Four Undefeated Teams With Big Games Ahead
Many teams around the state are off to strong starts this year, possessing undefeated seasons early on. This is oftentimes a combination of legitimacy of talent and favorable schedules, at least for now. How good some of these undefeated teams…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMany teams around the state are off to strong starts this year, possessing undefeated seasons early on. This is oftentimes a combination of legitimacy of talent and favorable schedules, at least for now. How good some of these undefeated teams really are will be known by the beginning of January. Holiday events and some non-league matchups allow us the opportunity to see how teams stack up in more competitive environments whether they be in-state or out of state competition. While there are multiple dozen undefeated teams, I will focus on four (not all) that are serious state contenders at the 4a and 3a levels.
Kentridge Chargers (5-0, 4a)
Next Big Game: 12/27 vs. Eastlake HS
Notes: Kentridge has steamrolled the competition early on with no win resulting in less than a 16 point margin. Senior leaders Jordyn Jenkins and Daylani Ballena are a deadly combination at the post and point guard position. Jenkins, headed to USC and Ballena, headed to Southern Utah, are a great compliment to one another on both sides of the floor. Eastlake is the defending 4a state champion, but they have fallen in back to back games. Nonetheless, the high anticipated matchup between 6’2 Jordyn Jenkins and Eastlake’s 6’3 Keeli Burton-Oliver (ASU signee) will be the ultimate post showdown. Eastlake also has 2021 6’1 W Haley Huard who has had some bright moments during her junior year.
Eastside Catholic Crusaders (3-0, 3a)
Next Big Game: 12/18 vs. Windward Prep (CA)
Notes: Eastside Catholic has a crew of impressive young talent led by 2023 5’9 PG Mjracle Sheppard. 2023 5’5 PG Malia Samuels is another Division 1 prospect in the freshman class. Some other college prospects include 2023 Imbie Jones, 2023 Isabel Sullivan and 2022 Zahirah Walton. They have blown out the competition early on, but have played a very weak schedule thus far. That will change in a matter of days when the Crusaders travel to the Nike TOC in Arizona and face off against Windward Prep out of California. Windward is known for having a strong program in LA and this year’s group features Gonzaga signee and nationally ranked senior guard McKayla Williams and one of the top freshman in the country in 2023 Judea Watkins. Eastside Catholic runs a swarming press, sometimes sending 2-3 players quite aggressively in their traps and it will be very interesting to see how that works against the talented guards Windward possesses.
Garfield Bulldogs (5-0, 3a)
Next Big Game: 12/18 vs. La Jolla Country Day (CA)
Notes: In Garfield’s first four games, they won by an average of 45 points per game. Yes, Garfield is good once again, but the competition level in the Metro League overall is not near what is to come for them at the Nike TOC. In their most recent game, Seattle Prep gave them a run for their money, but Garfield would hang on, winning 53-43. 2020 high major recruits Dalayah Daniels (California signee) and Meghan Fiso (Michigan signee) give Garfield a formidable 1-2 punch. They are surrounded by high energy hustle players that love to press, but they will truly be put to the test against La Jolla Country Day (CA) when they travel to Nike TOC. La Jolla Country Day blew Garfield out with ease a season ago, but Fiso was not on that roster. Dalayah Daniels is also a year older now. La Jolla Country Day is a perennial national powerhouse and they are are led by Oregon signee Tehina Paopao. La Jolla Country Day runs a tight ship, executing their offensive sets to perfection and they are very well coached all around. This will definitely be a fun matchup.
Woodinville Falcons (4-0, 4a)
Next Big Game: 12/20 vs. Inglemoor HS
Notes: Woodinville has won each of their first four games by an average of 25 points per game. Without a doubt, their toughest games are ahead with Kentridge and Eastlake still on schedule, but first is Inglemoor who is off to a hot start. Woodinville has another 1-2 punch between 2021 5’10 PF Mia Hughes and 2022 5’8 PG Veronica Sheffey. Mia Hughes has really improved her free throws from a year ago, shooting 84%, which is huge, because she is so good at drawing fouls. She is still not shooting the three ball, but she has made a living scoring on the inside for Woodinville since her freshman season. On the perimeter, Sheffey has continued trending in the right direction and is currently posting over 17 points per game to go along with 7.5 boards and and 5 assists. The matchup with Inglemoor will be interesting as they have a future D1 point guard of their own in Lucy Young (UC San Diego signee). Inglemoor has a more balanced scoring attack with Lucy Young, 2021 Isabella Reed, 2021 Abigail Haller and 2022 Colbi Zorich all averaging more than 9 points per game. This will be a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top 4a KingCo teams.