Oregon’s best high school girls basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Mid-Willamette Conference (Part 1)

By Bob Lundeberg

Over the next two weeks, we'll be taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state's top high school basketball players. Here's Part 1 of the Mid-Willamette girls list. Check back soon for Part 2.

Every league has numerous standout players, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. Let us know which other players you think should be added to the list.

Hallie Jo Miller (Lebanon) photo by Taylor Balkom

—

Central

G Sadie Wendring, jr., 5-8

Wendering is a strong scoring guard who is averaging 18 points and two steals per game as a junior. She was a second-team all-Mid-Willamette selection last spring. “Sadie would like to play basketball in college but she is still undecided,” head coach Marc Burleson said. 

G Ashley Barba, so., 5-7

Only a sophomore, Barba projects to be one of the top players for the Panthers the next three seasons. “She has been injured recently but will be a solid offensive player for us when she returns,” Burleson said last month.

P Hadley Craig, fr., 5-10

A 5-foot-10 freshman, Craig is already contributing in a variety of ways. She is averaging six points, five rebounds and two steals per game. “Hadley is a huge defensive threat for us and she is very athletic,” Burleson said. 

Corvallis

G Elka Prechel, sr., 5-7

Prechel is a senior guard who is a capable shooter from long range. Head coach Dan Miller said Prechel, a Washington and Lee commit, has added additional elements to her game on offense and defense. “Including occasionally running the point for us,” Miller said. “She’ll be on most teams’ radar as a talented shooter.”

F Sevennah Van De Riet, sr., 5-8

Van De Riet is Corvallis’ top interior presence. The Corban commit is capable of filling up the stat sheet on any given night. “She scores and rebounds very well and anchors our defense inside,” Miller said. 

G Ava Prechel, jr., 5-5

A new addition to the starting lineup, the younger Prechel is handling point guard duties while also playing strong on-ball defense. “Ava is a capable shooter and can finish in a variety of ways around the basket,” Miller said. 

Crescent Valley

G Nicole Huang, jr., 5-9

A returning two-year starter, Huang is a standout defender who is also a solid shooter for the Raiders. Head coach Eric Gower said Huang has an excellent basketball IQ. “Nicole is great in the open court; she is very explosive,” he said. 

G Gabby Bland, jr., 5-7

Bland also has two years of starting experience at the guard position. She is a top-flight outside shooter who can also get to the rim when needed. “Gabby is very crafty and she sees the court very well,” Gower said. 

F Charlotte Patel, so., 5-10

The only sophomore listed on Crescent Valley’s varsity roster, Patel is a long, left-handed forward who is an excellent team defender. “She is a slasher that can finish at the rim,” Gower said. “She also can rebound and block shots.” 

Dallas

G Jenna Carey, sr., 5-6

Carey is a senior leader at both ends of the court for the Dragons. “We are grateful to have her back in our program,” co-head coach Danielle Landis said. “She is our most consistent player as far as attitude and work ethic.” 

F Erin Eriksen, so., 5-9

Eriksen has been one of Dallas’ leading scorers in every game as a sophomore. “She is a post player for us who works her tail off every day to get better in that position,” Landis said. 

Lebanon

F Hallie Jo Miller, jr., 5-10

A varsity player since her freshman season, Miller is a two-time all-conference selection. The multidimensional forward is averaging 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals per game as a junior. 

G Haley Hargis, jr., 5-7

Hargis also received all-conference recognition as a freshman and sophomore for the Warriors. She is putting up 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals per game as a junior.

P Bailey Donohue, jr., 6-1

Another strong interior player for junior-heavy Lebanon, Donohue is thriving in an expanded role this season. The 6-foot-1 post is averaging 13.9 points and seven rebounds per game.