Clackamas, Putnam girls basketball back for more in 2021-22
It's game time for the best in girls hoop.
After trying to get the most out of the pandemic-shortened 2021 spring season, high school girls basketball is back and ready for the return to full-length seasons, playoffs and state championships.
That is definitely the case for the varsity girls teams at Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, Oregon City, West Linn, Clackamas, Nelson, La Salle, Milwaukie, Putnam, Wilsonville and Gladstone, a group that includes returning league champions from Clackamas and Putnam.
Read more about each team's 2021-22 prospects below.
Three Rivers League
Lake Oswego
Head coach: Kaitlin Childs
2021 record: 0-12 in TRL play, 0-13 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We return a strong and experienced group of senior leaders who have helped us continue our growth as a team and a program. We're excited to combine our talented veteran players with our young contributors this season." — Kaitlin Childs
League contenders: West Linn, Lakeridge, Oregon City
Top players: Senior post Lily Carlson (6-0), senior wing Chloe Carnegie (5-9), senior post Maia Journey (5-8).
Lakeridge
Head coach: Jason Brown
2021 record: 10-2 in TRL play, 13-2 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We graduated a ton but have some great returning talent that we're excited about." — Jason Brown
League contenders: Lakeridge, Oregon City, St. Mary's, Tualatin, West Linn
Top players: Senior point guard Reese Ericson, junior wing Keelie O'Hollaren, senior wing Kemper Flood, senior post Kiersten Weiler.
Oregon City
Head coach: Tiffani Traver
2021 record: 5-7 in TRL play, 7-8 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We grew so much throughout the shortened season in 2021 and are looking forward to using that to contend for a league title." — Tiffani Traver
League contenders: Oregon City, St. Mary's, Lakeridge
Top players: Senior guard Grace Leasure (6-0), senior guard Kaydyn Guelsdorf (5-8), senior guard Anya Remsburg (5-6), senior guard Emily Billings (5-5), senior guard Maddie Norton (5-7).
West Linn
Head coach: Brooke Cates
2021 record: 10-1 in TRL play, 12-4 overall
2021-22 outlook: "With our returning players and our newcomers, we are looking to be competitive every night in the Three Rivers League." — Brooke Cates
League contenders: Lakeridge, Tualatin, St. Mary's
Top players: Senior post Audrey Kehoe (6-0), senior post Olivia McVicker (5-7), senior post Isabella McVicker (5-7), senior wing Alana Molden (5-7), senior wing Campbell Sheffield (5-10), junior Avery Jordan (5-7), freshman guard Allie Roden (5-9).
Mt. Hood Conference
Clackamas
Head coach: Korey Landolt
2021 record: 10-1 in MHC play, 11-5 overall
2021-22 outlook: "The Cavaliers are super youthful this year with seven freshmen on the varsity roster after the split between Clackamas and A.C. Nelson. Even with the majority of the team being underclassmen, the talent is there. The team is well-rounded with some size, quickness and athleticism. We look forward to competing hard this season." — Korey Landolt
League contenders: Barlow, Clackamas, Central Catholic
Top players: Junior center/guard Eliza Buerk (6-3), senior guard Liv Shackleton (5-6), senior forward/guard Ella Cave (5-10), sophomore Ella Shackleton (5-5), freshman guard/forward Jazzy Davidson (6-3).
Nelson
Head coach: John Schlaefli
2021 record: n/a (first-year program)
2021-22 outlook: "We are a brand-new high school so our girls basketball program is also brand new. We hope to be competitive in our league games and build a foundation for future success." — John Schlaefli
League contenders: Clackamas, Central Catholic, Barlow
Top players: Junior post/wing Sophia Hardy, junior post Isabel Morser, junior post Kaylie Christopher, junior guard Adrianna Sale.
Northwest Oregon Conference
La Salle
Head coach: Kelli Wedin
2021 record: 4-4 in NWOC play, 7-5 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We only return three experienced varsity players along with a young group, but they work really hard and are very coachable. I know they will compete hard every night and play for each other." — Kelli Wedin
League contenders: La Salle, Wilsonville, Putnam
Top players: Junior guard Ella Wedin (6-1), senior point guard Mia Skoro (5-9), junior guard Emma Buchanan (5-7).
Milwaukie
Head coach: Michael White
2021 record: 9-1 in NWOC play, 9-1 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We can be in the conversation this year. We beat the top dogs in our conference last year and we have the best player in the state (Cali Denson). We played one of the toughest schedules in the entire state regardless of classification. We are ready for a playoff run for sure." — Michael White
League contenders: Milwaukie, La Salle, Wilsonville
Top players: Senior guard Cali Denson, senior Brynn Manselle, sophomore Ayonna Nyong, junior wing Aubrey Miller.
Putnam
Head coach: Maxwell d'Auvergne
2021 record: 9-1 in NWOC play, 9-1 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We are very excited to have almost every player back this season after having a youthful team last year. We have an exciting group of upperclassmen and a handful of young up-and-coming contributors. Our team is hardworking, dedicated, and unselfish." — Maxwell d'Auvergne
League contenders: Wilsonville, La Salle, Putnam
Top players: Senior guard Maddie Olma, junior guard Emma McDonald, junior guard Kayla Kasubuchi, junior forward Riley Greenleaf, sophomore forward Rylee Lemen, junior forward Chloe Weaver.
Wilsonville
Head coach: Justin Duke
2021 record: 5-1 NWOC, 11-5 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We graduated some key seniors that we will miss early in the season but continue to have a lot of depth and talent throughout the program. I'm really encouraged by the approach from our team so far, and if we're able to continue those things, we will be where we want to be in March." — Justin Duke
League contenders: La Salle, Putnam, Milwaukie
Top players: Senior guard Karina Borgen (5-7), senior guard Grace Gatto (5-7), sophomore post Zoey Davis (6-2).
Tri-Valley Conference
Gladstone
Head coach: Glenn Hopkins
2021 record: 6-4 in TVC play, 7-4 overall
2021-22 outlook: "We return five of our top six from last year and have a pretty talented freshman class. If we can develop our chemistry on the court, we will be tough to beat." — Glenn Hopkins
League contenders: Gladstone, Madras, Corbett, Molalla
Top players: Junior guard Hanne Hopkins (5-8), senior wing Alyx DeVeny (5-7), junior wing Rhyli Grim (5-6), junior guard Sam Jedrykowski (5-3), junior wing Keri Thompson (5-9).
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