Chloe Jackson and No. 13 Riverdale Baptist return all but two seniors from a 32-win team.
File photo by James Conrad
Only two starters return, but Riverdale padded the roster with some top transfers who will join seniors
Alexa Middleton and
Shelby Davenport in coach Cory Barrett's second season. This year's version probably won't press as much, but with six key players between 5-8 and 6-1, the Warriors will present plenty of challenges. They'll most likely see No. 14 Long Beach Poly at the Iolani Classic, and will play No. 12 Rock Bridge, No. 17 Shades Valley and of course, crosstown rival No. 3 Blackman.
12. Rock Bridge (Columbia, Mo.) 25-5 With four starters back from a topflight team that played an ambitious schedule, Rock Bridge will use another exacting set of opponents to try to vault itself into the top ten — or higher.
Sophie Cunningham and
Cierra Porter are only juniors, but both have committed to Missouri, and seniors
Chayla Cheadle and
Kayla Cheadle will play for Kansas — though Kayla will opt for volleyball.
13. Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) 32-7 The Crusaders have always exemplified the cliché about reloading instead of rebuilding, but this year they only lost two seniors and can be expected to improve on a 32-win season. The trip to the Nike TOC before Christmas will determine just how high Riverdale Baptist can rise.
14. Long Beach Poly (Calif.) 29-5 It will be a tale of two seasons in one for the Jackrabbits, who will add 6-3 senior post
Lajahna Drummer Jan. 6 when her sit-out period after transferring expires. Guard
Arica Carter is also an elite player, and Poly will play in the Iolani Classic in Hawaii, the Nike TOC and then navigate the always treacherous waters of Southern California.
15. Saint Mary's (Albany, Calif.) 30-5 Six-two senior guard
Gabby Green was one of just three high school players to play for USA Basketball's U-19 team, and she is a matchup nightmare. She can play the point or the wing, and coupled with 6-1 wing
Mikayla Cowling, gives St. Mary's tough-to-cover firepower.
