Oregon’s best high school girls basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 6A Mountain Valley Conference

We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Mountain Valley Conference girls list.

We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Mountain Valley Conference girls list. 

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.

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Bend

G Peyton Gardner, Sr., 5-6

Gardner is a four-year starter who leads the Lava Bears in assists and steals. Her coach and mother, Allison Gardner, called her “our floor general with a quick rim attack and solid shooter.” 

F Lena Zahniser, Sr., 5-10

The three-year starter “has a basketball IQ and knowledge that helps our team in many ways,” Allison Gardner said, including her rebounding and passing abilities. 

G Olive Nye, Jr., 5-7

Nye is in her third year in the starting lineup and complements Gardner well in the backcourt as the team’s top three-point shooter and rim attacker. “She has good size for her position and creates mismatches,” Coach Gardner said. 

McKay

W Natalie Hernandez, Sr., 5-7

Hernandez has provided a veteran presence for the Scots while averaging 7.3 points per game. 

W Brezlyn Schwalm, Fr.

Schwalm is one of several freshmen coach Jim White has asked to take on important roles despite their youth. She led McKay in scoring at 10.7 points per game in December. 

G Patricia Mike, Fr.

Right behind Schwalm on the Scots’ scoring list is Mike, who has started since Day 1 at point guard and averaged 10.3 points per game. 

G Lela Truong, Fr.

A third freshman in the starting lineup, Truong is the team’s best defender and willing to do the little things needed for success. 

McNary

G KJ Custer, Sr., 5-5

Custer, an honorable mention all-Valley selection in the Salem-based spring league, missed the first five games with an injury but returned during the PIL Holiday Classic and provided a lift (6.7 points, five rebounds per game). “She gives us a spark on both ends of the court,” coach Liz Doran said. 

G Kylie Nepstad, Sr., 5-3

Nepstad has developed into the team’s main three-point threat and averaged 10.1 points in December, second-most on the team.

G Ava Rubio, So., 5-5

The graduation of the Celtics’ top two scorers created an opening for Rubio to take on a much bigger role this winter. She led the team in December at 11.5 points per game after scoring just four points in three spring games. 

G Avery Buss, So., 5-5

Another part-time player from the spring who has taken on a bigger role this winter. She led the team in rebounds (4.7 per game), assists (2.6) and steals (2.3) in December while scoring 6.3 points per game.

Mountain View

G Kasey Booster, So., 5-8

Booster took over as point guard as a freshman and now hardly leaves the floor for the Cougars, leading the team in December at 19.5 points per game while dishing out 8.3 assists. “She does a great job of including her teammates in our offense,” coach Jon Corbett said.

G Allie Neet, Jr., 5-6

Neet missed the spring season with an injury. She is averaging 5.3 points while typically drawing an opponent’s toughest cover. Corbett hopes Neet can find her shooting touch on a more consistent basis. 

P Avery Andrews, So., 6-3

Andrews is another player returning from injury, having missed most of the volleyball season in the fall. She averaged 8.7 points and a team-high 9.4 rebounds in December. “As she gets back to full health, Avery should be a consistent double-double performer,” Corbett said last month. 

W Ruby Haarberg, So., 6-0

Haarberg has been a pleasant surprise this winter, becoming a reliable wing player and averaging 6.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. 

South Salem

G Maddie Dustin, So., 5-9

Coach Adrian Lewis doesn’t want to put too much pressure on his sophomore sensation, but he sees a little bit of former all-state point guard Hilary Lewis in Dustin, an honorable mention all-league pick as a freshman who led the team in scoring in December at 12.6 points per game to go with 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals. “She has the same work ethic and determination as Hilary,” Lewis said. “She’s not as skilled as early in her career but is a better shooter.” 

G Halley Barram, Sr., 5-9

Barram is a long, lanky lefty who has committed to play at Arizona Christian next season. A second-team all-Valley pick in the spring, she has filled the stat sheet this winter, averaging 9.1 points, five rebounds, 4.2 assists and two steals. 

W Maggie Lapray, Jr., 5-9

Lapray, also a second-team all-Valley selection in the spring, is the Saxons’ Swiss Army knife, capable of playing any position. She averaged 10.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in December. “She’s an all-around unique talent and one of the best shooters on the team,” Lewis said.

G Alexis Dalton, Sr., 5-7

Dalton was a second-team all-Valley selection in the spring who averaged 9.8 points during December. 

Sprague

G Alyssa Meza, Jr., 5-4

Meza is a two-time all-conference honorable mention selection who has been one of the team’s most productive players this winter.

G MaKenna Trussell, So., 5-4; W Summer Melena, So., 5-7; P Reese Beyrouty, So., 5-10

Trussell, Melena and Beyrouty are among the youngsters who have become key contributors for the Olympians. 

Summit

W Rose Koehler, Jr., 5-8

Koehler is leading the team in scoring, steals and blocks.  

G Sam Coronado, Jr., 5-6

Coronado took over as the starting point guard this winter and is second to Koehler in scoring.  

F Emerson Williams, Fr., 5-10

Williams has seamlessly fit into the starting lineup as a freshman, leading the team in rebounds while being its third-leading scorer.  

West Salem

G Mya Adams, Sr., 5-7

Adams was a first-team all-Valley selection in the spring who is one of the team’s top three-point threats. She averaged eight points, six rebounds and two assists during the first month of the season. 

P Lizzy Bennett, Jr., 6-0

Bennett also made the all-Valley first team in the spring and has stepped up her game to another level this winter. She leads the team at 16 points per game while grabbing six rebounds. 

G Bailey Butler, Sr., 5-4

An honorable mention all-Valley selection in the spring, Butler (seven points, two assists per game) brings strong defense and outside shooting to the table for the Titans.