MITTY: IS NOW THE TIME FOR MONARCHS TO WIN IT ALL?
Archbishop Mitty girls basketball has done just about everything a high school team can possibly do in the last few years.
Except winning an Open Division state title.
The Monarchs have been ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation by MaxPreps. They started 30-0 last season. But once again, Etiwanda-Rancho Cucamonga got in the way of a CIF Open Division state championship. One year after falling 69-67 to Etiwanda in the state title game, Mitty wrapped up its 2023-24 season with a 60-48 defeat to their southern nemesis.
Is this the season the Monarchs get over the hump?
Morgan Cheli has moved on to play for record-breaking coach Geno Auriemma at UConn, but junior power forward McKenna Woliczko is a year older and wiser after winning her second Bay Area News Group player of the year award while averaging 22 points per game.
Woliczko, the No. 5 player in the 2026 class according to 247Sports and the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year, is far from a one-person show.
Longtime coach Sue Phillips added serious firepower to her San Jose juggernaut via East Bay transfers. Ze’Ni Patterson joined from Heritage after winning the Bay Valley Athletic League MVP as a freshman, and four-star guard Devin Cosgriff came over from Bishop O’Dowd for her junior year.
Returning is Emma Cook and sophomore point guard Tee McCarthy. Both players hold Division I offers and could emerge as stars to complement Woliczko.
Etiwanda will likely still be in the way, though, should the Monarchs win the NorCal Open title once again and advance to the state championship. Etiwanda is the preseason No. 1 team in the country according to MaxPreps, and Mitty is No. 2.
WILL SALESIAN, PINEWOOD, OAKLAND TECH BOUNCE BACK?
Pinewood, Salesian and Oakland Tech had – by their lofty standards – a down season in 2023-24. They’re obviously looking to get back to the upper echelon of Bay Area basketball this season. … Salesian fared the best of the bunch, capturing the NCS Division I title before being bounced in the first round of the NorCal D-I playoffs. Though a slew of seniors graduated, the Pride still return the high-scoring Sawyer sisters, Janiya and Jamia. Coach Stephen Pezzola also brings back Oriannah Birden, who was a consistent double-double threat as a freshman last season. … Pinewood, seeded No. 1, was stunned by No. 16 seed McClatchy in the first round of the Division I NorCal playoffs. Longtime coach Doc Scheppler should have his band of sharpshooters ready to go this season. Seniors Vallory Kuelker and Katherine Garr, who both shot 40 percent from 3-point land, will be expected to fire away from deep for one of the CCS’s best teams. … After ending its last three regional playoff runs with state championships, Oakland Tech’s epic postseason winning streak ended in NorCal play at Pleasant Valley on a buzzer-beater. Coach Leroy Hurt’s Lady Bulldogs aim to prove that result was a fluke. It all starts with perhaps the best frontcourt in NorCal, where 6-3 junior Terri’A Russell flashes a great all-around skillset at power forward. She’s not the only college prospect in Tech’s front line. Jhai Johnson, daughter of longtime NFL quarterback Josh Johnson, is a 6-4 junior with a slew of high-profile college offers.
UNDERRATED TEAMS
Mills had a magical season under first-year coach Justin Matsu, who took over just weeks before the start of the season after his dad and longtime coach Dave Matsu died. Justin and Dave has shared the coaching responsibilities the previous season. The Vikings’ biggest strength last season was their depth, and they will have another deep team in 2024-25. Guards Riley dela Fuente, Chloe Lee and Sofia Kwan return for their senior seasons to lead a team that has shooters all over the floor. … Pinole Valley made a surprising run to the NCS Division III playoffs last season with a young team after finishing third in the Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division. Look for coach Brian Gaither to have the Spartans ready to be dark horse contenders once again this season. … California went 25-6 in 2023-24 and brings back an experienced group. Senior captains Trinity Chu, Lauren Yee, Taylor Lim and Sofie Addiego form a strong nucleus for a team that could be in the East Bay Athletic League title mix this season.
SEASON-OPENING SHOWCASE
The Pinole Valley Shootout is scheduled for this weekend at Pinole Valley High School. Friday’s lineup: Bethel vs. Monte Vista, 1:30 p.m.; San Domenico vs. Bishop O’Dowd, 3 p.m.; St. Mary’s-Berkeley vs. Moreau Catholic, 4:30 p.m.; Pinole Valley vs. Berkeley, 6 p.m. Saturday’s lineup: San Marin vs. Eureka, 10:30 a.m.; Redwood vs. Clayton Valley, 12 p.m., Acalanes vs Maria Carrillo, 1:30 p.m.; Oakland Tech vs. Pleasant Valley, 3 p.m.; Cardinal Newman vs. McClatchy 4:30 p.m.; Pinole Valley vs. California, 6 p.m.; Riordan vs. San Ramon Valley 7:30 p.m.
