Arizona High School Girls Basketball: Stock Rising Sophomores
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INTRODUCTION: There are many outstanding sophomores throughout the state. Here’s a look at five in the class of 2025 whose stock has risen quickly! Olivia Owens Olivia Owens 5'10" | PG Phoenix Country Day | 2025 State AZ – is…
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Continue ReadingINTRODUCTION: There are many outstanding sophomores throughout the state. Here’s a look at five in the class of 2025 whose stock has risen quickly!
Olivia Owens Olivia Owens 5'10" | PG Phoenix Country Day | 2025 State AZ – is a 5-10 sophomore point guard who plays for Phoenix Country Day High School. She came on strong late in the season and was named Conference 2A Player of the Year. PCD won the 2A State Championship, beating Pima, 54-43 in the title game. Olivia had 17 points for the Lady Eagles in the championship. For the season, she averaged 13.7 points per game along with 8.2 rebounds and 4.2 steals. She already has a scholarship offer from the University of California-Santa Barbara. A scout commented on her game: “She is one of the up-and-coming guards on the West Coast. She can score at all three levels and has a very high basketball IQ for her age.” As a freshman, she averaged 7.8 points and was selected to the All-Division team.
EVALUATION: Olivia is still in her sophomore season and already has a scholarship offer. She possesses an outstanding offensive game and has developed her game by competing in tournaments around the country with her club team, Arizona Elite, during the spring and summer months. She is at her best when her coaches and teammates need her the most.
ALEXIS SIMPSON – is a 5-11 small forward who plays for both Saguaro High School and her club team, AZA Pride. She is a transfer from Ranchview High School in Irving, TX. She also plays on the Saguaro girls softball team. As a sophomore, she averaged 20.4 points per game, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.1 steals. She averaged 10.1 points per game in her freshman year. In her two years with the Sabercats, Alex was selected as the Player of the Game by Max Preps a total of eight different times. She also plays an extensive off-season schedule with the AZA Pride.
EVALUATION: Alex has improved her offensive production each season since transferring to Saguaro High School from Rachview High School in Irving, TX. As a freshman at Saguaro, she averaged 10.1 points per game and more than doubled that average as a sophomore (20.4 points per game). She is considered to be a clutch performer and should have successful junior and senior seasons.
Dianalynn Howell Dianalynn Howell 5'10" | PF Dream City Christian | 2025 State AZ – is a 5-9 power forward at Fairfax High School. She also plays for her club team, SW Premier. Last season, as a sophomore, she averaged 10.8 points per game and 9.5 rebounds a game. She recently had double-doubles in games against Apollo High School, Sunrise Mountain, and Nogales. She also had nine steals in a game against North Canyon High School. During her freshman year, Dianalynn averaged 11 ppg and 9.2 rebounds. On two different occasions, she was selected as Player of the Game by Max Preps (12/9/21 and 1/31/22).
EVALUATION: Dianalynn is the definition of a consistent player, both offensively and defensively. In her freshman year, she averaged 11 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest. As a sophomore, she averaged 10.8 and 9.5, respectively. She also had a number of double-doubles in the 2022-23 season and had nine steals in another game. Fairfax has a deep team and should make a strong run in the 2024 state playoffs.
Navae Guidry Navae Guidry 5'11" | SF Mesquite | 2025 State AZ – is a 5-11 sophomore who plays at Mesquite High School. Her team lost to Pueblo, 52-48 in last February’s state tournament. She averaged 12.7 points a game and 7.6 rebounds in the 2022-23 season. Overall, Mesquite finished with a 24-7 record and 9-1 in their region, Conference 4A. During her freshman year, Navae averaged 6.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. As selected by Max Preps, she won two Player of the Game awards, one in January, 2022 and one in November, 2022. For the week of January 2-8, she was nominated for Arizona Girls Basketball Player of the Week by WaFd Bank. Playing against Saguaro High School that week, she scored 17 points, to go along with 15 rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
EVALUATION: Navae came into her own and took charge of the Mesquite Wildcats basketball team as a sophomore. She has improved her offensive game as well as her rebounding skills. She has already won two different Player of the Game awards (in 20220) and was nominated also for a Player of the Week award. Navae has also notched up her defensive game, usually guarding her opponent’s top scorer. She should have two more outstanding seasons as a junior and senior.
Kylie Rarrick Kylie Rarrick 5'7" | CG Sunnyslope | 2025 State AZ – is a 5-6 sophomore guard who plays for Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix. This past season, she averaged 7.4 points a game along with 2.2 rebounds. As a freshman, she played in 24 varsity games, averaging 2.6 ppg. In one game as a sophomore, she had 15 points in a win over Maricopa High School and, in another contest, vs. Desert Ridge, she did not have a turnover. Playing in the very competitive 6A Southwest Conference, Kylie’s beginning to let the game come to her and it shows in her overall confidence.
EVALUATION: As she enters her junior year later this summer, Kylie should come into her own and take charge of the Sunnyslope girls team. She has a motor running at 100% with a great work ethic. She also gives maximum effort at both ends of the floor. She is beginning to develop leadership skills at both ends of the court. Kylie is also becoming a better defender. Sunnyslope continues to have a deep team and should make a strong run in next season’s AIA tournament.