Today, we expand our
look at the nation's elite with a look at the best team from all 50
states.
While there is some uncertainty in choosing teams in states that didn't get a season in last year due to the pandemic, it looks as though girls basketball will return across the country and we're excited for action to tip off.
From
Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched
coast-to-coast to find the best team from your state heading into the
2021-22 season.
The defending 7A champs are No. 20 in our preseason MaxPreps Top 25 rankings and will rely on junior point guard
Reniya Kelly.
Alaska — Anchorage Christian (Anchorage) The Lions have the most ambitious schedule in the state, and also have
Sayvia Sellers, a 5-7 junior point guard.
Arizona — Valley Vista (Surprise)Oregon signee
Jennah Isai leads the two-time defending 6A champs who are looking to make it three straight.
Arkansas — ConwayThis perennial Arkansas power has multiple Division 1 prospects on the roster, which will be needed in an always-competitive state.
California — La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla)The Torreys start at No. 10 in the nation, but with a talented team led by junior
Breya Cunningham, that could be too low.
Colorado — Grandview (Aurora)It always helps to start with a 6-7 post who's signed with Stanford, and that's exactly what the Wolves have in
Lauren Betts.
Connecticut — Notre Dame Catholic (Fairfield)Connecticut teams don't travel much so they tend to fly under the radar, but a deep roster will bring college coaches to the Nutmeg State to see the Lancers.
Delaware — Sanford (Hockessin)The Warriors won the state title in 2019, were second in 2021 and look to return to the top in 2022.
District of Columbia — Sidwell FriendsThe Quakers are No. 6 in the nation thanks to multiple Power 5 prospects, topped by preseason all-American (and UCLA signee)
Kiki Rice.
Florida — Montverde Academy (Montverde)The Eagles join the school's boys in the nation's elite, earning the No. 3 spot in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Georgia — Woodward Academy (College Park)The defending AAAAA champions have lots of talent, topped by Georgia signee
Sydney Bowles.
Hawaii — 'Iolani (Honolulu)The didn't play last season in the islands, but the Raiders look best suited to come out of hibernation strong thanks in great part to senior guard
Jovi Lefotu.
Idaho — Coeur d'AleneAlways a power in Idaho, the Vikings return more weapons than any other team in the Gem State.
Illinois — BolingbrookThe Raiders can roll out multiple Division I players, plus some Power 5 prospects, so pencil them in as No. 1 in a very competitive state.
Indiana — South Bend Washington (South Bend)It's the Reynolds' show in South Bend, as Steven and Marcy coach a Panthers team led by their three daughters
— Amiyah,
Kira and
Mila — who all have Power 5 potential.
Iowa — JohnstonAfter finishing second in 5A last year, the Dragons have enough returning firepower to make them the favorite to win it all this time around.
Kansas — Aquinas (Overland Park)The Saints are always one of the top teams in the state, and the defending 5A champs bring back Oklahoma signee
Beatrice Culliton to lead the way to a repeat.
Kentucky — Sacred Heart (Louisville)The defending state champs bring back most of their key players but more important, they're adding highly touted freshman
Zakiyah Johnson to the mix.
Louisiana — Parkway (Bossier City)Mikaylah Williams might just be the best junior in the country, and she's got enough around her to make the Panthers the preseason pick in the Pelican State.
Maine — Cheverus (Portland)Maine did not hold state playoffs last year, so the slightly murky crystal ball has focused on the Stags and their solid nucleus of talent as the preseason favorite.
Maryland — Bishop McNamara (Forestville)The Mustangs begin the year No. 2 in the country, and thus No. 1 in Maryland, thanks to a roster stacked with future college stars.
Massachusetts — NorwoodThree senior starters return from an 8-2 team last year, and the best is Villanova signee
Megan Olbrys.
Michigan — Edison Academy (Detroit)The Pioneers have reigned in Michigan for what seems like forever, and since the Detroit school is No. 17 in the nation in preseason, the throne is unlikely to topple.
Minnesota — Hopkins (Minnetonka)The Royals, No. 4 in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25, are hungry to return to the top of the heap in Minnesota after a stunning upset in the 4A finals last year.
Mississippi — Olive BranchThe Conquistadors have won three straight state titles, and four in a row is not only possible, but likely.
