High school girls basketball: Best team in each state heading into 2024-25 season

Nationally-ranked Etiwanda, Hebron Christian, Morris Catholic and Sidwell Friends represent their states.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Aaron Williams
By
Nov 25, 2024, 11:30am
Our preview of the 2023-24 high school girls basketball season continues today with a look at the top team in all 50 states.

Previous installments of preview material include the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 highlighted by No. 1 Etiwanda (Calif.) and the Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team.

From Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched coast-to-coast to find the best team from your state heading into the 2023-24 season.
Alabama
The Bucs look to run it back for a fifth straight Class 7A title led by 6-foot-3 center Khloe Ford and senior point Kaitlyn Gipson. They are off to a 2-0 start after finishing last season 28-7.

Alaska
Sophie Lentfer is back for the Grizzlies after leading them to a 26-3 mark and repeat Class 3A title. She averaged 20.1 points and 8.8 rebounds last season. Also back is point guard Ella Boerger and M.J. Van der Horst.

Arizona
The Open Division runner-up returns senior and Trinity Jones (11.1 points per game) plus one of the best 2028 players in the state in Zaire Hatter. The Thunder went 24-6 last season and battled with Xavier College Prep for the title.

Arkansas
Emerie Bohanon and Samyah Jordan return for the Wampus Cats after reaching the 6A finals last season. Bohanon is headed to Central Arkansas while freshman guard Kylie Johnson is one to watch.

California
Despite a loss over the weekend, head coach Stan Delus and the Eagles have won back-to-back state titles and expect to be in the hunt for a third behind Puff Morris, Grace Knox, Arynn Finley and Shaena Brew.

Colorado
After winning the Class 6A title last year with a 23-4 mark, the Eagles return All-State first teamer Quinn VanSickle and honorable mention nods Rylie Beers and Peyton Jones. VanSickle led Valor with 18.9 points per night while Jones added 14.2 points and Beers poured in 10.5.

Connecticut
The Crusaders came up short in last year's Class L final but senior Shania Howard, who was a second-team nod and 1,000-point scorer.

Delaware
Gigi Banks, a MaxPreps Freshman All-American pick, is back for the Raiders after averaging 21.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.6 per game. She scored 29 in the state title game, including a free throw with 1.9 seconds left to lift Ursuline to a 49-48 victory.

District of Columbia
The addition of MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Autumn Fleary helps the Quakers reload. She joins Jayla Jackson and Ava Yoon on a squad that went 25-7 last year and starts at No. 11 in the MaxPreps Top 25.

Florida
The Panthers went 27-4 last season and return experience and depth with the freshmen Michelle McKenzie and Aniyah Eldell, junior Jamila Ray (who missed last year due to injury) and transfers Jazmine Monroe and Kiarra Orphelia.

Georgia
Return four starters from last year's AAA championship squad, including Georgia commit Aubrey Beckham. The MaxPreps Junior All-American pick is joined by Auburn commit Ja’kerra Butler, Miami commit Danielle Osho and George Washington commit M.J. James.

Hawaii
Mia Frye is back as the Raiders chase their sixth straight Division I state title. The senior and Most Outstanding Player in last year's tournament is joined by sophomore Justice Kekauoha (11.8 points per game).

Idaho
the Timberwolves lost not only state Player of the Year Teagan Colvin, but coach Nicole Symons. Stacy Boyd takes over and has all-league post Kelsey Caroll and Brookeslee Colvin, a junior.

Illinois
The Dolphins were young and talented last season with Destiny Jackson leading the way with 16.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per night. Kiaya Johnson poured in 14.3 per night and 5-8 combo guard Gaby Domercant added 8.4 points per night in her freshman season.

Indiana
A young Bears team went 30-1 last season capped with a Class 4A title as Jaylah Lampley averaged 18.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in her junior campaign. Aniyah McKenzie, Laila Abdurraqib and Lola Lampley all averaged double figures

Iowa
Senior Amani Jenkins and junior Jenica Lewis provide leadership for the Dragons coming off an unbeaten state championship campaign.  Lewis averaged 12.7 points per game and Jenkins chipped in 12.5 per contest. Freshmen Kelli Kalb and Paige Andernacht should provide depth.

