Don't Forget About These Four Lady Saxons

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Was South Salem Snubbed in the Preseason Rankings?</h2>   <p>Why aren't the Lady Saxons in the <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/11/oregon-gbx-6a-preseason-team-rankings-part-1/">6A Top 12 preseason rankings</a>? Last season, South Salem went 2-1 against West Salem to place first in the Central Valley Conference, and defeated Grant by 20 points to advance to the second round of the state playoffs. This season, the Lady Saxons return three starters — [player_tooltip player_id='832624' first='Brook' last='Tate'], [player_tooltip player_id='842740' first='Emma' last='Burlison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1229045' first='Leah' last='Ioane'] — and add CVC Defensive Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='921583' first='Chica' last='Casas'] (a transfer from West Salem).</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRm9zkwD3YV/ </div></figure>   <p>The Lady Saxons also return senior Layla Palmer, who missed her junior season due to an ACL injury. Palmer is said to increase the team's game IQ on the hardwood. On top of that, the team adds depth with a couple of potential impact freshmen — Autumn Palmer and Ashanty Calderon — who have “bright futures” and are already contributing in meaningful ways, said head coach Adrian Lewis.</p>   <p>South Salem might get overlooked due to the lack of star power, but that didn't keep the team from winning their conference, advancing in the playoffs, and finishing with an 18-9 (7-2 CVC) record. The Lady Saxons also have three seniors — Tate, Burlison, and Casas — who are each on track to score over 1000 career points. It seems that the program's success isn't due to any one player, but instead to a culture of teamwork.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DGwzDLBJtxQ/ </div></figure>   <p><br>CVC Coach of the Year Adrian Lewis is in his 9th season at South Salem. Coach Lewis has a winning record (127-67) and a meaningful annual tradition: every year, he gives his players shooting shirts that say “FAMILY.” Each player also gives one of the shirts to a teacher whom they believe will best promote the team's motto.</p>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>Family is an acronym for <strong><em>Forget About Me, I Love You</em></strong>, and every day we try to model that.</p> </blockquote>   <p>“I am a big believer in family,” said Coach Lewis. “Like a family, we have ups and downs but when we step on the court we are there for each other. Family is an acronym for <em>Forget About Me, I Love You</em> and every day we try to model that.”</p>   <p>The Lady Saxons forget about themselves as individual players in pursuit of team wins, but did we forget about them too? Was South Salem snubbed, or is West Salem ranked too high? (Is it a little of both or something else?) These are excellent questions as we embark on the 2025-26 season. South Salem might surprise us (again!).</p>   <p>Don't forget about these four Lady Saxons:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">South Salem 5-foot-10 senior [player_tooltip player_id='832624' first='Brook' last='Tate'] can play inside and out. The forward has good handles, can knock down threes, and is strong in the post. Tate anchors the defense and is a strong rebounder. She's capable on the bounce in the open court and can finish at the rim. Tate earned Central Valley Conference First Team honors in her junior season and is on track to score over 1000 career points.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">South Salem 5-foot-9 senior [player_tooltip player_id='842740' first='Emma' last='Burlison'] scores at all levels and has an arsenal of moves to create looks around the rim. She has a strong frame and plays with a smart physicality. The forward crashes the offensive glass to earn putbacks. She works hard on both ends of the floor and sets the tone for her team with a high level of sportsmanship. Burlison was named to the Central Valley First Team as a junior and should hit over 1000 career points this season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Five-foot-3 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='921583' first='Chica' last='Casas'] joins South Salem for her senior year. The rival transfer is a two-way playmaker and excellent ball-handler with a motor. She gets her team into its offense and consistently creates for her teammates. She has a quick first step, is shifty in the lane, and can finish inside with a floater or scoop layup. She can also hit from three. Casas earned All-Conference First Team and Defensive Player of the Year honors from her performance at West Salem as a junior. She's on course to hit 1000 career points.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">South Salem 5-foot-6 junior [player_tooltip player_id='1229045' first='Leah' last='Ioane'] will make a small but mighty backcourt duo with Casas. Ioane is a strong leader, a pass-first guard, and a relentless perimeter defender. She consistently contributed to multiple stat columns last season and was a plus rebounder for her position. Ioane was named to the All-Conference Second Team in her sophomore year. Ioane is a multisport athlete who won third place at the 6A state volleyball tournament earlier this month.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DRp6JrCEpR-/?img_index=2 </div></figure>   <p></p>