Girls basketball preview 2025-26: Rankings, storylines, players to watch, more
MITTY REGINS SUPREME AGAIN
Archbishop Mitty is once again the Bay Area’s unquestioned top team.
The San Jose school will enter the 2025-26 season as the favorites, once again, to represent NorCal in the Open Division state championship game.
But the big question is when will Iowa-bound senior McKenna Woliczko play after tearing her ACL early last season?
She certainly looks on track to return.
ESPN’s sixth-ranked player in the class of 2026 is participating in full contact drills, Mitty coach Sue Phillips said, and is expected to return at the start of January.
Mitty won its first nine games before Woliczko suffered her season-ending injury against Ontario Christian in the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase last January.
But even without their top player, the Monarchs returned to the Open Division state championship game for the fourth consecutive season behind freshman star Maliya Hunter, steady point guard Tee McCarthy and three-level scorer Ze’Ni Patterson.
All three players will return, as will sharpshooter Devin Cosgriff, athletic rebounder Emma Cook and guard Sofia Teresi.
Once Woliczko returns, the San Jose school will boast perhaps the best starting lineup in the state, one capable of leading the program to its first state Open Division championship.
IS THIS SAN RAMON VALLEY’S YEAR?
SRV surprised everyone last season, winning East Bay Athletic League and North Coast Section Open Division tiles with a team that had no seniors.
Now, the Wolves will be the heavy favorites to finish on top in the section and possibly capture a NorCal championship.
Star guard Ella Gunderson will return for her junior season, as will sharpshooter Hania Bowes. San Jose State-bound forward Alyssa Rudd will play a full season after missing half of last season due to transfer rules.
Rudd will be one of two seniors on the team this season, but the Wolves will have plenty of depth with Carly Stern, Maya Knapp and Kaitlyn Mills on the roster.
That returning core gives SRV one of the most balanced lineups in the Bay Area, with scoring options at every level of the floor.
The Danville school will also try to build off a stellar defensive season that saw opponents score just over 40 points a game.
Whether SRV can compete with the likes of Mitty remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that the Wolves are clearly the East Bay’s best team.
CAN CARONDELET GO BACK-TO-BACK?
Carondelet capped off a magical 2024-2025 season by winning the Division I state title.
Despite losing starting point guard Sophia Ross, who transferred to Oak Ridge, the Cougars will have a strong lineup powered by UC Davis-bound forward Layla Dixon.
She averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals while winning the EBAL defensive player of the year honors last season.
Guard Celeste Alvarez will look to build on a solid sophomore season that saw her earn all-state recognition.
Athletic guard Niylah Christopher played meaningful minutes as a freshman and adds a scoring punch for the Cougars this season.
Coach Kelly Sopak is a proven leader who has now multiple state championships.
Carondelet will have to get over the SRV hump in the EBAL, but this team will have all the tools to make a run for section, regional and state titles.
YOUNG PIEDMONT STARS LEAD WAY
Piedmont sophomore Jenelle Solis might be the Bay Area’s most exciting player to watch.
Standing at just 5-foot-4, the shifty point guard turned heads as a freshman last season after averaging 17.6 points per game plus 6.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 45% from the field, 40% on 3-pointers and 80% on free throws.
The Highlanders will now be the favorites to come out of WACC and possibly contend for an NCS title. Athletic sophomore forward Andrea Martin, who currently has offers from the University of Pacific and San Diego State, is slated to return as a key two-way player.
Rounding out Piedmont’s 2028 class will be Savannah Dennig, who can provide shooting and perimeter defense.
Senior Saniyah Johnson rounds out the Highlanders’ starting five as a key rebounder and defender.
Piedmont will challenge itself early with games against Sacred Heart Cathedral and Archbishop Riordan, along with a tournament trip to Southern California.
Coach Bryan Gardere hasn’t had a losing season in 20 years at Piedmont and don’t expect that to change this season.
BUZZER BEATERS
Oakland Tech’s uber athletic duo of Jhai Johnson and Terri’A Russell will return for their senior seasons. Both recently announced their college commitments as Johnson will attend Vanderbilt and Russell is bound for UNLV. Tech will look to win its second state title in four years. … Pinewood graduated the lethal shooting trio of Jolyn Ding, Vallory Kuelker and Katherine Garr last season but you can never count out a Doc Scheppler-led team. Seniors Caitlyn Kramer and Andri Wilkinson are two holdovers from the 2024-2025 team that went to the CCS Open Division championship game and earned a NorCal Open Division playoff berth. Kramer and Wilkinson are the Panthers’ only two seniors this season. … One of the best scorers in the Bay Area resides at American High In Fremont. Junior guard Shirina Shi will look to build off a season in which she averaged 24.1 points per game.
