SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: Girls Basketball Preview: La Salle, Sonora (Special Free Preview)
Both teams appear to be in prime position to win league championships.
(Photo: Alex Veliz, La Salle Athletics)
La Salle High School
Head Coach: Scott Wiard
Social Media Accounts
https://x.com/lasallelancers https://www.instagram.com/LaSallelancersathletics/
2023-24 Season Record: 23-6
Assistant Coaches Names:
Richard Wiard
Julia Macabuhay
Jurhandi Molina
PROJECTED GUARDS RETURNING
Kaden Cortes, Senior, 5'5 ", 9 PPG, three-time All-league. Kaden was an integral part of both our championship teams. She will need to be a leader for this year's team.
Maddy Chiang, Emily Fong, and Erica Fan (when she comes back from her knee surgery) are three sophomore guards who all started games for us last year. I expect them to all have good years.
PROJECTED FORWARDS RETURNING
Casey Higgins, Junior, 6'0, 10 PPG, 9.5 RPG, Two-time All league. First team All CIF as a freshman. Casey had a healthy offseason for the first time and is looking forward to a big year.
Julianne Tan, Junior, 5'8, 5 PPG, All league. Julianne is one of our most valuable players on both ends of the ball.
TOP NEWCOMERS/TRANSFERS
Aislin Tamez Torres, Freshman, 5'11, Forward: Aislin has a good feel for the game and will have a chance to help us as she adjusts to high school basketball.
Riley Higgins, Sophomore, 5'10, Forward. Riley is going to be an impactful defender and rebounder when she becomes eligible in December.
2024-25 La Salle Girls Basketball Schedule
Coach Wiard’s Comments: “As usual, our team is built on quality players throughout the lineup. We don't have one kid who will score 20 points a game, but we have a lot of players capable of contributing. Our weaknesses are our lack of experience, as we only have one senior in the program and our lack of dynamic athleticism. Our league is one of the toughest in all of California. In the last two years, our league has produced two CIFSS champions, a state champion, and six state playoff participants.”
Crystal Ball: Last year was simply no match for Bishop Montgomery, and it finished in third place in the Del Rey League standings. You can be sure Coach Wiard returned to the drawing board and will have his team ready for another big year. It seems like yesterday that Casey Higgins was making her presence felt for La Salle in winning a sectional title. When she is locked in, she is one of the premier players in the valley. Look for her to have a monster year. Kaden Cortez is back, and she’ll bring some much-needed leadership and scoring production at the guard position. The lack of experience is noticeable, but that won’t be an issue once league play commences. And don’t forget about Riley Higgins when she finishes her 30-day SOP in December. This team has all the makings of being a top-3 ranked team in the area—lots to like here.
Photo: Arnold Leos Graphics
Sonora High School
Head Coach: Melissa Barajas
Social Media Accounts
IG: sonoraladyraidershoops X@SonoraGBB
2023-24 Season Record: 16-14
Assistant Coaches Names:
Jeff Sink
Danny Barajas
Michelle Ortiz
PROJECTED GUARDS RETURNING
Liana Hwang - 5'8 guard First Team All-Freeway League
PROJECTED FORWARDS RETURNING
Samantha Wilson - 5'10 Foward
TOP NEWCOMERS/TRANSFERS
Sydnie Lendsey, 5'7 Guard (Santa Margarita Transfer)
Kailani Kuwae 5'2 Freshmen
Samantha Gavaldon 5'9, Freshmen
2024-25 Sonora High School Girls Basketball Schedule
Coach Barajas’ Comments: Strengths: Athletic, quick, excellent guard play
We have two phenomenal players in guards Sydnie Lendsey and Liana Hwang. Both can get to the basket at will and create their own shot. Forward Samantha Wilson will be a mismatch for most posts as she has a quick first step to the rim. We should continue to be a strong defensive team and use our defense to fuel and energize our offense.
Weakness: Inexperience; we have a lot of underclassmen, two freshmen, and four sophomores, who will see significant minutes.
We are in the new Century Conference and are in the Freeway League. We should be competing for a league title with the following teams (Villa Park, Yorba Linda, Cypress, and La Habra)
Crystal Ball: We are the biggest fans of Melissa Barajas. She coaches with an edge you don’t see in many girls basketball coaches - and it’s refreshing. She’s not for everyone, but she is one of the premier girls basketball coaches in the Whittier area. As for the Raiders, the player that will be the straw that stirs the drink is Hwang. She is fierce, displays excellent ball control, and is smart. The significant development is the arrival of Lendsey from Santa Margarita; those inside the program are very excited about her. Samantha Wilson will be a low post standout. The Raiders escape the clutches of Buena Park and Troy for league play, which makes them an automatic contender. If you have not seen Sonora in person, prioritize it in 2024-25.