Roosevelt girls hoops ranked in FAB 50
RIVALS.COM PRESEASON
NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL
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FAB 50 RANKINGS
Compiled by Mark Tennis
StudentSportsBasketball.com
Contributing: Doug Huff, Harold Abend, Ronnie Flores, Mike Loveday
Winning state titles and being ranked high nationally is nothing new for
athletic teams at Poly High of Long Beach, California. It has been a fairly
recent phenomenon in girls basketball, however, and this season the
Jackrabbits may have their best team yet.
After finishing No. 2 in last year's FAB 50 and returning most of last
year's stars, including California's consensus preseason top player, 6-1
Jasmine Dixon, who recently committed to Rutgers, Poly is starting out No. 1
this week in the Rivals.com preseason FAB 50 national rankings.
The Jackrabbits, who are the two-time defending state Division I champions,
already were in the mix to be the preseason No. 1 team in the land, but then
one of the nations top juniors, 6-3 Monique Oliver, moved to Long Beach from
Nevada and head coach Carl Buggs' team went from deep like a river to deep
like an ocean.
"We will have more depth this year than ever before, with speed, size and
some new young players to compliment Jasmine," Buggs said.
Oliver, who averaged 26.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game at Cheyenne High
of Las Vegas, gives Poly a big-time presence inside to go with Dixon's
ability to play any position on the floor. Dixon was the CalHiSports.com State
Junior Player of the Year and was an EA SPORTS All-American. She averaged 15
points, 9. 5 rebounds and 4.7 steals per game.
After Poly, the next two in line for the preseason national rankings in girls
basketball were fairly easy to pick with Notre Dame Prep of Virginia and
Cy-Fair of Houston both loaded with returnees after finishing in the top 10 a
year ago. Starting from the fourth spot downward, however, the order could
have been picked in a number of different combinations.
Here are this year's preseason Rivals.com FAB 50 girls basketball rankings:
(listed with 2006-07 won-loss record and final ranking)
1. Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 36-1 (2)
Head Coach: Carl Buggs
There are other excellent players on the roster besides Jasmine Dixon and
Monique Oliver. One of those is April Cook, a strong 5-7 guard who is the
defensive stopper. Also sure to make major contributions are 5-8 senior wing
Janae Perkins, 6-0 junior wing/forward Kelli Thompson, 6-2 sophomore post
Deshia Southall and 5-7 sophomore wing Brittany Wilson. Buggs even has more
players who could start on other teams, including 5-7 sophomore wing Ashley
Wilson and 5-5 sophomore point guard Jazzmine Shirley, as well as incoming 5-7
freshman Ariya Crook-Williams, whom the coach likens to former star point
guard Judith Smith. In fact, Poly's second unit isn't that far removed
from being one of California's top teams. The Jackrabbits will be tested
right away in December at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Phoenix where
they are the favorite.
2. Notre Dame Academy (Middleburg, Va.) 29-1 (3)
Head Coach: Mike Teasley
In four seasons as head coach, Teasley has turned Notre Dame Prep into a
national power and this could be the best team he has assembled. Only one
starter was lost from the team that went 29-1 last season and lost only to FAB
50 No. 1 Collins Hill of Georgia. There are eight Division I athletes on the
roster, led by Mia Nickson, a 6-2 power forward who averaged 13 points and
eight rebounds per game and is committed to Boston College. Azania Stewart,
going to Florida, will hold down the center position and should be tough to
defend with her 11.5 points per game and three blocks per game averages. The
talent does not stop with the starting five, however. Guard Josette Campbell
(6-1) was the first athlete off the bench last season and saw significant
minutes comparable to a starter. Teasley knows what it takes to build a
winner at Notre Dame Prep. He won two state titles as an assistant on the boys
team when he first arrived in Middleburg in 1998 and with this team it looks
to be a contender for a national title.