Kansas
Jaliya Davis averaged nearly 20 points per game as the Mustangs finished third in the state tournament. The Kansas commit will break the school scoring record this season. Behind her are 6-3 Aubrey Shaw and multi-sport athletes Logan Parks and Delia Gregory.

Kentucky
Senior Zakiyah Johnson leads the Valkyries in a quest for an unprecedented fifth straight state title. The LSU commit averaged 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game for 31-7 Sacred Heart.

Louisiana
A wild buzzer-beater from heading to the Division I Non-Select final, the Wildcats return Arionna Patterson (10.1 points per game) from a team that went 35-2.

Maine
The Stags will have big shoes to fill after losing Player of the Year Maddie Fitzpatrick, but conference All-Rookie choice Addie Jordan is back for her sophomore year after playing a big role in the 18-0 Class AA title run.
 
Maryland
Head coach Ronald James returns a deep and experienced team with five senior starters from a top 10 program last year. The loss of MaxPreps All-American Maddy McDaniel is profound. But the depth, including Freshman All-American Qandace Samuels along with Princess-Alexandria Moody, Zhen Craft and Vanessa Harris should have McNamara competing at a high level.

Massachusetts
Brown commit Charlotte Adams-Lopez and Maddy Steel (14.4 points per game) return for the Shamrocks after going 17-3 and winning the Division 1 title.

Michigan
The Rams return All-State first team selection Anna Wypych and Sienna Wolfe to a 26-2 team that fell in the Division 1 final last season. Wypych averaged 16 points per night while Wolfe is back after suffering a knee injury in last year's postseason.

Minnesota
Hopkins and Minnetonka each should be as good as last year, but Maddyn Greenway is a generational scorer for the Lions. The junior has won three state titles and averaged 34.0 points per game last season.

Mississippi
The Cougars went 29-11 and made a run to the Class 7A semifinals. Leading scorer Lashunjnea Jones is back and sophomore Malia McCelleis is off to a hot start this season, averaging 17.3 points over the first seven games.

Missouri
Dan Rolfes is back coaching the Red Knights as Nevaeh Caffey leads the team into the 2024-25 season after averaging 14.0 points per game. The program is chasing history, only eight wins from breaking the all-time win streak mark of 138 games.

Montana
The Falcons lose Player of the Year Breanna Williams to graduation after a 23-0 season and Class AA title. But Skyview returns All-State tournament player senior Rae Smart and honorable mention Taryn Salveson.

Nebraska
The Wildcats are back to defend their Class A title with their three top scorers from last season. Seniors Neleigh Gessert (18.6 points per game) and Norah Gessert (10.7) join junior Kylee Paben (11.1) on a squad that went 27-1 last year.

Nevada
The Bulldogs fell in the state final to Bishop Gorman, ending an eight-year run of titles. But Class of 2027 standout Nation Williams is back along with senior Ayla Williams and Sanai Branch as coach Karen Weitz looks to start a new title streak.

New Hampshire
First team All-State pick Kate Allard (13.8 points per game) is back for the Bulldogs as they look to repeat as Division 1 champions and keep their 24-game win streak rolling. Allard, also a volleyball standout, will pass the 1,000-career point mark in the first game of the season. Second team All-State nod Lyla Stein also returns.

New Jersey
Rahim Huland El takes over the program after being an assistant for six seasons and the Crusaders are again led by the Pauldo twins. They went 29-1 last year, winning a second straight Non-Public B title as Mia Pauldo averaged 19.9 while Mya Pauldo added 14.8 points per night.

New Mexico
Princeton commit Sydney Benally leads the Matadors back for her senior season after going 28-3 and winning a Class 5A title. She averaged 21.5 points per night and 6.2 rebounds. Seniors Hope Giddings (12.4 points per game) and Audri Wright
 (9.0) also return to give Sandia depth.

New York
As a sophomore, Olivia Vukosa led the Royals to a 29-3 mark and CHSAA AA title. She averaged 17.5 points and 18.8 rebounds on the season and went for 24 and 16 with four blocks in the title game.

North Carolina
After a Class 4A title, the Rams return their top two scorers in Wake Forest commit Caitlyn Jones (32.1 points per game) and Taliya Rowe (12.2) along with Kayla Bush (7.3) from the 27-5 squad.

