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.
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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. She has been relied upon to guard several spots because of her skills in that area and her size on the wing. As Jesuit looks to win another league championship, this skill will be crucial.
Ceanna Forney, a Jesuit freshman
The Crusaders need a fresh post presence down low after Kendra Hicks graduated, and Lowery believes he has one in 6-foot-4 Forney. According to Lowery, she is a talented shot-blocker and a real three-level scorer who will be noticeable on both sides of the court.
Senior Berlynn Carlson of Mountainside
Carlson joins the Mavericks from Liberty and instantly adds a Division I skill level to a Mountainside team that is hoping to make the playoffs. According to coach Laurie Evans-Gygax, the forward, who was signed by Mount St. Mary’s, is a versatile inside-out scorer.
Senior Kylie Fisher of Mountainside
After making the all-league second team the previous season, Fisher is back. After two seasons, she is the team’s top scorer and rebounder. She is another gifted forward who works well with Carlson.
Mountainside junior Izzy Shandy
In the Mavericks’ backcourt, Shandy is a standout member of the group that hopes to assist the team improve from their 2023–24 league finish of second to last. Evans-Gygax stated that Shandy’s most well-known skill is her ability to get into the paint and apply pressure on the rim.
Junior Geovanna Darlington, Mountainside
Another young guard, Darlington, is a remarkable athlete with exceptional speed. “Shandy is the team’s best defender,” Evans-Gygax said.
Sara Mangan, a Southridge sophomore
Last season, Mangan made her debut in a rotation heavy with seniors. The Skyhawks needed her on the court because of her superb guard play. According to assistant coach Zach Hamilton, Sarah has excellent depth, range, and basketball IQ. She is a capable team player who aspires to support her colleagues’ success both on and off the court.
Junior Addie White of Southridge
White, a forward, is the team’s best option down low and one of their most seasoned players. She will be a major playmaker because of her strength, drive, and finishing ability, Hamilton stated. Her devotion to her teammates both on and off the court will have a significant impact on their camaraderie.
Kalli Gallagher, Sunset sophomore
Coach Devarieous Sly-Clay claimed that Gallagher’s motor at guard doesn’t slow down. She can score from a variety of angles, and she also gives her teammates chances, he continued. Gallagher is also not a slouch when it comes to defense. She was the team’s sixth player last season and often had an instant impact on the game when she came on as a substitute.
Rosa Martinez-Escobedo, Sunset, sophomore
The second outstanding sophomore guard for the Apollos is Martinez-Escobedo. She was a swing player who began as the point guard for the junior varsity squad the previous season. Sly-Clay claimed that the chance allowed her to develop her voice and her leadership role. This season, she will play a significant role on the varsity team.
Sunset sophomore Mia Cremer
A powerful post player, Cremer strikes a balance between her strength and deft footwork. According to Sly Clay, she is fearless and will compete head-to-head with anyone in the paint, regardless of size. Cremer’s ability to command respect with her voice will also help Martinez-Escobedo in the leadership department.
Mady Read, a Westview freshman
Westview is searching for immediate impact players because they don’t have any returning all-league players, and it looks like the Wildcats have found one in Read. Read, a guard/forward hybrid, has won over coach Yukiko Flennaugh with her ability to make an instant impact as a scorer and rebounder.
Claire Masury, a Westview freshman
Masury is one of five freshmen who are expected to contribute significantly to a Wildcats squad that lacks seniors. Flennuagh described Claire as a strong player who can score from three-point range and at the rim. She also has a good basketball IQ.
Junior Avery Nelson of Westview
Nelson adds experience to a roster that lacks it in most cases. Her awareness and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball at the point of attack were especially praised by Flennaugh, who praised her overall play.
Westview’s Leah Elms, junior
Elms is one player being considered to make a significant improvement this season following the departure of Oluwafemi, the former Wildcat outstanding guard. According to Flennaugh, the guard attacks the rim with her incredible speed and brings a relentless energy to defense.
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