3. Cy-Fair (Houston, Texas) 39-1 (7)
Head Coach: Ann Roubique
The Lady Bobcats are on a mission to avenge last year's heartbreaking overtime
loss in the Class 5A state final to Rockwall, which finished No. 4 in the
final FAB 50 rankings, and they have the firepower to get it done this time
around. It all starts with returning EA SPORTS All-American Nneka Ogwumike, a
6-foot-3 center who sports averages of 21.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game
and is also a standout volleyball player. Ogwumike pumped in 28 points and
grabbed 14 rebounds in that state final loss and will be extremely motivated
to play even better this season. She is complemented by her younger sister,
6-foot-2 sophomore Chiney, and both are considered among the nation's top 10
recruits in their respective classes. Five-foot-7 senior Mansa El is a
returning TABC All-Region player and 5-foot-4 senior Nicole Morris is another
cagy veteran. The combination of talent, experience and motivation could prove
lethal for Cy-Fair's opponents all season long.
4. Hampton (Hampton, Va.) 30-2 (9)
Head Coach: David Six
The loss of last season's point guard, Evelyn Lewis, who is at Penn State ,
will be difficult to replace, but luckily for Six, her replacement does not
have to move far. Tiffany Davis played the two-guard last season and is
naturally a point. Davis has been described as perhaps the most exciting
returning player in Virginia, male or female, and has the ability to hit the
three, make moves in the paint or in the open court. That athleticism is
typical of this season's Hampton team. Complimenting Davis is fellow
returning starters Alyssa Bennett and Joycelyn Davis. Bennett and Davis can
play anywhere on the court and that flexibility gives Six some opportunities
he did not have last season. "We're going to be able to go small with this
team," Six said. "That's something we could not do last year because the
team did not have enough speed." Transfer Debbie Smith along with LaKita
Hicks and Toya Carter round out the starting lineup. The Crabbers are
competing in the T-Mobile Invitational with Long Beach Poly and
Chaminade-Julienne on Dec. 28-29 in Albuquerque (N.M).
5. Winter Haven (Winter Haven, Fla.) 28-3 (21)
Head Coach: LeDawn Gibson
Four starters are back from the defending state Class 5A champions, who will
be seeking their third crown in the last four years. Senior Tiffany Hayes, a
UConn recruit, leads a trio of 6-foot regulars returning from last season.
Others are Memphis recruit Kiara Francisco and Amanda Woodside. A key
graduation loss was point guard Amanda Smith, now at the niversity. of
Kentucky. She will be replaced by junior Desirai Smith.
6. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco, Calif.) 32-2 (12)
Head Coach: Brian Harrigan
The No. 2 team in California last season starts out in the same place this
year with an even better squad. Eight players return from the CIF Div. III
state champions, including one of the state's top players, 5-11 guard
Jazmine Jackson, who has committed to Pepperdine along with teammate and 5-8
guard and tough defender Lauren Bell. Another returnee who has gotten taller,
stronger and faster after already being a load to handle last season is 5-9
guard Ki-shawna "Ki-Ki" Moore. Also starting is another D1 (Cal-Poly
Pomona) commit guard, Rosslyn Beard. Junior outside bomber Ashley Boggs comes
off the bench for instant offense, but the biggest addition will be
Jazmine's younger sister, 6-0 Kamilah Jackson, moving into the starting
center position. "Our kids are definitely more experienced and with Kamilah
we have a presence in the middle we've not had in the past," said Irish
coach Brian Harrigan, who will find out early how good his squad is when they
travel to Oregon Dec. 6-9 for the Southridge tournament that not only includes
the hosts but Long Beach Poly.
7. Murrah (Jackson, Miss.) 37-2 (17)
Head Coach: Anna Jackson
The Lady Mustangs' lineup remains the same after they won their seventh state
Class 5A title last season. All regulars return, including first team
all-stater LaSondra Barrett, a 6-foot-1 forward who averaged 16.5 points and
11.3 rebounds a game as a junior. A third-year starter, 5-8 junior guard
Tanecka Carey, sported norms of 15.1 points and 5.0 assists last season and
earned her second Jackson All-Metro honors. Junior forward Brandi Simmons
(5-11) also is a two-time All-Metro pick and averaged 14.4 points and 12.1
rebounds a year ago.
8. Washington (South Bend, Ind.) 28-1 (28)
Head Coach: Marilyn Coddens
The defending state Class 4A champion Panthers will be led by 5-foot-9 point
guard Skylar Diggins (24 ppg., 6 apg), a top candidate for state Miss
Basketball. Veteran senior guard, and Penn State recruit, Emily Phillips (9
ppg, 5 apg) also should be a major contributor. Shalena Murray (5-11) also is
a key cog in the wheel seeking a third straight state title game. The schedule
includes a January trip to the McDonald's Chicagoland Classic.
