Here’s what you need to know for the 2025-26 high school girls basketball season in the Baltimore area:
Storylines to watch
Can an IAAM A Conference team take down St. Frances?
St. Frances dominated the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference last season, going 16-0 in league play and finishing 23-4 overall on the way to another conference title. Mount Carmel, Pallotti and McDonogh were the closest challengers at 10-6, but none managed to seriously threaten the Panthers’ grip on the top spot.
Annapolis or South River in Anne Arundel County?
South River enters the season as Anne Arundel County’s measuring stick, returning the dominant duo of Kiera West and Cami Burke from a team that beat Annapolis twice and went on to win the Class 3A state title. Annapolis counters with a strong core led by senior McKenzie Fuller and emerging scorers Audrey Skinner and Melody Cordua after a 21-3 season in which its only regional losses came to the Seahawks. With both teams bringing back high-end talent, the question is whether Annapolis can close the gap on the county’s reigning power.
Pikesville chases history with county, state title streaks
Pikesville enters the season chasing a fifth straight county championship, a run that’s already among the best in Maryland. The Panthers are also pursuing a Maryland public school record with what would be a sixth consecutive state title.
Howard County athletics funding
Despite athletic trainers being included in the county’s budget proposal — which ultimately didn’t pass — Howard County actually lost trainers and now has just six across the entire system. The county also remains one of the only leagues still assigning just two referees per basketball game, a growing concern as workloads and safety demands increase.
Who is the best player in the area?
The race for the best player in the Metro is as wide-open — and star-studded — as it’s been in years. Rosedale Christian’s Kiki Scott headlines the conversation as a senior guard on the brink of 2,000 career points, capable of taking over games against elite national competition. St. Mary’s standout Bailey Harris is right there with her, a prolific scorer closing in on her school’s scoring record and the kind of player who can elevate an entire program.
Players to watch
Katie Carroll, Mount de Sales, senior, post
Carroll earned first-team All-Tournament honors in 2025 and is expected to take another leap as a senior, with coaches projecting her to average a double-double. Her interior scoring, rebounding and veteran composure will be critical in anchoring the team’s frontcourt.
Sam Donovan, Edgewood, senior, guard
Donovan broke out as one of Harford County’s top scorers, averaging 18 points per game on 41% shooting from deep while guiding Edgewood to a 17–6 season. She paired that production with leadership as a captain and mentor, helping shape a young roster and setting the tone with her poise and work ethic.
Mone’t Edwards, St. Frances, senior, guard
Edwards led the Panthers in scoring during their IAAM A Conference title game win, the program’s first championship since 2020. She followed that performance with a strong season overall, averaging 16 points per game.
Bailey Harris, St. Mary’s, senior, guard
Harris earned All-IAAM A Conference honors and put up 23 points and seven rebounds per game for the Saints last season. The senior is now about 200 points from becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer.
Arianna Harris-Mott, Pallotti, senior, forward
Harris-Mott enters her senior season as one of the county’s most productive two-way players after leading the area in both scoring and rebounding last year, averaging 12 points and 7.8 boards per game. She paired that production with efficient shooting — hitting 41% from the field — and has positioned herself as the focal point of her team’s offense and interior presence heading into her final campaign.
Mariah Jones-Bey, Pikesville, senior, guard
Jones-Bey has been at the center of Pikesville’s dominance, helping deliver a fifth Baltimore County championship in the past seven years and a fifth straight Class 1A state title. A steady playmaker and scorer last season, she returns as a senior leader for one of the state’s most consistent programs.
Jada Russell, McDonogh, junior, guard
Russell emerged as one of McDonogh’s top guards last season, helping the Eagles finish 10-6 in a deep IAAM A Conference. With St. Frances senior guard Mone’t Edwards leading the league’s defending champions, Russell and McDonogh aim to close the gap next winter as they return a core capable of challenging the Panthers’ hold on the conference.
