High school girls basketball way-too-early top 25 rankings

For decades, the DMV has been a hotbed for basketball talent. From Kevin Durant to Victor Oladipo to Rebekkah Brunson, the region has been home to some of the world's best basketball players, and that doesn't look to end anytime soon. So, who's next? Throughout the week, NBC Sports Washington is taking look at the next crop of players creating a buzz in the DMV, including Azzi Fudd, Trevor Keels and the top 10 boys and girls on the rise. This part of the series evaluates the teams on the rise.

Note: Fall and winter sports, including basketball, have been postponed in Washington and canceled in Montgomery County, Md., due to the coronavirus pandemic. Decisions in other local regions will be determined in the near future.

1. Bishop McNamara

Last season: 27-5 | Conference: 16-2

In 2019-20, Bishop McNamara was finally able to slay the proverbial dragon, defeating St. John's in the WCAC semifinals en route to capturing the conference championship. Though the Mustangs graduated Madison Scott and Liatu King, Yonta Vaughn, Gia Cooke and company appear ready to run it back.

2. St. John's

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Last season: 22-9 | Conference: 13-5

SJC won the DCSAA state championship last season, however some would consider the ‘19-20 campaign a disappointment as the Cadets failed to retain the WCAC crown. In ‘20-21, a healthy Azzi Fudd, Taylor Napper and Delaney Thomas will look to place St. John's back atop the throne.

3. Riverdale Baptist

Last season: 27-4 | Conference: 7-0

The Crusaders were dominant in ‘19-20. With a 1-2 punch of Kayla Thomas and Jalyn Brown, RBS has the potential of knocking out all its opponents.

4. Sidwell Friends

Last season: 25-6 | Conference: 11-2

The Quakers are building something special. Coach Tamika Dudley led her young squad all the way to the DCSAA state championship game, in which they went toe-to-toe with St. John's for 3 quarters. With a nucleus of Kiki Rice, Jadyn Donovan, Kia Miller and Emi Marshall, Sidwell has its sights set on bringing home two championship trophies in ‘20-21.

5. Paul VI

Last season: 32-4 | Conference: 16-2

PVI put together a remarkable season in ‘19-20. The Panthers won the VISAA and finished second in the WCAC. Two of their four losses came at the hands of champion McNamara. Co-Player of the Year Lee Volker and crew will enter the season with a chip on their shoulders. They believe they were the best team in the league last year; they'll have another opportunity to prove it.

6. New Hope Academy

Last season: 23-8 | Conference: 1-1

New Hope Academy turned itself into a national powerhouse seemingly overnight. After defeating SJC at the Geico Nationals in 2018-19, NHA finished last season 23-8 while playing one of the more competitive schedules in the country.

7. James Madison

Last season: 27-1 | Conference: 9-0

There were few teams more impressive than Madison. Sporting a record of 27-1, it didn't merely beat teams, it ran many of them out of the gym. In order to find similar success, Madison will need to compensate for the loss of Tedi Makrigiorgos to graduation. But Amalia Makrigiorgos and a host of other young Warhawks are ready to take flight.

8. C.H. Flowers

Last season: 24-1 | Conference: 15-0

Flowers has one mission and that is to bring home a title. CHF only suffered one loss last season and that came at the hands of the aforementioned Madison squad. Look for the Lady Jags to use a balanced attack to pounce on their opposition.

9. Middletown

Last season: 25-1 | Conference: 16-0

After dropping the opening game of the season, Middletown won 25 in a row and appeared primed to win the Maryland 2A state championship. Phenom Saylor Poffenbarger and the Knights look to ‘20-21 to finish what they started.

10. Dunbar

Last season: 26-4 | Conference: 12-0

The Crimson Tide washed away all their DCIAA competition. Led by NBC Sports Washington All-DMV performers Zy'aire Hairston and Cameron Wilkes, the Tide look to repeat in ‘20-21.

11. Bishop O'Connell

Last season: 23-7 | Conference: 13-5

12. Maret

Last season: 19-11 | Conference: 11-5

13. National Christian Academy

Last season: 28-8 | Conference: 2-2

14. Churchill

Last season: 26-1 | Conference: 11-0

15. Edison

Last season: 19-5 | Conference: 10-2

16. Bishop Ireton

Last season: 14-16 | Conference: 8-10