The fourth annual ESPNHS National High School Invitational, which will take place March 29-31 at Georgetown Prep (Bethesda, Md.), features three girls' teams ranked in the ESPNHS POWERADE FAB 50 rankings, including defending champion Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.).
The girls' semifinal games will be broadcast on ESPNU and the championship will air on ESPN2. All telecasts will also be available through ESPN3 and WatchESPN.
Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.) won last year's event as the No. 5 seed, beating 2011 No. 1 Riverdale Baptist 64-61 in a play-in game, overcoming a five-point halftime deficit to beat third-seeded Archbishop Spalding (Md.) in the semifinals and rallying past fourth-seeded Murry Bergtraum (N.Y.) 60-45 in the final. Dr. Phillips joined Seton Keough (Baltimore, Md.), and Peddie School (Hightstown, N.J.) as NHSI girls' champions. Seedings and matchups for this year's event have not been set.
"Just being invited to [NHSI] means a lot for our high school and also for every player in the state of Florida," said Dr. Phillips coach Anthony Jones.
2012 NHSI GIRLS TEAMS
FAB 50 No. 7 Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.)
Coach: Diane Richardson
Key player: Jonquel Jones, the No. 6 ranked forward in the Class of 2012 according to ESPN HoopGurlz, is also the Gatorade State Player of the Year for Maryland. Her range and shooting stroke have earned her comparisons to Kevin Durant.
More Info: Jones (Clemson) is one of five Riverdale Baptist seniors who have committed to a Division I college program. The others are Jennie Simms (West Virginia), Brittany Murray (La Salle), Domonique Johnson (Towson) and Kelila Atkinson (Wake Forest).
FAB 50 No. 29 Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.)
Coach: Anthony Jones
Key player: Sophomore Taryn Griffey, a four-star guard with explosive leaping ability.
More Info: Griffey, the daughter of former MLB star Ken Griffey Jr., led the Panthers to their second consecutive Class 8A Florida state title, pouring in 17 points and pulling down 16 rebounds in a 72-50 win over Dr. Krop (Miami, Fla.). Junior guard Sydnei McCaskill also had 17 points in the state title game.
FAB 50 No. 34 Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)
Coach: Malcolm Lewis
Key player: Senior wing Alexis Prince, a Baylor commit and the No. 16 prospect in the ESPNU HoopGurlz 100.
More Info: The Eagles (28-6) beat Miami Norland 46-36 to win the FHSAA 6A State championship. Prince had 13 rebounds and seven blocks in the title game. Sophomore guard Markeema Crawford led the team in scoring with 15 points.
H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.)
Coach: Frank Oliver Jr.
Key player: Senior post Jephany Brown, a 6-foot-1 power forward and Providence commit.
More Info: Brown and Chanel Green, a 5-7 point guard, led the Warriors to their seventh straight D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association title. Woodson will face Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champ Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) in the Abe Pollin City Title Game on March 20.