TOP PLAYERS: PRESEASON ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP
Devin Cosgriff, Archbishop Mitty, 5-11, junior
Transfer from Bishop O’Dowd, where she was an All-West Alameda County Conference selection. Made the game-winning shot against Carondelet in the NorCal Division I title game. Has an offer from UCLA.
Ugreat Daniels, Priory, 6-2, junior
West Bay Athletic League MVP led the Panthers to a stellar 9-1 record in league play. Had a number of big stat lines, such as a 22-point, 16-rebound effort against Notre Dame-Belmont and a 13-point, four-block, six-steal game against Westmoor.
Layla Dixon, Carondelet, 6-0, junior
First-team all-EBAL selection was a revelation as a sophomore and played her best in the postseason. Scored 19, 28 and 19 points in her first three NorCal playoff games to help the Cougars reach the regional final.
Sofia Kwan, Mills, 5-7, senior
All-Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division selection helped lead the Vikings to a league championship. Scored 16 of her team-high 23 points in the second half of a game that clinched league title. Then helped Mills reach CCS Division III final.
Karyss Lacanlale, Acalanes, 5-5, senior
First-team all-Diablo Athletic League selection led the Dons to an undefeated record in league play and a NorCal Division I berth. Scored 30 points in a victory over Ygnacio Valley.
Jhai Johnson, Oakland Tech, 6-4, junior
Oakland Athletic League player of the year led the Bulldogs to the Oakland Section championship and the NorCal Division II semifinals. Had 13 double-doubles, including a 19-point, 22-rebound, 10-steal triple double against Oakland.
Nicole Steiner, Los Gatos, 6-0, senior
Co-Santa Clara Valley De Anza Division MVP alongside teammate Ashley Childers. Led Los Gatos to league title. Had back-to-back games with at least 20 rebounds in January.
Sophia Sanchez, St. Ignatius, junior
All-West Catholic Athletic League first-team selection as a sophomore powered the Wildcats to a surprising CCS Open Division championship game appearance. Scored 15 points against Mitty in February.
Vallory Kuelker, Pinewood, 6-0, senior
First-team all-WBAL selection averaged 12.8 points and five rebounds per game. Made 77 3-pointers and shot 45 percent from long range for the Panthers.
McKenna Woliczko, Archbishop Mitty, 6-2, junior
West Catholic Athletic League co-player of the year averaged 22 points and eight rebounds per game for the CCS and NorCal Open Division champions. Named Bay Area News Group player of the year for the second time. Won FIBA gold on the USA U-17 team over the summer.
Others to watch
Ayesha Abdussamy, Irvington, junior; Ashley Childers, Los Gatos, senior; Trinity Chu, California, senior; Natalie Dance, Mt. Diablo, senior; Radhika Garapaty, Notre Dame-San Jose, senior; Katherine Garr, Pinewood, senior; Ariana Hallstrom, Acalanes, senior; Alana Hernandez, Mountain View, senior; Willow Ishibashi-To, Carlmont, senior; Maia Jimenez, St. Francis, senior; Juliana Johnson, Alameda, senior; Riqui Liu, Menlo School, senior; Ze’Ni Patterson, Archbishop Mitty, sophomore, Sophia Ross, Carondelet, junior; Alyssa Rudd, Monte Vista, junior; Terri’A Russell, Oakland Tech, junior; Sa’rye Starks, Ygnacio Valley, senior; Maxine Sutisna, Archbishop Riordan, senior; Jayla Stokes, Bishop O’Dowd, senior; Dulci Vail, Acalanes, senior; Lauren Yee, California, senior.
(Mercury News & East Bay Times)
No. 1 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (30-1 last season)
Final ranking last season: 1
How it finished: Beat Clovis West 71-34 to win NorCal Open championship, lost to Etiwanda 60-48 in the CIF Open state final.
Season opener: Dec. 4 at La Jolla Country Day tournament, TBA
No. 2 CARONDELET (29-7 last season)
Final ranking last season: 4
How it finished: Lost to Bishop O’Dowd 48-47 in NorCal Division I championship game.
Season opener: Saturday at Christian Brothers, 1:30 p.m.
