Players to watch at the Oregon 5A girls basketball state tournament

Here's a look at some of the top stars to watch at this week's 5A girls basketball state tournament in Corvallis.

By Bob Lundeberg

The OSAA 5A girls basketball state tournament begins Thursday at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. Here's a look at some of the top players to watch at the event.

Lilly Horner (Silverton) photo by Taylor Balkom

G Jenna Albrecht, sr., Ridgeview

The Intermountain Conference player of the year, Albrecht is a strong all-around guard who has been a key player for Ridgeview since her freshman season. The 5-foot-8 Albrecht is the Ravens’ leading scorer at 16.3 points per game.

P Emma Bales, sr., Crook County

Bales, a first-team all-Intermountain Conference selection, is one of four senior starters for Crook County. The 5-foot-10 post had a team-high 21 points in the Cowgirls’ round-of-16 victory over Thurston.

G Gabby Bland, jr., Crescent Valley

Bland was voted first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference following her strong regular season. The 5-foot-8 guard is averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 82 percent from the free throw line.  

G Kyleigh Brown, so., Silverton

Brown is a talented sophomore point guard who averages 18 points, five assists and four rebounds per game. The 5-foot-7 Brown was a first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference pick. 

F Nancy Coffman, jr., Willamette

Coffman is one of the most experienced players on a Willamette team with several impact freshmen. The 6-foot junior is a strong two-way post presence who is averaging 5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. 

G Kyrah Daniels, jr., Ridgeview

Daniels recently moved back to Central Oregon from Australia and became eligible earlier this year. In seven games, the 5-foot-11 junior is averaging 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. 

P Faye Davis, sr., Ridgeview

The 6-foot Davis was a second-team all-Intermountain Conference selection. The senior is Ridgeview’s main interior player and is averaging 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. 

F Juju Henderson, fr., Springfield

Henderson has become one of Springfield’s best players as a freshman. The forward is averaging 10.5 points and six rebounds this winter for the Millers.

G Lilly Horner, sr., Silverton

Horner is an undersized guard who is averaging eight points per game. Head coach Tal Wold said the 5-foot-3 Horner, who received all-Mid-Willamette Conference honorable mention, has elevated her game during the second half of the season. 

G Nicole Huang, jr., Crescent Valley

An all-state soccer player, Huang is also a strong basketball player for the Raiders. The 5-foot-9 three-year starter averages 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game. 

G Emma McDonald, jr., Putnam

McDonald is a junior perimeter player who excels at shooting from beyond the three-point stripe.

G Victoria Nguyen, fr., Willamette 

One of several star freshmen for the Wolverines, Nguyen is a 5-foot-6 point guard with superb passing skills. She can also score when needed and is an integral piece of Willamette’s defense. Nguyen is averaging 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and five assists per game. 

G Maddie Olma, sr., Putnam

Olma, a senior guard, netted a team-high 15 points in Putnam’s 45-39 round-of-16 victory at Crater. 

G Elka Prechel, sr., Corvallis

Prechel was voted first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference following a strong senior season for the Spartans. The 5-foot-7 senior is committed to Washington and Lee. 

G Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam, so., Springfield

Romero-Ah Sam was unstoppable in the first round of the playoffs, putting up 30 points, three rebounds, five assists and eight steals against West Albany. The sophomore guard is averaging 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. 

G Brynn Smith, fr., Willamette

One of the state’s best freshmen, Smith scored a game-high 23 points in Willamette’s round-of-16 win over Milwaukie. The versatile 5-foot-11 guard can play every position on the court and is a threat to score from anywhere. She is averaging 16.5 points per game.  

G Paige Traeger, sr., Silverton

Traeger, a first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference selection, is a leader for the Foxes on and off the court. The 5-foot-7 senior is averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per game. 

F Sevennah Van De Riet, sr., Corvallis

A 5-foot-8 forward, Van De Riet received first-team all-Mid-Willamette Conference honors as a senior. Van De Riet will play college basketball for Corban. 

W Maddy Warberg, fr., Willamette

Warberg is a 5-foot-10 freshman wing who is Willamette’s second-leading scorer at 11.5 points per game. She also grabs 3.5 rebounds and is a strong defender.

G Katelynn Weaver, jr., Crook County

In last week’s round-of-16, Weaver scored 10 of her 16 points in the second half as Crook County came back to defeat Thurston. The 5-foot-7 junior was a first-team all-Intermountain selection.