High school girls basketball rankings: Defending Texas state champion Shallowater headlines Preseason Small Town Top 25

1. Shallowater (Texas), 28-12
The Mustangs were 21-12 when the playoffs began last year but won seven straight, including an overtime win over Huntington to capture the Class 3A state championship. Three players, all juniors, made the all-tournament team as sophomores last year, including tournament MVP Keelie Williams and teammates Linley Wright and Carli Buckley. Wright also made the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-State team.

2. Martins Mill (Ben Wheeler, Texas), 36-5
The Mustangs won the 2A state championship last year with one senior and only three juniors on last year's roster. Kara Nixon was the state tournament MVP as a freshman while junior Alli Vaughan made the all-tournament team.

3. Laconia (Rosendale, Wis.), 30-2
The Division 4 state champions return four of the top five scorers from last year's team, including Tierney Madigan (14.2 points per game), Aubrey Leonard (10.2), Payton Morgan (9.9) and Finley Morgan (9.5).

4. Spring Garden (Ala.), 33-1
With a record of 159-9 over the past five seasons, Spring Garden is the favorite to win the Class 1A state championship for the third straight season. The Panthers have one of the nation's top players in Ace Austin, who enters her senior year with 2,958 career points.

5. Andrew Jackson (Kershaw, S.C.), 27-4
The Class 2A state champions return all five starters from last year's team, including two players who averaged double figures. They include MaxPreps Small Town All-American Tamia Watkins (26.4 points per game) and junior Ni’Yonna Asbelle (14.6).

6. Deer Park (Wash.), 25-1
The Stags won 25 straight games to start the season before falling to Nooksack Valley in the Class 1A state final. Every player returns this year, including all-tournament picks Ashlan Bryant and Brooklyn Coe.

7. Ingomar (New Albany, Miss.), 32-4
Macie Phifer leads a team that won the Class 2A state championship last year. She has over 2,500 career points after averaging 20.1 points last year and earning Class 2A state player of the year honors.

8. Winnsboro (Texas), 33-7
The Raiders lost in the 3A regional final last year to Rains but return a pair of all-state players in sophomore Hadlee Brown and senior Kaitlyn McAdoo. Winnsboro lost only two seniors from last year's team.

9. Colfax (Calif.), 34-3
Runner-up to national power Harvard-Westlake in the competitive-equity based Division 2 state championship, the Falcons return four players who averaged over 10 points per game in Juliette James (13.7), Madalyn Sigrist (13.2), Kaia Diederichs (12.6) and Laurlyn Massick (10.4).

10. Shelley (Idaho), 25-0
Ranked No. 1 in the final Small Town Top 25 last year, Shelley won the Class 4A state championship and finished undefeated. The Russets lose Small Town All-American Brinley Cannon but return Mia Williams (13.3 points per game) and two other starters.

11. Fairfield (Texas), 35-3
Lost to eventual 3A finalist Huntington in the regional playoffs but have won 203 games over the past six seasons while losing just 23 times. A total of nine players from last year's roster return.

12. Clear Creek-Amana (Tiffin, Iowa), 26-0
The Class 4A state champions return an all-state pick in Averie Lower (17.7 points per game) and starter Lena Evans (8.5).

13. Nocona (Texas), 35-4
Runner-up to Martins Mill in the Class 2A state final, Nocona returns a pair of all-tournament players in seniors Avery Crutsinger and Megyn Meekins.

14. Idabel (Okla.), 25-1
The Class 3A state champions return rising sophomore Jaylen Cauthron, who led the team in scoring last year at 18.9 ppg, and rising senior Mercades Lopez, who averaged 16.8.

15. Gibson Southern (Fort Branch, Ind.), 26-4
The Titans only lose two players from last year's Class 2A state champion and return leading scorer Gabby Spink, who averaged 19.3 points last year.

16. Fair Grove (Mo.), 22-7
Return three all-state players from the Class 3 state championship team, including Brooke Daniels, Abbey Green and Ashton Bell.

17. Booneville (Miss.), 26-2
The Class 3A runner-up returns one of the nation's top players in Saniyah Cook, who earned state player of the year honors for Class 3A by the state coaches association. She averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds while leading Booneville to the state final for the third straight year.

18. Newcastle (Texas), 35-1
The Bobcats won the Class 1A state championship and take a 34-game win streak into the 2024-25 season. Tournament MVP Mattie Dollar returns along with rising sophomore and all-tournament pick Camren Mallory.

19. Skyline (Urbana, Mo.), 30-2
The Tigers won the Class 2 state championship last year and return all-state players Kenzi Cheek and Autumn Garrett.

20. Fort Loramie (Ohio), 28-2
The Division IV state champions return a pair of all-state players including first team pick Avery Brandewie (10.5 points per game) and third team selection Victoria Mescher (10.5).

21. Central Wise (Norton, Va.), 26-4
The Warriors won the Class 2 state championship and return state player of the year Emmah McAmis, who begins her senior year with 2,379 career points.

22. Fairview (Grant, La.), 33-7
Won the Division V Non-Select state championship behind the play of all-state guard Reesie Jinks (21.4 points per game) and second team all-state pick A.J. Williams (12.0). Coach Kyle Jinks begins the season with 945 career wins.

23. Douglas (Wyo.), 27-0
The top three leading scorers from last year's unbeaten team return in Lauren Olsen (23.4 points per game), Jaden Meyer (12.5) and Bailey Wright (9.7). The Bearcats have a 30-game win streak heading into this season.

24. Pickett County (Byrdstown, Tenn.), 20-2
The Class 1A state champions return all-state players Zoey Nicholas and Emerson Lowe.

25. Cherokee (N.C.), 29-1
The top six scorers for the Braves were underclassmen last year, including three freshmen. Senior Whitney Rogers is the top returning scorer at 17.1 points per game while junior Cecily Swimmer (16.7) also returns. Cherokee begins the season with 27 straight wins.