Preseason Southeastern Pa. girls' basketball rankings

The Inquirer TOP 10

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PRESEASON GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Records are from last season.

1. Neumann-Goretti (29-1). Three explosive starters - guards Ciani Cryor and Sianni Martin and guard/forward A.J. Timbers - return for the defending Catholic League champions. With that talent, the Saints are poised for the same kind of success that they had last season, which included a 29-game winning streak and a trip to the state final.

2. Archbishop Wood (26-3). The Vikings might have lost a wealth of talent when their senior class from last season graduated, but the program is in good hands with senior Aubree Brown and junior Bailey Greenberg. Wood always plays tight defense, and the Vikings will look to avenge their loss in last season's PIAA Class AAA state final.

3. Central Bucks West (21-7). Losing only one starter from last season's squad that qualified for the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament makes this Bucks team the one to beat in all of District 1. They should score a lot of points and play tough defense.

4. Bonner-Prendergast (19-7). Two years in a row, the Pandas have been bounced from the PIAA Class AAA state tournament in the first round. Now, guard Alyssa Monaghan is a senior, and with a strong supporting cast, Bonner-Prendie can make a push in both the league and state playoffs.

5. Archbishop Carroll (15-10). As senior guards Lexi Stover and Julia Gantz go, so will the Patriots. A young team a year ago, Carroll has the potential to win some big games this season. Well-coached and disciplined, they will be there at the end of the season.

6. Abington (21-9). State quarterfinalists last season, the Ghosts are the favorites to win the Suburban One League National Conference title after finishing second a year ago. Four starters return this season, making Abington a team to watch in District 1 Class AAAA.

7. Germantown Academy (20-7). The Patriots lost only one senior from a team that advanced to the Independent Schools state final. While that senior (Margaret Anne Hubbell, now at Army) is a big loss, GA should have some offensive firepower with senior Olivia Gorman and other starters back.

8. West Chester Rustin (26-6). The more the season progressed last year, the more the Golden Knights made program history. With four starters returning from a squad that advanced to the semifinals of the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament, Rustin is poised to have similar success.

9. Shipley (22-5). A lot of talent remains on the Gators roster, including guard Nia Holland, forward Martine Fortune, and forward Courtney Redcross. The Gators will look to defend their Independent Schools state title and will prepare by playing a tough nonleague schedule.

10. North Penn (26-4). The defending District 1 Class AAAA champions will be young this season, but that shouldn't stop them from competing with C.B. West for the Suburban One League Continental Conference title. Look for sophomore Sam Carangi, a sharpshooting point guard, to lead the Maidens.

- Kate Harman EndText