The Oregonian/OregonLive examined the girls basketball teams in the Southwest Conference in great detail last week.
It’s time to examine each of the district’s top players in greater detail this winter.
Senior Mia Thompson of Grants Pass
After making the all-conference second team the previous season, Thompson has been a starter for the Lady Cavers since her freshman year. She is the “heart and soul” of our club, according to coach Scott Wakefield, who also described her as a versatile player.
Senior Callie Brandes of Grants Pass
Another notable player for the Lady Cavers is Brandes, who is renowned for her skill as a shot blocker. Because of her height and quickness, Wakefield believes the all-conference honorable mention might average four to five blocks each game this season.
Senior Kenzie Kleiner of Grants Pass
With the departure of first team player Brooklyn Wakefield and Southwest Conference Player of the Year Brooke Anderson, Grants Pass lost a great tandem. In order to compensate for the losses, Wakefield said Kleiner, who has shown herself to be an excellent on-ball defender and shooter, would take on a bigger role at guard this season.
Senior Olivia Boger of North Medford
According to recently hired coach Tiani Tunoa, Boger is a fierce competitor. She contributes an aggressive style of defense and is one of the Black Tornado’s best scorers.
Senior Caileigh Raines of North Medford
Raines made the all-conference honorable mention list the previous season after finishing in the top five in the Southwest Conference in terms of scoring. The senior guard was 150 points short of reaching 1,000 points in his career going into the season.
Senior Arlie Aasen of Roseburg
The sole returning starter for Roseburg is Aasen. The forward averaged seven rebounds per game as a junior, leading the club in that category. If the squad wants to bounce back from being last in the Southwest Conference in 2023–24, she will need to have a strong season.
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Senior Morgan Raleigh, Sheldon
According to coach Tash O. Brien, Raleigh is a cunning scorer. An honorable mention all-conference point guard in 2023-24, Raleigh is always looking to involve her teammates when she draws the defensive attention, O Brien said.
Senior Savannah Schuck of Sheldon
In O Brien s first season as the coach of the Irish program, he s expecting big things for Schuck. We are looking to Savannah s strength and size to be a focal point of our offense, he said of the post. She brings a physical presence on both ends of the court.
Jenna Ayres, sophomore, Sheldon
Ayres was an honorable mention honoree as a freshman with Churchill. Now a member of the Irish, she brings size and guard skills. O Brien said he s looking to her to lead the team s transition offense with her athleticism.
Sara Schmerbach, senior, South Medford
A Santa Clara commit, Schmerbach is a returning all-state player and the veteran leader of the reigning state champs. Coach Tom Cole said the senior guard is a great leader and plays both ends of the floor exceptionally well.
Mayen Akpan, junior, South Medford
Akpan s emergence on the interior was one of the leading reasons for the Panthers’ state title in 2023-24. A Division I talent with a slew of offers, the returning all-state player broke the state tournament rebounding record last season. She enters this season with a case to be Class 6A s top post player.
Maddy Warberg, senior, South Medford
While this is her first year with the Panthers, Warberg is familiar with the program from her time with Willamette. Another Santa Clara commit, she transferred in this offseason and immediately projects as one of the team s top players given her exceptional shooting range, said Cole.
Dylynn Howell, junior, South Medford
While she hasn t seen the court as much as some of her peers to this point due to the Panthers depth, Howell is yet another Division I talent who calls South Medford home. She brings good size and shooting range in the backcourt.
Brynn Smith, senior, Willamette
Smith may well be the conference s top player this season. A second-team all-state and first team all-conference guard with the size of a wing, Smith is set to continue her career at the University of Portland. She can score from everywhere and is among the team s top defenders.
Isabella Harms, senior, Willamette
Harms was an all-league first team wing and landed on the all-state tournament second team. Her size is excellent and her skillset, diverse. The all-state honorable mention is committed to Boise State.
Vic Nguyen, senior, Willamette
Nguyen has been operating the point guard spot for several years now, helping this supremely-talented senior class coalesce into a title contender. She s got an elite handle and great court vision and unselfishness. An all-conference second team player, she s set to continue her career at Western Washington.
Diamond Wright, senior, Willamette
Having lost Warberg to South Medford, Willamette reloaded with the Springfield transfer post Wright. At the 5A level, Wright was an all-state second team player, an all-league first teamer and a all-state tournament second team player. She projects as an instant impact forward for the Wolverines and is set to play at Grand Canyon University next season.
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