9. Germantown Academy (Germantown, Pa.) 26-2 (30)
Head Coach: Sherri Retif
Caroline Doty returns for her senior season as one of the nation's top
players. The 5-10 guard has been known nationally since she was 15 and can
play both at the point or on the wing since she's a deadly three-point
shooter. Doty has committed to UConn, but first should lead the Patriots to a
10th straight Inter-Ac League title. They also usually play enough ranked
teams from the rest of the East Region so we can get a good handle on where to
put them nationally. In addition to Doty, everyone else from last year's
roster except two players is back. Another player to watch is 6-3 junior
center Meredith Carter.
10. Dunbar (Fort Worth, Texas) 32-4 (42)
Head Coach: Andrea Robinson
The Lady Wildcats have won two Class 4A state titles in the past three years
and the one constant on both teams is 6-foot forward Brooklyn Pope. The
returning second team EA SPORTS All-American and four-year standout averaged
19 points and five blocks per game as Dunbar downed Dickinson, 62-51, in the
state final. The teams does lose District 7-4A Player of the Year LaShandra
Hill, but as long as Pope is around this team will be favored to win it all in
Austin. Senior wing Tiesha Martin (5-9) also returns after being selected
second team all-district and once the younger players in the backcourt gain
some experience, Dunbar should be rolling come district play.
11. Murry Bergtraum (New York, N.Y.) 28-0 (5)
Head Coach: Ed Grezinsky
All-American Erica Morrow is now at Syracuse, but the Lady Blazers don't
figure to fall too far down the rankings and could get back near the top with
another unbeaten season. The key returnee is 6-3 post Shakeya Leary, who
averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Krystal Parnell (5-6)
also is one of the top point guards in the Northeast, while upcoming 5-10
sophomore Doris Ortega is one of the best in the region in her class
regardless of position.
12. Lexington Christian (Lexington, Ky.) 34-3
Head Coach: Jason Seamands
The defending state champion Lady Eagles started four underclassmen last
season and won the last 23 games, including their first-ever state title. The
junior returnees are guards Anna Martin (13.9 ppg, 4.5 apg) and Courtney
Clifton (11.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg) plus center Clara Mitchell (10.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg).
Sophomore forward Sarah Beth Barnette (8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) also returns. The key
replacement will be graduated point guard Emily London, now playing at Samford
University.
13. Ursuline (Wilmington, Del.) 21-5 (44)
Head Coach Fran Burbidge
What has yet to be said about Ursuline's Elena DelleDonne? The 6-5 senior is
the top rated player in 2008 and is committed to the University of
Connecticut. As a sophomore, DelleDonne set the girls national high school
record by making 80 straight free-throws and during that season's
championship game she scored 50 points to lead Ursuline past St. Elizabeth.
She's been named to every post-season award list you can imagine. Most
analysts say DelleDonne could play in the WNBA right now which attests to her
talent and ability. Even with all that, Ursuline was a runner-up in Delaware
last year to St. Elizabeth and its All-American, Kadisha Rushdon. This year,
while Rushdon is gone, DelleDonne is back, so it could be a pretty dominant
season for Ursuline. The schedule also looks strong enough to warrant a high
preseason ranking.
14. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 31-2 (31)
Head Coach: Cheryl Krmpotich
Krmpotich, a former WNBA player, brings back a team that won its second
straight Class 4A title, beating Italee Lucas-led Centennial in the final.
Texas-bound 6-4 center Ashley Gayle leads a very talented squad that avenged
one of their two losses on the season when they beat Centennial with the lone
other loss to Mt. Miguel of California. Other returnees who had roles last
year include 5-7 point guard Darriel Gaynor, who has committed to Oregon, and
Jerry Tarkanian's niece, 6-3 junior center Dannielle Diamant. The team's
best skill player may very well be 5-5 sophomore point guard Aaryn Ellenberg.
