Freshmen stars: Top 12 Washington high school girls basketball players in class of 2023

From Eastside Catholic point guard Malia Samuels to Tahoma point guard Hope Hassmann, the future of Washington high school girls basketball is in good hands.

From Eastside Catholic point guard Malia Samuels to Tahoma point guard Hope Hassmann, the future of Washington high school girls basketball is in good hands.

Scorebook Live has ranked the top girls basketball players in Washington by class - 2021, 2022 and 2023 - based on a combination of this past season's performance on the high school stage, and projecting their impact going into the 2020-21 season.

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Here are the top class of 2023 players in Washington:

TOP 12 FRESHMEN

Malia Samuels, PG, Eastside Catholic

When you are the MVP of the state's top 3A league - the Metro League - showcasing this level of advanced skill, you deserve the top billing.

Olivia Anderson, PF, Ellensburg

Jacob Ford/Ellensburg Daily Record

On a deep 2A Ellensburg squad, Anderson came off the bench. But her high-ceiling talent at 6-foot-4 stands out - enough that she will surely be a major D1 recruit.

Mjracle Sheppard, SF, Eastside Catholic

Defensively, Sheppard has no peers in her class. She is also a rebounding savage. If she develops a consistent perimeter shot, she could be the best of all.

Jenna Villa, SF, Arlington

Villa's debut varsity season had its ups and downs, but her slasher-shooter combination skill-set as a wing player is elite. Everyone will soon see that.

Sydney Hani, PF, Lake Washington

Be braced for it - Hurricane Hani is coming. She is an aggressive frontcourt slasher and rebounder who does all the dirty work, a la Karl Malone.

Hope Hassmann, PG, Tahoma

This girl has game. Not only a steady outside shooter, Hassmann runs the point with poise, precision and patience -- like a 15-year WNBA vet.

Adria Lincoln, SF, Monroe

Here's another lengthy wing scorer, this time from the 4A Wesco. Pair that up with her rebounding prowess, she was a nightly double-double threat.

Navaeh Talbert, SG, Garfield

That fearless, full-of-swag shooter who came off the Bulldogs' bench? That was Talbert, who should step into a more prominent role as a starter next year.

Alyssa Smith, SF, Bethel

A fluid, versatile athlete who can play both forward spots, Smith was the ideal No. 3 option on a 3A contending team - until her serious knee injury.

Macey Huard, PG, Bear Creek

A former soccer standout, this Huard is picking up basketball at a high rate. Incredibly, she has quickly learned to score efficiently at all three levels.

Jersey Huerta, PG, Kentwood

She might only be 5-foot-2, but her game measures up nicely. With the ball in her hands, Huerta is a zig-zagging flash who can make defenders look foolish.

Kylie Sherman, C, Selah

It didn't take long for this newcomer to dominate the 2A CWAC with pure power in the post. Sherman was the MVP (19.3 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 4.2 blocks).

Jewel Young, PG, Decatur

The new era of Decatur basketball is defense first - and Young not only led that charge, she also was a prudent decision-maker on the offensive end.

Worth mentioning: Maya Barnett, PF, Emerald Ridge; McKynnlie Dalan, PG, Montesano; Atreonia Garner, SG, Spanaway Lake; Hannah Hamilton, SF, North Central; Keanna Salavea, C, Heritage; Divinity Singleton, PF, Rogers of Puyallup; Isabell Sullivan, SG, Eastside Catholic; Nikole Thomas, SG, Kamiakin; Baylee Young, PG, Gig Harbor.