With the 2025-26 Oregon high school basketball season past the midway point, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the best girls players in the state.
We continue our look at the top guards in 6A. Part 2 of the list focuses on the best point guards, shooting guards and combo guards in the Three Rivers League, Central Valley Conference and Southwest Conference. (Part 1 of the list featured the standout guards from the PIL, Metro League, Pacific Conference and Mt. Hood Conference.)
We asked every 6A coach in the state to tell us about their star players through the first half of the season. These lists were compiled based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.
Think you belong on this list? Encourage your coach to respond to requests for information about the team! We will continue to add to these lists throughout the month.
All statistics are as of mid-January. Check back soon for the poll in which we’ll ask fans to vote for which of these guards is the best of the best. If you have a photo of a player you would like to share, email jhumburg@advancelocal.com.
BEST GUARDS IN 6A OREGON GIRLS BASKETBALL
Jordan Barlow, sr., South Medford
Barlow is averaging 13.8 points and 4.2 assists per game in only her second season playing point guard. Her first season at the position ended with a second-team all-Southwest Conference nod. “She is a hard worker who has done nothing but get better over her four years,” Panthers coach Tom Cole said. “She is an extremely athletic player who is as impactful on the defensive end as she is offensively. She has a tenacity and stamina to play 90 feet on both ends of the floor.” Cole added that Barlow’s athleticism and quickness are complemented by her efficiency to score and make plays. The coach will miss having her around next season. “She is a great teammate whose personality provides a welcoming presence,” Cole said. “Off the floor, Jordan has a 3.8 GPA and has balanced working a job while also attending school for nearly three years. She has an infectious smile and great sense of humor and is always keeping it fun.” Barlow and fellow South Medford guard Dyllyn Howell will play college basketball for Sacramento State.
Kiarra Belli, sr., Tigard
Belli stands out for her defense, rebounding and passing. “She controls the team with her demeanor and calmness,” Tigers coach Anna Johnson said. “She is a player I put on the best guard on the other team because we trust she will do a very intentional and intense job. She’s great at creating plays for herself and her teammates from anywhere on the floor.” Belli received honorable mention all-Three Rivers League as a junior. “She is a leader by action on this team,” Johnson said.
Love Lei Best, so., Tualatin
As a freshman point guard, Best led the Timberwolves to a state championship and was voted first team all-state. As a sophomore, she’s averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. “Love is like a coach on the floor,” Tualatin coach Wes Pappas said. “She is an extremely high-IQ point guard that is exceptional at creating scoring opportunities for others as well as creating her own shot.” Best has college offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Michigan, Oregon, Stanford and others.
Kaylee Bjorkgren, fr., Lakeridge
It’s sometimes difficult to believe Bjorkgren is a freshman. “Kaylee is a relentless competitor,” Pacers coach Jason Brown said. “She has stepped right into varsity competition with confidence.” Bjorkgren is averaging 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and three assists per game. “She has already exceeded expectations for her contributions for this season, and she will only continue to improve,” Brown said. “She has a great work ethic, is extremely coachable and a very good teammate.”
Kaylor Buse, jr., West Linn
Two high school seasons, two Three Rivers League defensive player of the year awards for the Lions point guard. It’s no surprise, according to West Linn coach Brooke Cates. “Kaylor is a great athlete and has a tremendous basketball IQ,” Cates said. “Her speed, strength and competitive spirit are traits that make Kaylor one of the top players in the state of Oregon.” Buse is averaging 13.8 points, six rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. As a sophomore, she received all-state honorable mention.
Livie Carns, jr., Oregon City
“Livie is a playmaking point guard who acts as a coach on the floor,” Pioneers coach Kevin Baumbach said. “She is a great shooter and scorer and has become an excellent perimeter defender.” Carns was an all-Three Rivers League first-team player as a sophomore. As a junior, she’s averaging 17.7 points, 3.6 steals and 3.2 assists per game.
Chica Casas, sr., South Salem
Casas was the Central Valley defensive player of the year and a first-team all-conference selection as a junior at West Salem. With the Saxons for her senior year, she’s averaging 8.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.5 steals and four deflections per game. “She is a relentless defender and quiet assassin,” South Salem coach Adrian Lewis said. “She pesters opposing teams’ guards all game. She has great hand-eye coordination.” Lewis added that Casas is receiving plenty of interest from colleges.
