Here are SBLive's top early-season state player of the year candidates in Washington girls basketball

In the first month of girls basketball in Washington, contending teams have begun to make their marks.

So have individual players.

SBLive WA has come up with the top five state most valuable player candidates in each of the top classifications, and top three MVP candidates in each of the lower classifications. All are listed in alphabetical order:

CLASS 4A

Alyson Deaver, F, Sumner: Another year removed from serious knee injury means top 4A SPSL player is healthier interior force.

Kylee Fox, G, Richland: Reigning MCC player of the year is a shot-maker - from way out deep to creative ways around the basket.

Addison Harris, F, Camas: Not many outside Clark County know who she is. Her high-motor power game around hoop will change that.

Hope Hassmann, PG, Tahoma: She plays the point-guard position with such pose, and Cal Poly commit fills it up in a hurry for Bears.

Veronica Sheffey, PG, and Tatum Thompson, G, Woodinville: Two peas in a pod - Sheffey is throwback distributor, and Thompson is bouncy wing.

Don't sleep on: Lauren Glazier, F, Mount Si; Mya Groce, PG, Pasco; Camille Jentzsch, C, Lake Stevens; Malia Ruud, C, Chiawana; Kiana Yesiki, F, Eisenhower.

CLASS 3A

Katie Fiso, PG, Garfield: So smooth, so confident - might not be great scorer yet, but she is high-IQ playmaker and top defender.

Natalie Fraley, PG, Kelso: They call this southwest Washington standout "Nat Buckets" - and she can score in so many ways.

Malia Samuels, PG, Garfield: Metro MVP led Eastside Catholic to 3A semifinals in 2020, now takes bulldog mentality to real Bulldogs.

Rosa Smith, PG, Lake Washington: One of state's top facilitating guards has quietly evolved into a 20-point-per-night scorer.

Jenna Villa, F, Arlington: There are outside shooters, and then there are deep-range shooters like Villa, who can take over games.

Don't sleep on: Vivienne Barrett, C, Stanwood; Ella Gallatin, PG, Snohomish; Olivia Moore, PG, Mead; Claire O'Connor, F, Lakeside of Seattle; Izzy Simmons, PG, Hermiston.

CLASS 2A

Aubrey Amendala, PG, Tumwater: A quiet assassin - until she needs to announce her presence loudly with clutch shots in crunch moments.

Drea Brumfield, G/F, W.F. West: Arguably the best player in the 2022 class, she's dangerous from around the basket out to 30 feet.

Dylan Philip, G, Ellensburg: Her work rate drives this Bulldogs' group, and nobody can go coast-to-coast as fast as this do-everything guard.

Natalie Sumrok, F, Tumwater: She can face you up, blow by you and now has improved to become legitimate back-to-basket threat. A talent.

Halle Wright, G, Prosser: In terms of overall skill, none are better than this reigning 2A CWAC player of the year for the up-tempo Mustangs.

Don't sleep on: Jaiden Bea, F, Washougal; Gracie Brammer, G, Hockinson; Eve Burke, F, Port Angeles; Aniyah Hampton, PG, Hudson's Bay; Erika Pickett, F, Clarkston.

CLASS 1A

Devin Coppinger, PG, Nooksack Valley: Lethal combination of power and skill, might be toughest guard in state to keep out of the paint.

Jazmyn Stone, PG, Annie Wright: Fully healthy (knee), she's such a good ball-handler with vision, she can zig-zag through any defensive scheme.

Libby Stump, G, Lynden Christian: With her toughness and quick thinking, can always find a comfortable spot on the floor to make a play.

Don't sleep on: McKynnlie Dalan, G, Montesano; Riley Johnson, F, Cashmere; Brynn Widner, F, Zillah.

CLASS 2B

Teagan Colvin, PG, Liberty of Spangle: Almost a guarantee this sophomore will be knocking on the triple-double door every night; nobody outworks her.

Kyra Gardner, PG, Raymond: Oh, that natural levitation. The WSU signee is a threat to score from anywhere, but her mid-range skill is second to none.

Kiana Rios, G/F, Warden: One of those two-way players than can make you look silly, there isn't anything she cannot do to win ballgames.

Don't sleep on: Asher Cai, G, Colfax; Sarah Cook, F, La Conner; Lexi Lafferty, F, Okanogan.

CLASS 1B

Maggie Meyer, G, Colton: Small-school powerhouse will be back on the run and shooting 3-pointers - and Meyer should be the focal point.

Kenzi Pedersen, F, Garfield-Palouse: The 1B Southeast's top inside-outside scorer, she is the leader of this senior-dominated state contender.

Payton Torrey, PG, Mossyrock: A fantastic three-sport athlete, she will be asked to score a lot more in addition to directing the floor.

Don't sleep on: Allie Greene, PG, Neah Bay; Keely Maves, F, Pomeroy; Ella Osborne, F, Waterville-Mansfield.

(Featured file photo by Todd Milles)