8 Standout Seniors Getting It Done in the CIF State Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior leadership is invaluable come playoff time. The experience and confidence of a senior does wonders for the rest of the team, particularly in big games. The ladies below have stepped up to the plate and are now in prime position to make a run at the state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":" Valerie Esteban","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Godinez Fundamental","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67d5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Valerie</strong> has delivered time and time again throughout the 2026 playoffs. She scored 19 of her team's 46 points to lead Godinez Fundamental to a narrow 3pt victory over Oakwood. How does she get it done? <strong>Valerie</strong> is special in the open floor. She has a deadly euro step and finishes well in traffic. She has the size and athleticism to be a disruptor on the perimeter defensively. <strong>Valerie</strong> has taken her game to new heights in the 2nd half of the season. The win column and individual stats back this up. She is having one of the most memorable runs in playoff history for Godinez Fundamental.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["892447"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a68000"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Lauren's</strong> breathtaking performances and record-breaking milestones will be missed next year in CA high school basketball. Notorious sharpshooter, prolific scorer, and so much more. The overall impact has translated to wins! <strong>Lauren</strong> is one of the top guard rebounders in the state. Multiple games with 20+ rebounds this year! Her playmaking ability is extremely underrated. She understands how to drive-and-dish or kick it out to open shooters. <strong>Lauren</strong> had a game earlier this year with 5 blocks! She has the size, all-around game, and shot-making ability to be a Day 1 starter at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["931507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace5f93ff95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Elliott</strong> has been the catalyst for 28-5 John Adams Academy. She provides indispensable value as the go-to scorer (19ppg) and playmaker (6apg). <strong>Elliott </strong>also leads the team in steals and rebounds. The 2,000 point career scorer is a tenacious on-ball defender. She can create her own shot. She can catch-and-shoot. She has the size and ball handling ability to get into the paint whenever she chooses. <strong>Elliott</strong> shows good burst with the ball in her hands. She makes the right reads and understands how to get everyone involved. Elite 3-level scorer who can take the game over at any given moment. <strong>Elliott</strong> checks all the boxes, no doubt about it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["574390"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67dca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Savana</strong> is a silky-smooth wing, arguably the most underrated wing in the senior class. Her all-around game translates to the next level. 5 blocks vs. Piedmont in a narrow 2pt victory Thursday to help lead Central East to the regional semifinals. She can spot up and shoot with the best of them. Efficient scorer who uses the triple threat to her advantage. <strong>Savana</strong> can get hot in a hurry from long-range. Her ability to defend multiple positions stands out. 4 games with 7+ steals. She uses her long arms to generate several deflections throughout the course of a game. <strong>Savana</strong> is a consistent scorer and a willing passer. 1 notable performance earlier this year: 30 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lita Fakapelea","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Menlo-Atherton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67e52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Lita </strong>scored 17 points in a win against St. Bernard's to lead her team to the regional finals. She is one of the most versatile prospects in the senior class. <strong>Lita </strong>plays a lot of center for Menlo-Atherton, but she can also play exclusively on the wing. Position-less prospect who is capable of thriving in multiple roles. <strong>Lita</strong> has solid length to go along with legit guard skills. She has good ball control and can take it coast-to-coast. The stroke looks pure, very pure. She can be a flamethrower from long-range when she gets into a rhythm. Crashes the glass, high-IQ player, scores the ball in a variety of ways. <strong>Lita </strong>impacts winning like no other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1276988"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67f05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The production and potential is astounding on the defensive end. Her athleticism and feel for the game make her one of the top 2-way forwards in the state. <strong>Sanai</strong> is a remarkable finisher around the basket. Very few can matchup with her considering her combination of length, speed, and explosiveness. She is a nightmare in transition. Displays quick-twitch instincts that are rare for her size. <strong>Sanai </strong>has the ability to guard nearly 1-5. When she gets going downhill offensively, she provides a scoring punch that can be game-changing. <strong>Sanai </strong>had a game earlier this year with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 9 steals, and 2 blocks! One of the most slept-on prospects in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chloe Preuss","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Woodcreek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67f80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Chloe</strong> has been the perfect model of consistency for a 25-7 Woodcreek team who is on the verge of making a Division II state title run. She has scored in double figures in her last 11 games, including a 26 point outburst last round against Vanden. Woodcreek needed every bucket in the narrow 6pt win. <strong>Chloe</strong> has a quick trigger and a beautiful follow-through on her jump shot. Multi-sport standout with the all-around athleticism to make things happen on both ends. <strong>Chloe </strong>is a reliable scorer and rebounder. She is also a clever sneaky shot blocker at the guard position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["644218"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ace11a67fc3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Rylee </strong>has put her team on her back in pivotal moments throughout the season. As Marina High School's all-time leading scorer, she has continued her stellar play in the Division IV state playoffs. <strong>Rylee</strong> is an elite finisher in the lane. Fearless lefty guard who competes on both ends. She backs down from no one. Her confidence has been the difference maker in big games this season. 24 games with 20+ points this year. <strong>Rylee</strong> applies relentless pressure on the opposing defense all-game-long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->