Meet the Top 30 Shooting Guards in California high school girls basketball

On Monday, we dropped our list of the top 35 point guards in California high school girls basketball. The state is also loaded at shooting guard, with dozens of future D-1 players in the fold, and a few of the most statistically dominant players in the country in the mix. With that said, here's who we think are the top 30 SGs in California, plus a list of Honorable Mentions who received major consideration for the top 30, and a watchlist including other standout shooting guards across the state from freshmen to seniors.

MORE: TOP 35 POINT GUARDS | TOP 20 SMALL FORWARDS

The primary criteria for our list are individual statistics and overall impact relative to team success in the 2021-2022 season, with strength of schedule factored in heavily. Non-statistical elements that impact winning, such as individual defense, were also primary determinants. Film review and the opinions of coaches around the state were important criteria when applicable, and other individual honors such as all-league/all-CIF awards and college interest were considered as secondary factors.

Important note on position: In today’s position-less era of basketball, it is very rare that teams list one starter at all five positions, and many players are fully interchangeable across positions. The positions we list players at are a combination of what their “natural” position is, what position they’re listed at by their team, what position they tend to guard or match up with, and their specific roles on both sides of the ball. Many players on our shooting guards list are combo guards who could alternatively be listed as point guards. Additionally, many of the state's top natural SGs are bigger wings who often match up with frontcourt players and will be listed on our top small forwards list, such as San Ramon Valley's Natalie Pasco, Priory's Valentina Saric, and Mater Dei's Lani White.

Did we miss someone who belonged on the list? Let us know in the comments, on social media, or by emailing lance@scorebooklive.com with statistics/notes, and we will consider them in our future coverage.

TOP SHOOTING GUARDS IN CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL:

The list is arranged by section but is not in any particular order.

SAC-JOAQUIN SECTION:

Alyssa Jackson – Vanden – JR.

Jackson has broken out as one of the top guards in the state for the steadily-rising Vikings, averaging 19.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 4.9 steals per game. She consistently brings her A-game in Vanden's biggest matchups, with 20 or more points posted in not only their biggest wins but all three of their losses as well.

Ahhray Young – Laguna Creek – SR.

With nightly averages of 23.2 points and 4.6 assists per game, the Tulsa commit has been herself as one of the premier offensive players in NorCal since day one of the season. And Young is also responsible for 9.1 rebounds, 4.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Audrey Harris – Faith Christian – JR.

This stat line needs no prefacing: 45.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, three assists, 4.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Yes, you read that correctly. And this might be even more dizzying: Harris leads the country in (reported) points per game by over seven of them, as the next leader is at 38 PPG, so no one in the country even scores 85% of what Harris does on a nightly basis. Her last game was a career-high 65-burger. And she's only a junior.

Charlotte Climenhage – Folsom – JR.

Climenhage is a well-rounded SG with a strong three-point stroke. She's a big reason for what's been a tremendous season for the Bulldogs so far, and is on the radar of numerous D-1s.

Kira Sadler – Vista del Lago (Folsom) – SR.

Sadler, a combo guard who can play on or off the ball equally well, is averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, all of which are team-highs. She averaged 17 PPG as a junior and recently became the Eagles' all-time leading scorer after surpassing 1,145 total points. Sadler is a good shooter who particularly excels at scoring inside the arc, and is a plus defender as well.

SOUTHERN SECTION:

Chloe Briggs – Ontario Christian – JR.

Even if the 4-star guard were to suddenly quit basketball tomorrow, her high school career would already be one for the books. The Knights are 79-10 in Briggs' three seasons with them, and her career averages of 29.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 3.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game tell you everything else you need to know. And she's efficient too – despite the massive load she's carried, she's shot 52% from two and 35% from three on her career with a staggering 287 made threes, and touts a career assists-turnover ratio of 2.88. Last season, she led Ontario Christian to the CIFSS 3AA finals, and even though they just barely came up short, she was still named the division's player of the year.

After averaging over 33 PPG as a freshman and nearly 30 as a sophomore, Briggs has taken a step back scoring the ball as a junior in order to dime up the most talented group of teammates she's had. And by a step back, we mean she's "only" scoring 21.6 points per game while shooting career-highs of 36% 3FG and 53% EFG, while averaging one of the highest marks in the country with 9.2 APG. Briggs would need to go crazy on the assists for a prolonged playoff run to average a triple-double on the season, but this is one of the most Westbrook-ian individual seasons you'll see at the high school level.