SEASON-OPENING SHOWCASES
The Pinole Valley Tip-Off is scheduled for this weekend at Pinole Valley High School. Friday’s lineup: St. Mary’s-Berkeley vs. California, 11 a.m.; Buchanan vs. Bishop O’Dowd 12:30 p.m.; Heritage vs. Cardinal Newman, 2 p.m.; Pinole Valley vs. Acalanes, 3:30 p.m.; Moreau Catholic vs. San Ramon Valley, 5 p.m.; Clovis vs. Archbishop Riordan, 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s lineup: Miramonte vs Eureka, 10 a.m.; Pinole Valley vs. Moreau Catholic, 11:30 a.m.; Riordan vs. Cardinal Newman, 1 p.m.; Buchanan vs. St. Mary’s-Stockton, 2:30 p.m.; Bishop O’Dowd vs. Oakland Tech, 4 p.m.; Caruthers vs. San Ramon Valley, 5:30 p.m.; McClatchy vs. Redwood, 7 p.m.
TOP PLAYERS: PRESEASON ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP
Layla Dixon, Carondelet, 5-11, senior
Forward averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Led Cougars to CIF Division I state championship win over Sage Hill-Newport Beach. East Bay Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year.
Ella Gunderson, San Ramon Valley, 5-10, junior
Sharpshooter averaged 17.2 points per game while adding 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Led the Wolves to North Coast Section Open Division championship and CIF NorCal Open Division regional semifinals. EBAL Player of the Year.
Maliya Hunter, Archbishop Mitty, 6-2, sophomore
Last year’s WCAL player of the year averaged 10.6 points per game to go along with 5.0 rebounds. Helped lead Mitty to the CIF Open Division state title game.
Jhai Johnson, Oakland Tech, 6-3, senior
Vanderbilt-bound forward averaged 17.7 points per game while leading the Bulldogs to the Oakland Athletic League championship. Reigning OAL MVP.
Caitlyn Kramer, Pinewood, 5-9, senior
Guard averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season. Earned all-league and all-BANG honors.
Ze’Ni Patterson, Archbishop Mitty, 5-9, junior
Two-way guard earned all-WCAL and all-BANG first-team honors. Averaged 9.1 points per game to go along with 2.3 rebounds.
Alyssa Rudd, San Ramon Valley, 5-8, senior
San Jose State commit averaged 14.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Earned all-BANG first-team honors.
Terri’A Russell, Oakland Tech, 6-1, senior
UNLV-bound forward was an all-OAL first-team selection. Averaged 17.7 points per game.
Sophia Sanchez, St. Ignatius, 5-4, senior
First-team all-WCAL and second-team all-BANG selection led St. Ignatius to a 15-13 record. Scored a season-high 21 points against Valley Christian.
Shirina Shi, American-Fremont, 5-4, junior
Dynamic three-level scorer averaged 24.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game per game. All-Mission Valley Athletic League first-team and all-BANG second-team selection.
Jenelle Solis, Piedmont, 5-3, sophomore
Last year’s freshman standout 17.6 points per game plus 6.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 45% from the field, 40% on 3-pointers and 80% on free throws. Earned all-league and all-BANG first-team selections.
Jayla Stokes, Bishop O’Dowd, 5-7, senior
Stokes led the Dragons in points, rebounds, steals and deflections en route to winning co-West Alameda County Conference player of the year. Holds offers from UC Riverside, Sacramento State and Buffalo.
McKenna Woliczko, Archbishop Mitty, 6-2, senior
One of the top players in the nation is slated to return after a torn ACL limited her to just nine games played last season. Committed to play at Iowa over USC and South Carolina among others.
Others to watch
Celeste Alvarez, Carondelet, junior; Kayli Bertand, Cornerstone Christian, junior; Aastha Bhagat, Evergreen Valley, senior; Hania Bowes, San Ramon Valley, junior; Devin Cosgriff, Archbishop Mitty, senior; UGreat Daniels, Priory, senior; Deoujenea Clay, Clayton Valley, junior; Lulu Giometti, St. Ignatius, sophomore; Payton Ladrido, Heritage, junior; Iwalani Lealao, James Logan, senior; Zoey Lemoge, Half Moon Bay, senior; Tiera McCarthy, Archbishop Mitty, junior; Kenedi Nomura, Valley Christian, senior; Ellie Ortega, Moreau Catholic, senior; Maddison Sardelich, Northgate, junior; Dannyae Turner, Pinole Valley, sophomore;
Bay Area News Group preseason Top 20
(Mercury News & East Bay Times)
No. 1 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (27-4 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 1
How it finished: Lost to Etiwanda 75-59 in the CIF Open Division championship game
Season opener: Dec. 3 vs. Lincoln-San Diego at La Jolla Country Day Sweet Sixteen, 6:16 p.m.
