Girls basketball preview: Orange County’s Top 10 players to watch

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Mater Dei’s #42 Jenessa Cotton, left, attempts to block the shot by Sage Hill’s Emily Eadie, right, in the Matt Denning Nike Hoops Classic at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Mater Dei won the game 62-50. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Princess Cassell, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The well-rounded Cassell is generating Division I college interest with her ability to sink 3-pointers, attack the basket and play active defense. She earned third-team All-County honors last season.

Orange Lutheran guard Princess Cassell, right, moves past Marlborough guard Lauren Munoz to score a basket in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship basketball game in Anaheim on Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Allison Clarke, Rosary, Sr., G

The Loyola Marymount commit averaged 19.5 points and 2.6 steals last season en route to first-team All-County honors. She scored at least 30 points five times during the regular season.

Jenessa Cotton, Mater Dei, Sr., F

The Duke commit combines excellent shooting touch from the perimeter with the ability score inside and rebound. The 6-foot-3 Cotton has the talent to contend for county player of the year.

Addison Deal, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The reigning O.C. player of the year is coming off a strong summer in which her offensive arsenal continued to evolve. The 6-foot Deal is the No. 1-ranked junior in California, and No. 12 in the nation, according to HoopGurlz Recruiting.

Emily Eadie, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Princeton commit is one of the county’s most complete players. She led the Lightning last season in scoring (15.2 ppg), rebounding (11.2) and assists (3.0) en route to first-team All-County honors.

Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill, So., G

The freshman burst onto the scene last season by averaging 14.4 points — on 35 percent shooting from beyond the 3-point line — and 2.6 steals. Be ready for an encore.

Orange Lutheran guard Shea Joko leaps to make a pass against Etiwanda during the second half of a CIF prep girls basketball game in the Troy Classic in Fullerton, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022. (Photo by Alex Gallardo, Contributing Photographer)

Shea Joko, Orange Lutheran, Sr., G

The reigning Division 1 player of the year proved herself last season with clutch performances in the playoffs. She’s a gifted shooter but watch for her passing and defense, too.

Kat Righeimer, Sage Hill, Sr., F

The Northwestern commit has improved each season so expect the versatile senior to build off her averages last winter of 11.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Anna Shreeve, San Juan Hills, Jr., F

The athletic junior continued her rise last season by leading the South Coast League champion in scoring (14.9), rebounds (7.6) and steals (3.0).

Amaya Williams, Mater Dei, Jr., G

The 5-foot-10 guard has made a “huge jump”, Monarchs coach Kevin Kiernan said, and holds about 15 Division I-level college offers.

Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy

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