Emma Chan, fr., St. Mary’s Academy
Chan has made a major impact in her first season of high school basketball. “Athletic, excellent ball-handler, gritty competitor, scorer,” Blue coach Art Rojas said. The point guard is averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and three assists per game.
Charlotte Conyers, sr., Lakeridge
In the words of Lakeridge coach Jason Brown, Conyers makes the Pacers go. “She is tough, fast and very quick,” Brown said of the combo guard. “She has a great first step and is a problem attacking the rim off the dribble. She shoots the 3 well, and she gets out in transition and is tough to catch.” Conyers, who made the all-Three Rivers League second team as a junior, is averaging 22.4 points, 3.2 steals and three rebounds per game. She plans to play college basketball for Evergreen State. According to Brown, Conyers won’t stop striving for improvement — for herself and the team. “Char will continue to push us all to be our best,” Brown said. “She has stepped into that role much more as the year has progressed.”
Kendall Dawkins, so., Tualatin
Dawkins joined backcourt teammate Love Lei Best on the all-Three Rivers League first team their freshman year. “Kendall has an elite motor, is a great rebounder and can score from all three levels,” Timberwolves coach Wes Pappas said. Dawkins is averaging 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore. She has college offers from Arizona State, Miami, Utah and others.
Peyton Glass, jr., Lake Oswego
Glass is a team captain and the Lakers’ point guard. “Peyton is a long, athletic guard who can score as a spot-up shooter or driver,” Lake Oswego coach Kate Jackson said. Glass is averaging 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, three steals and three deflections per game. She received all-Three Rivers League honorable mention as a sophomore.
Brooklyn Green, fr., Sheldon
“Brooklyn is a freshman with a lot of competitive basketball experience, and it shows up in how she plays,” Irish coach Paxton Miller said. “She is unflappable despite her age and has done a phenomenal job of shouldering a heavy load for us offensively.” Green is averaging 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. “Her ability to get us organized, make the correct reads and passes, and recognize moments where we need her to get aggressive has contributed to our success this season,” Miller added. “She is a three-level scorer, leading our team in effective field goal percentage.”
Lily Griffin, so., West Salem
As a freshman, Griffin was an honorable mention all-conference selection in the Central Valley. As a sophomore, she stepped into the starting point guard position after first-team pick Chica Casas transferred to South Salem. “Lily has thrived in her role and is leading a new offense that ranks as one of the top scoring offenses in 6A,” Titans coach Justin Duke said. Griffin had 13 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a victory at No. 5 Jesuit. “She is quickly becoming one of the top guards in the region,” Duke said.
Frankie Hamill, sr., South Salem
Saxons coach Adrian Lewis calls Hamill a classic “3-and-D” type player. “She is very long (more than a 6-foot wingspan) and athletic,” Lewis said. “She gets after the guards on the top of our zone. She is shooting 38 percent from 3-point land, which leads our team.” Hamill is receiving attention from several community college programs.
Marly Hill, fr., Grants Pass
Hill is a 5-foot-5 freshman point guard averaging nine points, three rebounds and three assists per game. “Marly is an extremely passionate basketball player who spends hours watching film and getting in the gym,” Cavers coach Ethan Lackey said. “Marly’s first step is tough to stay in front of, and she continues to work on her finishing and playmaking around the basket as an undersized guard.” In conference play, Hill has increased her scoring to 14 points per game. Lackey said she’s also one of the team’s hardest-working defenders. “Marly’s passion for basketball is something many athletes her age do not have,” Lackey said.
Dyllyn Howell, sr., South Medford
Howell is one of the top scorers in the state and one of the best 3-point shooters in the Panthers’ storied history. “Her ability to stretch the floor for our team has added a critical dimension to our offense,” South Medford coach Tom Cole said. Howell is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and set a school record with nine makes in a game, part of a personal-best 34-point performance. She is averaging 18.3 points per contest. “She is a tremendous teammate who leads with a smile and yet possesses fierce determination for every competition,” Cole said. “Off the court, Dyllyn is a free spirit with a glowing smile who loves to laugh.” Howell received all-state honorable mention as a junior and will head to Sacramento State with Panthers teammate Jordan Barlow. She also loves to fish with her father, a world-renowned fly fisherman.
