15. Lake Taylor (Norfolk, Va.)2009-10 record: 30-1
The Titans return four starters from last year's No. 21 team including the talented senior duo of Crystal Leary and Linda Stepney. Like Ben Davis of Indiana, Lake Taylor won't get out of state but is scheduled to show its talents outside of Virginia against Oak Ridge Military Academy at the Osbourn Park Tipoff and during the Boo Williams Christmas Tournament. The Titans won the state AAA title last season.
14. Fayette County (Fayetteville, Ga.)2009-10 record: 24-6
The third power from Georgia already boasted Elem Ibiam, a 6-4 post who has signed to South Carolina, but then added UConn recruit and transfer Brianna Banks, a 5-9 guard who attended Northgate High in Newnan last season. Two other Tigers signed letters of intent in Kyra King, a 5-3 point guard to Brewton Parker, and Taybreanna Couch, a 5-10 forward to Clayton State.
13. Buford (Ga.)2009-10 record: 29-4
Diamond DeShields is one of the top sophomores in the country.
Photo by Mitchell Reibel
The defending state 2A champions added Norcross transfer
Kaela Davis, a 6-2 sophomore and daughter of former NBA standout Antonio Davis, to go along with
Andraya Carter, a 5-8 junior point guard and wing. Davis and Carter have already committed to Tennessee. They'll join 6-3 sophomore
MacKenzie Darrah and co-captains Joyclyn Kinsey (5-5), Karly Fullem (5-10), Sharesse Williams (5-10), Constance Harrison (5-7) and Shareka Peeples (5-9) to form a talented and deep squad.
12. Norcross (Ga.)2009-10 record: 28-4
The defending state 5A champion lost two of its top players, Kaela Davis, who transferred to Buford, and graduated Briana Jordan. But the Blue Devils return perhaps the nation's most gifted sophomore in Diamond DeShields, who starred all summer in the USA Basketball program. The daughter of former major league baseball star Delino DeShields, Diamond will largely carry a team that is younger than last year but perhaps as talented. It added four talented transfers.
Dominique Williams leads a young and talented St. Mary's squad.
File photo by Mitchell Reibel
23-6
The 2010 national champion was a St. Mary's, but that bunch was the Rams from Stockton, Calif. This St. Mary's squad, nicknamed the Knights, might not threaten for a national title this year, but watch out for 2011-12. St. Mary's boasts five extremely talented sophomores, including 6-2 frontliners
Chantel Osahor and
Lyndsay Leikem, and 5-9 twins guards
Danielle Williams and
Dominique Williams. The team's top player may be 6-3 junior
Cortnee Walton, who plays along with her sister
Brandee Walton, a 5-11 sophomore. There's only one senior on the squad, 5-7 guard
Brittany Osahor.
