LANGLEY — Welcome to the day before opening tip here at the 2020 B.C. senior girls basketball championships.
Over a season in which teams competed within a revamped geography of zones and new league alliances, we have arrived at our annual look at the top players in the province.
For a number of years, the B.C. Girls Secondary Schools Basketball Association has produced its Top 15 players of the season across all tiers for you, our loyal Varsity Letters’ audience.
This season, however, as a fourth tier has been added, the BCSSGBA has changed its format to better reflect all of it members schools, large and small, by picking the Top 5 players at each tier, regardless of their grade.
Varsity Letters is proud to once again partner with the BCSSGBA in presenting all four teams, but did not take part in the selection process. To see whom the BCSSGBA selected from this list as its 2019-20 Player of the Year, click here.
B.C. GIRLS TOP 5 PLAYERS 2020
(all selections presented in alphabetical order)
QUAD A
IZZY FORSYTH, Semiahmoo Totems (Surrey)
THE IZZY FORSYTH FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 6-foot-0
Position: Forward
Averages: 23.5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists.
Says coach Allison McNeill: “Izzy is a versatile scorer with outstanding footwork. She scores in transition, in the post, shooting the three, off the O glass and she has recently added putting it on the floor and attacking closeouts. She has a high basketball IQ and uses it to make great decisions with the ball in her hands and at the defensive end. She is passionate about getting better and loves to be in the gym working on her game. She is a high level competitor and an outstanding teammate.”
University choice: Undecided.
DEJA LEE, Semiahmoo Totems (Surrey)
THE DEJA LEE FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Point guard
Averages: 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists. 3.4 steals.
Says coach Allison McNeill: “Deja is a highly competitive athlete who loves to play defence and use her speed and skill to run the Semiahmoo fast break. She loves to get into the lane, creating for herself and for her teammates. She can shoot the three and has an excellent mid-range game. Her court vision is outstanding and she uses her skills to make everyone around her better. She is a relentless defender and a great leader for the Totems.”
University choice: Undecided.
SAMMY SHIELDS, Riverside Rapids (Port Coquitlam)
THE SAMMY SHIELDS FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: Guard
Averages: 21.5 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds
Says coach Paul Langford: “Sammy is a strong passer and a great three-point shooter who is very hard to defend. Her vision is what sets her apart from other players. Sammy can drive hard to the hoop or hit a pull back three with ease.
University choice: San Jose State (NCAA Div. 1).
TARA WALLACK, Semiahmoo Totems (Surrey)
THE TARA WALLACK FILE
Grade: 11
Height: 6-foot-1
Position: Guard
Averages: 21.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals, 2 blocks.
Says coach Allison McNeill: “Tara is an extremely versatile basketball player. She runs the floor really well, can shoot the three and attack the rim off the dribble. She can score inside and out, as well as guard most positions on the floor. She is a disruptive defender who loves the challenge of guarding great players, is a willing passer and can often be seen leading the break. Tara is a tough competitor and hard worker. She continues to get in the gym and add to her game and to her strength.
University choice: Undecided.
SOPHIA WISOTZKI, Walnut Grove Gators (Langley)
THE SOPHIA WISOTZKI FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Point guard
Averages: 20 points, 7 assists
Says coach Darren Rowell: “Sophia is a unique player who can shoot the three and defend the opponent’s best player. She has been an impact player with us since Grade 9 and has helped the team make the past two 3A B.C. Finals, earning the Most Outstanding Defensive Player each year.”
University choice: Undecided.
TRIPLE A
INDIGO LEARIE, Valleyview Vikings (Kamloops)
THE INDIGO LEARIE FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: Point guard
Averages: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 43% 3-pt, 60 total steals.
Says head coach Scott Reeves: “Indigo has a tremendous work ethic that has a positive impact in our program, and is committed to being a complete student athlete. Indigo has a very solid skill set that not only allows her to limit her turnovers but is able to enhance teammates impact in the game or practice.”
University choice: Undecided.
Valleyview Secondary
MALIA LENZ, Abbotsford Panthers
THE MALIA LENZ FILE:
Grade: 9
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Guard
Averages: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals
Says coach Elmore Abraham: “Malia is competitive, hardworking and carries a strong sense of awareness about the game. She understands that it’s not all about her scoring but a combination of hard work, practice, determination and a strong-and-focused mind. She understands the importance of team and her energy can be contagious off the court, in practices and in games.
University choice: Undecided.
MARIN LENZ, Abbotsford Panthers
THE MARIN LENZ FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: Guard
Averages: 32 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals
Says coach Elmore Abraham: “Marin displays the leadership and work ethic that every coach hopes for from their top players. She never takes a day off. Her teammates look to her for leadership on and off the court, and that has helped both our team and each individual player grow as a result. Marin’s will to win, dedication and spirit has been infectious not only to our team but to our school.”
University choice: Undecided.
LILY PINK, Okanagan Mission Huskies (Kelowna)
THE LILY PINK FILE:
Grade: 11
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Forward
Averages: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
Says coach Meghan Faust: “Lily has been with me since her Grade 9 year and has really come into her own this year as a Grade 11. She is a dominant force as a scorer but also a lock-down defender who is quick enough to take on virtually any player. She leads our transition game with her rebounding and speed, and leads by example with her efforts on defence. She has had a number of universities interested in her — UBCO, UBC and SFU — but has not committed anywhere yet.