Ari Long – Valley View – JR.

Speaking of insane numbers coming from long (no pun intended) 2023 SGs from the Inland Empire, Long is averaging over 31 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals for per game for the second season in a row. In addition to her 31.5 PPG, four steals, and 1.9 blocks per game, Long is averaging career-highs in RPG (15.4) and APG (5.7) for the 23-4 Eagles. She always maintains a confident and competitive demeanor and brings her best against Valley View's top competition. examples would be 41/17/3/4/2 and 50/14/7/1/3 in two games against M.L. King, or 39/20/4/9/6 against Cypress, all culminating in close wins.

Even at 6-0, Long is as quick and fluid as any tall guard out there, and she's one of the most skilled players in the state. Put it all together and you have one of the best players in the state, period. The numbers, team success, wins, and film all show it. Even though she's received at least one offer at the high major level, the fact that she's not yet ranked or universally considered one of the premier prospects in her class is baffling. Long is an elite shooter with range going out to 30 feet and off-the-dribble range out to at least 25. She has a tight, highly functional handle, passing vision and court awareness that rival some exceptional point guard prospects, fluidity attacking and finishing with either hand, and a polished in-between game. Her mark of 109 made threes on the season is second in the state and tied for third in the nation (among reported stats) while she knocks down 38% of them. Finally, nobody scores more through straight-up double-teams and even triple-teams than Long, so include that added degree of difficulty to all her production and efficiency. For now she might still be California GBB's best-kept secret, but people will catch on sooner than later.

Mariah Elohim – Westlake – SR.

Elohim leads the Warriors with 16.4 points and 2.9 steals per game, and chips in 3.8 boards and 2.2 assists a game as well. She's an outstanding three-point shooter, knocking down 2.45 treys a game while converting at a 39% clip, and she's also athletic and able to play with the ball in her hands. Elohim has been getting it done against formidable competition for a great Westlake team for years now.

Daisia Mitchell – Etiwanda – SR.

A versatile 6-0 St. Mary's commit, Mitchell is the lone senior captain and a star on the wing for the No. 1 team in California. Interchangeable between SG and SF with the ability to play PG in an emergency, she is a major defensive stopper at essentially all five positions at the high school level. Mitchell, who was the MVP of the Nike TOC's top division in December, averages 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.5 steals per game, and her consistency and high basketball IQ provide major stability for what's otherwise a young team.

Majesty Cade – Etiwanda – JR.

Cade is an important role player for the top team in the state, and for someone who's not a volume scorer, she's one of the last players one would ever want to match up against. At 5-10 with outstanding athleticism and an excellent motor, she's a pestering perimeter defender (2.5 SPG) who makes hustle plays routinely and sets the tone with her physical presence. Offensively she's a consistent three-point threat who's also adept at getting easy looks by cutting and filling lanes, and she scores 9.2 points per game without needing a lot of touches.

Allison Clarke – Rosary Academy – SO.

Arguably the best two-way 2024 wing in the Southern Section, Clarke averaged over 13 PPG as a freshman playing one of the toughest schedules in California, and has taken a major leap offensively as a sophomore. She was already a proficient perimeter shooter last season, but her improved consistency from deep and emergence as a secondary go-to scorer for the Royals is a big reason that they're back in the CIFSS Open Division. Additionally, Clarke is 5-10, long, and very quick, and uses her physical gifts and competitive energy to blanket their opponents' top perimeter threats. As a standout 3-and-D player with the ability to catch and fire quickly over an incoming defender, she's already a textbook two in the modern game. And as she continues to develop her driving game, she has the potential to continue emerging as one of the best players in the whole state in her class.

Jadyn Lee – Peninsula – JR.

While Lee is one of the most underrated players in the Southern Section, she's done a whole lot of scoring and lot of winning too since her first days at Peninsula. She's already past the 1,300 career points mark as just a junior despite playing a shortened sophomore year. Lee, the three-time Bay League MVP and champion, is 5-10 with point guard skills and a dangerous jumper, and averages 19.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 2.2 SPG.

Amber Furch – Brentwood School – JR.

