Jim’s Pre-Season Top Ten

Ursuline Academy and St. Elizabeth High School have been and will remain the biggest competitors for the State Title until Elena Delle Donne and Khadijah Rushdan move on to bigger and better things. The two have both transcended the "star player" label and are now Delaware sports icons. However, in both girls’ cases, they are surrounded by an able supporting cast of players at their respective schools. For Ursuline, look to sophomore Kelley Doogan to assert herself and show skeptics that the Raiders are no one-girl team. Kelley has all the physical tools and mental maturity to lead this team after Elena’s senior season. Kayla Miller and  Erin Edwards, and Shannon O'Hanlon, all juniors, will provide all the depth first-year head coach Fran Burbidge will need. Similarly, St. E’s has a handful of very athletic, gifted players returning. Joy Rutland, Symone Woody and Amanda Craig will provide pop in the lineup – Khadijah or no Khadijah.

Caravel and St. Mark’s will both feature new head coaches this year. The Lady Bucs will be led by the greatest player to ever don their uniform, Kristin (Mills) Caldwell. For St. Mark’s, their slogan this year could easily be "Back to the Future" as John Fiorelli assumes the reins again, this time assisted by the best high school point guard I ever saw, Michelle Albanese. For Caravel and St. Mark’s, the coaching changes alone should pay off with tangible results. Although Caldwell is going into her first season at the helm of a varsity team, I can’t think of many people with stronger résumés. And, for the Spartans, "Fio" is a proven commodity who will get the most out of his lineup. Senior guard, Christina Rivituso, will provide on-court leadership, but the rest of the roster picture is really in a state of flux. Much of this has to do with a general housecleaning that was inevitable following the Chellew regime. We’re going to see a few more changes than usual to the green & gold varsity lineup. All this talk of change aside, I’m picking St. Mark’s fifth this year simply due to the size and quality of the talent pool there. Like Padua Academy, St. Mark’s is deep in guards. So deep that some may have to learn unfamiliar positions in order to earn (or keep) a roster spot. Stephanie Nichols will seek a bigger role this year while Jeanne Knowles hope to get promoted out of JV. The talent is in the program. If Fiorelli and Albanese can piece it all together, the Spartans could make a real run come March.

Dover and Brandywine round out the list.

If the Top Ten looks light on downstate teams, you’re right. It is. And I fully concede that my knowledge of the teams from Kent and Sussex Counties could be better. Keep in mind that these are just one guy’s predictions and are done mostly for fun and partly out of obligation. Everyone that deals in high school sports puts out pre-season Top Ten lists. It’s a tradition. While my picks for schools 6 through 10 might be somewhat suspect, I’m pretty confident with the first five picks. It’ll be interesting seeing how things turn out.

Hey! If I really missed a great school, send me an email. Same for if I neglected an outstanding player from one of the teams I wrote about. If you can make a case, I’ll post your comments.