NYCHoops.net Preseason Top Ten Girls Teams in New York State (2018-2019)
With the fall season now behind us it's now time to start focusing on the high school side of things with many teams about to start practice in the coming days. It's absolutely one of the more exciting times of the year which means it's time for our NYCHoops.net Preseason Top Ten Girls Teams.
The depth in girls basketball throughout New York State just continues to grow and we considered 20 teams for 10 spots this year because of how good many teams are looking to be this year, but tough decisions had to be made as we cut it down to the elite ten heading into the year.
There is a good mix of teams from Downstate in the New York City area, and Upstate throughout the Capital Region and beyond, and with so many of the team's set to face off this season we will truly get a good look early on as to who belongs, and who doesn't.
In just over 3 weeks time teams will start to take the court for real, but until then let's take a look at how we think things will shape up as we give to you now our preseason rankings for the top girls high school teams in New York State.
1) Christ the King- When you look at the Royals this season you can forget about being ranked #1 in New York State for them, they are gunning for the top spot in the country They have a serious chance once again of reaching that goal as they are deep at nearly every position, bring back the likes of Ohio State bound guard Kaelynn Satterfield '19, Florida guard commit Nina Rickards '19, and Minnesota forward Klarke Sconiers '19, and when you add in 6'4" post Natalija Marshall '20 who is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2020 it's easy to see why Christ the King is considered the best of the best heading into the season.
2) Long Island Lutheran- Coming in at the #2 spot are the Crusaders who return one of the favorites for NYS Player of the Year in Texas bound guard Celeste Taylor '19. They do lose a couple of key pieces to graduation and transfer but LuHi landed a quality PG from New Jersey in Nisani Sanitago '19 who should take some pressure off of Taylor, while UMBC commit Emma Glezen '19 should be a key inside as her offensive production will undoubtedly go up as Long Island Lutheran look to surround those pieces with some talented youngsters to make yet another deep playoff run.
3) Ossining- The other favorites for the NYS Player of the Year leads the Pride as Ossining once again will be among the best to take the court in New York this year led by UConn bound guard Aubrey Griffin '19. She will be the state's top scorer without a doubt but you can expect Griffin to be a stat stuffer type again as she will rebound the ball, while also showing to be a great passer with the likes of Seton Hall commit Kailah Harris '19 receiving her passes on the inside, with Jaida Strippoli '19 also surely to be an important piece of the Ossining success.
4) Elmira- As good as the Express have been for the past few years you could make a strong case that this is their best team that they have had in recent memory. Terrific young guard Kiara Fisher '20 is already off the board to Syracuse as she will be a catalyst for what Elmira looks to do again this year as she possesses the ability to break down anyone off the dribble and score, while also being a great offensive facilitator as well. Zaria DeMember-Shazer '20 is an underrated weapon around the rim with her length for the Express, and expect big things from Morgan Gentile '20 on the wing as well as Elmira looks to make another run at a NYSPHSAA Class AA title.
5) Bishop Kearney- For as much experience as you can say the Kings now have with 4 of 5 starters returning from last year's team, they are still loaded with impressively talented underclassmen led by forward Saniaa Wilson '21. About to start her third year on the varsity as just a sophomore, Wilson can play nearly every position on the floor as she can bang it up and dominate the paint, while also stepping out and showing the ability to finish off the dribble. She has a pair of strong and solid guards with her in Marianna Freeman '21 and Kaia Goode '22, both of whom already have Division 1 looks and can run the offense at any pace needed.
6) Msgr. Scanlan- What looks to be the top team on the Archdiocese side of the CHSAA this season, the Crusaders shockingly fell in the GCHSAA semifinals a year ago but they return a key core led by top Class of 2020 prospect Kateri Poole '20 who should be among the top pure scorers in the state, while alongside of her will be the ever improving Imani Harris '21 as she has developed a stronger and tighter handle over the summer which should alleviate some pressure off of Poole this year. Kaylen Banwareesingh '19 is an underrated weapon headed to UMass-Lowell who can play on the wing or in the post as she will provide a strong inside/outside presence for a talented Scanlan squad.
7) St. Francis Prep- Losing a McDonald's All-American to graduation normally means a step back for most teams, but the Terriers could be even better this season as the rest of the team is back led by lead guard MacKayla Scarlett '20 who is coming off a fantastic AAU season and looks stronger and tougher on the ball, while JeAnna Cunningham '20 is now bigger and stronger in the paint as well and should be more of an offensive weapon down low this season. Add in transfer Destiny Howell '20 who comes over as a potent scorer on the wing from Glen Cover H.S. and St. Francis Prep has all the makings of a team that can compete with anyone in the state.
8) Jamesville-DeWitt- A perennial power in Class A, the Red Rams are back once again this year with a group that has been battle tested and looks ready for another run at a title. Momo LaClair '21 is among New York's top young talents as she is as good shooting the ball from deep as she is creating off the dribble, and then when you add in two more talented young guards in Paige Keeler '20 and Gabby Stickle '20 it's easy to see why J-D may be one of the best creating teams in the state, and a team that could push the tempo and run it more in what should be another big year ahead for a talented Jamesville-DeWitt team.
9) South Shore- The favorites once again in the PSAL this year, South Shore does have a good amount of turnover to the team having lost some to graduation, though lead guard Laysha de los Santos '19 is back in control of the offense. She will be surrounded by a lot of talent, but a lot of young talent with still a good amount to prove as Chloe Wilson '20 looks like she can be a strong weapon inside as she is over 6' and possesses inside/outside abilities, while Danaijah Williams '20 had a solid season coming off the bench a year ago scoring in bunches and her role should expand as the Lady Vikings look to make noise again as one of New York's best.
10) Shenendehowa- Bringing back what may be the premier post presence in New York this season in 6'5" Quinnipiac commit Catherine Almeida '19, the Plainsmen will be working the ball inside quite a bit this year as Almeida is a skilled finisher with both hands around the rim to go along with her abilities to change and alter shots with her length on the defensive end. Simone Walker '21 came on at the end of last season to prove she would be a force on the wing, and then you can't forget the young sisters of Megan Huerter '21 and Jillian Huerter '22, each of whom are excellent on the ball and can become dynamic weapons for what could be a potent Shen offense.
Honorable Mention
West Genesee
Penfield
Saratoga Springs
Williamsville South
The Ursuline School