Ladera Ranch, California – If this past weekend’s Scholastic Series Fall Tip-Off is an indication of what we are in store for this upcoming girls High School Basketball season , then we are in for a great 2023-2024 season in Orange County’s youth basketball scene.
Teams from all over Southern California high school basketball representing different sections, divisions and leagues showed up and off. Francis Parker, Mission Hills, Bonita Vista, Cathedral Catholic, Westview, Victory Christian & Escondido Charter held it down for the San Diego Section. Here’s how they fared during the event.
| Team | Wins | Losses | PD | PA |
| Francis Parker | 2 | 2 | 11 | 193 |
| Mission Hills | 1 | 3 | – | 254 |
| Bonita Vista | 1 | 1 | – | 104 |
| Westview | 2 | 2 | 8 | 175 |
| Cathedral Catholic | 1 | 1 | 15 | 118 |
| Victory Christian | 2 | 2 | – | 188 |
| Escondido Charter | 0 | 4 | – | 252 |
The San Diego area has had some very talented teams and players in past years. Here are players from San Diego that stood out.
SAN DIEGO SECTION STANDOUTS
Maliyah Wilson – Bonita Vista
Wilson is a good athlete with good quickness, she is effective getting into the lane. She averaged 20 pts per game this weekend.
Madison Moeller – Cathedral Catholic
Moeller can handle the ball very well and has pretty good range on her shot. Madison is a high IQ player that can play multiple positions on the floor.
Sydney Heyn – Westview High
Sydney is a solid post player with great instincts around the basket. Finishes well with both hands and rebounds very well.
Maria Gorbushin – Mission Hills
Maria is a very good ball handler and play maker so defenders are not able to just crowd her or run her off the line. Her 3 ball is very consistent and accurate.
Mai’ana Norita – Victory Christian
Mal’ana is a savvy, poised player who can play either guard position. She plays under control and always with a purpose. Is a good shooter and very skilled offensively.
Clovis High School represented the Central Section, and I tell you what they’re going to surprise a lot of people up in the Fresno area this year. Clovis had a very strong showing in the Fall Tip-Off going 3-1 and Sadie Sin showed that she’s ready to have another breakout season.
| Team | Wins | Losses | PD | PA |
| Clovis | 3 | 1 | – | 141 |
CENTRAL SECTION STANDOUTS
Sadie Sin – Clovis High
Smooth confident guard who plays with a flair. Really good at getting her shot off the dribble which keeps defenders off balance. Has a good shooting stroke but doesn’t settle for any shot.
The Southern Section is loaded this year! I know that everyone is expecting an Etiwanda vs Sierra Canyon rematch in the Open Division Championship, Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Sage Hill & a young Ontario Christian squad can’t be overlooked and not be in the conversation. Teams from the OC, IE, Long Beach and other areas showed that Southern California has the best girls High School basketball in the country pound for pound.
ORANGE COUNTY AREA TEAMS & STANDOUTS
| Team | Wins | Losses | PD | PA |
| Mater Dei | 2 | 0 | – | 107 |
| Fairmont Prep | 2 | 2 | 8 | 191 |
| Orange Lutheran | 0 | 2 | – | 107 |
| San Juan Hills | 1 | 1 | 6 | 122 |
| Portola | 2 | 2 | 2 | 185 |
| JSerra | 0 | 2 | – | 117 |
| Esperanza | 2 | 0 | – | 61 |
| Crean Lutheran | 3 | 1 | – | 147 |
| Sage Hill | 3 | 1 | – | 226 |
| Mira Costa | 2 | 0 | – | 104 |
Emily Eadie – Sage Hill
She’s an extremely versatile offensive player who can score in a myriad of ways. She is a strong rebounder on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.
Juliana O’brien – Mira Costa
O’brien is very skilled and a good shooter. She has good vision and a nice feel for the game. She rebounds and runs the floor well, Juliana is also a great teammate.
Kaeli Wynn – Mater Dei
Wynn is a playmaker from the forward spot with both perimeter skills and the ability to be effective in the paint on both ends. She has a good shot with 3 point range and an excellent passer.
Anna Shreeve – San Juan Hills
She is an excellent passer and playmaker. Shreeve excels at keeping her dribble alive and probing the defense while deep in the paint which allows her to find teammates cutting to the basket.
INLAND EMPIRE AREA TEAMS & STANDOUTS
| Team | Wins | Losses | PD | PA |
| Corona Centennial | 1 | 1 | 15 | 118 |
| Ontario Christian | 3 | 1 | – | 255 |
| Los Osos | 4 | 0 | – | 159 |
| Rialto | 2 | 2 | 3 | 202 |
| Moreno Valley | 3 | 2 | – | 224 |
| Rancho Christian | 3 | 2 | – | 287 |
Kaleena Smith – Ontario Christian
Kaleena can score in many ways, if it’s hitting the mid-range jumper, step back three or just taking her defender to the rack, she’s a true three level scorer. But her best attribute is her playmaking ability . She makes everyone of her teammates better.
Carrington Davis – Rialto High
Carrington is really good at playing at different speeds which allows her to keep defenders off balance. Her consistency from 3 has shown improvement and she’s a legitimate floor spacer.
Aniyah Offut – Corona Centennial
Strong tough physical gifted power guard. Always full speed embracing and dishing out contact. Defensively she uses her superior strengths to muscle guards on the perimeter
Jackie Polk – Los Osos
Highly skilled smooth guard who plays with a level of poise and confidence of a player way older. She never ever seems to get rattled. Changes speeds so well and has the ability to get to where she wants to get to when she wants to. Jackie is always playing at the pace and speed she wants and doesn’t let the defense dictate it.
Julia Wilson – Rancho Christian
Skilled player with great size for a guard. Very lengthy and athletic player with excellent footwork. Wilson is a solid shooter with a high IQ. She’s as skilled and athletic as anyone in her class.
THE REST OF THE FIELD & STANDOUTS
| Team | Wins | Losses | PD | PA |
| Long Beach Poly | 0 | 4 | – | 233 |
| Oak Park | 2 | 0 | – | 78 |
| Lynwood | 1 | 3 | – | 185 |
| Pioneer | 0 | 4 | – | 220 |
| Sanora | 0 | 2 | 110 | 110 |
Kira Watanabe – Portola
Kira can flat out stroke the ball and she can stroke it from deep. Her ability to be a playmaker and floor general is what separates her.
