SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: FINAL Girls Basketball Rankings for the 2022-23 Season
La Salle, Flintridge Prep, and Sonora are the top-three teams in our final rankings.
(Escarcega)
1. La Salle (31-4) – What can be said about the job that Scott Wiard has done with this program that hasn't been said? He has turned this program from being a doormat in the area into a dynasty. Back-To-Back CIF Southern Section championships and doing it from scratch with his dad Richard at his side. Don't look for anything to change in 2023-24 with most of the ingredients from this team returning for the 2023-24 season. Reese and Ellie Chen will be going due to graduation, but area fans get to see Audrey Chen for one more season along with Kaden Cortes and one of the more dominant low post players in Southern California, Casey Higgins. The Lancers will most likely be slotted into Division 1 for next season, but don't be surprised if this team makes another sectional finals appearance. The future is strong!
(Flintridge Prep Girls Basketball)
2. Flintridge Prep (30-3): Ashley Chea was simply at another level all season long and was the main reason why the Wolves won a sectional title. There was a reason why we called her "The Pete Maravich of the SGV." The best part of Flintridge Prep winning a sectional title at Los Osos was that many fans got to see what I've been seeing for the past four years. She will go down as the greatest player in the history of the basketball program. You have more chance to see her play at the Tribune/Star-News All-Star Game and then it's time to fire up the ESPN app because her next stop will be at Princeton. However, the torch has been passed over to Maddie Smith, who is the best freshman guard in the area. She can shoot the ball from anywhere and has terrific ball skills. The Wolves more than lived up to the hype in 2023!
(Arnold Leos Photography)
3. Sonora (26-4): We are biased in saying that Melissa Barajas is one of the premier girls basketball coaches in the area. The reason is simple, she gets the most out of her players than most coaches in the area. Larissa Robles is one of the more intense players you will see on the court. Her passion came through all season long and averaged a team-high 17.2 points per game. The contributions of Mia Chavarin and Natalie Robles can't be overlooked. Chavarin averaged nearly 7 points per game and Robles averaged three rebounds a game. This team does have a huge upside with the return of Kiana Graham and freshman guard Liana Hwang. One other thing to keep in mind is that Barajas always develops a sleeper player or two, so we'll wait until the summer to see what surprises she has for us. Consistency is the correct word to best describe this program.
St. Paul’s Gloria Barrera (Escarcega)
4. St. Paul (16-13): The Swordsmen handled the 2023 season the best they could. They were legitimately in the toughest league in the area and never let their guard down throughout the season. Maybe a drop-down to Division 2AA might be what the doctor could order for this team in 2023-24. There is no dispute that Gloria Barrera was the best sophomore in the area and carried this team all season long. Her game has developed nicely, and she only figures to get better next season. She'll be helped along by guard Maya Mendoza who can play either guard or forward. Loretta Aguirre-Colmenero also gives the Swordsmen excellent guard depth. Don't look for much to change next year as they figure to battle it out once more with La Salle for Del Rey League supremacy.
(Escarcega)
5. Keppel (26-8): The Aztecs couldn't quite make it to the sectional finals, but an appearance in the state tournament, in which they lost to state champion Los Osos, was a great way to finish out a successful season. If you think this season was a success, wait until next year as all five starters for the Aztecs return for another season. This means fans get to see one of the more electrifying junior guards in the area in Kylie Ng and Jada Ly. They are a tough duo to stop. Annie Ye gives coach Jose Herrera some much-needed low-post presence. When you couple that with the relentless pace that the Aztecs play and you can see why hopes will be high in 2023-24.
(Los Altos girls basketball - Twitter)
6. Los Altos (21-7): It was an unusual season in many aspects as the Conquerors were without coach Mark Nakamura all season long due to health considerations. They didn't lose much with veteran coach Jenny Strycula running the show and ending the regular season tied with Diamond Bar for a league title. As with most of the teams on this list, Los Altos only loses three players due to graduation with Ashley Castillo the player that will be missed the most. Among the key players that will be returning for the 2023-24 season include Aneya Neilly, Kamora Fletcher, and Hailey Lakey. They figure to be in the mix for another Hacienda League title.
(Diamond Bar)
7. Diamond Bar (19-5): You can safely say that one of the best coaching jobs turned in on the east side of the valley was by Brahmas coach Jessica Samson. She has turned a team that was an easy "W" for many teams into a league title contender. They run the motion offense very well and were fun to watch all season long. The great news for Diamond Bar fans is that sophomore guard Erika Liang returns. She will be one of the premier junior guards on any watchlist. Also returning for one season will be forward Morgan Seshiki. The Brahams are one of the reasons why the Hacienda League title race will be fun to watch in 2023-24.
(Bonita HS Girls Basketball - Twitter)
8. Bonita (17-13): As good a coach as Melissa Barajas is in the Whittier/North Orange County area, you can say the same thing about Taylor Anderson in the east region of the valley. The job she turned in to navigate the Bearcats to winning a share of the Palomares League title was nothing short of sensational. She can flat-out coach with anyone in the area. It wasn't easy and the emotion she showed after defeating Glendora on their home court, was a perfect illustration of why it's hard to win a Palomares League title with a team that didn't gel early in the year. As for next season, Anderson has a lot of talented players returning. Among them are freshman guards Brooke Can Duyne and Tressa Beatty, and junior Nicole Uballe and Naomi Acuna. Serenity Henderson is another junior guard that figures to have a huge impact. Don't be surprised if you see Bonita make a deep playoff run next year.
(Glendora Girls Basketball - Twitter)
9. Glendora (22-7): Another year and another league championship for "BelieveTown" as the Tartans eclipsed the 20-win mark for another season. Hailey Schaffer was one of the top guards in the area and will be missed next season. However, with scoring specialist Rylie Anderson and Rebekah Zweerink returning (along with Brianna Gomez and freshman Reagan Herrmann), the Tartans are once again poised to make another run toward a league title. Those who call "BelieveTown" home should have a lot to cheer about in 2023-24.
(San Dimas Girls Basketball - Twitter)
10. San Dimas (22-6): It was another successful season for veteran coach Gary Jackson as the Saints captured the always competitive Valle Vista League championship. While the veteran coach will have a bit of sadness in seeing Allison McGill depart due to graduation, he'll be smiling with the returning of the talented Rodriguez sisters (Jaelyn and Jazlynn) along with sophomores Jaelyn Ramos and Priscilla Romero. Jackson kept three freshmen on the roster this year, Faith Kearns, Aaliyah Martinez, and Stephney Segura, so you can be sure that they will be counted on for contributions next year. Lots to like about the Saints in 2023-24.
The Next Ten
11. Northview (23-6)
12. Pioneer (20-7)
13. South Pasadena (19-11)
14. South Hills (23-11)
15. Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary (19-10)
16. La Habra (17-14)
17. La Canada (18-11)
18. Bishop Amat (16-9)
19. Covina (14-14)
20. Whittier (13-11)
Note: This Author saw 15 out of the 20 teams that were listed.