The high school basketball season is underway on both sides of the river.
There are plenty of talented girls players and teams in the area. Once again, Incarnate Word Academy will be the team to watch as the Red Knights look to bring home another state championship. Other top teams to watch include two-time state champion Lift for Life, Cardinal Ritter, Principia, Lutheran St. Charles, Troy, MICDS, Belleville West, Ursuline, Fort Zumwalt West, Cor Jesu and University City.
As we begin an exciting season, here is a look at some of the top girls’ players to watch.
Denaya Bartleheim (Belleville East): A 5’10” sophomore forward who is currently averaging 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals a game for the 5-0 Lancers.
Kayden Day (STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley): A talented 5’10” senior guard who is currently averaging 18 points and eight rebounds to start the season.
Moriyah Douglas (John Burroughs): A 6’4” senior forward who returns after averaging 18 points and nine rebounds a game as a junior. She can excel in the low post or operate on the perimeter. She has signed with Texas Tech.
Camirah Foster (Hazelwood Central): A dynamic 5’6” senior point guard who begins her fourth season for the Hawks. She is currently averaging 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and seven steals a game.
Kyrii Franklin (Lutheran St. Charles): A 5’6” senior point guard who is a four-year standout for the Cougars. She is currently averaging 10 points, six assists and nearly five steals a game.
Hailey Gray (Belleville East): A 5’8” sophomore guard who is one of the top young players in the Metro East area. She is currently averaging 16 points and six steals a game for the 5-0 Lancers.
Jael Green (University City): A 5’5” senior who begins her fourth season as the Lions’ starting point guard. She is currently averaging nine points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals a game.
Zha Harris (Lift for Life): A 5’7” senior point guard who returns after helping lead the Hawks to back to back state championships. She averaged 13 points a game as a junior while also leading the team in steals at nearly six per game.
Jamiah Herring-Green (Hazelwood West): A 5’10” sophomore guard who is one of the top young offensive players in the area. She averaged 24 points a game as a freshman to lead the Wildcats to a 19-victory season.
Jordyn Haywood (MICDS): A 6’1” sophomore guard who is ranked among the top players in this country in her class. She led the Rams to a fourth-place finish in the Class 4 state tournament last season. She is currently averaging 26 points a game to start the season.
Trinity Jackson (Cardinal Ritter): A 5’7” sophomore guard who is currently averaging 14 points, three assists and three steals a game.
Nevaeh Lucious (Incarnate Word): A 6’4” senior forward who is the anchor inside for the Red Knights, who are the defending Class 6 state champions. She has signed with Missouri State University.
Cara Manuel (Lift for Life): A 5’7” junior guard who has been a key player for the Hawks’ back to back state championship teams. She is currently averaging 14 points a game to start the season.
Taylor McCarty (Fort Zumwalt South): A 5’10” junior forward who returns after leading the Bulldogs to a third-place finish in the Class 5 state tournament last season.
Nyla Scales (Cardinal Ritter): A 5’7” junior guard who is one of the most talented offensive players in the area. She is currently averaging 23 points a game to start the season.
Dasia Scott (Principia): A 6’2” junior forward who returns as a two-time All-State selection. She is currently averaging 20 points a game. She has received multiple scholarship offers from Division I schools.
Evelyn Shane (Ursuline): A 6’0” senior forward who is entering her fourth year as a starting forward. She is currently averaging 19 points a game this season. She has signed with Saint Louis University.
Veronica Simmons (Francis Howell): A 5’7” sophomore guard who averaged 10 points a game last season in helping lead the Vikings to a conference championship.
Camyra Stovall (Parkway North): A 5’10” senior guard who is off to a great start this season as she averages 18 points a game.
Kennedy Stowers (Lutheran St. Charles): A 6’2” senior forward who is a four-year standout for the Cougars. She is currently averaging 16 points a game while also leading the team in rebounding. She has signed with Illinois State.
Anna Wangia (Lutheran South): A 6’2” senior forward who is one of the top shot blockers in the St. Louis area. She also averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds a game as a junior.