15. A.B. Miller (Fontana, Calif.) 33-3 (40)
Head Coach: Mel Wilkins
The Rebels return their three top scorers from a team that made an excellent
run through the CIF Division I playoffs. Two of the team's three losses were
to Long Beach Poly, including a 67-54 defeat in the Southern Regional final.
Freshman sensation point guard and last year's leading scorer, 5-9 Chloe
Wells (16.2 ppg), returns for her sophomore season and combines with her
sister senior guard Lola (10.9 ppg) to provide a very formidable 1-2 backcourt
combination. Senior Briana Hall (12.0 ppg) is the other returning star for
Wilkins, who is relying on speed and three-point shooting to carry his team
far.
16. Iota (Iota, La.) 43-0 (16)
Head Coach: Stan Badgett
The defending state Class 2A champion moves up to 3A this season with five
veterans returning. The anchors are the twin daughters of head coach Stan
Badgett -- Ashlyn and Caitlyn Baggett. Ashlyn averaged 18.1 points and Caitlyn
18.6 last season. Other veterans include 5-foot-10 center Candace LaCombs plus
Lindsay Miller and Angel Simar.
17. University (Newark, N.J.) 33-2 (48)
Head Coach: Felicia Oliver
A young team comprised almost exclusively of underclassmen and led by a
freshman wound up as the New Jersey Tournament of Champions winner for 2007
and will go for the repeat in 2008. That freshman, 5-11 forward Laurin Mincy,
is now regarded as one of the nation's top sophomores and averaged nearly 20
points per game. Guards Quiana Trawick and Nadirah McKenith and forward
Tiffany Green are the other key returnees.
18. Southridge (Beaverton, Ore.) 25-4 (nr)
Head Coach: Mike Meek
The top team in the state of Oregon, last season's only in-state losses for
Southridge were to Jesuit of Portland, whom they resoundingly beat 50-27 in
the 3A state championship game. The team is led by USC-bound 6-3 Michelle
Jenkins, who is the state's and one of the West Coast's top post players,
and Alex Earl, a big strong 5-10 guard who can work inside as well as around
the perimeter.
19. Buffalo Grove (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) 34-2 (nr)
Head Coach: Tom Dineen
Four starters return from last season's state tournament qualifier which will
compete in Class 4A this season and not have to deal with Class 3A powers
Marshall and Montani. The team anchors are 6-foot-1 guard Ellen Ayoub and 5-10
Northwestern-bound twins Maggie and Allison Mocchi.
20. Lexington Catholic (Lexington, Ky.) 30-4 (27)
Head Coach: Jeff Hans
Three starters return from a team that lost to eventual state champion, and
rival, Lexington Christian, in the 11th Region final. The veterans include top
state Miss Basketball candidate Natalie Novosel (17.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg), a Notre
Dame recruit. Other returning starters are Briana Green, another of the
state's top seniors, plus Maggie Wilson.
21. Heights (Wichita, Kan.) 24-1 (26)
Head coach: Kip Pulliam
The Falcons have been flying high in the Great Plains with two state titles in
the last three years. They're favored again in Kansas with two of the top
players in the state coming back for their senior seasons. Point guard
Jennifer Lane averaged 7.5 assists as a junior and hit for 13.5 points as
well. Forward Amanda Orloske (5-11) also averaged 13 points per game. Another
key could be the return of senior Shantee Bowen, who is coming off a knee
injury that sidelined her for all of the 2006-07 campaign.
22. Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.) 26-4 (nr)
Head Coach: Corry Irvin
If you like a team with a four-year starter at point guard, then the Dolphins
sure qualify with 5-foot-1 D'Frantz "Shorty" Smart. She may be small,
but she had 15 points, four assists and three steals per game last year and is
headed to Rice. Young also has one of the top juniors in Illinois with 6-0
guard Ashlee Anderson. Yet another of Chicago's top players, 6-0 senior
forward Porsha Harris, also wears the Dolphins' jersey.
23. Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.) 31-1 (1)
Head Coach: Tracey Tipton
We almost have a tradition at the FAB 50 that the No. 1 team from a previous
season should at least be somewhere ranked the following year unless everyone
and the coach is gone. For Collins Hill, consensus national player of the year
Maya Moore is gone, but still around is one of the top returnees in the
Atlanta area in 6-1 Taylor Dalrymple. She had 14 points and 10 rebounds to
back up Moore when the Eagles topped Stephenson of Stone Mountain in last
year's matchup of unbeatens in the Class 5A semifinals. Also back is point
guard Nikki Urbizo. She had 11 points and five assists in the same game and
played well when Collins Hill topped Long Beach Poly in last year's Nike TOC
final in Arizona.