No. 2 SAN RAMON VALLEY (28-4 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 2
How it finished: Lost to Clovis West 69-62 in the NorCal Open Division semifinals
Season opener: Monday vs. St. Francis, 6 p.m.
No. 3 CARONDELET (30-6 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 4
How it finished: Beat Sage Hill-Newport Beach 51-48 in the CIF Division I state championship game
Season opener: Monday vs. Mira Costa at Redondo Union Tournament, 6:30 p.m.
No. 4 PIEDMONT (25-6 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 7
How it finished: Lost to St. Mary’s 61-48 in the NorCal Division I semifinals
Season opener: Dec. 11 vs. TBD at Paris Twins Classic Tournament
No. 5 PINEWOOD (23-5 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 3
How it finished: Lost to San Ramon Valley 56-32 in the NorCal Open Division quarterfinals
Season opener: Dec. 4 TBD at Slo Holiday Classic
No. 6 PRIORY (23-6 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 6
How it finished: Lost to St. Mary’s-Stockton 56-51 in the NorCal Division I quarterfinals
Season opener: Tuesday vs. Windward, location TBD
No. 7 BISHOP O’DOWD (20-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 8
How it finished: Lost to Carondelet 54-37 in the NorCal Division I quarterfinals
Season opener: Friday vs. Buchanan at Pinole Valley Showcase, 12:30 p.m.
No. 8 ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN (19-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking: 9
How it finished: Lost to Bishop O’Dowd 45-39 in the NorCal Division I first round
Season opener: Friday vs. Clovis at Pinole Valley, 6:30 p.m.
No. 9 ST. FRANCIS (18-10 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 10
How it finished: Lost to Carondelet 62-57 in the NorCal Division I first round
Season opener: Monday at San Ramon Valley, 6 p.m.
No. 10 OAKLAND TECH (20-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 11
How it finished: Lost to Piedmont 60-29 in the NorCal Division I first round
Season opener: Tuesday vs. Marin Catholic, 3:30 p.m.
No. 11 ST. IGNATIUS (15-13 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 12
How it finished: Lost to Cardinal Newman 68-47 in the NorCal Division I first round
Season opener: Tuesday vs. Miramonte, 3:30 p.m.
No. 12 ACALANES (28-3 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 5
How it finished: Lost to McClatchy 57-47 in the NorCal Open Division quarterfinals
Season opener: Friday at Pinole Valley, 3:30 p.m.
No. 13 SALESIAN (23-11 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 13
How it finished: Lost to Caruthers 77-63 in the NorCal Division II championship game
Season opener: Dec. 2 at San Marin, 7 p.m.
No. 14 SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL (15-14 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 16
How it finished: Lost to Caruthers 66-64 in the NorCal Division II quarterfinals
Season opener: Saturday vs. University-San Francisco, 1:30 p.m.
No. 15 CLAYTON VALLEY (22-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 15
How it finished: Lost to California 75-63 in the NCS Division I semifinals
Season opener: Wednesday vs. Punahou-Hawaii at I MUA Invitational, 5 p.m.
No. 16 LOS GATOS (19-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 18
How it finished: Lost to California 58-40 in the NorCal Division II first round
Season opener: Saturday vs. Saratoga, 7 p.m.
No. 17 MOREAU CATHOLIC (24-9 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 17
How it finished: Lost to Marin Catholic 50-36 in the NorCal Division III semifinals.
Season opener: Friday vs. San Ramon Valley at Pinole Valley Showcase, 5 p.m.
No. 18 HALF MOON BAY (23-8 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: 19
How it finished: Lost to Whitney-Cerritos 48-40 in the CIF Division IV championship game
Season opener: Dec. 2 at Silver Creek, 7 p.m.
No. 19 VALLEY CHRISTIAN (15-13 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: Not ranked
How it finished: Lost to Atwater 58-39 in the first round of the CIF Division II playoffs
Season opener: TBD at Monte Vista Christian tournament
No. 20 MILLS (18-11 LAST SEASON)
Final ranking last season: Not ranked
How it finished: Lost to Castilleja 44-41 in the second round of the CIF Division IV playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 3 vs. Presentation, 7 p.m.
Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school staff chooses the teams.