Stars in the Opening Games of League Play
In this article:
Izzy Simmons WA #12 PG #4 HEIGHT 5'9" POS PG CLASS 2025 View Profile Izzy Simmons State: Washington School: Hermiston The start to conference play was simply magical for Izzy Simmons and Hermiston High School, which competes in Washington’s Mid-Columbia…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe start to conference play was simply magical for Izzy Simmons and Hermiston High School, which competes in Washington’s Mid-Columbia Conference due to location. In the win over Hanford, Simmons scored an incredible 40 points, breaking the previous single-game scoring record at Hermiston of 38 points set by her own mother 26 years ago. Following that up, Simmons put up 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals against a very good Chiawana team, while simultaneously passing the 1,000 point scoring mark for her career. The talented junior point guard has had an incredible career overall, and it will be a treat to watch her as she continues this dazzling play through the rest of the conference season.
Highlights
Evie Littrell Evie Littrell 5'4" | SG Lincoln | 2025 State OR
Evie Littrell Evie Littrell 5'4" | SG Lincoln | 2025 State OR
Speaking of hot starts in league play, the sharpshooting Evie Littrell Evie Littrell 5’4″ | SG Lincoln | 2025 State OR has been electric over the past few weeks. She had 21 points on seven made 3-pointers to go along with 2 rebounds, an assist, and a steal against McDaniel; 18 points including five made 3’s with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals over Franklin; and in their most recent game, Littrell had an amazing 32-point performance, throwing in 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals as well. Lincoln will need Littrell to keep up this high level of play as they head into their most difficult stretch of PIL play with games against Jefferson, Cleveland, and Benson, so she will be one to keep an eye on as the season wears on.
Ella Holwege Ella Holwege 5'7" | PG Corbett | 2024 State OR
Ella Holwege Ella Holwege 5'7" | PG Corbett | 2024 State OR
The veteran point guard has been producing for the Cardinals in all aspects all season long, and the start to league play in the Coastal Range League has been no different. In two notable outings, Ella Holwege Ella Holwege 5’7″ | PG Corbett | 2024 State OR had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the win at Warrenton and 20 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block in the home win over Rainier. These are typical kinds of night for Holwege with high outputs in every statistical category. She is a high IQ kind of player who is excellent at running the offense and pushing the tempo for Corbett, and she is also a scrappy, hardworking defender who creates opportunities at the other end for her team.
Nyla Cabine Nyla Cabine 5’7″ | SG Westside Christian | 2024 State OR is another player who has been playing at a special level all year-long, and her elite play has helped Westside Christian to a 4-0 start in league, making them a serious contender to win the Lewis & Clark League. In their first three games of league play, Cabine has been consistently impressive with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists against OES; a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with 2 assists and 2 blocks versus De La Salle; and 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 steals in their massive win over Catlin Gabel. She is frequently the leading scorer and/or rebounder for the Eagles in each of their games. Weather permitting, I am looking forward to watching Cabine and Westside Christian in their home game on Tuesday, 1/16.
Highlights
Tayla Borntrager Tayla Borntrager PG Canby | 2025 State OR
Tayla Borntrager Tayla Borntrager PG Canby | 2025 State OR
Tayla Borntrager Tayla Borntrager PG Canby | 2025 State OR has helped her Canby team to a perfect 3-0 start in Northwest Oregon Conference play as she has strung together some excellent performances. In the league opener against Hood River Valley, Borntrager led the way with 20 points, and she followed that up with 16 points — including three 3-pointers — 5 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in the win over Hillsboro. The junior point guard has been the leading scorer in the majority of the Cougars’ games this season, and she has helped turn them into one of the teams to beat in the conference. Borntrager and Canby head into two major conference tests with La Salle and Putnam in the coming week.
Isabel McCauley Isabel McCauley 5'8" | SG Cascade Christian | 2025 State OR
Isabel McCauley Isabel McCauley 5'8" | SG Cascade Christian | 2025 State OR
Junior shooting guard Isabel McCauley Isabel McCauley 5’8″ | SG Cascade Christian | 2025 State OR has been one of the top performers in 3A all year, and she has continued to impress in their first few Far West League games, all of which have been wins. In the opening three league games, McCauley had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 8 steals, and 1 assist versus Brookings Harbor; 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals against North Valley; and 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist over Lakeview, making four 3-pointers in two of those games. The sharpshooter has a beautiful shot and a quick release that makes her a constant threat, even in transition where she has been fearless in letting it fly. McCauley and the Challengers have been sleepers in 3A with their current ranking of #17 in the state, but they are looking like a serious threat with McCauley playing at such a high level.