Oregon’s best high school girls basketball players: Meet the top stars in the 5A Midwestern League

We’re taking a conference-by-conference look at some of the state’s top high school basketball players. Here’s the Midwestern League 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.

McKenzie Hirsch (Crater) photo by Taylor Balkom

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Ashland

G Gabby Heiken, sr.

Heiken is Ashland’s leader on and off the court. She missed her junior season due to a torn ACL but is back at full strength. “She is leading the team in points and rebounds,” head coach Antione Perry said of Heiken, who will play softball at Southern Oregon.

G Abbey Lambert, jr.

Lambert is a junior point guard who can do multiple things on both ends of the court. “She is getting better with the more games we play,” Perry said. “She can drive to the basket and has a good outside shot.”

G Kendra Caruso, jr.

Caruso is also back after suffering a torn ACL as a sophomore. She is an energy player that is all over the court for the Grizzlies. “Most of Kendra’s work is on the defensive end, but she can be an offensive weapon with a nice three-point shot,” Perry said.

Crater

G McKenzie Hirsch, sr., 5-11

Hirsch is a versatile guard who is averaging 13 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Earlier this season, the 5-foot-11 senior was named most outstanding player at the Yreka Tournament. “McKenzie is an excellent mid-range shooter,” head coach Scott Dippel said. “She is physical and an all-around skilled guard.”

G Kayleigh Gugliotta, sr., 5-6

Another veteran guard for the Comets, Gugliotta is an elite defensive player. She is averaging nine points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals and was named defensive player of the tournament in Yreka. “Kayleigh is a fast and athletic guard,” Dippel said.

G Addison Dippel, fr., 5-7

Addison Dippel is putting up 12 points, 2.2 assists and three steals per game as a freshman. Coach Dippel said she is leading the team in three-point shooting. “Addison is a high-percentage long-range shooter and a good defender,” he added.

Eagle Point

G Emilee Nielsen, sr.

Nielsen is a senior ball-handler who has been a three-year varsity player for Eagle Point. “Emilee is a scrappy point guard with a nice outside shot,” head coach Marvin Denman said.

G Morgan Dole, jr.

Dole is also a three-year varsity player who is a leader by example. “Morgan is a smooth junior guard with a high basketball IQ,” Denman said. “She is also a sound defender.”

P Haley McCornack, sr.

A varsity player since her sophomore year, McCornack is Eagle Point’s top interior presence. “Haley is very agile and quick for her size,” Denman said. “She is a big rebounder for us.”

North Bend

W Adrianna Frank, sr., 5-9

Frank is a standout passer who can also score, rebound and defend. The 5-foot-9 senior is averaging 12.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game with a low turnover rate. “Adrianna sees the court as well as just about anyone I’ve coached and gets the ball to the open person,” head coach Mike Forrester said. “She’s probably the most unselfish player I have ever coached and really loves to see her teammates have success.”

G Trinity Baker, jr., 5-9

Baker is having a strong junior season as a starting guard for the Bulldogs. She is putting up 14 points, 5.3 rebounds and two assists per game. “Trinity plays hard all the time,” Forrester said. “She is a good ball-handler that can get to the hoop or pull up from anywhere on the court and score.”

P Kylee Lambert, sr., 5-8

Lambert doesn’t have the size of a typical 5A post, but the senior holds her own in the paint. She is averaging six points and four rebounds per game while shooting nearly 80 percent from the free throw line. “On a very small team, Kylee plays bigger than her height,” Forrester said. “She understands where to be when a shot goes up and how to get herself in the best position to get rebounds.”

North Eugene

F Natalie Hobbs, sr., 5-10

A three-year varsity player, Hobbs provides leadership for a young Highlanders team. She is averaging eight points, six rebounds, three steals and one block per game while shooting 37 percent on three-pointers. “She is one of the best leaders you will find,” head coach Lavonte Davis said. “She is also one of the area’s best defensive players.”