Leah Ioane, jr., South Salem
How does Saxons coach Adrian Lewis describe Ioane? “A great competitor and not afraid of any moment,” Lewis said. “She is very coachable and wants to win. She will do anything you ask of her.” Ioane leads the team in 3-pointers made and is averaging 5.9 points, 2.5 steals and two assists per game. She was a second-team all-Central Valley Conference pick as a sophomore.
Lucy Jones, so., Sprague
This season, Jones has a 31-point game against North Medford and a 27-point half versus South Eugene. She’s averaging 15 points, four rebounds and three assists per game. “Lucy brings outside shooting, scoring, rebounding and defense to our team,” Olympians coach Rodney Nelson said. That’s not all. “Lucy is a great teammate on and off the floor and a joy to be around,” Nelson added. “She’s always smiling and loves to cheer her teammates on.” She received all-Central Valley Conference honorable mention as a freshman.
Reese Jordan, sr., West Linn
Jordan is a four-year starter and the reigning Three Rivers League player of the year. She was voted second team all-state. “Reese has the ability to score inside and out and is a great passer,” Lions coach Brooke Cates said. Jordan is averaging 14.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. She recently committed to play for Washington State.
Zuzi Langer, sr., St. Mary’s Academy
Langer is a combo guard who received honorable mention all-Three Rivers League as a junior. She’s averaging 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and three steals per game this season. “Determined leader and relentless defender,” Blue coach Art Rojas said. Langer also plays lacrosse and soccer for St. Mary’s Academy.
Millie Lathen, so., Grants Pass
As a freshman, Lathen was voted second team all-Southwest Conference. She’s stepped up her production as a sophomore, averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists per game and shooting 60 percent from the field. She’s stepped it up even more since the start of conference play, averaging 23 points, 13 rebounds and six assists against Southwest opponents. “Millie is a natural scorer at all three levels, while also shooting the 3-ball at a high percentage,” Cavers coach Ethan Lackey said. The 6-foot lefty made 7 of 8 attempts from 3-point range en route to a program-record 37-point performance this season. She’s much more than just a scorer. “Millie is also asked to guard the opponent’s best player most nights,” Lackey said. “The two most impressive things of Millie’s game is her ability to pass in the full court, along with her competitiveness and work ethic toward basketball.”
Charlotte Lemons, fr., North Medford
As a freshman, Lemons already is known as a great shooter and the team’s best scorer. “She’s really begun to step into her role as being able to score from anywhere on the floor and create opportunities for herself through selfless play,” Black Tornado coach Tiani Tunoa said. Lemons is averaging 8.1 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal per game.
Maaya Lucas, sr., Tualatin
Lucas made the all-Three Rivers League second team as a junior. She’s averaging 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season and is connecting on 44.6 percent of her attempts from 3-point range. “Maaya has become one of the state’s best shooters,” Timberwolves coach Wes Pappas said. “She is a tremendous defender who rebounds the ball really well.” Lucas has college offers from Alaska Fairbanks and Saint Martin’s.
Sachi Schindler, sr., South Eugene
Schindler plays point guard for the Axe and keeps the team organized on the court. “She is respected and well-liked by her teammates, who look to her for leadership,” South Eugene coach Steve Eastburn said. “Outstanding student-athlete who will go on and achieve in whatever she chooses to pursue in her life.”
Carly Skogstad, sr., Sprague
A returning first-team all-conference player in the Central Valley, Skogstad is averaging 23 points, five rebounds and three assists per game, including a 28-point performance at South Salem and a 27-point night at McKay. “Carly is a captain of the team and she leads by example,” Olympians coach Rodney Nelson said. “She goes hard every day she steps on the court and competes the entire game.” As the coach points out, she also has stayed true to Sprague. “Carly is a great teammate and has been loyal to the program when other high school teams came knocking,” Nelson said. “Carly brings everything we ask of her.”
Riley Smalley, so., North Medford
Smalley is averaging 4.9 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal per game. “Competitor, quick and athletic, great at getting to the basket and beginning to develop being a threat from the perimeter,” Black Tornado coach Tiani Tunoa said. “An awesome person with a good head on her shoulders, a drive to grow and succeed. A girl you love to coach.”
