2021-22 MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team: ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart headlines high school girls basketball's best from the Class of 2025

To steal from Dick Vitale — may he be back behind a microphone soon — MaxPreps is honoring a dozen diaper dandies in the Class of 2025 on the 2021-22 MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team, headlined by ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.).


The Valkyries went 36-3 and won the state title and Johnson played more than a supporting role. She was the Player of the Year in Kentucky, the only freshman in the country to earn that honor in her state.


Darianna Alexander, Purcell Marian (Cincinnati)
6-1 | Guard | Uncommitted
She did it all for the 27-1, Division 3 champion Cavaliers, scoring 24.5 points a game, and also adding 12.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. On the other end of the floor, she had 3.9 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Nyla Brooks, Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.)
6-0 | Forward | Uncommitted
She was thrown into the fire for the Cardinals, as the freshman had to contend with Washington Catholic Athletic Conference competition and some tough out-of-state opponents. She managed 16.1 points and 5.0 rebounds a game.

Aaliyah Chavez, Monterey (Lubbock, Texas)
5-9 | Point guard | Uncommitted
The Plainsmen won 30 games and Chavez did more than her part, scoring 25.7 points a game and grabbing 7.7 rebounds. She also had a 2.9 assist/turnover ratio and made 40 percent of her 3s and 85 percent of her free throws.

Jazzy Davidson, Clackamas (Ore.)
6-1 | Guard | Uncommitted
Her athleticism is off the charts and her 21.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 1.5 blocks a game don't tell the whole story. On top of all that, she's left-handed — which always gives opponents fits — and she's a fine defender.

Addison Deal, Pacifica Christian/Orange County (Newport Beach, Calif.)
5-11 | Guard | Uncommitted
Sometimes it's hard to get noticed in Southern California given all the talent, but Deal averaged 21.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game for the 26-6 Titans. Not surprisingly, that got a lot of people's attention.

Ashanti Fox, O'Neal (Southern Pines, N.C.)
5-6 | Guard | Uncommitted
She fed the Falcons' dreams of glory — and 24-4 record — with 14.4 points, 3.9 steals and 3.7 assists per game.

Madison Francis, Lancaster (N.Y.)
6-1 | Forward | Uncommitted
Though Francis already is a Legend — that's Lancaster's mascot — if she improves on her 17.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, she'll become an Erie County legend as well.

MAXPREPS NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.)
5-11 | Forward | Uncommitted
The focal point of a 36-3 state champion, racking up 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. She also had a 1.5 assist/turnover ratio for the Valkyries and is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2025.

Keziah Lofton, Bethany (Okla.)
6-0 | Point guard | Uncommitted
The Bronchos rode Lofton's 17.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game to a 19-6 season.

Aliyahna Morris, Etiwanda (Calif.)
5-5 | Point guard | Uncommitted
Morris stood out for the star-studded Eagles, even as a freshman on the No. 5 team in the MaxPreps Top 25. She averaged 13.7 points and 6.5 assists a game, never afraid to step up in big moments.

Mia Pauldo, Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)
5-5 | Guard | Uncommitted
Mia and her twin sister Mya — also a fine player — led the Crusaders to a 25-2 record. Mia averaged 21.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Kira Reynolds, South Bend Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
6-4 | Center | Uncommitted
Averaged a double-double and made 59 percent of her shots for the talented Panthers, who went 27-3 and won the state 3A title.