URGENT UPDATE: A seismic shift is underway in girls’ high school basketball as top teams are seeing an unprecedented influx of transfers, mirroring trends previously observed in college sports. This season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, with powerhouse schools such as Etiwanda, Ontario Christian, and Sierra Canyon bolstering their rosters with elite players.
New reports confirm that the Southern Section is enhancing enforcement of transfer rules, leaving fans and coaches alike eager to see who will take the court. With an extraordinary number of transfers, the landscape of high school basketball is changing rapidly.
At Etiwanda, coach Stan Delus anticipates the toughest Division 1 competition seen since 2016. The team has added crucial talent, including 6-foot-3 forward Tess Oldenburg from Chino Hills and 6-foot-1 Jaylee Moore from Carruthers. The Eagles aim to defend their title after winning three consecutive state championships, with a roster featuring returnees Arynn Finley, Aliyah Phillips, and Chasity Rice.
Meanwhile, Ontario Christian retains its star, junior point guard Kaleena Smith, ranked as the No. 1 player in California, while welcoming transfers Layia King and Skylar Archer. The team is poised for a strong season as Smith explores offers from USC and UCLA.
In another exciting development, Sierra Canyon coach Alicia Komaki acknowledges the rising talent in Southern California. The team features Jerzy Robinson, a sought-after recruit by Connecticut, LSU, and South Carolina, alongside Emilia Krstevski, a 6-foot-5 center committed to Oregon.
Also making headlines is Oak Park, which has welcomed Delaney White, an All-Southern Section point guard. Despite transfer paperwork delays, her addition could change the team’s dynamics significantly. The hiring of former WNBA player April Schilling, the spouse of Pepperdine men’s coach Ed Schilling, has also sparked interest in the program.
The Corona Centennial Huskies are not to be overlooked, having attracted Sydney Douglas, a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Ontario Christian, along with former guard Jelise Max. With officials spending weeks reviewing transfer paperwork, the excitement continues to build around the potential reshaping of this competitive landscape.
As the season approaches, teams such as Fairmont Prep and Redondo Union are also making their mark, with Fairmont adding five freshmen to support star player Adyra Rajan and Redondo Union securing Rudy Hopkins from Finland.
The stage is set for a thrilling tournament in November, hosted by Troy, where fans may witness a championship showdown between Sierra Canyon and Ontario Christian. The competition is fierce, with standout players like Amalia Holguin from Sage Hill committed to Texas and Kaeli Wynn of Mater Dei heading to South Carolina.
With the rise of talent and increased transfers, the upcoming season promises to be a game-changer for high school girls’ basketball. Stay tuned as more updates unfold in this rapidly evolving story.
