The News Tribune’s 2025 All-Area girls basketball team
Each year, with input from local coaches, The News Tribune selects its All-Area girls basketball team.
This year, eight high schools from the South Sound are represented by players and coaches selected to the first and second teams.
The 12 spots, broken down by leagues, are 3A Puget Sound League (five), 4A South Puget Sound League (three), 4A North Puget Sound League (two), 3A North Puget Sound League (one) and 2A South Puget Sound League (one).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
OLIVIA COLLINS
Sumner | Guard, 5-9, jr.
Collins put together her most consistent season yet and was a difference maker on both ends of the floor, usually guarding the opposing team’s best player. A knockdown shooter, Collins averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three assists per game, leading the Spartans to the Class 4A state championship game at the Tacoma Dome. Earned 4A SPSL North co-MVP honors and was a 4A state all-tournament selection.
COACH OF THE YEAR
JACKIE MEYER
North Thurston
Soraya Ogaldez and Shayla Cordis dominated headlines, but North Thurston’s standout backcourt considered their head coach “the spark we need” as the Rams danced to the 3A state semifinals and a third-place finish at the Tacoma Dome. “When we have bad days, she always tries to bring light to the team,” Ogaldez said. Meyer guided North Thurston to an undefeated 3A PSL title (20-0) and District 3/4 championship in between a 28-game win streak.
FIRST TEAM
SORAYA OGALDEZ
North Thurston | Guard, 5-7, sr.
The 3A PSL Nisqually MVP made highlights her routine, turning flashy plays into easy buckets as North Thurston danced to the 3A state semifinals. “Soraya plays with a lot of pizazz,” coach Jackie Meyer said. “She (has) moves that people aren’t expecting.” Ogaldez averaged 22.5 points and four steals per game, adding 62 points (three games) at the Tacoma Dome en route to an all-tournament first-team nod. University of North Florida commit and two-time TNT All-Area selection.
KAWEHI BORDEN
Sumner | Guard, 6-2, soph.
There’s a reason Power-4 schools are quickly pursuing this skilled sophomore, already one of the area’s premier scorers and rebounders. The sky is the limit for Borden, who returns next season alongside Olivia Collins after an appearance in this year’s 4A championship game. 4A SPSL North co-MVP and 4A state tournament first-team selection.
SHAYLA CORDIS
North Thurston | Guard, 5-8, jr.
A preseason transfer from Timberline turned Cordis’ former archrival into one of the South Sound’s most-feared squads. A foundational piece of North Thurston’s 28-game win streak, the 3A PSL Nisqually first-teamer averaged 21 points, 4.5 steals, and 4.2 rebounds per game and helped guide the Rams to the 3A semifinals. State tournament first-team selection.
MAGGEE SCHMITZ
White River | Guard, 5-9, soph.
The Hornets have reached the state tournament’s “Sweet 16” every year since 2008-09, and Schmitz’s all-around presence kept White River’s tradition of postseason basketball alive. The 3A NPSL Player of the Year dropped 20.1 points with six rebounds, four assists and three steals per game, adding a team-high 23 points in White River’s 3A Round of 12 appearance at the Tacoma Dome.
AVERY HANSEN
Auburn | Guard, 5-6, soph.
Hansen made waves as a freshman in 2024, and the 4A NPSL MVP kept the good times rolling with another postseason run to the Tacoma Dome. Auburn’s facilitator stuffed the stat sheet with 15.1 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals per game. 4A state-tournament second team and two-time TNT All-Area selection.
SECOND TEAM
F Kyla Frazier, Bellarmine Prep, soph.
G Bailey Andersen, Eatonville, sr.
G Brandi Stanford, River Ridge, jr.
G Keleesa Howard, Auburn, soph.
F Azy Jackson, Bonney Lake, soph.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