24. Chaminade-Julienne (Dayton, Ohio) 17-7 (nr)
Head Coach: Marc Greenberg
The Eagles return an experienced squad from a team that advanced to the state
Division 1 regional tournament with an underclass-led unit. The top returnees
include sophomore center Samarie Walker (12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg), junior point
guard Terra Stephen and forward India Warfield, who was injured and missed
most of last season.
25. Riverside (Auburn, Wash.) 27-2 (nr)
Head Coach: Adam Barrett
This is one of those teams that made a name for itself with an upset from the
year before and now has a target on its back because almost all of those who
were on hand to engineer that upset are back. For Riverside, its upset was
against nationally-ranked Chief Sealth of Seattle in the Class 3A state final.
A group of four returning starters is led by guard Katie Grad, who averaged 16
ppg as a junior and is bound for Washington State. Senior Ireti Amojo, junior
Nichole Jackson and 5-7 sophomore Mercedes Wetmore are the other three. Also
back is 5-11 senior Stephanie Egwuata, who has committed to Portland State.
26. Shabazz (Newark, N.J.) 26-2 (39)
Head Coach: Vanessa Watson
There's been quite a debate in the Garden State since last year's TOC
because champion University actually lost twice to Shabazz during the season
and Shabazz couldn't play in that event. While University has a ton of
talent back, the Bulldogs shouldn't be discounted, either. The graduation
loss of state player of the year Isaia Hemingway won't be easy to overcome,
but everyone else on the roster last year was an underclassman. Among those
back are 5-10 senior forward Jynae Judson, 5-5 sophomore guard Ka-Deidre
Simmons and 6-2 senior center Chanez Robinson.
27. Brea Olinda (Brea, Calif.) 32-2 (15)
Head Coach: Jeff Sink
California's Ms. Basketball, Jeanette Pohlen, is now at Stanford but three
starters return, including one of the state's top freshmen last year, 5-11
guard Kelsey Harris, who moves to the No. 2 spot after another incoming
freshman who looked to be the top frosh guard prospect in the state, Alexis
Perry, was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. Junior Jonae Ervin, who
can lead the fly and plays voracious defense, moves from the No. 2 to the
point. The big addition is 6-2 freshman post Justine Hartman, who was
sensational over the summer, including going toe-to-toe against Jasmine Dixon
and Monique Oliver of Long Beach Poly and more than holding her own. Other
returning starters who will provide size up front are 5-11 senior forward
Lauren Bell and 6-0 junior Kendall Rodriguez. "Without Alexis, Kelsey
becomes our shooter and she is developing the outside shot now to make her
game complete – and Justine is just unbelievable," said Sink, a veteran
coach whose team lost in the CIF Div-II state championship game last season.
28. Lower Richland (Hopkins, S.C.) 25-2 (46)
Head Coach: Debbie Stroman
The Diamonds could have one of the most experienced FAB 50 ranked teams. They
will be seeking their third straight state Class 4A championship this season
with 11 players returning from last season's 13-player squad. The veteran
anchor is junior Morgan Stroman, a daughter of coach Debbie Stroman, already a
two-season standout and state tournament MVP.
29. Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.) 28-3 (nr)
Head Coach: June Seals
The defending state Class 6A champion lost only two seniors and is the team to
beat this season. Returning for the Senators are wings Adrienne Webb and
Chatia Kelsey, who led the team in last year's title game. The key loss is
6-foot-1 center Shai Wilkins.
30. Rockwall (Rockwall, Texas) 40-0 (4)
Head Coach: Jill McDill
McDill had a deep senior oriented-team last year that recorded a historic
59-54 overtime win over Cy-Fair in one of the most anticipated state finals in
Texas history. McDill's team won't likely match last year's unblemished
record, but the momentum built from last year plus some talented players
moving up from the JV (27-4) and freshman (24-4) teams should make this a club
to be reckoned with when district play rolls around. Team captain Shelby
Adamson (5-7, 7 ppg.) returns as does starting point guard Sunny Satery (5-5,
5.9 apg.). Four letter winners return in all and the best player moving up
from the JV unit is 5-foot-5 Peyton Adamson, who pumped in 20 ppg. before
actually being moved up to the varsity at the end of the season.