From the very start of her high school career, Furch came out ready to get buckets against some of the best teams in SoCal. Despite playing a Gold Coast League schedule, she averaged 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game as a freshman, and 20.7 points, 2.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game as a sophomore. Furch's scoring is down (11.6 PPG) as a junior after a shooting slump to start the season, but she's turned the corner, averaging 16.5 PPG in her last 10 games even though the Eagles are playing the toughest part of their schedule. She's also averaging a career-high 3.1 assists per game.

Nala Williams – Long Beach Poly – SR.

While she's a four-year varsity player, Williams has taken a substantial leap every season since her freshman year at Poly, and she's now one of the better shooting guards in the whole state. Her nightly averages all roughly doubled from her freshman year to her sophomore year, and then again from her sophomore season to her junior season when she helped lead the Jackrabbits on emphatic runs to a CIFSS Division 1 title and CIF Southern Region 1-A title. That season, she averaged 14 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.7 steals per game shooting 50% on twos and 38% on threes. Now as a senior she's putting up career-highs of 17.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, four assists, 4.3 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game even though opponents are game-planning around her more than ever. With a strong frame, range past the college arc, point guard skills off the bounce, and a penchant for continual improvement, Williams likely has more upside yet.

Talia Washington – Cajon – SR.

Washington helped lead Cajon to the CIFSS 2AA finals last season averaging nearly 15 points and four steals per game. As a senior, she's up to 20.4 PPG to go with 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on a scorching 52% FG and 44% 3FG. She's brought her A-game against nearly every one of Cajon's top opponents this season.

CENTRAL COAST SECTION:

Elle Ladine – Pinewood – SR.

Last season, Ladine was merely a nice role player on a Pinewood team that was stacked with senior talent and went on to win the CIFCCS championship. She averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in fairly limited minutes, but those who'd watched her closely, especially in club ball, knew that the 4-star Washington commit was destined to be more than just a role player. Now, she's averaging 23.6 points, 15.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for a Panthers team that is once again in the mix to come out of the Central Coast League and perhaps prove itself as the top team in all of NorCal.

At 5-11 with excellent athleticism and overwhelming strength for a guard, she play every position on a high school court, and likely three of them at the highest levels of college ball. As the numbers indicate, she protects the Wildcats' paint, and sometimes guards star forwards, but most of her gaudy rebounding totals come will also clamping opponents' top playmakers in the back-court. Offensively, there's not much she can't do as well. Ladine is an excellent shooter with very deep range who might be even more dangerous from three than 38% on 2.4 makes per game indicates. When in rhythm, her adeptness at getting – and making – her own look from downtown is hardly matched. She's also a part-time point guard, with all the passing ability would want from a floor general and a great slashing skill set, including the ability to acrobatically finish through, around, or over the rim protection. In transition she's a blur, and often beats an entire defense back down the floor even when they know she's coming. All in all, Ladine is firmly planted in the discussion for best all-around player in the state, and has plenty of upside to become dominant in the Pac-12.

Hailey Hoff – Capuchino – SR.

The Pepperdine commit is averaging 19.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.5 steals per game.

SAN DIEGO SECTION:

Jessica Grant – Mission Hills – SR.

A pinnacle of consistency scoring from deep, Grant is averaging around 16 PPG for the third straight season, and has shot at least 38% from three in major volume in all three campaigns. As a senior, she's averaging a career-high 16.5 PPG to go with 2.8 assists, two steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, and is shooting a career-high 40% from deep. She's already made 123 deep balls on the season and is making a ridiculous 4.92 of them per game, even though defenses are geared up more than ever to stop her from doing exactly that, and her "gravity" makes a major impact on games. 123 makes is the most (reported) in the country with 12 threes to spare, and the UCSB commit's 4.92 3FG/game is second nationally, and most in the state.

Tajianna Roberts – La Jolla Country Day – SO.

A long, athletic 4-star SG, Roberts is second on LJCD in PPG (14.5), APG (3.7), SPG (2.1), and BPG (0.5), and third on the team with 4.1 RPG. She shoots 54% from two and 80% from the line, and is a more dangerous perimeter shooter than 32% from three would indicate. Roberts is already one of the more well-rounded wings in California as a sophomore, and is likely to develop into one of the very best players in the state with more consistency from range and more go-to moves on offense.

Mahliya Wilson – Bonita Vista – SO.