Kiki Scott, Rosedale Christian, senior, guard
One of the state’s top returning scorers, Scott is on pace to surpass 2,000 career points this season while leading a Rosedale Christian team coming off a 23-win campaign. With her shot-making and experience anchoring the backcourt, she again projects as the focal point of a program that consistently tests itself against elite competition.
Sydney Sutton, St. Frances, senior, guard
Sutton averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game, playing a key role in St. Frances’ IAAM A Conference championship run as the team’s No. 2 scorer behind Edwards.
Kiera West, South River, senior, forward
West averaged 15 points and eight rebounds during the regular season, then elevated her play in the postseason with 20 points and 10 boards per game to push South River to the Class 3A state championship. She’s widely viewed as one of the county’s top players.
Preseason top 15 poll
1. St. Frances
Coach: Jerome Shelton
Last season: 23-4 overall, No. 1 Baltimore Sun ranking
Postseason: IAAM A Conference champion
Outlook: The Panthers enter the IAAM A Conference season as favorites again, returning a strong core that includes 2024-25 All-Metro selections Mone’t Edwards and Sydney Sutton. They do lose second-team pick Heidi Williams to graduation. Even so, with Edwards and Sutton headlining the group as seniors, the Panthers remain one of the league’s top contenders.
2. Pikesville
Coach: Michael Dukes
Last season: 24-3, No. 4
Postseason: Class 1A state champion
Outlook: Returning first-team All-Metro selection Mariah Jones-Bey is chasing her fourth straight county and state championship with the Panthers. The senior point guard’s backcourt mate, Nayjae Malik El, a superb two-way player, is committed to Kennesaw State. Qaidence David adds scoring, rebounding and rim protection, while Maya Chase serves as the team’s glue and anchor.
3. Rosedale Christian
Coach: Rob Long
Last season: 25-10, No. 2
Postseason: Mid-Atlantic Independent Athletic Conference champion
Outlook: Rosedale Christian brings depth, energy and an entertaining style of play, blending three strong seniors — including standout guard Kiki Scott, who is on pace to surpass 2,000 career points this season — with a promising group of young talent. Their schedule is national and demanding, featuring trips to Atlanta, New Jersey and New York along with local matchups against McDonogh, Pikesville and Roland Park. They’ll also be showcased in events such as Public vs. Private and the Battle of Baltimore.
4. South River
Coach: Michael Zivic
Last season: 23-5, No. 3
Postseason: Class 3A state champion
Outlook: South River returns one of the county’s top duos in Kiera West, who averaged 16 points and seven rebounds as the best player on the county’s best team last year, and point guard Cami Burke, who posted 10 points and five assists per game. The Seahawks will lean on that experience as a large group of younger players acclimates to varsity roles. With nine seniors lost to graduation, this season will test the program’s depth and development.
5. Francis Scott Key
Coach: Mitchell Walther
Last season: 20-7, No. 5
Postseason: Class 2A state champion
Outlook: The Eagles lean on senior leaders Ava Hoeflich, a mobile rim-protecting forward, and Abby Stephens, a versatile all-around guard who creates matchup problems, along with sophomore Izzy Campbell, a high-IQ scoring threat who delivered in last year’s playoff run. The program graduated eight players, including all five starters, creating major opportunities for a talented group of varsity newcomers. Even with the roster turnover, FSK expects to maintain its up-tempo, defense-first identity.
6. Mount De Sales
Coach: Trish Armstrong
Last season: 23-6, No. 12
Postseason: IAAM B Conference champion
Outlook: Mount de Sales moves into the IAAM A Conference after winning 43 games over the past two seasons and capturing last year’s B Conference title. With senior post player Katie Carroll leading a talented group of underclassmen, the Sailors aim to remain competitive at the league’s highest level.
7. Western
Coach: Tasha Townsend
Last season: 22-4, No. 9
Postseason: Class 4A state finalist
Outlook: Western enters the new season motivated by a lopsided Class 4A state championship loss in which North Point overwhelmed the Doves on both ends of the floor. With only one senior on last year’s roster, the core of that group returns with valuable experience and a clearer understanding of the consistency needed to compete deep into March.
