GBX Preseason Rankings: Top 4 Teams in 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 Oregon high school girls basketball season tips off next week, and teams from all classifications across the state will participate in nonleague games on opening day, Dec. 3. Oregon's graduating Class of 2026 boasts 18 known players who have committed to play in college, including 12 at the NCAA Division 1 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PGHOregon/status/1988297575192252703?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PGHOregon/status/1988297575192252703?s=20 </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1224015' first='Morgan' last='Ainsworth'] transferred back to Alaska.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We made a preseason rankings of the top 12 teams in the 6A classification and will update the list weekly. Defending state champions Tualatin, ranked nationally at No. 19 by ESPN, are favored to win back-to-back state titles. West Linn, Benson, and South Medford are projected to be state title contenders. Last year's powerhouses — Clackamas, Jefferson, and Willamette — graduated their all-senior starting lineups and will work to rebuild this season. Incoming freshmen talent at Benson, Nelson, Sherwood, and Jesuit should boost those programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the breakdown of the top four teams in 6A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Tualatin</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 26-2 (11-1, Three Rivers League)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013738' first='Love' last='Lei Best'], [player_tooltip player_id='1014114' first='Kendall' last='Dawkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='502344' first='Alex' last='Padilla'], [player_tooltip player_id='842736' first='Ries' last='Miadich'], [player_tooltip player_id='921538' first='Maaya' last='Lucas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1208223' first='Bella' last='Amens']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tualatin stifles teams with its zone defense and makes them pay on the other end with its depth of scoring options. The defending state champions are returning four starters, including 2028 No. 1-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='1013738' first='Love' last='Lei Best'], the point guard who led all scorers with 26 points in a double-digit fourth-quarter comeback win to stun Jazzy Davidson and Clackamas in the state final last March. Best earned All-State and All-League First Team honors as a freshman. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='842736' first='Ries' last='Miadich'] had a stellar shooting night in the state final, scoring 18 on 64% from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Sophomore forward/guard [player_tooltip player_id='1014114' first='Kendall' last='Dawkins'] is a key young player who willed Tualatin in a brute force victory over Benson to win the Platinum bracket at the PIL Holiday Classic last December. The Timberwolves graduated their starting center, Jordyn Smith, who now plays at Cal Poly Humboldt. Senior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='502344' first='Alex' last='Padilla'], committed to Portland State, will look to step up as the leader inside. Returning sophomore and last season's spark off the bench [player_tooltip player_id='1208223' first='Bella' last='Amens'] gives Tualatin speed and depth at the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. West Linn</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 22-8 (11-1 Three Rivers League)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832080' first='Kaylor' last='Buse'], [player_tooltip player_id='832621' first='Reese' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1015780' first='Brie' last='Balensifer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1002464' first='Ayla' last='Arnold'], [player_tooltip player_id='921399' first='Sophie' last='Maxwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='837898' first='Kyla' last='Buse'], [player_tooltip player_id='1232847' first='Kinley' last='Buse']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Linn is a deep and resilient team returning its full roster, including the same starting lineup that defeated Tualatin in March to share the Three Rivers League title last season. The Lions went on to upset Benson Tech in a round two playoff thriller, securing a spot in the state tournament, where they nearly also stunned the senior-studded PIL champions Jefferson in the quarterfinals. West Linn fought on to win the consolation bracket, defeating higher-seeded McMinnville and Southridge, and earning fourth place overall. The Lions are led by 2025 Three Rivers League Defensive Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='832080' first='Kaylor' last='Buse'], who had a stellar state tournament (averaging 20.3 points, shooting 52% from the field, and 9 rebounds per game), and [player_tooltip player_id='832621' first='Reese' last='Jordan'], the 2025 All-League Player of the Year, who committed to Washington State this fall. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='1002464' first='Ayla' last='Arnold'], who signed D2, is a glue player and hustler who makes big plays. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1015780' first='Brie' last='Balensifer'] was a standout this summer, but is coming off an injury that kept her out during the fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='921399' first='Sophie' last='Maxwell'] is an athletic guard who runs the court and plays tough defense. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='837898' first='Kyla' last='Buse'] is a competitor who gave West Linn depth last year and continued to develop her game in the offseason. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1232847' first='Kinley' last='Buse'] is an effective defender inside and has shown the potential to emerge as a top player in the class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Benson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 Record: </strong>21-5 (14-2, PIL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013457' first='Jayla' last='Lackey'], [player_tooltip player_id='832599' first='Samara' last='Massey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1143337' first='Kelyn' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1125424' first='Kyoko' last='Beasley'], [player_tooltip player_id='925978' first='Londyn' last='Dyton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1013041' first='Kemara' last='Phillips']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Transfer: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359532' first='Nhi' last='Do']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson returns all of its starters and adds transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1359532' first='Nhi' last='Do'], as well as two promising freshmen, [player_tooltip player_id='1264979' first='Sa'reiylle' last='Carstens-Cornwell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1321452' first='Lailah' last='Kiros-Van'], to its roster, providing an even deeper and more experienced bench this season. The Astros defeated South Medford in a 2024 state title rematch at the PIL Holiday Classic semifinal last year. But down to the wire, late in the season, when it mattered most, the young team lost in a single-elimination playoff upset at home against West Linn. With a growth mindset, Benson's talent has the potential to contend for the state title this season. Six-foot-3 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1013457' first='Jayla' last='Lackey'] is an exciting two-way power forward with multiple D1 offers. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='832599' first='Samara' last='Massey'] brings strength and experience inside and led the Astros in scoring last season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1143337' first='Kelyn' last='Johnson'] stretches the floor with her consistent three-point shooting. Sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1125424' first='Kyoko' last='Beasley'] is an excellent ball handler and playmaker who can hit from deep. [player_tooltip player_id='925978' first='Londyn' last='Dyton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1013041' first='Kemara' last='Phillips'] add talent and depth on the perimeter, while Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1233893' first='Jaiden' last='Young'] adds depth inside. Benson is favored to win the PIL title after reigning league champion Jefferson graduated its all-senior lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. South Medford</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024-25 Record:</strong> 22-6 (10-2, Southwest Conference)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'], [player_tooltip player_id='991248' first='Dyllyn' last='Howell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1142997' first='Jordan' last='Barlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='1223937' first='Malia' last='Taulani'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158199' first='Payton' last='Andersen']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a legendary coach, a punishing press, and three seniors signed to Division 1 colleges, South Medford will be a contender for the state title this year. Six-foot-2 senior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='828956' first='Mayen' last='Akpan'], signed with San Diego State, is a record-breaking offensive rebounder and double-double machine. Six-foot senior forward/guard [player_tooltip player_id='991248' first='Dyllyn' last='Howell'] can stretch the floor with her three-point shooting and is a force on the drive. Five-foot-10 senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1142997' first='Jordan' last='Barlow'] can run the point and is an excellent perimeter defender who consistently makes plays in transition. Howell and Barlow are both signed with Sacramento State. South Medford graduated two starters, guards Sara Schmerbach and Maddy Warberg, who both now play at Santa Clara. The Lady Panthers were short Schmerbach, their floor general, in their state quarterfinal loss to Tualatin in March. They will look to Barlow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1223937' first='Malia' last='Taulani'], who signed D2, to take over at the point. Look out for junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1158199' first='Payton' last='Andersen'], who received a D1 offer over the summer. South Medford are favored to win back the Southwestern Conference title after being dethroned by Willamette's seniors last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>UP NEXT</strong>: <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/11/oregon-gbx-6a-preseason-team-rankings-part-2/">Top 5-8 Teams in 6A</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->