Garfield Makes National Top 25 List

The Garfield Lady Bulldogs had high expectations a year ago. Garfield had their sights set on a 3a state title with 6'4 5-star prospect <strong>Dalayah Daniels</strong>, current Utah State freshman Faith Brantley, Jayla Howard who stars at National Juco Dakota College and Sammaiyah Tolliver who is a starter at Division 2 Alaska Fairbanks in her first season. Garfield ran into Mt. Spokane in the state semis, putting an end to their state title aspirations. The Bulldogs would then lose to Kamiakin in a consolation game, ultimately placing 6th in the 3a classification. Despite losing some college talent and senior leadership, Garfield returns their best player and will benefit from some key transfers at multiple positions that make up the pre-season <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/news/rgF7wWWMJUaEMaw3bWs94A/preseason-top-25-high-school-girls-basketball-rankings.htm"><span style="color: #ff0000">MaxPreps Top 25 National Ranking</span></a>. Everything starts and ends with recent California signee, Dalayah Daniels. She is 6'4, athletic and has a skill set that continues to improve over time. Her biggest impact comes on the defensive side of the ball where she can literally defend 1-5 in most matchups. Seniors <strong>Kira Wood </strong>and <strong>Sahcari Davis</strong> return at the guard positions and sophomore <strong>Tahja Henderson</strong> will also be back a year older. The biggest name transfer in all of Washington is Meghan Fiso who will boost the backcourt instantly. The Michigan signee has been a three year impact player at West Seattle, but made the move over the Garfield for her final year. 5'7 senior <strong>Kareyna Taylor</strong> will also suit up for Garfield after multiple All-League seasons at Curtis High School in Tacoma. Kentlake High School transfer <strong>Desiree Lane</strong> is a junior that will add length and depth inside at 6'0. 5'7 Seattle Prep transfer <strong>Kamia Crudup </strong>has state tournament experience from her freshman and sophomore seasons at Prep. Although Garfield will have a lot of new pieces from a year ago, the big difference between this year and last year will be the depth of talent. Garfield often played 5 or six players max, but Head Coach Marvin Hall will be able to go deeper into his bench this season. Coach Hall's squad figures to only have one or two in-state challengers in the regular season. 1/20 versus Kentridge will be a huge 3a versus 4a game against Southern Utah and USC signees <strong>Dayla</strong> <strong>Ballena</strong> and <strong>Jordyn Jenkins</strong>. The next potentially exciting game will be against a very young and talented Eastside Catholic squad on 1/31. <span style="text-decoration: underline;font-size: 14pt"><strong>National Ranking:</strong></span> Garfield will basically have to run through the state and win a 3a title to remain in any contention rankings wise. In order for the Bulldogs to improve on its number 19 ranking, they simply have to win games and perform well at the Nike Tournament of Champions December 18-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Per WIAA rules, Washington schools are only allotted so many non-league games, limiting the ability for Washington teams to play true national schedules. This makes it more difficult for a school like Garfield to maintain a high ranking, because their strength of schedule is inferior to many schools around the country that play top competition on a more regular basis. Nonetheless, Garfield has the star power, talent and ability to make some things happen. Garfield will open its season versus Chief Sealth on 12/2 at home.