Tory Jacobs will lead No. 19 MacArthur in its quest for a national title.
File photo by Keith Owens
Coach Delaney Rudd was an NBA point guard, and so it's not surprising that his daughter, 5-8 sophomore
Kiana "Lucky" Rudd, is a quality backcourt player. With 6-3 senior power forward
Kristina King inside, and plenty of talent around that duo, the Phoenix will need to prove themselves against No. 13 Riverdale Baptist as they otherwise don't play many nationally ranked teams.
17. Shades Valley (Birmingham, Ala.) 31-2The Mounties return four starters, including point guard and sparkplug
Morgan William, and though 6-1 sophomore
Katelynn Thomas is the only returner taller than 6-0, quick and versatile Shades Valley could emerge as the best team in the Deep South.
18. Rolling Meadows (Ill.) 31-4 The Mustangs lost by one in the state finals, but seniors
Jackie Kemph,
Alexis Glasgow and
Jenny Vliet are all back — plus most of the rest of the roster. Illinois is a little down this year, and Rolling Meadows is poised to take full advantage.
19. MacArthur (Irving, Texas) 26-9 With four starters back, plus the return of
Jasmin Taylor, MacArthur is one of a host of Texas teams that can challenge No. 6 Duncanville. Senior
Tory Jacobs will anchor the perimeter game and 6-3
Aaliyah Warren will take care of the inside, but like most Texas teams MacArthur doesn't test itself against out-of-state competition.
20. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 18-12 Twelve-loss teams don't generally find their way into a preseason top 25, but this 12-loss team has elite point guard
Te'a Cooper, Wake Forest commit
Taylor Gordon, who was ineligible last season, and the immensely talented
Caliya Robinson. On top of that Georgia was loaded last season, and with the state not quite as strong, look for the Indians to make a statement in the Peach State after a disappointing 2012-13.
