You can’t talk about high school hoops anymore without Brookville, New York, entering the chat. It’s wild. A few years ago, Long Island Lutheran girls basketball was a local powerhouse; now, they’re basically a national laboratory for future WNBA talent. If you’re following the rankings right now in January 2026, you know the vibe.
The Crusaders started this season exactly where you’d expect: No. 1 in the MaxPreps National Top 10. They aren’t just winning games. They are dismantling teams.
The Roster That Everyone is Scouting
Honestly, looking at this lineup feels like looking at a future McDonald’s All-American roster. It’s deep. Like, "we have three players committed to the SEC and ACC" deep.
Olivia Jones is the engine. She’s a Vanderbilt commit and currently ranked as a top-15 player in the Class of 2026 by ESPN. She’s got that 5'11" frame that allows her to basically bully smaller guards while having the vision to pick apart a zone defense. Then you’ve got the Kentucky connection: Savannah "Savvy" Swords and Emily McDonald. They both pledged to the Wildcats, and if you've seen Savannah play, you know she’s a matchup nightmare. She’s 6'2", she handles the rock, and she can play the wing or power forward.
Let’s not forget Sanai Green. She’s headed to Duke. Think about that for a second. That is four high-major Division I commits in one starting five. It’s almost unfair.
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The younger talent is just as scary. Taylor Brown, a sophomore point guard, is already playing with the poise of a pro. She’s been 1st Team All-State before even getting her driver's license. Then there’s Cece Arico, who is already cracking the ESPN Super 60 for the Class of 2027. The pipeline just doesn’t stop.
Life at the Top Isn't Always Easy
Even the best have "off" days. Recently, the Crusaders took a bit of a hit. They went out to Missouri for the Sophie Cunningham Classic and ran into a buzzsaw. They squeezed past Staley but then dropped a tough one to Incarnate Word Academy, 61-58.
That loss actually bumped them down to No. 7 in some of the mid-January polls.
But here’s the thing about LuHi: they don't hide. They play the most aggressive schedule in the country. Coach Christina Raiti—who, by the way, was the youngest Naismith Coach of the Year ever back in '23—doesn't believe in "easy wins."
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The Schedule That Hardens the Steel
- HoopHall Classic: They just faced Sierra Canyon in a massive clash in Springfield.
- The Mecca in the Bronx: A late-January showdown against IMG Academy.
- Iolani Classic: They already made history here, becoming the first LuHi team (boys or girls) to take the title in Hawaii, with Olivia Jones taking MVP honors.
The loss to Incarnate Word probably did more for their development than a 40-point blowout would have. It exposed the gaps. It showed they aren't invincible, which is exactly the kind of "bulletin board material" Raiti uses to sharpen them for the postseason.
Why Long Island Lutheran Girls Basketball is Built Different
A lot of people think LuHi just "gets" players. It’s more complicated than that.
The school isn't part of the traditional state governing bodies like your average public high school. They play an independent, national schedule. This means they aren't restricted to playing the team down the road. They are flying to Arizona for the Nike TOC and traveling to the Bahamas.
If you're a high-level recruit, why wouldn't you want that? You get to play against the best every single night under the bright lights.
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Coach Raiti is a LuHi alum herself (Class of '12). She gets the culture. She’s developed over 15 ESPN-ranked players since taking over in 2020. The "Long Island Lutheran girls basketball" brand is now synonymous with professional-level preparation. They aren't just teaching sets; they are teaching how to manage the travel, the media, and the pressure of being the hunted team.
What’s Next for the Crusaders?
The next few weeks are basically a gauntlet. They have a massive game against Ontario Christian and their superstar Kaleena Smith. That game will likely decide who finishes the season in that top three national conversation.
If you’re a fan, keep an eye on the LuHi Invitational in early February. They’ll be hosting Bullis (MD) and Audenried (PA). It’s the final tune-up before the championship season kicks into high gear.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Film: If you can't get to Brookville, check out their highlights on Hudl or Ballislife. Seeing Savvy Swords' versatility in transition is a clinic on modern basketball.
- Follow the Commitments: Keep an eye on the remaining uncommitted sophomores. If they're getting minutes at LuHi, they’re almost certainly high-major targets.
- Track the Rankings: Check the MaxPreps and SCNext polls every Monday. With the Sierra Canyon and Ontario Christian games on the horizon, the No. 1 spot is going to be a game of musical chairs.