by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
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TOP 20 rankings
When you take a look at our SureWest Sports Top 20 girls basketball rankings, you'll notice many of last year's top teams are also this year's top teams.
Coming in at No. 1 is the Sacramento Dragons, and for good reason.
Despite the loss of key starter Casey Williams (CSU Fullerton signee), the Dragons showed their talents once again racking up an 11-2 preseason record, with their only two losses from out of area teams.
Back again for Sacramento is 6'4" junior center Ayanna Edwards, and leading the scoring attack is junior Chaya Durr (16.3 points/game) as well as Pepperdine signee Allie Green (12.3 points/game).
Rounding out what we believe is the season's elite group of teams also includes Oak Ridge, Pleasant Grove, Kennedy, Nevada Union, and Christian Brothers.
Like all rankings, teams will move up and down the charts, and more consistent play from teams No. 7 to No. 20 will solidify not only rankings status, but playoff positioning.
Del Oro is without University of Washington signee, Brianna Ruiz. After Ruiz injured her knee in summer AAU play, Ruiz will not play this season which serves as a major blow to Del Oro.
With Vic Pitton at the helm for St. Francis again, you can always expect that the Troubadours will be in the thick of things in Delta River League play.
Florin will be a force in the Metro League once again, and keep an eye on the Pioneer Valley League as Bear River and Placer battle for league supremacy.
Teams on the outside looking in that could easily make next week's rankings include Woodcreek, Colfax, Antelope, Grant, Granite Bay, River Valley, Dixon, Oakmont, and Bella Vista.