Wilson immediately established herself as one of California's best 2024 guards upon starting at Bonita Vista last season, and she's already taken another major leap. This season, she's averaging 20.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 3.4 steals per game while still playing many of the best teams in the state as BV usually does.

L.A. CITY SECTION:

Demonnie Lagway – Palisades – SR.

Not only is Lagway one of the better players on this list, but she's also one of the absolute most accomplished ones no matter what happens this postseason. In fact, she's already one of the more accomplished players in recent City Section history. The CSU Fullerton commit has won City Section titles every year of her career, and has been crucial to all of them – first as a freshman in Division 1 in 2018-19, and then in the Open Division as a sophomore and junior. Furthermore, Pali made the state finals in both 2019 and 2020, and may very well have won a state title in 2020 had the COVID-19 shutdowns started three days later. And the Dolphins did not lose a single game to City Section competition both 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Lagway, who is currently the reigning CIFLACS co-MVP as well, is a well-rounded scoring two by trade. She has a great jumper with a high lefty release, and some shake-and-bake off the dribble who plays within herself around the basketball and finishes at an efficient clip. While her passing game has improved every year of high school, she's fit Pali's M.O. of unselfish basketball from day one. And her driving/passing game has developed to where she's played her senior season at point guard full-time to fill a need without missing a beat. Lagway plays with a lot of confidence, and while she's happy to defer to teammates when that's the right move, one can always count on her to score consistently when needed in big games.

Rylei Waugh – Westchester – JR.

Waugh has been one of the top players in the L.A. City Section since her freshman year when she was the second option on the Division 1 champion. As a sophomore, she seamlessly transitioned into a go-to role and averaged over 20 PPG. Waugh has everything from 25-foot range to post fadeaways in her game, and is a fiery competitor with a clutch gene on both sides of the ball. Because of her natural court awareness and strong handles, some consider her more of a natural point guard, but she's at her best when scoring in volume and using that to set up her passing game. She's missed some time as a junior, but leads the team with 16 PPG to go with 2.4 APG and 2.1 SPG.

NORTH COAST SECTION:

Nya Epps – Carondelet – SR.

A UC Davis commit, Epps is one of the top prototypical wings in the state. She averaged 16 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 steals per game last season.

Allie Cummins – Carondelet – JR.

After two seasons racking up accolades as one of the top scorers in the Bay Area at Campolindo, Cummins is now with one of NorCal's best teams at Carondelet. The Cougars will only get even scarier as she keeps getting adjusted to her new digs, and don't be surprised if she returns to averaging over 20 PPG next season as a senior.

Ariana Webb – Moreau Catholic – SR.

A Northeastern signee, Webb has played one through three interchangeably at the high school level, but is a clear two at the next level. She's an outstanding 3-and-D player who also provides a high level of secondary playmaking.

Amaya Bonner – Bishop O'Dowd – SR.

Bonner is a 4-star Cal commit who plays one through five at the high school level. At 6-0 with athleticism and point guard skills, she's about as versatile as it gets, and has the upside to keep getting better for years to come.

Sierra Chambers – San Ramon Valley – SO.

Chambers averaged 11.4 PPG as a freshman for one of the best teams in NorCal in the spring, and she's been even better as a sophomore. She can heavily impact a game by playing with the ball in her hands and making plays at either guard spot, or by fitting into a "glue guy" role, making her one of the most versatile 2024 combo guards in California.

Sarah Tait – Piner – SR.

Despite only playing 10 games as a junior, Tait has already totaled 1,573 career points and 421 career boards at Piner. One of the best players in the North Bay for a couple years now, she's averaging career-highs of 24.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Tait is a skilled three-level scorer with above-average strength for a two, and she uses her strong frame to create separation and absorb contact off the dribble.

Kelly Tumlin – California – SR.

Another senior coming up on the 1,500 career points mark, Tumlin is averaging career-highs of 23 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game in addition to 1.6 APG while routinely taking on the best teams in the North Coast Section. She's an outstanding shooter whether spotting up or going off the dribble, and shoots 36% from deep on major volume (nearly 10 attempts per game). Tumlin also shoots 53% from inside the arc, and has a penchant for stepping up against Cal High's best competition.

CENTRAL SECTION:

Avary Cain – St. Joseph (Santa Maria) – SO.