North Dakota
The Magicians couldn't pull a Class AA title out of their hat, falling in the semifinals. But junior first team All-State choices Leelee Bell and Maggie Fricke return. Bell shined during the summer circuit and has multiple Division I offers.

Ohio
Dee Alexander, a MaxPreps All-American and two-time Ohio Ms. Basketball, is back after averaging 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The Cavaliers enter the season on a 26-game win streak and are 81-4 in Alexander's career. Kyaira Miller averaged 13.1 points and 4 rebounds and assists per night.

Oklahoma
The duo of Avery Hjelmstad and Janiyah Williams have fuel for their fire after falling short in last year in the semifinals to Edmond North. Hjelmstad averaged 16.3 points and 5.0 rebounds while Williams put up 16.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per night.

Oregon
Jazzy Davidson, a 6-1 wing, is among the top-ranked seniors in the country and the leader of a group has been playing varsity together since they were freshmen. The Cavaliers are on a mission after falling in the Class 6A semifinals a year ago. All-stater Sara Barhoum is a 1,000-point scorer.

Pennsylvania
After a fourth straight state title, the Vikings need to replace a trio of starters but have enough returning to eye a fifth consecutive crown. Starters Emily Knouse and Sophia Topakas are back and Colleen Besachio is healthy after an ACL injury.

Rhode Island
The Skippers return Jaelyn Holmes (16.4 points per game), Brooke Faunce (12.6), Shea Kalin (8.0) and Finola Gately after reaching the Division 1 final last season.

South Carolina
The Mavericks lost in the Class 5A quarterfinals but return their top five scorers, including junior Zara Leamon (21.2 points per game), senior Delilah Soltys (12.4) and sophomore Imani McIver (8.4).

South Dakota
State Player of the Year Mahli Abdouch graduated along with fellow All-State nod Lucy Moore, but senior Julia Eggert (7.9 points per game) and junior Sydney Terveen (7.8)  will look to repeat as Class AA state champions.

Tennessee
Kimora Fields, a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American, has multiple Power 5 offers including Georgia and Mississippi State. She averaged nearly 24 points per night as the Bearettes grabbed a second straight state title. Harmonie Ware earned state tournament MVP honors while Avary Brewer and TaTianna Stovall were all-tournament nods.

Texas
The Pantherettes are 6-1 already and sophomore Samari Holmen is averaging 15.7 points while senior Jasmine Gipson is scoring 13.9 points per night. They face a tough national slate before coming back to defend their Class 6A title after the new year.

Utah
The Class 5A state champions return Taylor Harvey (19.7 points per game) and junior forward Milika Satuala (17.6) after last year's 24-3 run. They also bring back their next three leading scorers in junior Adelaide Stevenson (6.6), senior Mae Johnson (6.2) and sophomore Maleah Nelson (5.8).

Vermont
Back-to-back Division 1 champions lose some to graduation but Zoey McNabb leads a group looking to extend the run to three straight and 11 overall.

Virginia
Head coach Pamela Walker is bullish on her trio of guards — Syvannah Dawson (2027), Timani Harris (2028) and Khya Epps (2028) — and the experienced gained in the state runner-up finish a year ago.

Washington
State Player of the Year Katie Fiso has graduated and gone to Oregon but the cupboard is still full for the Bulldogs.
Jayda Lewis, Sarah Lessig, Kahmiya Bryant, Mariah Roy and Star Smiley all return with championship pedigree and a quest for the fourth straight title.

West Virginia
Behind state POY Alexis Bordas, the Patriots went 25-4 last year with the Class 4A title. The Duquesne commit averaged 24.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in her junior campaign and will likely pass the 2,000-point plateau this season.

Wisconsin
The Pirates brought home a Division 2 title last season behind Amy Terrian, Anna Terrian and Giselle Janowski, who combined to average 36.7 points per game.

Wyoming
The top three scorers from last season's 27-0 campaign return in Lauren Olsen (23.4 points per game), Jaden Meyer (12.5) and Bailey Wright (9.7). All three were Class 3A All-State picks as the Bearcats grabbed the state title.

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