Oregon’s best high school girls basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 6A PIL (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 PIL 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.
Mauriana Hashemian (Benson) photo by Taylor Balkom
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Benson
F Mahogany Chandler-Roberts, so., 6-2
One of the state’s most coveted recruits, Chandler-Roberts is a skilled sophomore with limitless potential. She already holds an offer from California and is receiving interest from Louisville, Oregon and Stanford, among others. “Mahogany may go down as the most talented player I’ve ever coached,” head coach Eric Knox said. “She can post up, shoot from long range, handle like a guard and defend all five positions. She’s a special kid and a special talent.”
W Malaya LeSueur, jr., 5-8
Better known as a defender, LeSueur broke through for 28 points in an early-season win at Camas. Knox said the junior wing is drawing interest from Division I colleges. “Malaya is one of the best defenders in the state,” Knox said. “She is known to lock up the best offensive threat on the opposing team.”
G Mauriana Hashemian, so., 5-7
Hashemian led the Techsters in scoring last season and is excelling in her role as point guard. She has a high basketball IQ and plays extremely hard at both ends of the court. “Mauriana is highly skilled … and one of the craftiest and most electric guards with the ball in the state,” Knox said. “I expect her to take another step of growth during her sophomore season.”
Cleveland
G Sadie Kloeppel, sr.
Kloeppel, a senior guard, is the leader for Cleveland. A two-way standout, Kloeppel regularly guards the opposing team’s best player while also getting it done on the offensive end. She is averaging 7.2 points, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. “She understands her assignment and has fully bought into her role of being a leader and making sure everyone is organized both on and off the court,” assistant coach Casey Zinn said. “Sadie plays every game with high effort and energy and … has proven to be a threat with her shooting and her attacks to the basket.”
C Lily Salimena, sr.
Cleveland’s leading scorer, Salimena is putting up 9.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game as a senior. “Lily has been a consistent force in the post all year and has shown to be a problem for a lot of teams,” Zinn said. “Along with her ability to score, Lily has proven to be a great rebounder and defender.”
G Kamakila Waiwaiole, so.
A sophomore point guard, Waiwaiole is already a strong offensive player for the Warriors. She is averaging 7.7 points, two assists and two steals per game. “Her ability to push the ball in transition and break through presses has really been dynamic this year,” Zinn said. “Using both her length and athleticism, she finds ways to get to the basket and create great opportunities for herself and her teammates.”
G Addy Huss, so.
Another sophomore standout, Huss has also proven to be a capable scoring threat in the PIL. She is filling up the stat sheet with 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and three steals per game. “Along with being a great shooter, Addy is able to find ways to get to the basket and find the gaps,” Zinn said. “Since Addy is so quick, she is able to create a lot of opportunities for herself and her teammates.”
Franklin
F Maya Bryant, sr., 5-9
A senior leader for the Lightning, Bryant was the team’s top scorer a season ago at 14 points per game. “Maya has multiple opportunities to play at the Division III level in Oregon and California,” head coach David Jaynes said.
F Isa Hensley, jr., 5-10
Hensley has impressed at both ends of the court as a junior, averaging 13 points and 12 rebounds per game. “Isa has been our leading scorer and rebounder so far this year,” Jaynes said.
G Maya Sanders, so., 5-5
Only a sophomore, Sanders has played a big role for the Lightning this season. She is averaging eight points and four rebounds per game. “Maya is a developing guard for us,” Jaynes said.
Grant
G Eboni Clay, so., 5-5
Clay, a talented sophomore guard, led the Generals with 17 points in a win over Lincoln. She is a quick guard who is a standout on the defensive end.
G Sibayla Jensen sr., 5-6
Starting in the backcourt next to Clay, Jensen is a strong senior guard who scored 15 points against Lincoln. She also had four steals in the win. “Sibayla and Eboni have consistently been our leaders the whole year,” interim head coach Art Rojas told the Portland Tribune. “They play hard and they do a little bit of everything. They can shoot it, they can get to the rim, and they play pretty solid defense.”
Jefferson
G Abrianna Lawrence, fr., 5-5
Lawrence, Jefferson’s leading scorer, averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.7 steals per game at last month’s POA Holiday Classic. She followed with 21 points in a PIL Showcase loss to La Salle Prep. Head coach Andre Lawrence said the freshman class of Abrianna Lawrence, Chauncey Andersen, Charisma Johnson and Lelia Nunez has already made a large impact on the program. “We have a big group of freshman girls that we are definitely excited about,” the coach said. “They will help us build consistency for the foreseeable future.”
G Ja’oshia Jones, sr., 5-3
An explosive senior guard, Jones is a leader for the Democrats and one of the top returning players in the PIL. “Ja’oshia does it all for us,” coach Lawrence said. “She can score, she can rebound, and she is a lockdown defender.”
G Zaryah Hill, sr., 5-6
Hill is another experienced guard who provides some offense while specializing on the defensive end. She is also a senior leader for Jefferson. “Zaryah is one of our best defenders,” Lawrence said.
