McClatchy, Oak Ridge top Bee’s first HS girls basketball rankings of 2025-26
While the temperature outside is rapidly dropping with the calendar set to winter, you might find the heat rising inside Sacramento-area gyms this girls basketball season.
The class of 2025 graduated one of the most talented groups from region in recent memory, including last season’s Sacramento Bee Player of the Year Nina Cain, now at the University of Washington. But her alma mater, McClatchy High School, begins this season as The Bee’s top-ranked preseason squad.
Last season, the Lions won their first CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championship since 2007, and they snatched a road win in their first appearance in the elite CIF Open Division bracket under reigning Bee Coach of the Year Jeff Ota.
McClatchy’s biggest-name returner is senior Daisy Throckmorton, who just capped her fall season by lifting the Lions flag football program to a championship level. Fellow captains Laila Stancil Williams and Mikayla Reyes are back to provide leadership for McClatchy, the dominant program in the Sacramento City Unified School District for years.
But will the Lions stay on top? Who will challenge for the top team in the Sacramento region? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess.
Oak Ridge comes in at No. 2 under new head coach Briana Dulgar, who takes over for 700-game winning coach Steve White, who will remain with the program as an assistant. The Trojans of El Dorado Hills return junior post Leah Harris and welcomed Bay Area transfer Sophia Ross into the mix.
Last year’s Sierra Foothill League champion and section Division I runner-up Folsom is ranked third. The Bulldogs graduated a quintet of four-year varsity players, including Bee Large School Player of the Year Sophia Mindermann. Folsom coach Lynn Wolking always has his team ready for the best competition, including scheduling tough tournaments across the state.
Teams rounding out the preseason Top 10 include Christian Brothers, which reached its second section championship game in three years under superb head coach Shandyn Foster. The Falcons return a core group of senior Joy Omishakin and juniors Olivia Novi and Journey Williams.
Antelope comes in at No. 5 with a 500-game winning coach in Sean Chambers and a trio of stars as well with sophomores Londyn Odom and Paradise Manning, plus senior Kamaria Charlo. Also out of the Metro League: the No. 6 Grant Pacers, led by junior Asia Washington, senior Keyara Lopa and Inderkum transfer Breahn Flood.
Defending Division IV champion Liberty Ranch of Galt enters at No. 7 with the program’s all-time great Haley Smith leading the way as a scorer and rebounder. Another Smith is joining the Hawks flock as Haley’s freshman sister, Lacey, has already made significant contributions early. The Hawks went a program-best 30-3 last season and return point guard Kamrynn Blevins and senior Madisyn Robbins.
You can never seem to count the Colfax Falcons out. The small-school power in Placer County keeps delivering in the postseason. With senior Madalyn Sigrist and sophomore Belle Chu leading the way, No. 8 Colfax will still be a big player under veteran coach Rexanne Simpton.
Vanden of Fairfield comes in at No. 9. The Vikings have not lost a Monticello Empire League game since 2019 under husband-and-wife head coaches Jake and Allison Johnson. Makayla Smith, Kimora Snell and Kaitlyn Garcia are the top returners for “Team Johnson.”
And how about a Division VI team in the Top 10? You bet.
Faith Christian of Yuba City comes in hot after ending its season with 21 straight wins, including section and NorCal championships. And they did it without a single senior on the roster. Long Beach State commit Lauren Harris might be the top player in the area as a prolific scorer, while Concordia-commit Presley Berry holds her own with an inside-out presence.
The Bee’s Top 20
1. McClatchy (25-7 last season)
2. Oak Ridge (21-11)
3. Folsom (26-5)
4. Christian Brothers (25-8)
5. Antelope (20-9)
6. Grant (20-11)
7. Liberty Ranch (30-3)
8. Colfax (27-7)
9. Vanden (20-10)
10. Faith Christian (29-2)
11. Del Oro (19-11)
12. Rio Linda (29-5)
13. Inderkum (22-8)
14. St. Francis (12-17)
15. Pleasant Grove (18-9)
16. Cosumnes Oaks (11-16)
17. Sheldon (16-11)
18. Woodland Christian (31-6)
19. Monterey Trail (19-6)
20. Whitney (17-15)
Bubble teams: Davis (16-13); Kennedy (15-7), Laguna Creek (18-11), Marysville (25-9), Oakmont (19-11), Placer (22-6), Ponderosa (27-6), Sacramento Adventist (21-8), Valley Christian (19-6), West Campus (25-6).
Nick Pecoraro is a longtime area high school sports journalist who has contributed to The Bee since 2021. He is a staff writer for MaxPreps.