Final 2026 rankings: Welcoming the newcomers, part 1

Late at night, when I'm not quite ready to retire for the evening, I often watch horse racing on the television – random thoroughbreds from all over the world just trying to get to the front as fast as they can. It's amazing how often one of those elite four-legged athletes will sprint down the home stretch and cross the finish line with a final flourish. That's kind of how it is with our last Prep Girls Hoops ranking of the Class of 2026. More than any group in recent years, several of this season's graduating seniors have made a strong sprint from back in the pack to the finish line. Here are the first 10 of 19 newcomers who've earned their way into the rankings as they prepare to graduate.    Onyx has made a name for herself over the past 18 months, parlaying her size and length and strength into a key role for the 17-7 Islanders. She's averaging 8.5 points per game, producing most of that right around the rim, but she can also step out and make shots now. Idoko's growth over the past 6-12 months has been remarkable. If she sticks with it, Onyx has a chance to be a really good college basketball player.     At 6'2 LaNore has all of the assets college coaches look for in a post player: size, length, mobility and a willingness to compete in the thick of things. The growth in Avery's game has been palpable, from last summer with Crossfire AAU to this winter at Mounds View, where she is averaging 9 points and 7 rebounds per game. Her defensive presence is legit and will serve her well at St. Mary's.     At 5'10 with long arms and a sturdy frame, Puent is a disruptive presence on defense where her toughness and physicality in the paint are valuable assets. At the other end of the floor she has developed into a player who moves efficiently and positions herself well to create opportunities to score. Upping her year-over-year production from 7 to 11 points per game, Puent earned herself a spot at the next level.     This has been a breakout season for Arvig who has evolved into a consistent, versatile contributor. On a team where the Keaveny twins dominate, Avery has been able to carve out her niche, contributing across the board with averages of 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game. She's long and athletic with a high basketball IQ, nice vision, and a good sense of timing.     The addition of Mostad to our rankings is long overdue. What were we thinking? Grace is having an outstanding senior season, leading a strong Raiders squad at over 13 points per game and consistently giving her team what they need when they need it. She is skilled and quick, with the ability to create her own shot and get it off quickly from three. Grace will excel at St. Ben's.     An explosion of excellence. That's what senior year has been like for Jeddeloh. She's taking and making shots at a very high rate, and is one of the best three-point snipers in the state. Her game has really improved off the bounce, her rebounding numbers have spiked and she's playing with a ton of confidence. A true leader on and off the floor, Jeddeloh has blossomed into a great D3 prospect.     All eyes have been on Crosby-Ironton this winter as senior [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'] became the state's all-time scoring leader. As a result, more people have been paying much more attention to Lewandowski, who plays a key role for the Rangers. Lucy has length and strength and the ability to play off two feet to consistently finish at the rim. She is also a physical defender who rebounds hard.     The crafty guard has quick feet, knows how to push the pace and can get downhill in a hurry. She's also a top-notch shooter who can create her own opportunities off the dribble. As a result, Kamps is a consistent double-digit scorer at NYA's Central High School. Josie is also an excellent distributor who sees the floor and makes the right play. Her on-ball defense will be a prime asset at the next level.     On a talented team where minutes are hard to come by Whitaker-Hill always seems to find her way to the floor and make an impact on the game one way or another. Naomi is long and athletic possessing the type of speed and quickness that enables her to go all-out whenever the opportunity presents itself. Whitaker-Hill is a tenacious rebounder who has improved her overall skill set in the past year or so.     Schneider is an effective guard with plenty of length, good quickness, and the ability to handle the ball at a high level. Her shooting from distance can be a weapon. She takes the right shots at the right time. Her  court vision is a real asset, enabling Maddie to make smart choices, distribute well and move the ball effectively. She is also an aggressive, disruptive defender who forces turnovers and blocks shots.

Late at night, when I'm not quite ready to retire for the evening, I often watch horse racing on the television – random thoroughbreds from all over the world just trying to get to the front as fast as they can. It's amazing how often one of those elite four-legged athletes will sprint down the home stretch and cross the finish line with a final flourish. That's kind of how it is with our last Prep Girls Hoops ranking of the Class of 2026. More than any group in recent years, several of this season's graduating seniors have made a strong sprint from back in the pack to the finish line. Here are the first 10 of 19 newcomers who've earned their way into the rankings as they prepare to graduate.