The Oregonian/OregonLive examined the girls basketball teams in the Metro League in great detail last week.
It’s time to examine each of the district’s top players in greater detail this winter.
Beaverton sophomore Dara Oluwafemi
As a freshman, Oluwafemi, a transfer from Metro rival Westview, was one of the best guards in the state. According to coach John Naro, she is a dual threat on both sides of the floor and can play both point guard and wing. She is a lock-up defender and has excellent scoring ability in a variety of ways.
Ruby Foord, Beaverton sophomore
Foord, another sophomore transfer, arrives from Sunset. According to Naro, Foord, a wing/stretch forward, has the potential to be among the best players in the league. According to Naro, she is long, athletic, and capable of scoring both inside and out.
Beaverton’s junior Alexia Braden
Last winter, Braden was one of the Beavers’ most effective players. The post or wing can score from a number of locations. She is one of my greatest inside defenders and a dedicated worker, according to Naro.
Junior London Bologoff, Beaverton
Bologoff’s coach believes she has an incredible basketball mentality. Last season, the junior post was a key member of the team’s leadership group, contributing significantly to the areas of interior defense, rebounding, and scoring.
More Oregon high school sports
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Oregon high school boys basketball players to watch in the Metro League
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Oregon high school boys basketball players to watch in the Portland Interscholastic League
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Oregon high school girls basketball players to watch in the Portland Interscholastic League
Audrey Bayless, Jesuit senior
Bayless was described by head coach Jason Lowery as one of the most dedicated and reliable students to have ever been through this program. The point guard won the Metro League Defensive Player of the Year award the previous season and was a member of the all-league first team. According to Lowery, she excels at attacking from both sides of the ball.
Junior Amani Lubrano, Jesuit
Three juniors, including Lubrano, began as sophomores. Lubrano helps spread the floor and contributes a solid outside shooting touch to a Crusaders attack that is more than content to feed the post when the chance arises.
Junior Sophia Costarella, Jesuit
Lowery and his crew anticipate a successful year from Costarella, another junior. She is a skilled offensive guard and a superb defender, he noted. Together with Bayless and other pieces, Costarella is a good glue piece.
Junior Reese Filkins, Jesuit
Filkins is a talented sportsman. Due to her abilities in that department, as well as her size on the wing, she s leaned on to guard multiple positions. It s a skill that will be invaluable to Jesuit as it hunts for another league title.
Ceanna Forney, freshman, Jesuit
With the graduation of Kendra Hicks, the Crusaders are in need of a new post presence down low and Lowery thinks he s got one in the 6-foot-4 Forney. A true three-level scorer and gifted shot-blocker, said Lowery, (she) will make her presence felt on both ends of the court.
Berlynn Carlson, senior, Mountainside
Carlson comes to the Mavericks by way of Liberty and brings an immediate Division I skillset to a playoff-hopeful Mountainside group. A Mount St. Mary s signee, the forward is a versatile inside-out scorer, said coach Laurie Evans-Gygax.
Kylie Fisher, senior, Mountainside
Fisher returns after landing on the all-league second team last season. The team s leading scorer and rebounder going on two seasons, she s another talented forward that pairs nicely with the addition of Carlson.
Izzy Shandy, junior, Mountainside
Shandy is a notable piece in the Mavericks backcourt, a portion of the team hoping to help lift the Mavericks from a second-to-last place league finish in 2023-24. Shandy is best known, said Evans-Gygax, for her ability to find her way into the paint and put pressure on the rim.
Geovanna Darlington, junior, Mountainside
Darlington, another junior guard, is a standout athlete with excellent quickness. Shandy is the team s top defender, according to Evans-Gygax.
Sara Mangan, sophomore, Southridge
Mangan broke into a senior-laden rotation last season, her excellent guard play rendering her on-court presence a must for the Skyhawks. Sarah brings some great depth, range and basketball IQ to the court, assistant coach Zach Hamilton said. She is a good leader that wants to help all her teammates succeed on and off the court.
Addie White, junior, Southridge
White, a forward, is one of the team s most experienced players and the team s top option down low. With her ability to finish, said Hamilton, her strength and desire, she will be a big playmaker. The heart she has for her teammates on and off the court will make a big difference in the comradery of this group.
Kalli Gallagher, sophomore, Sunset
At guard, Gallagher has a motor that coach Devarieous Sly-Clay said doesn t slow down. He added: She has the ability to score from multiple levels, but also creates opportunities for her teammates. Gallagher isn t a slouch on the defensive end, either. Last year, she was the team s sixth player and frequently made immediate impacts to the game upon subbing in.
Rosa Martinez-Escobedo, sophomore, Sunset
Martinez-Escobedo is the Apollos second stellar sophomore guard. Last season she was a swing player who started as the junior varsity team s point guard. The opportunity, said Sly-Clay, helped her voice grow and leadership role expand. She ll be a big part of the varsity squad this season.
Mia Cremer, sophomore, Sunset
Cremer is a physical post player who balances her strength with nice footwork. She is fearless and will go toe-to-toe against anyone in the paint, regardless of size, Sly Clay said. Cremer will also assist Martinez-Escobedo in the leadership department with her tendency to command respect with her voice.
Mady Read, freshman, Westview
Without any returning all-league players, Westview is looking for instant impact pieces and it seems the Wildcats have found one in Read. A hybrid guard/forward, Read has impressed coach Yukiko Flennaugh with her ability to impact the game as a scorer and rebounder immediately.
Claire Masury, freshman, Westview
Masury is one of five freshmen that project to play significant minutes on a senior-less Wildcats team. Claire is a strong player with a high basketball IQ and can score at the rim as well as from three, Flennuagh said of the guard.
Avery Nelson, junior, Westview
Nelson brings experience to a roster largely devoid of it. Flennaugh lauded her all-around play, particularly her instincts and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball at the point of attack.
Leah Elms, junior, Westview
After the transfer of the former Wildcat standout guard Oluwafemi, Elms is one player being looked at to take a large step forward this season. The guard uses her fantastic quickness to attack the rim and bring a tenacious energy on defense, said Flennaugh.
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