Junior Brijanee Moore helped lead No. 21 St. Mary's to a 32-3 record last season.
File photo by Gary Jones
It's 77 miles and seven spots in the Xcellent 25 between the two St. Mary's Northern California powers, and both will have plenty of chances to prove themselves. The Rams, the Stockton St. Mary's, will be at the Nike TOC as well as the West Coast Jamboree (with No. 4 Shabazz and No. 2 Mater Dei), and will undoubtedly join the other three California Xcellent 25 members in the state's postseason Open Division.
22. Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 16-10Star
Sierra Calhoun (off to Duke next year) has steadily improved in her four years, and is now one of the best wings in the country. She will be joined by nine other seniors which should put the Royals back in the national conversation once again.
23. Columbus North (Ind.) 25-1 In the minds of many, Indiana is the heartbeat of basketball, and Columbus North is right there with No. 10 Bedford North Lawrence. In fact, that one loss came to Bedford North Lawrence, but with four starters back, including Notre Dame commit
Ali Patberg, it would not be a surprise if the two Indiana powers reversed position this year.
22. Northside (Fort Smith, Ark.) 27-4The Grizzlies have played in nine of the last 12 Arkansas state championship games, and won six titles — so with four starters back, quick and athletic Northside is likely to be playing in the final game of the season once again.
25. Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Ga.) 24-8 There's still plenty of punch in Georgia this year, and junior wing
Tynice Martin will give Southwest DeKalb a chance to show just how much at the Nike TOC. That's a big step up, though, as many regional powers have discovered over the years.