8. Oakland Mills
Coach: Mike Coughlan
Last season: 23-5, not ranked
Postseason: Class 3A state finalist
Outlook: Oakland Mills enters the season after a historic run to the Class 3A state final, powered by a tight five-player core that won 23 straight games and delivered the program’s first Howard County championship. The Scorpions lose senior leaders Destiny Macharia and Heaven Alexander, who helped engineer the turnaround from a two-win freshman season to title contention. With Adey Alexander, Jeriah Shipp and Chloe Grenway back, Oakland Mills aims to keep its rise going.
9. Hereford
Coach: Ray Burrows
Last season: 19-5, No. 6
Postseason: Class 2A state finalist
Outlook: Hereford returns from a narrow Class 2A state championship loss in which foul trouble to its top interior threat and a late FSK surge proved costly. The Bulls showcased strong guard play and stretches of efficient offense in the title game, pieces that form the foundation of this year’s group. With much of that perimeter core back, Hereford aims to convert last season’s deep playoff run into another push toward College Park.
10. Reservoir
Coach: Deb Taylor
Last season: 20-4, No. 13
Postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist
Outlook: Reservoir expects to be stronger than outsiders might assume after heavy graduation losses, leaning on a program culture that consistently develops returning players. A standout sophomore class anchors that growth, led by forward Sam Feher — a national-level field hockey athlete and second-team All-County basketball pick who averaged nine points, 10 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 2.5 steals last season. With Feher’s versatility and a wave of young talent stepping into larger roles, the Gators enter the year as one of Howard County’s most intriguing teams.
11. Annapolis
Coach: Arbrey Butler
Last season: 21-3, not ranked
Postseason: Class 4A East Region II finalist
Outlook: Annapolis brings back a balanced group after reaching the Anne Arundel County title game and Class 4A East Region II final, spearheaded by now-senior McKenzie Fuller, who averaged 16.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season. Junior Audrey Skinner (10.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.5 apg) and sophomore Melody Cordua (10.4 ppg) give the Panthers additional proven scoring options.
12. St. Timothy’s
Coach: Vernon Harris
Last season: 14-11, No. 10
Postseason: IAAM A semifinalist
Outlook: St. Timothy’s put together a strong season in the IAAM A Conference last year, earning wins over McDonogh, Mercy, Western, Spalding and Roland Park on its way to a semifinal appearance. The team’s ability to battle top-tier opponents throughout the season underscored a group capable of competing with the league’s best.
13. Howard
Coach: Scott Robinson
Last season: 19-5, No. 15
Postseason: Class 3A state quarterfinalist
Outlook: Howard enters the season coming off a 19-5 campaign and a Class 3A state quarterfinal appearance, looking to build on last year’s momentum. The Lions return senior forward Alana Harrison and rising star Kelsey Wimmer — now a sophomore — who led the team in scoring as a freshman. With Wimmer stepping into an even larger role and a solid group around her, Howard expects to stay near the top of the Sierra Division in Howard County.
14. McDonogh
Coach: Terri Hall
Last season: 14-12, No. 11
Postseason: IAAM A quarterfinalist
Outlook: McDonogh returns a talented young core after finishing 14-12 overall and taking second in the IAAM A Conference regular season, highlighted by multiple wins over top programs such as Spalding, Roland Park, Poly and Mercy. Junior guard Jada Russell headlines a group poised to take another step in one of the state’s toughest leagues.
15. St. Mary’s
Coach: Leo Latonick
Last season: 9-16, not ranked
Postseason: N/A
Outlook: St. Mary’s looks to rebound from a 9-16 season with a roster headlined by senior Bailey Harris, who is about 200 points away from becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer. Alexandre Vandiver, already No. 10 on the school’s scoring list, is positioned to rise even higher as her role expands. Sophomore point guard Casey O’Hare has emerged as a key playmaker, giving the Saints a strong foundation as they aim for a turnaround year.
Others considered: Poly (14-10), Forest Park (20-5), River Hill (17-10), Severna Park (15-9), St. Mary’s (9-16)
Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes.
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