P Emily Hardrath, so., 5-8

Hardrath is stuffing the stat sheet as a sophomore with averages of eight points, six rebounds, 3.5 steals and two blocks. Davis said she is a high-IQ basketball player. “Emily has a very high ceiling,” Davis added. “She will be a great leader in future years at North Eugene.”

G Lana Nguyen, so., 5-5

A three-point specialist, Nguyen has made three or more three-pointers in multiple games this season. “Lana is a sophomore who is very crafty with the ball and is a knockdown shooter for us,” Davis said. “She is also a good on-ball defender.”

Springfield

G Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam, so., 5-8

A sophomore point guard who can do it all, Romero-Ah Sam is already among the top players in the Midwestern League. She is a 4.0 student who can guard all five positions. “Danaeja can score from the outside, off the bounce and in the post,” head coach Joe Williamson said.

F Kylie Rankins, jr., 5-9

Rankins is another returning varsity player and 4.0 student. She is a two-way standout who can handle the ball as a forward. “Kylie averaged a double-double for us last season as a sophomore,” Williamson said.

F Alexi Morgan, jr., 5-10

Also a soccer player, Morgan is a junior forward with excellent athleticism. “She can really run the floor and rebound,” Williamson said. “She is also a very good passer.”

G Kenzi Phillips, sr., 5-7

Phillips was one of the Millers’ leading scorers a season ago and is capable of big games. “She is aggressive offensively and defensively, and she can really shoot the three,” Williamson said.

Thurston

F Quealey Carpenter, sr., 5-9

Carpenter is an athletic senior forward who is averaging eight points per game. “Quealey is a multi-sport participant who also competes in track and field,” head coach Steve Eastburn said.

W Morgan Casley, sr., 5-7

Casley provides some scoring for the Colts while taking on tough assignments on defense. “Morgan is a wing player who is a defensive specialist,” Eastburn said.

W Bailey Tovey, so, 5-10

A gifted 5-foot-10 sophomore, Tovey is capable of playing any position on the court. “Bailey is just a strong all-around athlete,” Eastburn said. “She also participates in volleyball, softball and track and field, and stands out in all of them.”

G Riyen Kauffman, sr., 5-6

Kauffman was leading the Colts in scoring at 13.5 points per game when she went down with an injury in December. She returned to the lineup after winter break, providing an offensive boost for Thurston. “Riyen is a tough competitor and she is the team’s best shooter,” Eastburn said.

Willamette

G Brynn Smith, fr., 5-11

The 5-foot-11 freshman phenom is averaging 18.3 points and can play every position on the court except center. “Though, she probably could run that, too,” head coach Danielle Bellando said. “Brynn shoots the three well and can get to the basket. I haven’t seen a freshman have court vision like she has. … I’m very excited about her high school and college basketball careers.”

G Victoria Nguyen, fr., 5-6

A freshman point guard, Nguyen received the keys to the offense from Bellando and has excelled. Nguyen is a terrific passer with great court vision for a ninth-grader. “She’s smart and takes care of the ball very well,” Bellando said. “She works hard on defense and seems to always be in the right position. She fires up her team in the way you expect a leader to do.”

F Harper Wagner, fr., 5-11

At 5-foot-11 with quick feet, Wagner can guard everything from point guards to centers. “Harper is a terror on defense,” Bellando said. “She’s long and strong. We game plan to have her always guard the other team’s best player.”

W Kayla Morris, so., 5-6

A strong all-around sophomore, Morris was a go-to player as a freshman who is now in more of a complementary role this winter. She can get to the basket and run in transition, and she is an improving three-point shooter. “Last season, we depended on Kayla for just about everything,” said Bellando, who also praised Morris’ rebounding ability. “It’s great to see her settling into the role of a wing and take a little pressure off her as a point guard.”

C Nancy Coffman, jr., 6-0

Coffman is Willamette’s main interior presence. Bellando said the 6-foot junior does a great job of getting position on offense and is learning to finish more quickly inside. “Her defense has improved and she has a big leadership role on our team,” Bellando said. “She also does a good job of being physical inside on the defensive end.”