Newsday’s annual look at the top Long Island high school girls basketball players heading into the 2024-25 winter season. All stats are from last season, unless otherwise noted. List is in alphabetical order.
Kennedy Abrahams, Portledge, 5-4, G, Jr.
She averaged 18.2 points after transferring from LuHi. Abrahams is a strong outside shooter who can control an offense.
Alice Beckett, Division, 6-1, C, Fr.
Beckett averaged a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, using her size to her advantage.
Alyssa Bell, Shoreham-Wading River, 5-7, G, Sr.
Bell has remarkable agility and game awareness. She’s a quick decision-maker who can set up teammates.
Jaelynn Burgess, West Babylon, 5-10, G, Fr.
She averaged 13.5 points and is one of the top outside shooters in Suffolk.
Mia Betancourt, Mount Sinai, 5-5, PG, Jr.
The point guard averaged 14.2 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and had six triple-doubles.
Emily Brake, Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK, 5-6, G, Sr.
Brake is a steady point guard who knows how to set up an offense. She averaged three steals and takes on the task of guarding the opposing team’s best player.
Clockwise, from top left: Kate Braun, Emily Brake, Alyssa Bell, Laila Carr, Jayla Callender, Alice Beckett, Meaghan Campbell.
Kate Braun, Smithtown West, 5-11, F, Sr.
She averaged 10 points and adds size to a team looking for a breakout season.
Alex Brown, Half Hollow Hills East, 5-11, F, Sr.
She averaged 10 points and shot 58% from the field. Brown also recorded 47 blocks.
Taylor Brown, Long Island Lutheran, 5-7, G, Soph.
Brown has the speed to create in transition and can knock down a three-pointer with ease. She already has offers from Michigan, Miami and Syracuse.
Emma Burmeister, Lindenhurst, 5-6, Jr.
She’s a talented ball handler who not only attacks the rim as a lefty but is lethal at the three-point line. She averaged 19.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and four assists.
Jayla Callender, Comsewogue, 5-9, G, Jr.
Callender is the main driver for Comsewogue and a top defender. She averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 steals and five assists.
Meaghan Campbell, MacArthur, 5-10, F, Jr.
Campbell averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. The junior is a defensive stopper and an anchor for MacArthur’s defense.
Laila Carr, St. Mary’s, 5-7, G, Jr.
Carr is a knockdown shooter both in the midrange and beyond the arc. She averaged 10.6 points at Half Hollow Hills West as a freshman before transferring to St. Mary’s.
Juliana Cerasi, Wantagh, 5-11, F, Sr.
Cerasi’s defensive IQ and ability to guard all five positions makes her stand out. The three-year starter averaged eight rebounds and three steals.
From left: Shani Clark, Sandra Clarke, Julianna Cerasi.
Sandra Clarke, Westhampton, 5-5, G, Jr.
She has excellent basketball IQ and court vision and is able to set up her teammates. She averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Shani Clark, Bay Shore, 6-1, G/F, Sr.
Clark’s strength and athleticism make her a dominating force on the court. She’s a great handler and is dynamic in the open floor. She averaged 15.5 points and nine rebounds.
Lauren Connolly, Manhasset, 6-0, F, Jr.
Connolly has a strong inside presence as a shot blocker and aggressive rebounder. She averaged 10 points in a 19-4 season.
Angelina Cronin, East Meadow, 5-8, SG, Soph.
Cronin averaged 11 points, five assists and four rebounds and made key shots during East Meadow’s run to the Long Island Class AA title.
Scarlet Cubero, St. Mary’s, 5-8, G, Jr.
Her strong dribbling skills set her apart and she uses it to create space. Cubero attacks the basket and averaged four assists.
Kate Cusack, Bethpage, 5-10, F, Sr.
Cusack is a strong scorer who plays with tenacity. She’s an excellent rebounder and aggressive around the rim. She averaged 16 points and eight rebounds.
Makayla Daube, Mepham, 5-10, F, Sr.
The Rollins College commit averaged 17 points and 19 rebounds. She dominates the court with her athleticism and basketball IQ.