31. Hickman (Columbia, Mo.) 29-2 (nr)
Head Coach: Tonya Mirts
Hickman's Yvonne Anderson has established herself as a premier guard in the
2008 class. The senior averaged over 20 points per game last season as Hickman
went on to finish third in the state. A narrow 50-49 loss to eventual state
champion Liberty ended the season, but with Anderson back for a second season,
Hickman looks to be the favorite to claim the title this season in Missouri.
Anderson is a 5-7 guard with quick feet and great court vision who has all the
skills a coach could want. She arrived at Hickman when her father, Mike
Anderson, took the head basketball coaching opening at the University of
Missouri. Also returning to the team is junior Chasity Prince, who averaged
7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and sophomore Taylor Ford. Mirts has
amassed a record of 279-61 in her tenure and with Anderson on an already
talented team, the Kewpies should be looking to avenge last year's loss.
32. Bishop McGuinness (Kernersville, N.C.) 32-1 (19)
Head coach: Brian Robinson
It is no secret that Bishop McGuinness is the team to beat in North Carolina
this season. The two-time defending state champion won last year's title by
a 79-42 score and with a strong nucleus back plus a big-time freshman,
Robinson is confident his team will compete for a third. The secret for this
year's team may be 6-1 freshman Whitney Knight. Robinson said few are
looking at Knight due to the starters that return, but said she has the chance
to be the best player ever at Bishop McGuinness. Knight has long arms, can
handle the ball and is very athletic and already considered the best athlete
in the school, male or female. Robinson considers her the secret weapon on
this season's team, but first she needs to prove she can gel with the girls
who are defending their titles. Four-year starter Maggie Ronan along with 6-3
Erinn Thompson and Anna DeFrancesco, who are both three-year starters,
provides leadership and experience. Megan Rembelak rounds out the starting
lineup.
33. St. Michael's Academy (New York, N.Y.) 25-6 (nr)
Head Coach: Robert "Apache" Paschall
After last year's historic win over perennial national power Christ The King
in the New York parochial Class 2A final, this time the Eagles also have more
top-ranked players than the Royals and deserve to start out higher in the
preseason rankings. Alexa Roche, a 6-0 forward headed to Georgetown, and
Shennika Smith, a 6-1 wing who is one of the top juniors in the East, should
lead the way. Also on hand are 6-1 forward Jelleah Sidney and two of New
York's top sophomores in 5-6 point guard Jennifer O'Neill and 6-3 post
Brittany Webb.
34. Pensacola (Pensacola, Fla.) 21-6 (nr)
Head Coach: Alison Davis
Several key Tigers return from a team which advanced to the Class 4A regional
semifinals last season. They included senior post Danielle Williams, a
two-time state high jump champion who is getting looks from some Division 1
colleges. She averaged a double-double last season -- 15.2 points and 10.6
rebounds, and added 37 blocks and 60 steals. Junior Bianca Lutley is rated by
some scouts as one of the top players in the nation after two standout
seasons. Last season, she averaged 22.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists
after averaging 21 points as a freshman.
35. Ayala (Chino Hills, Calif.) 27-4 (nr)
Head Coach: Mel Sims
Veteran coach Mel Sims fields one of his strongest teams ever with all five
starters returning from a CIF Southern Section Division II Southern Section
champion, including UCLA-bound 6-0 Rebekah Gardner, who can play just about
any position. Gardner is joined by 6-0 power forward Jasmin Holliday, who also
has D1 potential and is getting looks from Pepperdine, Oregon and Arizona
State to name a few. Two sophomores who should make major contributions are
point guard Ariel Marsh and Rebekah's younger sister, 6-1 guard/forward
Rhema Gardner.