No. 3 PINEWOOD (21-7 last season)
Final ranking last season: 6
How it finished: Lost to McClatchy 66-64 in NorCal Division I first-round game.
Season opener: Dec. 4 at Los Gatos, 5 p.m.
No. 4 SALESIAN (20-12 last season)
Final ranking last season: 15
How it finished: Lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral 61-41 in the first round of NorCal Division I playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 3 vs. San Marin, 7 p.m.
No. 5 OAKLAND TECH (14-17 last season)
Final ranking last season: 13
How it finished: Lost to Pleasant Valley-Chico 64-62 in NorCal Division II playoff semifinals.
Season opener: Saturday vs. Pleasant Valley-Chico at Pinole Valley tournament, 3 p.m.
No. 6 ACALANES (26-6 last season)
Final ranking last season: 9
How it finished: Lost to Archbishop Riordan 64-55 in NorCal Division I first-round game.
Season opener: Saturday vs. Maria Carrillo, 1:30 p.m.
No. 7 SAN RAMON VALLEY (28-3 last season)
Final ranking last season: 2
How it finished: Lost to St. Mary’s-Stockton 67-61 in NorCal Open Division quarterfinals.
Season opener: Saturday vs. Archbishop Riordan, 7:30 p.m.
No. 8 BISHOP O’DOWD (24-7 last season)
Final ranking last season: 3
How it finished: Lost to Bishop Montgomery-Torrance 52-40 in CIF Division I state final.
Season opener: Friday vs. San Domenico at Pinole Valley tournament, 3 p.m.
No. 9 SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL (23-5 last season)
Final ranking last season: 5
How it finished: Lost to Carondelet 62-58 in NorCal Division I quarterfinals.
Season opener: Dec. 2 vs. Oakland, 7 p.m.
No. 10 ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN (17-11 last season)
Final ranking last season: 7
How it finished: Lost to Oak Ridge 60-51 in NorCal Division I quarterfinals.
Season opener: Saturday vs. San Ramon Valley at Pinole Valley tournament, 7:30 p.m.
No. 11 ST. IGNATIUS (19-11 last season)
Final ranking last season: 8
How it finished: Lost to Bishop O’Dowd in NorCal Division I quarterfinals.
Season opener: Dec. 5 vs. Colfax, 6:30 p.m.
No. 12 LOS GATOS (23-5 last season)
Final ranking last season: 11
How it finished: Lost to Carondelet 77-39 in first round of NorCal Division I playoffs.
Season opener: Saturday vs. Branham, 6:30 p.m.
No. 13 CALIFORNIA (25-6 last season)
Final ranking last season: 17
How it finished: Lost to Oakland Tech 65-53 in first round of NorCal Division II playoffs.
Season opener: Saturday vs. Pinole Valley at Pinole Valley tournament, 6 p.m.
No. 14 PIEDMONT (20-8 last season)
Final ranking last season: 10
How it finished: Lost to Whitney-Rocklin 53-41 in first round of NorCal Division I playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 5 vs. Fernley at Spanish Springs-Nevada tournament, 7:30 p.m.
No. 15 ST. FRANCIS (15-12 last season)
Final ranking last season: 12
How it finished: Lost to Bishop O’Dowd 76-27 in first round of NorCal Division I playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 3 vs. The King’s Academy, 5:30 p.m.
No. 16 BRANHAM (23-4 last season)
Final ranking last season: 14
How it finished: Lost to Maria Carrillo 52-49 in NorCal Division II playoff quarterfinals.
Season opener: Saturday at Los Gatos, 6:30 p.m.
No. 17 HERITAGE (20-10 last season)
Final ranking last season: Not ranked
How it finished: Lost to Caruthers 44-40 in second round of NorCal Division III playoffs.
Season opener: Nov. 30 vs. Oakland, 3 p.m.
No. 18 PRIORY (15-13 last season)
Final ranking last season: 19
How it finished: Lost to Oak Ridge 47-35 in first round of NorCal Division I playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 4 vs. Lowell at Mills tournament, 4:30 p.m.
No. 19 MONTA VISTA (22-6 last season)
Final ranking last season: 20
How it finished: Lost to Maria Carrillo 59-52 in first round of NorCal Division II playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 3 at Branham, 7 p.m.
No. 20 MILLS (20-9 last season)
Final ranking last season: Not ranked
How it finished: Lost to Cornerstone Christian 66-39 in second round of NorCal Division III playoffs.
Season opener: Dec. 4 vs. Cristo Rey-San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school staff chooses the teams.