Jonesy Snider, fr., North Medford
Snider and Charlotte Lemons give the Black Tornado two standout freshmen at the guard position. “Quick and athletic, great at getting to the basket and crafty,” North Medford coach Tiani Tunoa said. “Her competitive drive continues to flourish as she gains confidence and is beginning to recognize what she can do as an offensive and defensive threat.” Snider is averaging 6.4 points, three steals, two rebounds and one assist per game. She’s much more than just a basketball phenom. “She’s an awesome person, super respectful, very talented in multiple sports and has a phenomenal character,” Tunoa said. “A player every coach enjoys to coach.”
Kamryn Spendlove, fr., Grants Pass
Spendlove is the second standout freshman in the Cavers backcourt, joining Marly Hill. Grants Pass coach Ethan Lackey said Spendlove is the team’s best on-ball defender and every game is tasked with guarding the other team’s top guard. “Kamryn understands both sides of the ball very well for a freshman, always being in the right spot on defense and making the correct reads on offense,” Lackey said. “Kamryn is extremely coachable and does whatever is asked of her at all times. As she continues to work on the offensive side of her game, she will only keep getting better as a player, especially with her mindset.”
Malia Taulani, sr., South Medford
Taulani’s statistics are solid — she’s averaging 8.4 points, 2.8 assists and two steals per game — but she does so much more than what is captured in the numbers, according to Panthers coach Tom Cole. “Pound for pound, Malia is one of our toughest players, whose impact on the game is not always statistically measured,” Cole said. “While she has shown her offensive ability to lead us in scoring, as she did in a recent conference game where she finished with 18 points, it’s her unselfishness and sacrifice to step up and meet any challenge that is special.” Cole describes Taulani as a fierce competitor on the court and one of the kindest individuals he knows off it. “She gives daily to Kids Unlimited Academy public charter school as a mentor and classroom aide, where she works with some of the most vulnerable children in our community,” Cole said. “Malia is revered as a hero to hundreds of kids daily, and her leadership to motivating and encouraging the children she supports is immeasurable.” Taulani, who received all-Southwest Conference honorable mention as a junior, has signed to play college basketball for Metro State in Denver, Colorado.
Abby Taylor, sr., North Medford
“Competitor and the glue of the team,” Black Tornado coach Tiani Tunoa said. “Her defensive intensity and commitment to selling out for her teammates shows her selfless and team-first mentality.” Taylor is averaging 4.4 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal per game. “She’s consistent and you know what you’ll get from her,” Tunoa added. “She leads with grace and has done a phenomenal job stepping into a role as a leader, taking a very young team under her wing.”
Bella Valladares, sr., Lake Oswego
Lakers coach Kate Jackson calls Valladares “a glue player on offense and defense.” She is averaging nine points and three rebounds per game while serving as a team captain. “Bella is a natural leader who gives every play and every drill her full focus and effort,” Jackson said.
Reese Weygandt, sr., Oregon City
Weygandt made the all-Three Rivers League second team as a junior. She’s averaging 10 points and 3.7 steals this season but has missed time because of injury. “Prior to missing the past five games with a sprained ankle, Reese was a spark plug for the team,” Pioneers coach Kevin Baumbach said. “Her track speed shows up on the court whether she is playing full-court defense or attacking the basket.”
Ries Miadich, sr., and Bella Amens, so., Tualatin
The defending state champion and top-ranked Timberwolves are absolutely loaded at the guard position, with Miadich and Amens joining Love Lei Best, Kendall Dawkins and Maaya Lucas in the backcourt rotation. Miadich, who was voted to all-Three Rivers League second team as a junior, famously made the go-ahead 3-pointer against Clackamas that propelled Tualatin to the program’s first state title. “Ries is an excellent shooter and another great defender for the Timberwolves,” Tualatin coach Wes Pappas said.
Amens has come on strong midway through her sophomore season, averaging 11 points over her past five games. “Bella has elite quickness and is becoming one of the state’s best guards,” Pappas said. She received all-league honorable mention as a freshman.
Karly McBride and Macy Rush, sophs., Willamette
Wolverines coach Chad Carpenter has two dynamic youngsters in McBride and Rush. The former is averaging 11 points, three rebounds and two steals per game; the latter is putting up 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, four steals and three assists per contest. “Macy is an excellent athlete, excelling in three sports — softball, soccer and basketball,” Carpenter said. “Karly is a dedicated basketball player with a work ethic that ensures she will make continued strides throughout her high school career.”
For complete coverage of Oregon high school sports, including schedules, scores, recruiting news and additional player spotlights, visit OregonLive’s high school sports section throughout the season.
