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)2024-25: 28-3
Notable losses: Ashley Redd,
Jalen Samuel,
Leia EdwardsNotable returners: Jerzy Robinson,
Emilia KrstevskiA three-time MaxPreps All-American, Robinson gives the Trailblazers a chance to win every time she steps on the floor.
8. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)2024-25: 29-4
Notable losses: Addison Deal,
Amaya Williams,
Devyn KiernanNotable returners: Kaeli Wynn,
Harmony Golightly,
Stella HossReplacing Iowa-bound Deal is a tall task, but second-year coach Jody Wynn has pieces returning from a team that knows what it's like to play in talent-rich Southern California.
2024-25: 27-5
Notable losses: Christina Liggio,
Tessa CarmanNotable returners: Addy Nyemchek,
Katie Liggio,
Tessa Liggio,
Daniela MaletskyThe Caseys were within a putback falling of upsetting Paul VI and reaching the South Jersey Non-Public A final. Nyemchek led the way averaging 14.1 points per game.
11. Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.)2024-25: 28-0
Notable losses: None
Notable returners: Micah Ojo,
Tristan Rickenbacker,
Jizelle JamesThe core of a Class 5 state championship team is back with MaxPreps All-American Ojo leading the charge after averaging 18 points and eight rebounds.
Stewart,
a Washington Post All-Met selection, led the Cadets in scoring at 19.8
point per night in the tough WCAC. Four of the six losses were to
MaxPreps Top 25 teams.
13. Providence Academy (Plymouth, Minn.)2024-25: 32-0
Notable losses: Hope CountsNotable returners: Maddyn Greenway,
Beckett GreenwayMaddyn Greenway will be chasing history entering her senior season on 4,454 points. The Lions are the class of a strong Minnesota contingent but travel restrictions keep them from challenging themselves on a national stage.
14. St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.)2024-25: 28-3
Notable losses: Desi Taylor,
Ameila BasitNotable returners: Giaunni Rogers,
Cam Golston,
Peyton Mann,
Emon Stephens,
Payton McGuireClass of 2027 standout Rogers led the Knights to a final four appearance in the Private School bracket, averaging 16.3 points per night. Golston added 12.6 per game while a trio of freshman in Mann, Stephens and McGuire combined for 15 per night.
15. Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.)2024-25: 27-1
Notable losses: Kiyanna Blacks-Stewart,
Azanah Campbell,
Anya GeorgeNotable returners: Brooke Stagliano,
Rachel Thatcher,
Keiara SellersLeading scorer Stagliano is back after averaging 14.3 points per game and helping the Eagles to the Non-Public state final.
2024-25: 23-2
Notable losses: Ayla WilliamsNotable returners: Nation Williams,
Sanai Branch,
D'Arrah Mitchell,
Inieye OruhMaxPreps Sophomore All-American Nation Williams was a force for the Bulldogs in winning their 15th title under coach Karen Weitz. The daughter of former Las Vegas Aces GM Natalie Williams averaged 17.3 points for the Bulldogs.
19. Lincoln (Dallas, Texas)2024-25: 39-2
Notable losses: Grace Spencer,
T'anna SaddlerNotable returners: Lanae Dallas,
Ar'jayla Elder,
Jada PattersonThe Class 4A Division 2 champion returns its top two scorers in Elder and Dallas. The junior Elder led the Tigers with 13.7 points per game while Dallas earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America honors with 11.7 points per night.
20. Arrowhead (Hartland, Wis.)2024-25: 25-4
Notable losses: Teresa KescenovitzNotable returners: Natalie Kussow,
Sidney Zehner,
Karina Klemz,
Presly SamzA top 20 talent in the Class of 2026, Kussow led the Warhawks to a Division 1 state semifinal berth with 26.3 points per night. Zehner, Klamez and Samz added more than 27 points per night.
21. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)2024-25: 27-2
Notable losses: Nevaeh Caffey,
Peyton Hill,
Sophia OttenNotable returners: Nevaeh Lucious,
Peyton Olufson,
Addi OwenLucious was big down the stretch for the Red Knights, who won their 11th state title in 12 seasons. They lose Indiana commit Caffey but coach Dan Rolfes gets his squad revamped season after season.
2024-25: 26-4
Notable losses: Amya Scott,
Carryn EasleyNotable returners: Reginna Baker,
Kamora Berry,
Chrisette King,
Zion CostonClass of 2027 standout Baker led the Saints in scoring at 14.6 points per night as they raced through an impressive Class 4A field to win their sixth state title. Scott (Delaware State) and Easley (Fordham) are lost to graduation but freshman King was a big interior presence for N-G.
Losing the Pauldo twins is a significant loss but Edelman, Brown, Fulston and company have showed they have plenty of game. Of the underclassmen, Edelman led all scorers with 10.3 points per night.