Sofia Della Ratta, North Shore, 5-8, PG, Sr.
Della Ratta averaged 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists. She also averaged three steals and a block.
Kay DeRose, St. Dominic, 5-10, F, Jr.
She averaged eight points, six rebounds and two steals with a strong combination of size and speed.
Lauren Donaghy, Huntington, 5-10, G/F, Sr.
She is a knock-down shooter with great court vision and is a defensive leader. She averaged 15 points and five rebounds.
Maeve Downing, New Hyde Park, 5-9, G, Jr.
She averaged 12.7 points, including 24 points in a win over Sewanhaka.
Top row, from left: Angelina Cronin, Scarlet Cubero, Kate Cusack. Middle row, from left: Payton Dulin, Lauren Donaghy, Sofia Della Ratta. Bottom row, from left: Sophia Dwyer, Monique Echols, Claire Fitzpatrick.
Payton Dulin, Baldwin, 5-9, G, Sr.
The George Washington commit averaged 17 points and is the center of Baldwin’s offense. She’s also a lockdown defender.
Sophia Dwyer, Lynbrook, 5-10, G, Sr.
She’s extremely versatile, quick and creates matchup problems.
Monique Echols, Baldwin, 5-4, G, Sr.
She averaged eight points for a team that went 16-1 and reached the Nassau Class AAA final.
Rhylin Fehrenbach, Long Island Lutheran, 5-10, G/F, Jr.
She averaged 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists at Victor (N.Y.) High School. Fehrenbach can create off the dribble, create in transition and finish at the basket and beyond the arc.
Claire Fitzpatrick, Northport, 5-9, F/G, Sr.
The Pace commit is returning to Northport after playing last season at St. Mary’s. She is an outstanding scorer and rebounder and she dominates at the three-point line.
Kyle Finnell, Garden City, 6-0, F, Sr.
Coming off a season where she averaged a double-double, Finnell is a player who can dominate at both ends of the floor. She is a great shot blocker and is dominant at the rim.
Emily Forrester, Long Island Lutheran, 6-3, F/C, Soph.
She will provide size in the middle after the graduation of two-time Newsday Player of the Year Kate Koval. Forrester is a double-double machine with strong footwork and the ability to pass from down low.
Paige Garguilo, Massapequa, G, 5-8, Sr.
Garguilo is an intense defender and has been impactful for Massapequa since she moved into the starting lineup.
Grace Gilmartin, Northport, 5-7, F, Jr.
She is an outstanding rebounder and inside force who knows how to win and leads by example. She averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Janiya Grant, Sewanhaka, 5-10, F, Sr.
Grant is an incredible defender who led Sewanhaka in rebounds and blocked shots. She averaged 11.1 rebounds.
Sanai Green, Long Island Lutheran, 6-0, G, Jr.
She uses her size to her advantage to get to the rim with ease. She can finish by herself or set up others. Green holds offers from top schools including Tennessee, North Carolina and USC.
Bridget Hansen, Sachem East, 6-0, C, Soph.
She averaged 10.7 points and 10.2 rebounds as a rim protector and primary scoring option. She can play with her back to the basket in the low post and is capable of putting the ball on the floor and attacking from the perimeter.
Clockwise, from top left: Grace Gilmartin, Bridget Hansen, Giselle Harris, Emma Heaney.
Giselle Harris, Longwood, 5-7, G, Sr.
Harris averaged 15 points, five rebounds and four steals. She’s an athletic guard set to take on a bigger offensive role.
Beth Healy, Kellenberg, 5-9, G/F, Sr.
The Adelphi commit averaged 10 points and eight rebounds, including 22 points and 12 rebounds in her final game of the season.
Emma Heaney, Plainview-Old Bethpage, 6-1, F, Sr.
The Lafayette commit averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. She has 1,100 career points and she twice had 100-plus blocks in a season. Heaney recorded three triple-doubles last season. .
Alana Henry, Amityville, 5-11, G/F, Sr.
Henry is a dominant player who excels in the post and on the perimeter. She is a force on defense, and averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Bridget Hickey, Harborfields, 5-7, G, Sr.
She averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 assists. The four-year starter has averaged more than 10 points in each of the last two seasons.
Gabby Himmelstein, St. Dominic, 5-8, G, Jr.
She averaged 15.5 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Himmelstein is a strong outside shooter who also battles near the glass.
Charlotte Hines, Elmont, 6-0, F, Sr.
Hines is a threat on both ends of the floor. She averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds, along with three steals and two blocks. She had 33 points and 23 rebounds in a game against Roslyn.
Jada Hood, Brentwood, 5-6, G, Sr.
The six-year varsity player is a combo guard who has the ability to create a shot off the dribble. She averaged 14 points, four assists and five rebounds .
Olivia Jones, Long Island Lutheran, 5-11, G, Jr.
Jones is an athletic guard who has played a key role off the bench the last two seasons and now will become a primary scorer and creator. She’s generating interest from the top schools in the nation as a natural scorer who can shoot and finish at the rim.
Jazmynn Julien, Whitman, 5-9, G, Soph.
She is an elite defender who will take on a larger role this season. She averaged 6.3 points per game.
Clockwise, from top left: Jazmynn Julien, Sadie Krangle, Charlotte Hines, Olivia Jones, Jalynn Kirschenheuter.
Sofia Kammas, St. Mary’s, 5-9, G, Sr.
The Adelphi commit averaged six points and four rebounds.
Jalynn Kirschenheuter, Comsewogue, 5-10, G/F, Sr.
The four-year varsity starter is a threat at the block and the three-point line. She averaged 12.2 points and hit 40 three-pointers. She is committed to St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.
Sadie Krangle, Jericho, 5-7, G, Jr.
Krangle averaged 15 points. What makes the junior so special is her ability to read the defense and make the right play. She’s an elite passer and can shoot from deep.
Coco Lohmiller, Long Island Lutheran, G, 5-8, Soph.
She is expected to be featured more in LuHi’s rotation this season. Lohmiller averaged 15.8 points as an eighth-grader for Pierson before transferring to LuHi last season.
Annalyn Loiacono, Smithtown Christian, 5-3, G, Soph.
Loiacono was one of Suffolk’s leading scorers, averaging 21 points despite being double-teamed by every opponent.. She is a great on-ball defender.
Khaleis London, Bay Shore, 5-10, F, Sr.
She is a great leader and a force on both ends of the court. She averaged 8.5 points and eight rebounds.
Clockwise, from left: Khaleis London, Annalyn Loiacono, Alyssa Lorefice.
Alyssa Lorefice, Smithtown West, 5-9, F, Jr.
The Rutgers lacrosse commit is athletic and versatile. She averaged 12 points.
Brooke Mazzei, Lynbrook, 5-6, G, Sr.
Mazzei gets easy buckets in transition and can score from anywhere. She also can guard the opponent’s best player. She missed some time because of injury, but she still led her team in every major statistical category.
Reagan McCarthy, Long Beach, 5-10, F, Sr.
McCarthy has a great feel for the game. She is a tremendous rebounder and key defender.
Emily McDonald, Long Island Lutheran, 5-11, G, Jr.
McDonald is expected to be one of the top newcomers for the Crusaders. The upstate Lancaster native has the ability to attack and finish at the basket while pushing the pace on the dribble.
Jasmine McKay, North Babylon, 5-4, G, Sr.
The New Haven commit averaged 29 points and five steals. A Newsday All-Long Island selection, She’s a dynamic player whose leadership helped get North Babylon its first playoff win in five years.
Claire McKenzie, Mattituck, 5-10, G, Jr.
This three-sport athlete averaged 12 points.
Ava Meyn, Bayport-Blue Point, 5-11, G/F, Sr.
Meyn can play on the wing or get in the paint and battle with the bigs. She had a double-double in every league game.
Alexis Mitas, Portledge, 5-5, G, Sr.
She averaged 11.8 points after transferring from St. Anthony’s. Mitas is a dangerous outside shooter entering her fifth varsity season, which includes playing for Portledge as an eighth-grader.
Amelia Moore, St. Anthony’s, 6-2, C, Sr.
