The IH's Top 21 to End 2021 | Prep Girls Hoops

The IH’s Top 21 to End 2021 This has been a difficult season thus far with most basketball in the area suspended until mid-January. Some major tournaments have been cancelled and many teams are in limbo hoping not to have a repeat of the last two seasons with no championships. With what has been played in 2021 here are the top 21 teams heading into the new year. As the I.H. would say with limited games you can’t be fakin. 1. SIDWELL FRIENDS - WASHINGTON, DC `Sidwell has already faced the battle faze of their schedule and came through unblemished. They shouldn’t face much opposition going forward in the ISL. Having two all-Americans on the team in [player_tooltip player_id="25461" first="Kiki" last="Rice"] and [player_tooltip player_id="142824" first="Jadyn" last="Donovan"] should have them on track to an undefeated season and a national #1 ranking to end the year. 2.NEW HOPE ACADEMY - LANDOVER, MD Coach Caldwell has taken on the WCAC’s best and even did some international travel. With most of their games on the road it will be a challenge to play every scheduled game. [player_tooltip player_id="88773" first="Kennedy" last="Fauntleroy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="27870" first="Jalyn" last="Brown"] lead a deep star-studded team that also has its eyes on a #1 end of year ranking. At this point all roads will go through the Quakers. 3. MCDONOGH - OWINGS MILLS, MD The Eagles slipped everyone’s radar except mine. Now they have slipped into a couple of national top 10 rankings. This season is going to be a difficult one to manage as outside of the typical injuries you still have the ever-changing Covid-19 protocols that puts each game in question. The trip to the desert wasn’t as successful as they wanted and not having a true point guard may be their only weakness. They still have [player_tooltip player_id="238688" first="Tatum" last="Greene"] and [player_tooltip player_id="238813" first="Kennedy" last="Umeh"] along with one of the regions deepest rosters. 4. ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE - WASHINGTON, DC Maybe the class of the WCAC right now with questions raised about how strong the WCAC is this year. Still considered the top conference in America [player_tooltip player_id="142836" first="Delaney" last="Thomas"] has game changing talent and [player_tooltip player_id="27883" first="Gianni" last="Boone"] is starting to come into her own. If everyone on the team plays up to their potential every night this team is tough to beat. 5. GOOD COUNSEL - OLNEY, MD Milt Kimbrough has snuck into the top half of the league and is the only undefeated team in the conference. [player_tooltip player_id="137243" first="Kadidia" last="Toure"] looks like she is having fun on the court and freshman [player_tooltip player_id="239390" first="Caliyah" last="DeVillasee"] is gaining more confidence each game. They may not be as deep as desired but they have the talent at each position to make a deep playoff run. 6. GEORGETOWN VISITATION - WASHINGTON. D.C. The Cubs are undefeated and that’s an accomplishment in it’s own especially hitting non conference tournaments. I’m seeing more and more from [player_tooltip player_id="142837" first="Maria" last="Alvarado"] who may be the x-factor for success here. [player_tooltip player_id="210722" first="Fadima" last="Tall"] has been playing solid this year as well. Coach McCarthy will need consistency from the entire group as the season continues. 7. BISHOP MCNAMARA - FORESTVILLE, MD The Mustangs are loaded on paper but have been exposed in big games for their lack of a true center. They have fallen from #3 in the nation to outside most top 25 rankings. Pretty much every player on the roster can get to the rim at will but, they shoot a lot of three pointers which doesn’t seem to be their strength. Sahnya Jay has emerged to superstar status and [player_tooltip player_id="137208" first="Gia" last="Cooke"] helps to keep the up-tempo pace. 8. HOWARD - ELLICOTT CITY, MD Howard should make space in their trophy case for that state championship trophy. After the cancellation of the states the last couple of seasons because of the pandemic this year’s championship will be special. With plyers like [player_tooltip player_id="324014" first="Gabby" last="Scott"], [player_tooltip player_id="163864" first="Gabrielle" last="Kennerly"] and [player_tooltip player_id="303119" first="Meghan" last="Yarnevich"], Howard has just as much talent as many of the private schools. 9. ST FRANCES ACADEMY - BALTIMORE, MD SFA will have to compete every night as the IMAA is making a comeback to prominence. The sisters Daimoni and [player_tooltip player_id="163910" first="Kameryn" last="Dorsey"] have been playing well and they have a good post rotation. 10. NATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - FORT WASHINGTON, MD Boogie Washington is back in the coaching seat and freshman [player_tooltip player_id="363330" first="Deniya" last="Prawl"] has been turning heads since her debut. She teams up with fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id="363332" first="Jniya" last="Weaver"] and there looks to be something special brewing in Ft. Washington. 11. PIKESVILLE - PIKESVILLE, MD Freshman Amori Jarett is putting up crazy numbers in the limited games and fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id="137241" first="Amayah" last="Frazier"] has had solid play. Pikesville is limited in the inside so teams like Howard will be a challenge. 12. MARET SCHOOL - WASHINGTON, D.C. [player_tooltip player_id="137211" first="Page" last="Greenburg"] has a nice shooting touch and [player_tooltip player_id="370303" first="London" last="Liley"] brings a lot of energy to the court. The Frogs have lost some talent to graduation and transfer but the added players have kept them in the top half of the talent pool. 13. BALTIMORE POLY - BALTIMORE, MD [player_tooltip player_id="142834" first="Trinity" last="Massenburg"] and DaBrya Clark are carrying much of the load but their seems to be someone new stepping up each game. 14. RIVERDALE BAPTIST SCHOOL - UPPER MARLBORO, MD The Crusaders have been shorthanded all season but you play the hand that you are dealt. [player_tooltip player_id="319897" first="Caia" last="Loving"] and [player_tooltip player_id="319238" first="Yannisa" last="Boyd"] have had consistent play, getting the entire team at full strength with be interesting to see. 15. ROLAND PARK - BALTIMORE, MD Freshmen [player_tooltip player_id="303136" first="Erin" last="Miller"] and [player_tooltip player_id="336765" first="Kelis" last="Fisher"] lead a young Reds team that are looking like they will continue to get stronger in the years to come. 16. CATONSVILLE - CANTONSVILLE, MD [player_tooltip player_id="137247" first="Ashley" last="Dickey"] is averaging over 23 ppg and Catonsville are winning so the formula is working....for now. 17. CLARKSBURG - CLARKSBURG, MD The Coyotes will not face any meaningful challenge until playoffs, [player_tooltip player_id="137216" first="Mia" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="293245" first="Riley" last="Nelson"] will have their way in the county when and hopefully if, indoor sports return to MoCo. 18. PALLOTTI - LAUREL, MD [player_tooltip player_id="238924" first="Amber" last="Perry"] leads a young Pallotti team with no one over 5’10". The play at a scrappy and up-tempo pace and will be fun to watch as they get more time together. 19. PARKDALE - RIVERDALE, MD [player_tooltip player_id="238891" first="Amaya" last="Durrett"] was one of the top middle school players in the county, now she is one of the top freshmen in the state. She’s scoring over half of the points for the 4-0 Panthers. 20. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING - SEVERN, MD Farrah Peterein has the shooting touch and [player_tooltip player_id="163893" first="Kamari" last="Sims"] has the inside moves and suddenly Spalding is becoming a household name for the first time since Coach Bookie stepped doen, 21. WESTERN - BALTIMORE, MD Gabby Johnson and Ny’Cera Pryor have a solid one two punch and can go toe to toe with anyone. There isn’t much left after that which raises doubts on how sustainable the Doves can be for an entire season.