CENTRAL RANKED #3 IN MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 PRESEASON NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

OH YES, BASKETBALL SEASON IS HERE!

MaxPreps just released there Pre-Season Ranking and Central is in the TOP 3.
Check out the break down of the top 5:

MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 PRESEASON NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS PRESENTED BY THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

1. Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.) (30-4 last season)
If you like size, you'll love the Crusaders. Start with 6-3 forward Jonquel Jones, an underrated high school All-American, if there is such a thing, add 6-0 wing Jennie Simms (West Virginia), 5-11 shooting guard Kelila Atkinson (Wake Forest) and 6-2 post Brittany Jenkins-Murray, and there's size everywhere. Point guard Auteoanna Jones is "only" 5-7, but since she's just a sophomore, maybe she'll grow some. Oh, and Riverdale Baptist has a tremendous schedule, so if the Crusaders can run the table, they are a no-doubt No. 1.

2. St. Mary's (Phoenix) (28-2)
The Knights finally have some seniors, which is pretty scary since last year, without any, their average margin of victory in the Arizona 5A playoffs was 25.7 points. And even though seniors Shilpa Tummala and Cortnee Walton are NCAA Division I players, it's generally conceded that the junior class is stronger, and that's scarier still. On top of that, they're at home for the Nike TOC. If the Knights win in Phoenix, they should roll through Arizona.

3. Memphis Central (Tenn.) (29-9)
Nine losses is a lot of losses for a Top 5 team, but the Warriors battled through tragedy (the deaths of two teens close to the team) and a brutal travel schedule. With everyone back, including seniors Danielle Ballard and Aaliyah Whiteside, Memphis Central has the talent and the schedule to make a run at No. 1. And just winning in Tennessee won't be easy, as Riverdale (No. 11 below), Clarksville and Mt. Juliet are all very strong as well.

4. St. John's (Washington, D.C.) (33-2)
Four starters return for the Cadets, who lost only to Riverdale Baptist and league rival Holy Cross, a team they beat twice. In addition, St. John's brings in 6-1 freshman Dejanae Boykins and gets Jade Clark back from an ACL tear. In short, the Cadets should be better, and they'll get to show just how much so at the Nike TOC.

5. Norcross (Ga.) (29-3)
Any roster that includes 6-1 senior Diamond Deshields (daughter of former MLB infielder Delino DeShields) is going to be pretty formidable, but coach Angie Hembree also has senior Tori Carter, junior Shayla Cooper and sophomore Bri Williams back from the 29-3 Georgia 5A champions. There are also a couple of D-1 senior posts to anchor the inside game, and a solid schedule - all of which adds up to a Top 10 preseason ranking.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE RANKINGS