Missouri — Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)The Red Knights have been the best in Missouri for some time now, and are the defending Class 6 champion. With plenty of talent back, IWA should dominate again.
Montana — Skyview (Billings)The Falcons were young and talented last year. Now they're experienced and talented
— which makes them the clear favorite in Big Sky Country.
Nebraska — FremontIowa signee
Taylor McCabe leads a group of returning starters who are bent on winning Class A after losing in the title game last year.
Nevada — Centennial (Las Vegas)Nevada didn't play at all last year, but the layoff isn't expected to hurt the Bulldogs' chances of once again being the best team in the state.
New Hampshire — BedfordThe Bulldogs are the defending Division I champion, and with sophomore post Lana McCarthy back, a repeat seems likely.
New Jersey — St. John-Vianney (Holmdel)New Jersey is always very competitive, but Dawn Karpell's Lancers look to be the best in the Garden State.
New Mexico — Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)The defending 5A state champion Hawks return enough to be the favorites once again.
New York — Christ the King (Middle Village)One of the icons of the girls' high school game, Christ the King, alma mater of Sue Bird and Tina Charles, is once more packed with talent.
North Carolina — Chambers (Charlotte)As Vance, this school has won the last two 4A titles. So this roster, no matter what the name on the front of the school, is still the one to beat.
North Dakota — Century (Bismarck, N.D.)Logan Nissley helped the Patriots win the Class A title last year, and there's no reason to think she and her teammates won't do it again.
Ohio — Dublin Coffman (Dublin)Ohio is always brutally competitive, so even though the Shamrocks get the call here, any number of teams could wind up as Division I titlists.
Oklahoma — Classen SAS (Oklahoma City)At No. 22 in the nation, and with senior wing
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs joined by several other Division I talents, the Comets look to be the best in the Sooner State.
Oregon — ClackamasOregon's truncated season didn't give us a lot to go on for this year's predictions, but a young and talented Cavaliers team is definitely on the short list for winning a state title.
Pennsylvania — Archbishop Wood (Warminster)Vanderbilt signee
Ryanne Allen leads the returners from the defending 4A champs, but Pennsylvania is always a very competitive state.
Rhode Island — North Kingstown Four starters return for the Skippers and given transfers and graduation at the other top schools, those four starters should be enough.
South Carolina — Keenan (Columbia)Junior
Milaysia Fulwiley is simply spectacular, and with talent around her, a third straight state title appears to be in the offing.
South Dakota — Washington (Sioux Falls)Texas signee
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda leads the AA defending champs, and there's little reason to expect them not to repeat.
Tennessee — The Webb School (Bell Buckle)Webb School is not be confused with the Webb School that is the alma mater of former WNBA star Glory Johnson, but at No. 8 in the nation, this the Feet the best in Tennessee.
Texas — DeSotoThe No. 1 team in the nation pretty much has to be the No. 1 team in its home state
— and the Eagles also are defending 6A champion.
Utah — Fremont (Plain City)The Silverwolves are the defending 6A champ and the No. 24 team in the nation, so with Oregon State signee
Timea Gardiner leading the way, they are the obvious preseason pick in the Beehive State.
Vermont — Rice Memorial (South Burlington)The Green Knights are always one of the best in Vermont, and this year, the South Burlington squad looks to be simply the best.
Virginia — St. Paul VI (Chantilly)The Panthers not only dominate the Virginia private school scene, they're also often one of the best teams in the country — and at No. 15 nationally this year, it's No. 1 in Virginia again.
Washington — Garfield (Seattle)Washington's season was very limited, so sorting out this year's contenders was a little tricky —
but the consensus is that the Bulldogs are the team to beat.
West Virginia — HuntingtonIt will be a battle in West Virginia, but the Highlanders look to have the edge, thanks in part to Kent State signee
Dionna Gray.
Wisconsin — Appleton East (Appleton)Lily Hansford will play for Oregon State next year, and
Emily La Chapell for Marquette, but this year they play for the Patriots — and that should be enough for a state title.
Wyoming — East (Cheyenne)The Thunderbirds have become a consistent power in Wyoming, and though there were losses to graduation, the same is true of East's competitors.