University choice: Undecided.
JULIA TUCHSCHERER, G.W. Graham Grizzlies (Chilliwack)
THE JULIA TUCHSCHERER FILE:
Grade: 10
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Forward
Averages: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
Says coach Sarah Mourtizen: “Julia has been a member of our senior team since Grade 8, and as a Grade 10 is already one of the most dominant post players in the province. Her unselfishness on the court is unmatched, she is a very under-rated defender and passer. She leads her team in a very quiet but dominant way, setting the tone on defence and creating opportunities for her teammates.
University choice: Undecided.
DOUBLE A
SHEMAIAH ABATAYO, Britannia Bruins (Vancouver)
THE SHEMAIAH ABATAYO FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: Point guard
Averages: 22.5 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds
The skinny: A very quick guard and lights-out 3 point shooter who is very hard to defend, that quickness, along with her step-back three makes her one of the most dangerous offensive players in B.C. Defensively, she create lots of turnovers with her on-ball defence. She loves to push the ball and in tandem with teammate Surprise Munie, gives Britannia an incredibly effective transition offence.
University choice: Trinity Western (U Sports).
JESSICA CLARKE, St. Thomas Aquinas Fighting Saints (North Vancouver)
THE JESSICA CLARKE FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 6-foot-3
Position: Forward
Averages: 22 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists
The skinny: A dominant force in the post while also being a consistent mid-range and three-point shooter and excellent passer out of the block, Clarke also anchors a very hard-working defence where she has displayed both her rebounding and shot-blocking skills.
University choice: Washington State (NCAA Div. 1).
GEMMA CUTLER, St. Thomas Aquinas Fighting Saints (North Vancouver)
THE GEMMA CUTLER FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Forward
Averages: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists
The skinny: A tremendous finisher in the open court and very effective in both the high and low post, she has thrived defensively with ever-changing assignments, both shutting down outside shooters and defending in the post.
University choice: Simon Fraser (NCAA Div. 2).
MAKENNA GARDNER, Langley Christian Lightning
THE MAKENNA GARDNER FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-10
Position: Point guard
Averages: 19 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists
The skinny: A great team player who is willing to do whatever needs to be done for her team to succeed. She has a great skill set for a point guard, but her leadership, her fierce competitiveness and her ability to make those around are ultimately the traits which set her apart.
University choice: Simon Fraser (NCAA Div. 2).
SURPRISE MUNIE, Britannia Bruins (Vancouver)
THE SURPRISE MUNIE FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Guard/forward
Averages: 24.5 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
The skinny: A dynamic athlete who can beat you on the perimeter with her shot or off of her drive, and can post up and score with very reliable fadeaway shot. Defensively, she create lots of turnovers and disruptions for opposition offences and is a tremendous rebounder. She loves to push the ball and is a dominant player in transition.
University choice: Simon Fraser (NCAA Div. 2).
SINGLE A
GRACE DIETRICH, Heritage Christian Saints (Kelowna)
THE GRACE DIETRICH FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-7
Averages: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, 3 assists
Says coach Kyle MacLennan: “Grace is one of those rare players who has a relentless motor, passion to succeed, and great IQ and ability. These traits are amplified by the tremendous amount of work she puts in to getting better. It will be exciting to see her game continue to grow as she moves into post-secondary basketball.”
University choice: Okanagan College Coyotes (CCAA)
BRIANNA GRANDO, Kelowna Christian Knights
THE BRIANNA GRANDO FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: Forward
Averages: 25.6 points, 15.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Says coach Mike Campbell: “Brianna has developed into one of the top post players in the province. Her leadership in significant games has been top notch. She rises to the occasion during big games. She is excellent under the hoop and on the perimeter. There isn’t another player in 1A with the same post-strength around the basket. She can be impossible to stop in 1A basketball and despite being often double- or triple-teamed, she is still is the top scorer and rebounder in most games from either team.
University choice: Undecided.
KYLIE KAMPMAN, Unity Christian Flames (Chilliwack) Grade: 11
THE KYLIE KAMPMAN FILE:
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: Guard
Averages: 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals
Says coach Kyle Smiens: “Kylie is an exciting two-way player with a commitment to excel at both ends of the floor. She’s aggressive, strong, and athletic. Her ability to defend leads to opportunities to score which has been a big part of our success this year.”
University choice: Undecided.
JILLIAN O’DELL, Maple Ridge Christian Hornets
THE JILLIAN O’DELL FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-5
Position: Point guard
Averages: 20 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds, 5 steals
Say coach Scott O’Dell: “Jillian is a talented basketball player who plays at a high skill level, yet her basketball IQ and her work ethic, along with her team-first attitude, is what makes her exceptional.”
University choice: Undecided.
KARI STAM, Credo Christian Kodiaks (Langley)
THE KARI STAM FILE:
Grade: 12
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: Point guard
Averages: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals
Says coach Kayla VanderHorst: “Kari is that reliable, consistent player that every coach and teammate greatly appreciates. She’s not a flashy player, but she gets noticed because she works hard, plays smart and tough, and can always be counted on to get the job done.
University choice: Undecided.
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