Meet the Top 15 centers in California high school girls basketball

With the CIF State playoffs underway, SBLive is finishing its series of the best players in California high school girls basketball by recognizing the state's top centers. California is home to a couple of the top bigs in the country, plus many other outstanding posts who will go on to play college ball at the Division I level.

The primary criteria for our list were individual statistics and overall impact on team success in the 2021-2022 season, with strength of schedule factored in heavily. Film review, the opinions of coaches around the state, and success in prior seasons were important criteria when applicable, and other individual honors, such as all-league/all-CIF awards and college interest, were considered as secondary factors.

Non-statistical elements that impact winning, such as individual defense, were also primary determinants. That's especially relevant at the center spot, where many of the state's best are game-changing defensive anchors whether or not they post elite block totals.

(Lead Photo by Justine Fine)

Important note on position: In today’s position-less era of basketball, it is very rare that teams list one starter at all five positions, and many players are fully interchangeable across numerous positions. The positions we list players at are a combination of what their “natural” position is, what position they’re listed at by their team, what position they tend to guard or match up with, and their specific roles on both sides of the ball. If you believe one of the state’s best centers is missing, there’s a chance they’re on one of our other positional lists.

MORE: TOP 35 POINT GUARDS | TOP 35 SHOOTING GUARDS | TOP 20 SMALL FORWARDS | TOP 20 POWER FORWARDS

Here’s a look at the Top 15 centers in the state, plus honorable mentions for other players who received major consideration, and a watch list including many other outstanding centers across the state from freshmen to seniors.

Did we miss someone who belonged on the list? Let us know in the comments, on social media, or by emailing lance@scorebooklive.com with statistics/notes, and we will consider them in our future coverage.

TOP CENTERS IN CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL:

(The list is arranged by section.)

SOUTHERN SECTION:

Omamoke Okah – Oaks Christian – JR.

Okah burst out onto the scene as a freshman in 2019-20, averaging over 14 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks per game. At upwards of 6-3, she's continued to develop into one of the best paint anchors in the state, and helped lead the Lions to a CIFSS 3A title this season.

Erica Collins – Chino Hills – SR.

A UNLV commit, Collins averaged career-highs of 15.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game to go with 3.5 BPG and 2.6 APG. She's a bruiser at 6-3 and strong, and is also skilled with a good feel for the game. Collins has gotten better every year throughout high school, and particularly emerged as an offensive focal point this season as a low post present with a vastly improved jumper. That indicates that she could still have more upside yet to tap into at the college level.

Chloe Williams – Bishop Montgomery – SR.

Williams has averaged team-highs of 23.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game to go with 2.4 SPG this season to lead the Knights into the CIFSS Open Division and State Division 1 quarterfinals. She's a 4-star prospect who could potentially be more of a power forward at the next level.

Amaya Fuentes – Ventura – SR.

Fuentes is one of the top inside scorers in the Southern Section, averaging 18.2 PPG on 54% FG and 86% FT. The Cal State L.A. commit is 6-3 with outstanding touch inside the arc, and also averages 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

NORTH COAST SECTION:

Amanda Muse – Heritage (Brentwood) – SR.

Muse, a 4-star prospect, averaged 17.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.4 blocks per game this season. She led the Patriots to a 17-8 record playing one of NorCal's tougher schedules.

Silvia Fonongaloa – Salesian College Prep – SR.

Fonongaloa is the leading rebounder and defensive anchor on one of NorCal's best teams, a current CIF Division 1 state quarterfinalist. She also averaged 13.3 PPG as a junior.

Sarah Brans – Monte Vista (Danville) – SR.

One of the top stretch-fives in NorCal, Brans averaged career-highs of 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, three blocks, and 1.6 steals per game for the EBAL powerhouse. The 6-2 Idaho signee knocked down 36% of her 108 attempted threes on the season.

CENTRAL SECTION:

Aaliyah Thompson – Corcoran – SR.

Thompson is the top center in the Central Section, and has been one of the CIFCS' premier players for three seasons straight on her way to amassing 2,000 career points. As a senior she averaged career-highs of 22.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game on 58% shooting to go with 2.6 SPG and 2.7 BPG.

SAN DIEGO SECTION:

Breya Cunningham – La Jolla Country Day – JR.

As a freshman, Cunningham was thrust right into the spotlight, starring on the top-ranked team in the country. She averaged 17.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game that season for the CIF Southern Region Open Division champion. This season, the 5-star post has led the Torreys to their second San Diego Section Open Division title in three years averaging career-highs of 18.2 PPG and 64% FG.

Ice Brady – Cathedral Catholic – SR.

A 5-star UConn commit, Brady finishes her high school career as a two-time CIFSDS Open Division champion and Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, and a member of the 2,000 points club. She averaged 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game over her four years at Cathedral on 52% shooting and 55% EFG, including career-highs of 20.7 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 1.5 SPG as a senior. While Brady, who's upwards of 6-3, has played exclusively center throughout her career, she could potentially play more PF one day at the highest levels.

