Hot shots! These are the top 12 girls basketball players in Siskiyou County
Ethan HansonThere's a strong class of high school girls basketball players in Siskiyou County.
There are point guards and shooting guards scattered throughout the area. The players represent schools in Yreka, Etna, Mount Shasta, Weed, Happy Camp and Dunsmuir.
Before meeting the players, here's a recap of how local teams competed in the 2021-22 season.
Yreka (16-13)
- Beat Sutter in the CIF Northern Section Division IV first round 65-34.
- Played Lassen in the second round of the Division IV playoffs.
Weed (18-13)
- Beat Redding Christian 76-36 in the CIF Northern Section Division VI semifinals.
- Played Fall River in the CIF Northern Section and NorCal State Division VI title games.
Mount Shasta (12-16)
- Played Durham in the CIF Northern Section Division V semifinals.
- Played Orland in the CIF State Division V first round.
Etna (14-13)
- Played Fall River in the CIF Northern Section Division VI semifinals.
Happy Camp (4-11)
- Played Hayfork in the CIF Northern Section Division VII first round.
Dunsmuir (3-14)
- Played against Surprise Valley in the CIF Northern Section Division VII first round.
Now it's time to meet the athletes. Players are listed by school based on how their teams competed during the 2021-22 season. Stats listed are based on numbers entered by coaches on maxpreps.com.
Alexis Collier
School: Yreka
Position: Point guard
Class: Junior
Stats: Averaged 10.7 points, two assists and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Height: 5-foot-3
Scouting report: Collier is the area's best ball handler. She makes assertive decisions with her passing. Collier is an improved shooter from the outside and is learning how to move effectively without the ball to score easy points. She's also a player who seeks contact and grabs rebounds. Collier is a solid ball defender who doesn't let her small size diminish her importance on either end of the court. She is a selfless player.
Sammi Freitas
School: Yreka
Position: Small forward
Class: Senior
Stats: Averaged 8.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Height: 5-foot-7
Scouting report: Freitas was a solid force on the glass last year and led Yreka in rebounding. She plays aggressively in the post but rarely gets frustrated and doesn't allow her emotions to overflow when games become physical. Freitas is an improved mid-range shooter.
Bailey Branson
School: Yreka
Position: Power forward
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-8
Stats: Averaged eight points and 5.7 rebounds per game with Etna.
Scouting report: Branson, a transfer from Etna, allows Yreka to stretch the floor with her abilities as a post player and outside jump shooter. Last year she made 27 3-pointers for Etna. Coach Mike Pendley will look to utilize Branson's post presence and allow for easier scoring opportunities in the paint. Yreka wants the ball to be moving constantly through Branson and to Freitas and Collier. Branson is hoping to get some of those outside looks within the rhythm of her team's offense.
Renaissance Johnson
School: Weed
Position: Center
Class: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
Stats: Averaged 15.8 points per game.
Scouting report: Johnson will be Weed's primary scorer for the next two seasons. Johnson has shown improved foot work and movement without the ball. Johnson's growth off the ball will allow her to find easier scoring opportunities in the paint. Her length as a shot blocker and post defender will make scoring in the paint difficult for the opposition.
Abigail Escobedo
School: Weed
Position: Point guard
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-3
Stats: Averaged 4.5 points.
Scouting report: Escobedo has improved ball handling skills and decision making as a passer. Escobedo will be asked to provide more scoring after Weed graduated last year's forwards Karli Reynolds and Richelle Johnson.
River Tacbas
School: Mount Shasta
Position: Shooting guard and small forward
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-6
Stats: Averaged 5.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Scouting report: Tacbas can attack the basket and shoot from mid-range. She also plays solid on ball defense. Tacbas scores from mid-range. Her pressure on the ball should allow for Mount Shasta to score more often on the fast break.
Morgan Bourke
School: Mount Shasta
Position: Point guard
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-3
Stats: Averaged 2.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game
Scouting report: Bourke is a tough ball handler. She moves well without the ball and makes quick decisions. Bourke is an aggressive rebounder and has a firm understanding of spacing on offense and defense.
Lilly Finley
School: Etna
Position: Shooting guard
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-6
Stats: Averaged 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Scouting report: Finley is a consistent scorer both from mid-range and inside the paint. She has quick feet on defense and uses angles to pressure the ball without fouling.
Grace Hubbard
School: Etna
Position: Shooting guard
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-8
Stats: Averaged 8.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
Scouting report: Hubbard is a commanding rebounder. She gets strong inside position and can catch passes through contact. Her strong hands allow her to avoid turnovers when ball pressure comes from the weak side. Hubbard understands her team's defensive concept and doesn't gamble for steals or blocks.
Cali Walker
School: Etna
Position: Shooting guard
Class: Senior
Height: 5-foot-4
Stats: N/A
Scouting report: Walker is a rising point guard. She has earned a starting role based on her passing and understanding her team's offense. Walker makes quick decisions and cuts hard with purpose. Etna should be an improved team with Walker helping score and finding open looks for Hubbard and Finley.
Ruby Williams
School: Happy Camp
Position: Point guard
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-foot-3
Stats: N/A
Scouting report: Williams was Happy Camp's top scorer. She can shoot from outside and will give her team the leadership it needs to make a deeper run in the CIF Northern Section Division VII playoffs.
Cyla Clemens
School: Dunsmuir
Position: Point guard
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-foot-5
Stats: Averaged 10.5 points per game.
Scouting report: Clemens showed last year she'll be Dunsmuir's basketball leader over the next three years. She has a great understanding of when to attack a defense. Clemens has solid shooting form and is a solid on ball defender.