DMV Preseason Top 50 (1-10)

DMV Preseason Top 50 (1-10) Basketball is starting to ramp back up despite the rise in Covid cases.  Modified practices for many schools have begun, with most of the public schools still unsure of who is enrolled at the school.  Some scrimmages have happened and fall leagues for what it’s worth is underway, sort of.  In light of the IH’s recent passing, the DMV rankings will continue in his honor.  A quick look at 1-10 the preseason rankings. 1.  New Hope Academy - After finishing the season at #4 the Tigers return a formidable roster returning Maria Gakgeng and Kennedy Fauntleroy Kennedy Fauntleroy 5'8" | CG New Hope Academy | 2022 State MD .  Winning a scrimmage against last season’s top team. 2.  Bishop McNamara - The Mustangs lost five seniors, they also lost two All Americans in the past two years as well.  They return Michigan commit Taylor Gibson Taylor Gibson 6'2" | PF Bishop McNamara | 2021 State MD who will anchor the middle and a host of dynamic underclassmen guards.  Yonta Vaughn Yonta Vaughn 5'7" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #68 Nation MD will be expected to run the show with Gia Cooke Gia Cooke 5'9" | PG Bishop McNamara | 2022 State #50 Nation MD who missed most of the action last season due to transfer rules will make her full season debut. 3.  Sidwell Friends -  The Quakers return Kiki Rice Kiki Rice 5'11" | PG Sidwell Friends School | 2022 State #4 Nation MD and Jadyn Donovan Jadyn Donovan 6'1" | SF Sidwell Friends School | 2023 State #21 Nation MD both are amongst the most dynamic players in the country.  The shouldn’t have an issue scoring against anyone and if their play in the fall league is any indication they will avenge their loss to St. John’s in the DC Championship game last year. 4.  St. John’s College - Azzi Fudd Azzi Fudd 5'11" | SG St. John's College Prep | 2021 State #1 Nation MD returns for the Cadet’s and she will be looking to get her WCAC title back as well as her Player of the Year Award.  She is the nations top player and will be attending UConn in the fall.  The Cadet’s return Isabella Tanedo Isabella Tanedo 5'4" | PG St. John's College | 2022 State MD who will spend the bulk of the time at the point and have a host of young talent coming in with Kyomi McMiller and Kendall Walker. 5.  McDonogh School -  The Eagles are one of the top teams in the Baltimore area each season and each season it seems like St. Frances is the only thing that stands in their way from that top spot.  This season may be theirs as the return Nekhu Mitchell Nekhu Mitchell 6'0" | SF McDonogh | 2022 State MD , Jayla Oden Jayla Oden 5'6" | PG McDonogh | 2021 State MD and 6’3" Delaney Yarborough Delaney Yarborough 6'3" | PF McDonogh | 2022 State MD .  These three will cover each level on the floor making them a formidable opponent against anyone they face. 6.  Princess Anne - Aziaha James will carry most of the load for the Cavs and look for Olivia Liszt Olivia Liszt 5'10" | PF Mercy | 2023 State MD to fill out a bigger role this season.  The Cavaliers are amongst the Tidewater area’s top teams year after year and this should be another season that they will be listed in the top. 7.  St. Frances Academy - The Panther’s have lost Angel Reese Angel Reese 6'3" | SF St. Francis Academy | 2020 State MD who is doing big things on the next level.  They are still one of the top teams around and can challenge for the top spot if they can keep their chemistry intact figuring out who will fill in the leadership role.  Aniya Gourdine Aniya Gourdine 5'7" | CG St. Frances Academy | 2021 State MD and Kaitlyn Weaver Kaitlyn Weaver 5'11" | PF St. Frances Academy | 2022 State MD s are amongst the top returning players as everyone will have to play a bigger role. They have added 2022 guard Jalyn Brown Jalyn Brown 6'0" | SF New Hope Academy | 2022 State MD to the mix who transferred in from Riverdale Baptist. 8.  Paul VI - Even in a down year the Panther’s are one of the best teams in the DMV, WCAC and state of Virginia.  You can credit Coach Allen for getting everyone to buy into his system.  The system sometimes have teams underestemating the talent that he brings in.  Jaelyn Talley Jaelyn Talley 6'0" | SF Paul VI | 2022 State VA , Isa Bella Perkins Bella Perkins 5'8" | PG Paul VI | 2021 State VA and Lee Volker Lee Volker 5'11" | SF Paul VI | 2021 State VA each have the talent and ability to lead the Panther’s in scoring this season. 9.  Emerge Christian Academy - It seems like every couple of years theirs a new popup that challenges the status quo.  This season Emerge, emerges.  Switching uniforms from Riverdale Baptist School, Emerge transforms over most of the same players from last years Crusaders team.  Head Coach Lonnie Harrell will have his middle anchored by 6’2 Kayla Thomas Kayla Thomas 6'3" | PF Riverdale Baptist School | 2021 State #59 Nation MD and the athletic Jalyn Brown Jalyn Brown 6'0" | SF New Hope Academy | 2022 State MD will handle most of the wing duties. 10.  Elizabeth Seton - Regina Walton Regina Walton 5'2" | PG Elizabeth Seton | 2022 State MD is one of the top point guard in the area and Hannah Dereje is long and active inside.  Bottom line the Roadrunners are a dangerous team to play and can upset anyone in the top ten.  Look for them to have some big perfomances this season but will need consistency across the line to be a top five team.