36. Eleanor Roosevelt (Greenbelt, Md.) 25-3 (33)
Head Coach: Rod Hairston
When people discuss girls basketball in Maryland, the first name mentioned is
Eleanor Roosevelt. The Raiders have won three straight 4A state titles and
with three starters and eight players overall returning to a team that won its
last state title by a 20-point margin, there is little reason to believe a
fourth straight is not in the future. George Washington commit Brooke Wilson
leads the team. Wilson was named to the area's All-Met team and is a
quick-footed scorer who averaged a double-double with 12.3 points, 12 rebounds
and 8 steals per game. Already an integral part of the team, Wilson looks
ready to dominate during her senior season.Olivia Applewhite also returns and
was named to the All-Met Honorable Mentions.
37. Dickinson (Dickinson, Texas) 32-6 (nr)
Head Coach: Darrin Samuels
This team will be gunning for Dunbar in the 4A ranks and although they don't
quite have a player like Brooklyn Pope, a whopping 10 letterwinners return
from a state runner-up unit. The guard trio of 5-foot-8 senior Morgan Williams
(15.7 ppg, 8.7 apg, 7.2 rpg), 6-foot Brianna Hypolite (16.9 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and
5-foot-11 LaChandra Johnson gives the Lady Gators the best backcourt in the
Lone Star State. Five-foot-5 sophomore Delanah Samuels adds quickness and
depth and was the 100 and 200 meter champion in District 23-4A as a freshman.
Six-foot-2 Shannon Caldwell leads the returnees up front and despite the above
mentioned guards, it was actually 5-foot-9 Laura Bell who was named the team's
defensive player of the year last season.
38. Marshall (Chicago, Ill.) 26-5 (nr)
Head Coach: Dorothy Gaters
Four starters return for the state's winningest program, with legendary coach
Dorothy Gaters still going strong. Senior guards Sarah Rodgers and Nine
Rodgers plus touted junior Adrienne Godbold anchor the squad.
39. Wilson Central (Lebanon, Tenn.) 32-5 (nr)
Head Coach: Bud Brandon
Wilson Central was the favorite heading into last year's state tournament
and its eventual loss to Antioch has left a bitter taste in the mouths of its
players. Four players return from last season's team, and according to
Brandon, he needs to do very little motivating to the returnees. "They want
to recover from last year's disappointment," Brandon said. "The team is
taking it upon themselves to take the next step." Among the key players is
6-3 junior Jasmine Hassell, who is one of top players in her class. Before the
loss to Antioch, Wilson Central had rolled off 16 straight wins and for a
program that has only been around for seven years that kind of success has
become the standard. Wilson also has been to the state eight-team tournament
each of the past three seasons.
40. Mt. Notre Dame (Cincinnati, Ohio) 23-4 (nr)
Head Coach: Dante Harlan
The Cougars will be seeking their fourth state Division 1 championship in the
last five years after winning their second in a row last season. The Cougars
will be anchored by 6-foot-1 center pivot Tia McBride.
41. Iroqois (Louisville, Ky.) 32-3 (nr)
Head Coach: Al Northington
Last season's state runnerup returns four starters from the squad that bowed
to FAB 50 ranked Lexington Christian in the title game. They are veterans Asia
Mathies (10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Stafonia Taylor (10.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Adia Mathies
(15.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg) and Kayla Hickman (11.0 ppg).
42. Marlborough (Los Angeles, Calif.) 27-6 (nr)
Head Coach: Trenton Jackson
The defending CIF Division IV state champions return the top point guard in
the state in Nikki Speed, who along with Long Beach Poly's Dixon, has
committed to Rutgers. With Speed providing just that, and plenty of it, the
Mustangs will also have a powerful inside game led by 6-4 junior Talia
Caldwell, who last season led the team in scoring and rebounding with 15.2 and
7.5 per game averages respectively. Another returning starter is 6-1 Dominique
Chen, who averaged in double-figure scoring (10.7 ppg) while usually leaving
the block to Caldwell. Only one player off the roster last year is gone.
43. Detroit Country Day (Beverly Hills, Mich.) 23-3 (nr)
Head Coach: Frank Orlando
Fall basketball is finally gone in Michigan as the state's girls teams will
join the 21st century (and the rest of the nation) and will now play in the
winter. We'll go with the Yellowjackets to start out at the top for the
state with 6-5 Madison Williams, one of the most promising sophomores in the
Midwest, plus 6-0 junior Emma Golen and 6-2 Erica Solomon in a lineup that's
as big as you'll see anywhere.
44. Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 23-4 (41)
Head Coach: Bob Mackey
It's going to be an unusual position for the Royals to start out, not just
looking up at Bergtraum in the FAB 50 but also another team from New York.
They should never be discounted as a top team, though, and have a potentially
tough front court with 6-1 junior Tahira Johnson and 6-3 senior Bianca
Martinez. Point guard Jael Pena could be another player to watch.
45. Prairie (Vancouver, Wash.) 20-5 (nr)
Head Coach: Al Aldridge
The team that lost to Anjie Bjorklund and University of Spokane in last
year's Washington state 4A semifinals after upsetting them the previous year
returns sharp-shooting guard Ashley Corral, one of the state's top
prospects. She will be out, however, until early December after undergoing
elective surgery in August to repair partially torn ligaments in her left
ankle. Other returning starters include 6-0 senior post Emily Lashua and 5-11
sophomore power forward Emily Levanen.
46. Harrisburg (Harrisburg, Pa.) 21-6 (nr)
Head Coach: Larry Moore
The Cougars should be a serious contender for the largest class state title in
Pennsylvania. Their playoff loss last year was to eventual champ Cheltenham
and one of the state's most talented lineups is back. Two of the best –
5-11 Sabre Proctor (13 ppg) and 6-2 Stacei Dennis (10 ppg) – are still just
juniors.
47. Mt. Miguel (Spring Valley, Calif.) 28-5 (nr)
Head Coach: Robbie Sandoval
Sandoval's squad, the top preseason team in the CIF San Diego Section, has
three seniors who have either committed to D1 colleges or have offers on the
table, and one junior, Danesia Williamson, a 5-6 point guard who can slash,
plays voracious defense, who has been contacted by several Pac-10 and ACC
schools. The Matadors will have excellent size inside with San Jose State
committed 6-1 power forward/post Autumn Spikes and big 6-3 post Cindy
Ekewozor, who has verballed to the University of San Francisco. Another inside
presence is 6-2 junior Soulijah Evans. "This is as good a team as we've
had, and I feel this is the year we can win the Southern Region title. We'll
really find out when we play Bishop Gorman in Vegas on January 19th,"said
Sandoval, whose team has beaten Bishop Gorman the past two seasons, once in
Vegas, and last year 80-72 at the La Jolla Country Day tournament.
48. Sequoyah (Sequoyah, Okla.) 27-0 (nr)
Head Coach: Bill Nobles
There can be little argument that heading into the 2007-08 season that the
biggest favorite to win a state title in Oklahoma is Sequoyah. The Indians
have a 39-game wining streak and have gone 80-4 over the last three seasons
and they have not lost a game within their 3A class since 2004. What makes
this year's team more impressive is that everyone returns from last year.
Head coach Bill Nobles returns his top nine players and is looking to
accomplish what no girls team in Oklahoma has done before – win four
straight state titles. Leading the charge is Kansas commit Angel Goodrich, who
averaged 20 points, seven assists and seven rebounds per game last year. The
point guard is a good three-point shooter with good ball-handling skills who
is the type of athlete that makes her teammates better. Her sister, Nikki
Lewis, is an up-and-comer and will be counted on. Cassie Moore, Brea Brewer
and Lorin Hammer round out the key players that Nobles said makes up a team
that is smarter and more fundamentally sound than the previous year's team.
49. South (Minneapolis, Minn.) 29-3 (nr)
Head Coach: Ahmil Jihad
Tayler Hill still has two years to go, but since she played as an eighth
grader three years ago for the Tigers, she's got a chance to break a lot of
records. The 5-10 Student Sports Underclass All-American is the leader of a
team that reached last year's Class 5A state final and seems to have the
firepower to win it this time.
50. St. John the Baptist (West Islip, N.Y.) 23-5 (nr)
Head Coach: Ted Oberg
Like St. Michael's Academy last year, the Cougars look like another strong
alternative to Bergtraum or Christ The King this season in New York. They are
the preseason No. 1 team for Long Island and welcome back two strong returnees
in 6-3 junior center Christine Huber and 5-8 senior guard Dani Iervolino.