SBLive’s 15 must-see wing players in Washington girls basketball for 2021-22: Being a little taller, they get a better view of the basket
Who has perimeter skills like a guard, but is tall or strong enough to be an interior presence? These girls certainly know that drill.
After polling other coaches and media outlets, here are SBLive WA's 15 must-view wing players in Washington for 2021-22:
15 MUST-SEE WING PLAYERS IN WASHINGTON
JAIDEN BEA, Washougal, sr.
2A GSHL co-MVP Jaiden Bea led Washougal back to the Class 2A championships in Yakima.
Photo courtesy of Washougal athletics
In all honesty, with her perimeter shooting skills but ability to rebound - Bea, the 2A GSHL co-MVP, can play anywhere on the floor, and did this season for the Panthers. Will become the third Bea to play at Idaho, joining her cousins (Beyonce, Skylar).
DREA BRUMFIELD, W.F. West, sr.
Few players in Washington have the outside-shooting precision and range of this Pepperdine signee.
Photo by Todd Milles
There goes one of the best pure 3-point shooters in recent memory. The 6-foot-2 Pepperdine signee not only can comfortably drill 30-foot jump shots, she is a windmill shot blocker on the interior with her long arms and spot-on anticipation.
MCKYNNLIE DALAN, Montesano, jr.
Montesano junior McKynnlie Dalan is one of the most feared inside-outside players in the Class 1A ranks.
Photo courtesy of Montesano athletics
The daughter of ex-Washington Huskies forward Kellie O'Neill, Dalan flashes a similar ability to aggressively attack the paint while also burning defenses from the perimeter. When her 3-point shot is falling, the Class 1A all-state performer is tough to stop.
CATELYN DEAVER, Sumner, sr.
Teaming up with sister, Alyson, the twins led Sumner to the Class 4A championship game for the first time in school history.
Photo by Vince Miller
While sister, Alyson, has enjoyed more attention, all this Deaver twin does is compete hard and get the job done. The all-4A SPSL first teamer is physical enough to battle bigger post players while skilled enough to be a mid-range terror. Dixie State signee.
KYLEE FOX, Richland, jr.
Richland's Kylee Fox was the top scorer in the Mid-Columbia Conference at 21.0 points per game.
Photo by Todd Milles
In the highly-competitive Mid-Columbia Conference, Fox emerged - again - with player of the year honors as the league's top scorer. She showcases elite perimeter skills, but can also slash to score - and is the Bombers' go-to playmaker.
REAGAN JAMISON, Camas, soph.
Camas sophomore Reagan Jamison was one of the Class 4A postseason standouts, including in the Tacoma Dome.
Photo by Vince Miller
When 4A GSHL player of the year Addison Harris went down (foot), it was this 6-footer who stepped up for the Papermakers as not only a go-to scorer, but the engine behind the team's school-best fourth-place finish in the Class 4A championships.
RILEY JOHNSON, Cashmere, sr.
Two years after Cashmere went to the Class 1A title game behind Hailey Van Lith, Riley johnson led the Bulldogs to the state semifinals.
Photo by Todd Milles
In 2020, when Hailey Van Lith and Cashmere stormed the SunDome, Johnson was a role player on Class 1A runner-up squad. This season, it was her show as the North Cascades' top player - a multi-positional senior who is headed off to CWU.
CLAIRE O'CONNOR, Lakeside of Seattle, jr.
Lakeside of Seattle's Claire O'Connor utilized that cannot-be-denied aggressiveness to become Metro League player of the year.
Photo by Mason Kelley
The way she comes off picks, the way she freely fires that left-handed stroke at the basket - you'd think O'Connor was a playground ringer. But what separates this Metro League MVP from others is her fearless interior work, especially as a rebounder.
KIANA RIOS, Warden, sr.
Senior Kiana Rios and a talented Warden crew rolled through the Class 2B tournament and nabbed a state title.
Photo by Erik Smith
When Class 2B contending coaches handicapped the title chase, they always referred to the classification's biggest difference maker - Rios. Athletically, the all-state forward is in a different class, and impacts both ways. Signed with Saint Martin's University.
NATALIE SUMROK, Tumwater, sr.
Co-Class 2A favorite Tumwater's season came to an early exit, but Natalie Sumrok's game continued to expand.
Photo by Todd Milles
What can't she do? The all-2A Evergreen forward is a defensive disruptor, a mobile attacker with long-range accuracy - and as a senior, she showed she could be a back-to-the-basket scorer in the post. Signed with Western Colorado University.
TATUM THOMPSON, Woodinville, sr.
Woodinville's Tatum Thompson had a breakout senior season, and was key in the Falcons winning their first Class 4A title.
Photo by Vince Miller
So many players on this list are well-rounded playmakers. What makes Thompson the best player in the state? It's the way she melds the high-skill scoring, passing, rebounding and defending with great feel. Takes her game to Boise State University.
JENNA VILLA, Arlington, jr.
Jenna Villa became one of the premier scorers in the state, and led Arlington back to the Class 3A semifinals in March.
Photo by Todd Milles
If this was a high-noon showdown in the wild, wild West - Villa, the 3A Wesco MVP, would be the girl most likely left standing. Why? It's because no player combines deep shooting range with quick shooting trigger so proficiently. Big-time 2023 D1 recruit.
AVERY WATKINS, Kennedy Catholic, sr.
One of the best multi-sport athletes on this list is Kennedy Catholic's Avery Watkins, who signed with Hawaii.
Photo courtesy of Northwest Blazers
Since Kennedy Catholic never really threatened for a state berth, this all-4A NPSL performer was almost hidden from view. One thing is for sure - she can beat teams in a variety of ways as a scorer and passer. Signed with the University of Hawaii.
BRYNN WIDNER, Zillah, sr.
Wherever Zillah needed its all-state performer to play, Brynn Widner did - with great skill and intensity.
Photo by Todd Milles
Who was that girl zig-zagging around the greater Yakima area? It was Widner, who played anywhere from point guard to power forward for the Leopards. Her numbers reflect that, too - nearly 1,200 points, 700 rebounds and 250 steals for her career.
KIANA YESIKI, Eisenhower, sr.
There are slashers who need creases to score - and there are ones who make their own, such as Eisenhower's Kiana Yesiki.
With back-to-back 4A CBBN player-of-the-year nods under her belt, Yesiki is headed off to play at Portland State University. And the Vikings are getting one of the strongest slashing scorers in the state - but has the perimeter skills to keep defenses honest.
Wing players to watch: Brooke Beresford, Woodinville, jr.; Tay Birdtail, North Thurston, sr.; Katie Blume, Ellensburg, sr.; Rae Butler-Wu, Lake Washington, jr.; Sitara Byrd, Gonzaga Prep, sr.; Lay'lee Dixon, Prosser, fr.; Kaia Foster, Chiawana, fr.; Joy Haltom, Juanita, jr.; Jayda Lewis, Garfield, fr.; Lauryn Madsen, Warden, soph.; Ava Marr, Archbishop Murphy, fr.; Chloe Pattison, Lake Stevens, sr.; Foai Pula, Bethel, jr.; McKenna Reggear, Colville, sr.; Ashley Schow, Tenino, sr.; Ella Sylvester, Everett, sr.; Grace Trichler, Sultan, sr.; Jadyn Watts, West Seattle, sr.; Tatum Wood, Eastlake, soph.; Colbi Zorich, Inglemoor, sr.
More top players
BOYS: POINT GUARDS | BIGS | OFF-BALL GUARDS | WINGS
GIRLS: POINT GUARDS | BIGS | OFF-BALL GUARDS | WINGS
