CIF Southern Section: Under-the-Radar Backcourt Standouts

The CIF Southern Section is huge, with so many talents from so many schools. The star power is there, and so is the depth. Plenty get lost in the sauce. Some ironically become collegiate standouts down the road. This speaks to the volume of talent in the area, but also to the lack of coverage and notoriety for many special athletes. Quite frankly, some of the ladies below would average 30 in other leagues across the state and beyond.    The 2-way combo guard is a nightmare to cover. She pushes the ball in fast break opportunities with ability to finish using either hand. Valerie finishes strong with contact! She is capable beyond the arc when she takes her time and sets her feet. Many of Valerie's steals come from great anticipation while reading the opposition. Guards struggle to have a rhythm with her on-court presence. Very productive player with tools to be a successful full-time PG at the next level.     Moreno Valley's playoff run (Division 1 Southern Section semifinalists) was far from possible without the junior guard's contributions. Bella scored in double-figures all four sectional playoff games, with solid efficiency. In the opening round of the state playoffs, Bella had 18 points (4/6 from long-range) in a convincing win over St. Joseph. She has been a reliable shooter/scorer all season, but truly rose to the occasion in the 2025 playoffs.     Presley has been a model of consistency, but her 31 pt performance vs. Calabasas displayed her true potential. The jump shot is so pretty you expect it to go in EVERY SINGLE TIME. She squares up with good mechanics and a solid release point. Presley has a nice pump-fake, 1-dribble side step in her bag to free herself up when the defense is overplaying. The size, fundamentals, and basketball IQ make her an intriguing prospect to watch in the sophomore class.     Jessica is an up-and-coming sophomore guard out of the Burbank area. She has shown an ability to score in spurts. Despite the loss, Jessica had one heck of a game in the state playoffs to close the 2025 season: 18 (4/8 from long-range) of her team's 45 points! She was Burroughs' 2nd leading scorer and top shooter this season. More will be expected and required next year. Jessica will become a household name as she continues to develop and gain more confidence.     It should be no surprise that the career 2000-point scorer is on this list. She averaged 30 on the year, scoring less than 20 only twice! Gloria is a smooth bucket getter who operates well out of the triple threat. Very fundamentally sound and underrated as a passer. Gloria effortlessly glides to the basket in transition. Her pace is impressive as she is very hard to speed up (or slow down). Gloria moves well without the ball. A simple 1-hand contest will not cut it. She routinely makes contested jumpers. Gloria has a nose for the ball defensively and adds value across the board.     Nevaeh's smooth mechanics and quick release allow her to get her shot off with ease from long-range. One notable performance from mid-January: 27 points on 10/14 from the field! Nevaeh has the ball handling ability to create space or attack the paint. The majority of her threes are catch-and-shoot, but also off-the-dribble from time-to-time. Her shooting touch and feel for the game separate her from the rest of the pack in the loaded 2027 class.     Analiah is trending upward out of the Indio, CA area. She is a devastating scorer who can get hot in a hurry. 15 twenty point games on the year! Analiah's season-high, 35 points, came on 15/19 shooting from the field! Analiah is a flamethrower from deep, making 70 total threes on solid efficiency. Despite her stature, she is tough to contain. Elite quickness, confidence, and shot-making ability...     Lawndale High School narrowly defeated Santa Monica to end their year and postseason chances. Kim Macias was one of the bigger storylines despite defeat. She carried Santa Monica in the scoring department throughout the year. Kim is at her best creating off-the-dribble for herself and others. Lightning quick first-step and very hard to stay in front of. Kim can score in bunches at all three levels. She is a multi-dimensional impact player (shooter, scorer, playmaker, aggressive defender).

The CIF Southern Section is huge, with so many talents from so many schools. The star power is there, and so is the depth. Plenty get lost in the sauce. Some ironically become collegiate standouts down the road. This speaks to the volume of talent in the area, but also to the lack of coverage and notoriety for many special athletes. Quite frankly, some of the ladies below would average 30 in other leagues across the state and beyond.