Moore is a physical presence, strong rebounder and shot blocker in the paint. She also can dribble and create offense in transition. She had 27 points and 15 rebounds against Harry Truman.
Top row, from left: Emily McDonald, Jasmine McKay, Brooke Mazzei. Middle row, from left: Ava Meyn, Alexia Mitas, Amelia Moore. Bottom row, from left: Gabby Nicolini, Kate Nelmes, Maya Motherway.
Maya Motherway, St. Anthony’s, 5-8, G, Jr.
She averaged 12.3 points at East Rockaway last season before transferring to St. Anthony’s. Motherway is a strong shooter with the ability to attack the basket.
Kate Nelmes, Syosset, 5-8, G, Sr.
This point guard takes on the toughest matchup every game and brings energy.
Gabby Nicolini, MacArthur, 5-9, F, Jr.
Nicolini led the Generals in three-pointers, and she also averaged eight rebounds.
Ava Orbon, New Hyde Park, 5-7, G, Sr.
She averaged 14.7 points, including 23 points in a playoff game against Bethpage.
Kyla Orlando, Mount Sinai, 5-8, SF, Sr.
Orlando is a threat on both ends of the court, averaging 15.3 points, seven rebounds and four steals. The Clemson lacrosse commit has been on varsity since the ninth grade and helped Mount Sinai go 11-1 in league play.
Sarah Owen, Floral Park, 5-10, F, Sr.
Owen can play any position but her leadership reflects off the other players and makes them better. The Cortland commit averaged 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Mia Padula, St. Dominic, 5-8, G, Jr.
She averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and six steals. Padula is an elite passer with excellent court vision and the handling skills to create for herself and others.
Daelyn Palmore, Southampton, 5-5, G, Sr.
She averaged 15 points as the team’s leading scorer in back-to-back seasons.
Leila Paz, Carey, 5-5, G, Sr.
The four-year varsity starter averaged 18 points and six assists and knows how to run the offense.
Clockwise, from top left: Ava Orbon, Sarah Owen, Leila Paz, Giavanna Randazzo, Ryan Reynolds, Sky Priester.
Sky Priester, St. Mary’s, 5-6, G, Sr.
She averaged six points and five assists as a key facilitator. Priester also is a tough defender.
Giavanna Randazzo, Babylon, 5-10, F, Jr.
Randazzo’s ability to play inside and outside makes her a tough matchup for defenders. She helped get Babylon its first league championship since 1978.
Charlotte Rathjen, South Side, 6-1, G, Sr.
This three-sport athlete missed last basketball season with an injury after averaging 7.7 points as a sophomore. Rathjen is committed to North Carolina for lacrosse.
Ryan Reynolds, Cold Spring Harbor, 5-10, F, Sr.
Reynolds’ quickness and agility allows her to be a key defender for the Seahawks. The Maryland lacrosse commit averaged seven rebounds and five steals.
Emma Robins, Division, 5-11, F, Sr.
Robins averaged 17 points and nine rebounds, and is seven points away from 1,000 for her career, as of Wednesday.
Destiny Robinson, St. Mary’s, 6-1, F, Jr.
Robinson averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds and blocked 51 shots. She already holds offers from Syracuse and Hofstra.
Cassandra Rohan, Stony Brook School, 6-1, C, Sr.
She averaged 15.7 points as her athleticism on the volleyball court translated to basketball. Rohan, who is committed to play volleyball at Iona, had seven games with at least 15 rebounds. She posted 27 points and 21 rebounds in the NYSAIS Class B quarterfinals.
From left: Destiny Robinson, Cassandra Rohan, Zahara Saintyl.
Zahara Saintyl, Uniondale, 6-0, G/F, Jr.
She averaged 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. She brings size and athleticism to her third varsity season.
Sam Schneider, Syosset, 5-9, G, Jr.
Schneider averaged 16 points and shot 60% from the field in an 18-2 season that included winning the Nassau Class AAA crown.
Toni Smith, Baldwin, 5-10, F, Sr.
Smith is an elite rebounder and anchor in the interior. She averaged 10 points and 10 boards.
