High school girls basketball power rankings: Top 10 teams in South Sound
.png "The News Tribune’s South Sound high school basketball all-classification power rankings.")
The high school basketball regular season is drawing to a close in the South Sound.
As postseason games and district tournaments approach, The News Tribune is ranking the top 10 programs in the area, regardless of classification.
We considered a variety of factors when ranking teams, including strength of schedule, quality wins, league championships and more.
THE TOP 10
1. Tahoma (19-2) — The Bears have steamrolled through their schedule, losing only to top-ranked Camas and Emerald Ridge, who Tahoma beat in a rematch 11 days later. Senior guard Hope Hassmann — a 2022 TNT All-Area first team selection — runs the show, averaging 17.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. Junior Lily Cavanaugh (10.5 ppg), seniors Angie Cavanaugh (10.5 ppg) and Amelie Sitterud (7.5 ppg) round out Tahoma’s balanced scoring attack.
2. Sumner (20-3) — Despite losing 2022 TNT All-Area player of the year Alyson Deaver and twin sister Catelyn to graduation, Sumner hasn’t missed a beat this season. Junior guard Lainee Houillon (20.6 ppg, 3.6 steals, 5.4 rebounds) has a nonstop motor and is one of the area’s best pure guards. Freshman guard Olivia Collins (12 ppg, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals) has made an instant impact, including hitting the game-winning floater in the 4A SPSL tournament championship game against Emerald Ridge.
3. Emerald Ridge (17-5) — The Jaguars are playing their best basketball at the right time of the year, advancing to the 4A SPSL tournament championship game last weekend after beating Bellarmine Prep in the semifinals. Senior guard Monique Carter (9 ppg) is always cool and collected, the engine of Emerald Ridge’s offense, along with Maya Barnett (10 ppg).Junior guard Naomi Senato is a disruptive defender and 6-foot freshman post Ryah McGriff (8 ppg) is a matchup issue for opposing defenses.
4. Bellarmine Prep (18-6) — When Bellarmine Prep’s talented trio of guards — Kiara Stone (14.4 ppg), Jada Travis (12.4 ppg) and Keiara Curtis (15.7 ppg) — get going, the Lions are capable of beating anyone. Bellarmine rolled through January without a loss, before falling to Emerald Ridge in the 4A SPSL tournament semifinals last Thursday.
5. Lincoln (14-2) — The Abes ran through the 3A Pierce County League unblemished, cruising to the league title behind the contributions of league co-MVP Ciona Wells (10 ppg, five assists). 6-foot-3 freshman post Oliviyah Edwards (15 ppg, 8 rebounds) is already a national recruit. Guards Malani Warren (11 ppg) and Jaleigha Robinson (10 ppg, four steals) can put points on the board in a hurry for the Abes. Lincoln will be without Wells (ACL) in the postseason.
6. Bonney Lake (16-3) — Panthers advanced to the 3A state first round last season, and are looking for a return trip to the Tacoma Dome led by forward Jazmyn Shipp, who has earned 3A PCL MVP honors the past two seasons. Shipp leads Bonney Lake in scoring average (16.7 ppg), rebounds (11.9) and assists (4.3). Only losses this season are to 4A SPSL champion Sumner and 3A PCL champion Lincoln.
7. Peninsula (17-3) — Seahawks won the 3A SSC title behind a trio of double-digit scorers in guard Kaylia Heidelberg (18.2 ppg), forward Brooke Zimmerman (13.2 ppg) and guard Grace Richardson (11.6 ppg). Zimmerman paces Peninsula in rebounding (9.7 per game) and Richardson in assists (4.2). Seahawks advanced to 3A state play-in last season.
8. White River (15-4) — Hornets are on an eight-game winning streak, and can close out an undefeated 2A SPSL title with a win over rival Enumclaw this week. Only losses this season to 3A state contender Arlington, 2A state contender W.F. West and 1A state contenders Lynden Christian and Montesano. White River advanced to the 2A state first round last season.
9. Olympia (13-11) — Bears finished second to Emerald Ridge in the 4A SPSL South this winter. Forward Natalia McBride (12 ppg) was the 4A SPSL South co-MVP this season, and guard Lauren Wolin (10.2 ppg) the co-defensive MVP. Olympia advanced to the 4A state regionals last season.
10. North Thurston (17-3) — Rams finished just behind 3A SSC champion Peninsula in league standings, with sophomores Soraya Ogaldez (23.3 ppg) and Grace Lee (10 ppg) pacing a young team. Lee also leads North Thurston in rebounds (6.3 per game) and Ogaldez in assists (3.9). Rams advanced to 3A state play-in last season.
THE NEXT FIVE
Tumwater (16-4), Kentwood (15-6), Bethel (10-13), Decatur (15-5), Enumclaw (15-4)
This story was originally published February 9, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
