MaxPreps 2012-13 Preseason Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings presented by the Army National Guard

6. Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) 29-2
The Crusaders were this close to a national championship last year, losing to St. Mary's of Phoenix in Phoenix, and for most schools, that would be a high point followed by steady decline. But despite returning only one starter and losing coach Diane Richardson to the college ranks, Riverdale Baptist brought in a slew of transfers to go with Auteaonna Gilmore and look ready to challenge St. Mary's in the Nike TOC again.

7. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) 34-3
The coaches change but the talent pipeline stays full, so the fact that Cory Barrett is now in change shouldn't slow the Warriors' momentum. The only question is a lack of size, as 6-1 junior Brandy Alley, a transfer from Mt. Juliet, is the only player taller than 6-0. Two other transfers and a bunch of returners, though, should render that relative lack of size less important than the depth and ability of the rest of the roster.

8. Norcross (Ga.) 26-6
When your roster begins with Diamond DeShields, the consensus top player in the country, and Shayla Cooper, an elite talent as well, then you throw in a trio of 6-2 posts who will all play Division I somewhere, you've got a powerhouse in the making. Toss in a trip to Oregon to play in a top-shelf tournament, and you have yourself a top-ten ranking.

9. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 31-4
The Jackrabbits run — and run and run and run, as depth is never an issue at one of the finest overall high school athletic programs in the country. Carl Buggs lost his usual two or three players to D-1 colleges, but he still has senior wing Keyla Morgan and a host of quick, athletic and skilled players who will keep the train rolling. Oh, and he says this year's edition will shoot much better, and adds four freshmen who will help right now.

10. Dreher (Columbia, S.C.) 26-1
The Blue Devils lost just once last year, but didn't venture out of the state of South Carolina, and thus didn't dent the rankings. This season, though, coach Teresa Jones is taking her four returning starters (only one of whom is a senior) to the Naples Holiday Shootout and the Crescent Invitational. With 6-3 junior Makayla Johnson and 6-2 freshman Jhileiya Dunlap up front, Dreher will be a tough matchup no matter where it goes.