Maggie Spehr, Cold Spring Harbor, 5-4, G, Sr.
Spehr is an all-around player who is always at the right place at the right time, making the right decisions on both ends of the floor.
Kayla Solomon, St. Mary’s, 5-8, G, Jr.
Solomon was a key piece to St. Mary’s state championship team her freshman season and averaged eight points as a sophomore. She averaged 17.9 points as an eighth-grader at Central Islip before transferring to St. Mary’s.
Kate Sweet, Westhampton, 5-9, G, Soph.
Her defensive presence helped Westhampton to a 21-3 record. She averaged 12 points, six steals and four rebounds.
Savannah Swords, Long Island Lutheran, 6-2, G/F, Jr.
Swords was a key contributor for Team Canada’s silver medal performance at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup. She will take on a significantly larger role in the offense after the graduation of three Newsday All-Long Island players.
Top row, from left: Toni Smith, Kayla Solomon, Sam Schneider. Middle row, from left: Ella Tantillo, Savannah Swords, Kate Sweet. Bottom row, from left: Emma Toner, Tiana Thompson, Jasmine Taylor.
Ella Tantillo, East Islip, 5-5, G, Sr.
She averaged 11.2 points and will be the key piece for East Islip.
Jasmine Taylor, Westhampton, 5-10, F, Jr.
Taylor averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds, and her skills on both ends have been instrumental in Westhampton’s success over the last two seasons.
Tiana Thompson, St. Mary’s, 5-8, G, Jr.
She is strong on the dribble and attacks the basket. Thompson averaged seven points and three assists.
Emma Toner, St. Anthony’s, 5-8, G, Sr.
The multi-sport standout averaged 11.4 points and was named the CHSAA defensive player of the year. She can lock down nearly anyone on the court and has a strong outside shot. Toner is committed to Lafayette for lacrosse.
Hayley Torres, Centereach, 5-3, G, Jr.
This dynamic point guard sees the floor well and makes good decisions. She averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Allison Twible, East Meadow, 5-11, PG, Sr.
Twible averaged 18 points, six assists, and five rebounds. The Pace commit was a Newsday All-Long Island selection after leading East Meadow to the Long Island Class AA title.
Ava Vadyak, Sayville, 5-4, G, Sr.
She averaged 17.8 points, including 21 in the playoffs against Bayport-Blue Point.
Clockwise, from left: Brianna Verga, Ava Vadyak, Allison Twible, Sofia Vasselman.
Sofia Vasselman, Commack, 5-7, G, Sr.
The Geneseo commit is a five-tool player who impacts both ends of the court. She averaged 16.5 points, made 71 three-pointers and grabbed 110 rebounds. The Newsday All-Long Island second-teamer plays an elite game and wants the ball in every big moment.
Brianna Verga, Whitman, 5-9, F, Sr.
The senior forward has been a solid contributor on both ends for years. She averaged 6.2 points and five rebounds.
Angela Williams, Brentwood, 6-0, F, Sr.
The St. Thomas Aquinas commit is a unique big with the ability to guard all positions. She is a great communicator and has become the anchor of Brentwood’s offense.
Zaniyah Williams, Long Island Lutheran, 5-7, G, Jr.
Williams can create, run the floor and set up teammates. She has offers from schools such as Maryland, Michigan and Duke
Courtney Xippolitos, West Islip, 5-5, G, Sr.
She averaged 14.7 points and is among the best in Suffolk at shooting free throws and three-pointers.
Courtney Xippolitos, left, and Gianna Zawol.
Jolie Yablon, Bellmore JFK, 5-5, G, Sr.
Yablon is an excellent passer and can counter whatever the defense throws at her. She is a well-seasoned player who can drive, pass and shoot from anywhere on the floor.
Gianna Zawol, Kings Park, 5-7, G, Sr.
Zawol is a defensively driven player. She also can finish at the rim from any angle, and averaged 11.6 points.
Ava Zicchinelli, Miller Place, 5-8, F, Sr.
She averaged 12.3 points. She is committed to play softball at Molloy.
