It appears that one of the state’s best girls teams is returning from the Mount Hood Conference just a few days into the 2024–25 basketball season. Now full of seniors, Clackamas’ outstanding class of 2025 is hoping for another long playoff run.
An overview of the Mount Hood Conference’s girls basketball teams is provided here, arranged alphabetically:
Barlow Bruins
Season last: 15–11
Nick Hudson is the coach.
Important participants: Kinzie Hopkins, G/W, SR; Addi Knight, W/C, SR; Lizzy Weber, G/W, SR; Rachel Jones, G/W, SR
Outlook: The Bruins had to rebuild with a nearly completely new squad after Barlow graduated a number of key players before to the previous season, following years of significant playoff campaigns. Barlow placed third in the Mount Hood Conference, behind Clackamas and Nelson, in spite of the turnover. Hudson enjoys the foundation’s unexpectedly veteran group from the previous year. According to him, we have a strong core of returning players with a wealth of varsity experience. We should have multiple options for scoring, including shooting from outside, cutting to the hoop, and scoring in post and paint.
Central Catholic Rams
Season last: 11–14
Sandy Dickerson is the coach.
Important participants: Lillian Jordan, G, SR; Katherine O. Leary, F, SR; and Nylah Jae Holt, G, SR
Coach: The Rams had a 3-9 record in the first half of the season, but they ended up finishing much better than they began and making it into the state’s top 30. Unfortunately, the Mount Hood Conference is once again predicted to be among the most loaded in the state. According to Dickerson, the senior group, which consists of six players, will take the lead this winter. O Leary (honorable mention) and Holt (second team) have already established themselves as players of all-conference ability. “We have a great combination of defensive tenacity and speed, as well as an outside and inside presence,” Dickerson said.
Clackamas Cavaliers
Season last: 24–4
Coach: Korey Landolt
Key players:Jazzy Davidson, G/W, SR; Sara Barhoum, G, SR; Dylan Mogel, W, SR; Reyce Mogel, W, SR; Avery Peterson, G, SR; Allie Roden, G, SR
Prospects: The Cavaliers, who were strong favorites to win the state championship again the previous season, faltered against Benson in the semifinals. Even if they didn’t live up to their own expectations, they are still expected to be a strong competitor this year. Full of impact players who have been on varsity since they were freshman, and led by the USC commit and three-time Gatorade Player of the Year, Davidson, Clackamas is the state s most talented team, featuring six collegiate players. The group is fast and athletic, said Landolt, and plays with cohesion and chemistry. We look to push the ball in transition and apply pressure on defense, looking for our defense to create offensive opportunities.
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David Douglas Scots
Season last: 10–14
Coach:Aaron Hunt
Key players:Coach did not respond to inquiry.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
Gresham Gophers
Season last: 10–14
Coach:Alan Simpson
Key players:Lily Schenk, G, SR; Sophia Cardelli, C, SR; JoJo Tubania-Askay, G, JR; Arielle Kagawa, G, SR; Rylee Gaffney, F, SR; Peyton Gaffney, G, FR; Skyla Hansen, G, JR
Outlook:After logging their most wins since the 2016 season last year, there s reason to believe the Lady Gophers could surpass that mark in 2024. An experienced, senior-heavy group has their sights set on the school s first playoff berth in a decade, said Simpson. With a particularly deep guard group, Gresham should be able to play an up-tempo brand of basketball. Cardelli, the team s center, is returning from a knee injury that cost her over half of last season. Simpson said she ll be the focus of much of their half-court offense, and should complement the perimeter pieces nicely.
Nelson Hawks
Last season:22-4
Coach:Kasima Knight-Hodge
Key players:Love Forde, F, SO; Nylah Webster, G, SO; Sophia Gradwahl, G, SR; Tatiana Harris, G, JR; Simone Sideris, G, JR; Jasmine Nita, G/W, JR
Outlook:After five years as head coach for the Westside Christian girl s basketball program, Knight-Hodge inherits one of the state s most promising young rosters at Nelson. The Hawks won their first nine games last season, one which ended in a second-round playoff loss to Benson. Nelson s got four all-conference players back in the fold, including standout sophomores Forde and Webster, both of whom have multiple Division I offers already. They bring high-end talent to a roster which proved last season it was more than happy to win with gritty defensive performances.
Reynolds Raiders
Last season:0-25
Coach:Torrey Nelson
Key players:Mesaline Genes-Pantin, G/W, SR; Sofia Cordway, G, SR; Jorie Robertson, G, FR
Outlook:After a winless season for the Raiders a year ago, the new coach Nelson is attempting to change the culture around the program. The identity of our team will be lockdown defense, Nelson said. We will be a good defensive team that will play together and compete at our highest level. While the roster is still taking shape, the coach expects seniors Genes-Pantin and Cordway (a David Douglas transfer) to be standouts, alongside the freshman Robertson.
Sandy Pioneers
Last season:3-21
Coach:Matt Gist
Key players:Laila Kitchen, G, SO; Katy Emerson, G, SR; Dahlena U Ren, C, SR
Outlook:Things aren t getting any easier in the Mt. Hood Conference. Even so, the second-year coach Gist remains concerned with the bigger picture. This program is working hard to leave a legacy that can be passed down to the next group players and so on, he said. While coaches build the high school program the coaches/players continue to build relationships with youth to make one big unit or as we like to call a family. On the court, this year s group is an athletic one. Emerson and U Ren are talented senior captains, and Kitchen made all-conference honorable mention as a freshman.
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