LANGLEY — From an organic standpoint, it’s B.C. high school girls basketball’s most unique tier. Very quickly, however, it’s beginning to gain its own identity.
With the recent switch to a four-tiered province, the former top tier — AAA — has become a melting pot of sorts, a new home with both holdover programs and those rising from the 2A ranks through re-classification.
Whatever you want to call it, it has its own share of traditional basketball schools, and with that, its own lineage of top prospects.
Here’s our look at the 15 AAA Players to Watch in 2021-22, as selected by the BCSSGBA. Varsity Letters did not play a role in the selection process.
Tomorrow: We finish out the series with Quad-A.
TRIPLE A
MAKENNA ANDERSON
MAKENNA ANDERSON
School: St. Michaels University School
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Wing
The skinny: A developing offensive talent with three-point range.
JAZMIN AVILA
JAZMIN AVILA
School: MEI (Abbotsford)
In 2021-22: Grade 12
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Forward
The skinny: Forward who excels in the paint. Strong scorer and rebounder.
LAKRESHA EDWARDS
LAKRESHA EDWARDS
School: Abbotsford
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-9
Position: Guard
The skinny: Strong, smart combo guard that can take it to the hoop or shoot the three. Great intensity, work ethic and leadership.
NATHALIE FRANCIS
NATHALIE FRANCIS
School: Argyle (North Vancouver)
In 2021-22: Grade 10
Height: 6-foot
Position: Wing
The skinny: Dynamic athlete with tremendous touch around the hoop and top tier rebounder/shot blocker.
CAITLIN KIPPAN
CAITLIN KIPPAN
School: R.A. McMath (Richmond)
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Forward
The skinny: A small forward with a great touch around the basket and out-rebounds taller players.
STELLA LAGRANGE
STELLA LAGRANGE
School: Okanagan Mission (Kelowna)
In 2021-22: Grade 12
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Forward
The skinny: Extremely versatile player. Dangerous from the outside and inside.
MALIA LENZ
MALIA LENZ
School: Abbotsford
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Guard
The skinny: Versatile guard that can finish at the hoop, shoot the mid-range jumper and knock down the three. Ultra-competitive, she plays at high intensity and displays great work ethic.
RACHEL LOUKES
RACHEL LOUKES
School: College Heights (Prince George)
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Guard
The skinny: Exceptional, competitive, committed to excellence and wants to play at the highest level possible.
JAYSE MATONOVICH
JAYSE MATONOVICH
School: Sa-Hali (Kamlooops)
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Guard
The skinny: An aggressive defensive player who has improved her offence adding a three-point shot.
MARINA RADOCAJ
MARINA RADOCAJ
School: R.A. McMath (Richmond)
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Guard
The skinny: Strong ball-handling and three-point shooting with the size to play inside.
MAKENNA REIMER
MAKENNA REIMER
School: MEI (Abbotsford)
In 2021-22: Grade 12
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Wing
The skinny: Great shooter/slasher who loves to score.
LAUREN RUST
LAUREN RUST
School: St. Michaels University School
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 6-foot
Position: Forward
The skinny: A fit and athletic forward who is also a strong rebounder and defender.
KALIE SAARI
KALIE SAARI
School: Sa-Hali (Kamlooops)
In 2021-22: Grade 11
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Guard
The skinny: A playmaker with excellent offensive skills and high basketball IQ.
JAYA SAROYA
JAYA SAROYA
School: Valleyview (Kamloops)
In 2021-22: Grade 12
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Forward
The skinny: Can contribute inside and shoot the three ball very well
TATUM WADE
TATUM WADE
School: Okanagan Mission (Kelowna)
In 2021-22: Grade 12
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: Guard
The skinny: Coachable and as athletic as they come.
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