The 2024-25 high school girls basketball season kicked off with games on Monday, Nov. 18.
Here are 10 Inland girls basketball teams to watch during the season.
Centennial (19-14): The Huskies are the defending champions of the Big VIII League and were among the eight teams chosen for the Open Division playoffs last season. Cydnee Bryant, a 6-foot-4 junior center who also was a star middle blocker on the girls volleyball team, is a double-double candidate every time she steps on the floor. Tierra Taylor is a 6-foot senior guard who was among the team's leading scorers last season.
Chino (21-4): The Cowgirls are the three-time defending champs of the Mt. Baldy League and advanced to the Division 2A quarterfinals last year. Tess Oldenburg, a 6-foot-2 center, had a standout freshman season, averaging 17.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.7 blocks per game. Chino also returns junior shooting guard London Gibbs (8.8 PPG, 30 3-pointers) and junior forward Natalia Becerra (8.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG).
Etiwanda (32-3): The Eagles are the two-time CIF State Open Division champions and also were selected mythical national champs by multiple media outlets last season. Etiwanda is led by four-year starting point guard Aliyahna "Puff" Morris, who signed with Cal last week. Morris averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 assists and 2.6 steals per game last season. LSU-bound forward Grace Knox also returns after averaging 16.8 points, 11 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game in her first season with the Eagles. Etiwanda's fourth returning starter is junior guard Arynn Finley. Senior guard Shaena Brew is expected to make a greater impact after battling injuries last season. Etiwanda opened the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the nation by Maxpreps.com.
Great Oak (17-8): The Wolfpack are the two-time defending champions of the Southwestern League and a Division 2AA playoff qualifier last season. Brianna Thomas, a 6-foot-2 forward who signed with Cal State LA last week, returns after averaging 15.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game last season. Other returners include seniors Morgan Grayton (4 APG), Cienna Pierce (9.5 PPG) and Keira Stout (8.5 PPG, 5 RPG) and junior Taylor Fuson (8.1 PPG).
King (22-10): The Wolves finished third in the Big VIII League standings last season but could be back in the title picture this season. King will feature a strong backcourt, led by Cal State Northridge-bound point guard Amya Moody. Joining Moody in the backcourt is fellow senior and co-captain Martha Firmo. Senior forward Sydney Sloan will give King a strong presence in the paint.
Moreno Valley (30-6): The Vikings reached the Division 2AA championship game last season and will be among the Open Division contenders this season. Moreno Valley dominated the Sunbelt League the past two seasons but will make the move to the tougher Ivy League this season. Junior sharpshooter Bella Medina led the Vikings in scoring last season with 17.4 points per game while knocking down 58 3-pointers. Senior guard Leiayjah Mills averaged 14.3 points per game last season, while her younger sister Alaysha averaged 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds in her freshman campaign. Senior point guard Niyah Thomas (7.1 PPG) also returns for the Vikings.
Ontario Christian (28-5): The Knights qualified for the Southern Section's Open Division playoffs for the second straight season and will be among the title contenders for the section's top prize. Kalenna Smith is considered by many to be the No. 1 player in the 2027 recruiting class. The 5-foot-6 guard averaged 34.9 points, 6.5 assists and 4.2 steals during her freshman campaign and knocked down a state-record 179 3-pointers. Joining Smith this season are heralded freshmen Sydney Douglas and Tatianna Griffin. Douglas, a 6-foot-5 forward, is the daughter of former Perris High School and UCLA basketball standout Maylana Martin. The Knights opened the season as the No. 10-ranked team in the nation by MaxPreps.com.
Rancho Christian (18-8): The Eagles are the two-time defending champions of the Ivy League, and the program won a section championship during the 2022-23 season. Julia Wilson, a 5-foot-10 senior wing who signed with Gonzaga last week, averaged 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game last season. Junior guard Ebony Taylor-Smith also returns after averaging 15.2 points per game and sinking 104 3-pointers. Other key returners for Rancho Christian include junior guard Alison Boyd (12.5 PPG, 7 RPG), senior guard Bella Cosme (11 PPG, Utah State signee) and senior forward Hailey Whitman (7.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, Oklahoma Christian signee).
Rancho Cucamonga (24-10): The Cougars finished third in the Baseline League last season and advanced to the Division 4AA championship game. Senior wing player Ndiah Hall earned all-CIF Southern Section honors last season and also is a star hurdler on the school's track and field team. Lauren Jensen, a 5-foot-11 senior forward, also was an all-CIF Southern Section pick last season.
Rialto (26-4): The Knights are the two-time defending champions of the Sunkist League, and the program won a section title during the 2022-23 season. Carrington Davis, a 5-foot-10 senior guard who signed with UC Davis last week, averaged 28.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.3 steals per game last season. The roster gets a big boost with the addition of junior guard Jackie Polk, who helped Los Osos win a CIF State championship during the 2022-23 season. Polk averaged 16.4 points per game for the Grizzlies last season. Rialto also returns junior guard Destiny Rabino (13.9 PPG, 116 3-pointers).