URGENT UPDATE: The landscape of girls’ high school basketball is rapidly evolving as top teams ramp up their rosters with a wave of high-profile transfers. This season, the influx of talent is drawing comparisons to the boys’ game, signaling a dramatic shift in competitive dynamics.
New reports confirm that elite teams such as Etiwanda, Ontario Christian, and Sierra Canyon have made significant additions to their lineups just as the Southern Section tightens enforcement of transfer regulations. The outcome? A season poised to be one of the most competitive since 2016, as schools scramble to adapt.
Notably, Etiwanda has bolstered its roster with standout players like 6-foot-3 Tess Oldenburg from Chino Hills and 6-foot-1 Jaylee Moore from Northern California’s Carruthers. They join returning stars such as Arynn Finley and Aliyah Phillips. Coach Stan Delus, whose team has clinched three consecutive Open Division state championships, states, “This is probably going to be one of the toughest, deepest Division 1s.”
Meanwhile, Ontario Christian retains the state’s top prospect, junior point guard Kaleena Smith, who is actively visiting USC and UCLA. The team also welcomes transfers like Layia King from Inglewood St. Mary’s and Skylar Archer from Shadow Hills.
The urgency is palpable. Coaches at a recent Mission League media day noted the increasing competitiveness of Southern California basketball. Sierra Canyon’s coach Alicia Komaki remarked, “This is as good as a team we’ve had and we’re not guaranteed of anything.” The team boasts returning talent, including Jerzy Robinson, who is drawing attention from major universities such as Connecticut and Louisiana State.
The transfer wave is not limited to established schools. Oak Park, under the guidance of former WNBA player April Schilling, has also made headlines. The team lost its point guard but has gained players through the transfer portal, including Delaney White, an All-Southern Section point guard whose paperwork is still awaiting approval.
In a remarkable shift, Corona Centennial has seen an influx of transfers, including Sydney Douglas, a 6-foot-6 sophomore from Ontario Christian. Officials report that they are spending weeks reviewing the paperwork due to the high volume of new athletes.
The competition is heating up across the board as Fairmont Prep adds five freshmen to support All-Southern Section player Adyra Rajan. Redondo Union has secured freshman Rudy Hopkins from Finland, while Oak Park adds Maya Urteaga, who averaged an impressive 26 points last season.
The stakes are high as California’s winningest coach, Kevin Kiernan, returns to lead Troy. A tournament next month is anticipated to feature a championship showdown between Sierra Canyon and Ontario Christian, further intensifying the excitement.
As the season unfolds, the impact of these transfers will be closely monitored. The girls’ basketball scene is transforming, with new rivalries and heightened expectations. Fans and players alike are gearing up for what promises to be an extraordinary season, and the question remains: who will rise to the top?
Stay tuned as we continue to track these developments in girls’ high school basketball.