Emmy Stout – Maranatha Christian – SO.

Stout is both a 20/10 machine and a shot-blocking menace who's been one of the most productive bigs in the state since her first days of high school ball. As a freshman she averaged 22.1 PPG, 11.4 RPG, and 3.5 BPG, and this season she posted a line of 21.7 PPG, 14.1 RPG, and 4.6 BPG, shooting 58% FG both seasons. Stout is 6-2 and already has been offered at the D-1 level.

SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION:

Ella Ray – Oak Ridge – SR.

Ray is a 3-star Penn commit and versatile 6-3 stretch four/five. She's helped lead the Trojans to a Division 1 Sac-Joaquin Section championship and State Open Division Quarterfinals appearance this season.

Tierra Snipes – Edison (Stockton) – SR.

Snipes is one of the most versatile, dominant bigs in the state for the Vikings and is committed to San Francisco State. She was a McDonald's All-American Game nominee.

Gabby Kime – Del Oro – SR.

Kime helped lead the Golden Eagles to the CIFSJS Division 2 semifinals averaging 11.4 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game on 53% shooting. Kime's numbers don't explode off the page, but she was a two-way lynchpin and physical tone-setter for one of the better teams in the state.

CENTRAL COAST SECTION:

Jael Butler – Valley Christian – SR.

A Morgan State commit, Butler averages 17.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game on 56% shooting for the 21-8 Warriors playing one of NorCal's harder schedules. She's a de facto five for Valley Christian, but will likely play more PF in college.

Melesungu "Kiki" Afeaki – Capuchino – SR.

While she's dealt with injuries throughout some of high school, the San Diego signee is one of the top centers in the state when healthy. She helped lead the Mustangs to a CIFCCS Division 3 title this season averaging team-highs of 18.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Jenessa Cotton – Mater Dei – FR.

Karena Eberts – Miramonte – SO.

Ava Dominguez – Rosary Academy – JR.

Alline Ballard – Campbell Hall – JR.

Sydney Stewart – Saint Francis (Mountain View) – SR.

Allison Crawford – Millikan – SR.

Aunika Hornung – James Logan – SR.

Kayla Hourigan – Hart – SR.

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WATCH LIST:

Alexis Swillis – San Joaquin Memorial – FR.

Nicole Steiner – Los Gatos – FR.

Jada Kindle – Price – FR.

Liliana Martinez – Birmingham – FR.

Torrence Harter – Sutter – FR.

Nina Cain – McClatchy – FR.

Jenessa Cotton – Mater Dei – FR.

Karena Eberts – Miramonte – SO.

Emma Perez – Granada Hills Charer – SO.

Ryann Riddle – La Salle – SO.

Amarachi Esiobu – Lawndale – SO.

Ella Zimmerman – Redondo Union – SO.

Tessa Schouten – Davis – SO.

Madison Perea – Liberty (Brentwood) – SO.

Renaissance Johnson – Weed – SO.

Jamaya Perry – St. Mary's (Stockton) – JR.

Alana Diaz – Northview – JR.

Ava Marshall – Pacific Grove – JR.

Isis Yao – Soquel – JR.

Khaelii Robertson-Mack – Orcutt Academy – JR.

Laisha Lazu – Vista Murrieta – JR.

Siyanda Salter – Fairmont Prep – JR.

McKinley Willardson – Santiago (Corona) – JR.

Jada Tiggett – Paloma Valley – JR.

Myia Collins – Cypress – JR.

Candace Kpetikou – St. Joseph (Santa Maria) – JR.

Ava Dominguez – Rosary Academy – JR.

Alline Ballard – Campbell Hall – JR.

Sydney Stewart – Saint Francis (Mountain View) – SR.

Allison Crawford – Millikan – SR.

Aunika Hornung – James Logan – SR.

Kayla Hourigan – Hart – SR.

Makayla Carre – Sierra Pacific – SR.

Cierra Thibodeau – Orestimba – SR.

Cayla Williams – Charter Oak – SR.

Sophia Askew-Goncalves – Oakland Tech – SR.

Arramis Gonzalez – Otay Ranch – SR.

Isabella Williams – Bishop O'Dowd – SR.

Sharon Nejad – Menlo School – SR.

Jamie Dickert – Carondelet – SR.

Ashley Lewis – Carondelet – SR.

Autumn Hill – Marlborough – SR.

Piper Ligotti – San Dieguito Academy – SR.

Kara Verhoeven – Central Valley Christian – SR.

Nadia Bernard – West Ranch – SR.

Ellie Roan – West County – SR.

Janelly Portillo – Palisades – SR.

Amelia Scharff – Harvard-Westlake – SR.

Khaiya Chumley – Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary – SR.

Madison Moles – Washington Union – SR.

Cari Newman – Ramona – SR.