Desert Vista and Millennium were the schools most talked about as championship-caliber teams prior to the start of the 2014-2015 girls basketball season.

That chatter was pretty much right on. The teams met the first week of the season in an invitational with Millennium winning narrowly. They met a couple weeks later in a consolation game at the NIke TOC and Desert Vista won going away.

Ever since that triumph, Desert Vista has separated itself from the Division I field. The Lady Thunder enter the tournament that begins tonight (Wednesday Feb.18) as a prohibitive favorite.

There are teams that may be able to give Desert Vista a battle. It will have to be the right night, the right variables. Here's a look at the top 10 seeds:

#1 Desert Vista (27-3): The trio of 6-foot-4 post Kristine Anigwe and guards Sabrina Haines and Toni Davis is formidable. The entire starting lineup is strong and there's a little depth that can help out from the perimeter if need be. Anigwe has recovered from an ankle injury that benched her for a couple weeks. If it flairs up or she runs into prolonged foul trouble in a game, that could make the Lady Thunder vulnerable in the right matchup. Other than that, good luck to the opposition.

#2 Liberty (26-3): The Lady Lions didn't emerge out of nowhere. They were 27-3 last year, but lost in the section final and first state playoff game to dull a good season. Led by top scorer Courtney Christmas and Jenae Lewallen, Liberty toppled some East Valley schools (Hamilton and HIghland) in a post-Christmas tournament and gave Dobson a tough game in the final. The Lady Lions capped a brilliant January and half of February winning their supersectional. Liberty has won eight in a row and 16 of its last 17. It has not played Desert Vista this season and is positioned by the bracket to get a shot at the Lady Thunder with three wins. Liberty is 4-2 vs. top-10 seeds.

#3 Hamilton (22-8): Consistency has been a problem at times. Hamilton has perimeter shooters Mikaya Filiere and an inside game (Maya Banks). The Lady Huskies have not fared well in two meetings with Desert Vista, losing both handily. They are 4-3 against the top-10 seeds. Hamilton's lineup features balanced scoring 1-5. Hard to know who to try to shut down or neutralize among its five starters.

#4 Valley Vista (24-7): Not many blips on the radar for Valley Vista this season. The Lady Monsoon lost one power-ranking game (Mesa Mtn. View) in December and didn't lost another after that. They dropped the section final to Liberty last week and are 4-2 vs. top-10 seeds . Valley Vista's top scorers, -- all in double figures are freshmen Taylor Chavez, Rayah Craig and sophomore Kiara Edwards.

#5 Millennium (25-4): Millennium started faster than any team in D-I. It won its first 11 games blowing through its first invitational and a win over Desert Vista.The Lady Tigers dropped three games in a row at the Nike TOC, including a rematch with Desert Vista. Liberty had a 14-game win-streak snapped last week in sectionals. Millennium is led by a stong starting five, anchored by junior point guard Raina Perez, Passionate Amukamara, Quynne Huggins and Wati Franklin. Millennium is 2-2 vs. top-10 seeds.

#6 Dobson (25-2): Dobson has rolled all season long. It features an experienced group from last year with lots of depth. The Lady Mustangs won two invitationals, are 7-1 vs. top-10 seeds in the tourney and lost only one power-ranking game on buzzer beater to Hamilton. A loss in the opening round of sectionals to Ironwood was the biggest shock of the postseason to date in D-I girls circuit. Dobson's top scorer, Alexis Todd, has been battling an injury, but with nearly 10 days off since the team's last game should be fine for for a run at a title date. Familiar foes Hamilton, Highland or Liberty loom before the final if Dobson advances.

#7 Highland (21-10): Highland posted another 20-win season despite battling inconsistency. The Lady Hawks are 2-5 against top-10 seeds (wins over Mesquite and Chaparral), but noone higher and that's rare. A trip to the quarters or beyond for Miner Webster and company will require a breakthrough. Senior guard Kendall Perry tops the team in scoring.

#8 Mesquite (20-18): Led by two freshman Lindsey VanAllen and Shaylee Gonzalex and a starting lineup without a senior, Mesquite has held its own.They do have players with tournament experience in Alexis Springfield and izzy Spruit. The Lady Wildcats, like Highland, haven't been able to topple the likes of Dobson, Hamilton and Desert Vista. They'll have a tough second-round match (likely Chaparral) and past that it's Desert Vista. Mesquite beat Desert Vista twice last year -- but was better equipped to do so then. They fell to the Thunder by 22 late last month.

#9 Chaparral (20-8): Chaparral was one of four East Valley/Scottsdale schools to lose in the opening round of sectionals. The price paid was no bye and no second-round home game. The Lady Firebirds also have had a good year. They are paced by leading scorer Kayla Shaw, an excellent perimeter player and Addie Buzas. They are in an unenviable position in the bracket (Desert Vista's) like Mesquite.

#10 Horizon (21-6): Horizon thrives off guards Andrea Easley and Leah Goodman, its leading scorers. If either one or both has an off night the Lady Huskies are in trouble. Post Katie Grant offers an inside threat. Horizon has a favorable first-round matchup. It's a pickem whether or not it advances beyond the second round.