A six-foot sophomore who can play either guard spot equally well, Cain has already averaged over 19 points, five rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game for both of the last two seasons. She also averages 3.1 steals per game, and shoots roughly 50% from the field and 40% from three. When you factor in how good her team is, she could top out as one of the top recruits in the whole state as an upperclassman.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Marianne Boco – Granada Hills Charter – SO.

Kyara Walter – Mission Hills – SO.

Natalia Martinez – Piedmont – SO.

Annika Jiwani – Pacifica Christian (Newport Beach) – SO.

Mo Trigueiro – Caruthers – JR.

Sumayah Sugapong – La Jolla Country Day – JR.

Karlee White – Viewpoint – JR.

Makiah Asidanya – Salesian College Prep – JR.

Emily Lee – Pinewood – SR.

Abby Kennedy – Half Moon Bay – SR.

Halle Sii – Capistrano Valley Christian – SR.

Lucca Lowenberg – West County – SR.

Jiana Creswell – Vanden – SR.

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WATCHLIST:

Jordin Blackmon – Bishop Montgomery – FR.

Vienn Sheng – Palo Alto – FR.

Jade Forte – Price – FR.

Sophia Mindermann – Folsom – FR.

Sophie Chinn – Acalanes – FR.

Vicky Om – Orangewood Academy – FR.

Alissa Belen – Orangewood Academy – FR.

Natalie Dance – Concord – FR.

Christy Reynoso – Sierra Canyon – SO.

Aasia Williams – San Francisco Waldorf – SO.

Dejah Saldivar – Ontario Christian – SO.

Anayla Anderson – King/Drew – SO.

Zoie Lamkin – Sage Hill – SO.

Emily Shaw – Mater Dei – SO.

Deana Thompson – Harvard-Westlake – FR.

Gabby Robinson – Mater Dei – SO.

Maryah Anderson – Claremont – SO.

Kylie Ray – Crescenta Valley – SO.

Marianne Boco – Granada Hills Charter – SO.

Kyara Walter – Mission Hills – SO.

Natalia Martinez – Piedmont – SO.

Annika Jiwani – Pacifica Christian (Newport Beach) – SO.

Kylie Wang – Whitney (Cerritos) – SO.

Sammie Velasquez – Birmingham – SO.

Serenity Johnson – Corona Centennial – SO.

Sydney Peterson – San Juan Hills – SO.

Anjali Yella – Harker – SO.

Alex Facelo – Pinewood – SO.

Makiah Asidanya – Salesian College Prep – JR.

Emily Lim – Camarillo – JR.

Avanthika Ramasamy – Moorpark – JR.

Kaiya Mack – Esperanza – JR.

Mo Trigueiro – Caruthers – JR.

Sumayah Sugapong – La Jolla Country Day – JR.

Aima Tuiasosopo – Highland (Palmdale) – JR.

Karlee White – Viewpoint – JR.

Jaiya Mix – Etiwanda – JR.

Jada Hunter – Christian Brothers – JR.

Maddison Holden – Campbell Hall – JR.

Citlali Salazar – Crenshaw – JR.

Mika Jarrett – Oxnard – JR.

Gracyn Lovette – Marin Catholic – JR.

Amanda Edwards – San Juan Hills – JR.

Caitlyn Cole – Stone Ridge Christian – SR.

Talia Garner – Etiwanda – SR.

Livi Wood – Del Oro – SR.

Alysa Lopez – Santa Teresa – SR.

Brooklyn Simpson – Palos Verdes – SR.

Leah Hudson – Chino Hills – SR.

Emily Lee – Pinewood – SR.

Abby Kennedy – Half Moon Bay – SR.

Halle Sii – Capistrano Valley Christian – SR.

Lucca Lowenberg – West County – SR.

Jiana Creswell – Vanden – SR.

Aliyah Anderson – El Camino (San Diego) – SR.

Corin Camara – Buchanan (Clovis) – SR.

Lala Everett – Lincoln (San Diego) – SR.

Nseije Ortiz – Porterville – SR.

Sydney Meskin – Palisades – SR.

Madison Diaz – Valley Christian (San Jose) – SR.

Sadie Carter – San Ramon Valley – SR.

Kylee Edgar – Hesperia – SR.

Emily Reed – Crean Lutheran – SR.

Aalaysia Blakely – Golden Valley (Bakersfield) – SR.