The high school girls’ basketball regular season is officially underway. Here’s 15 players to watch that will make a major impact in the Texas Panhandle.
Jaylee Moss, Canyon, 5-11, guard, Sr.
Moss returns locked and loaded to get the tradition-rich Canyon Lady Eagles back to the UIL state tournament. Last season, Moss helped guide Canyon to the UIL Class 4A state title game behind her offensive production posting 15.3 points a game and was an astonishing 50 percent from beyond the arc. Moss was named the District 4-4A MVP and a Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Selection for her efforts.
Sadie Sanchez, Randall, 5-6, guard, Sr.
The Randall sharpshooter is back to give opposing coaches nightmares. One thing Sanchez can do is flat out score. The Press Pass Sports First-Team selection from a year ago averaged 26.9 points a game and was deadly from 3-point land averaging 5.3 a game. Sanchez is currently over 2,000 points for her stellar career.
Bella Edwards, Amarillo High, 5-10, guard, Sr.
Entering her second year at Amarillo High, Edwards and the Lady Sandies, like always, have massive expectations of playing March basketball. Edwards became a go-to weapon for AHS last year on the perimeter scoring 14.4 points per game making 43 percent of her 3-pointers attempted. Edwards finished her junior year knocking down 123 3-pointers.
Dane’ja Agu-White, West Plains, 5-5, guard, Sr.
Agu-White makes up a tremendous back court with talented guard Piper Patterson when Patterson wraps up volleyball. As a junior, Agu-White helped the Lady Wolves to the third round of the Class 4A playoffs. The quick guard with a great first step was a TABC All-Region selection scoring 17.5 points a game with three assists and three steals.
Davaeh Johnson, Tascosa, 5-9, guard, Jr.
Johnson came on the scene as a sophomore for a very talented Tascosa team that went 26-7 making a run to the UIL Class 5A regional semifinals. Johnson proved her worth by her ability to shoot the basketball and get to the bucket as the All-District selection averaged 11.7 points a night to go with 4.7 boards.
Sydnee Winfrey, Canyon, 5-11, Forward, Sr.
The multi-sport athlete is doing her part to follow in the legacy left by her older sisters. The versatile forward came into her own last year especially on the offensive side becoming the second-leading scorer for Canyon with 9.3 points a game. Winfrey, also known for her strong defense in the paint, earned All-State honors for her incredible season.
Ca’Nia Mitchell, Amarillo High, 5-6, guard, Sr.
Mitchell, a first-team All-District selection, started every game for an Amarillo High team that was 35-6 last year. Despite Mitchell flying under the radar because of the talent on the Lady Sandies a year ago, head coach Jeff Williams is extremely high on Mitchell’s ceiling and knows she is going to be a key factor after a junior year with 9.5 points a game and 4.5 rebounds a night.
Trinity Schlueter, Valley, 6-1, post, Sr.
Despite losing a loaded senior class, Valley is fortunate to return one of the top small school players in the state. With her size and ability to score around the basket, Schlueter played a huge role in leading the Lady Patriots to the UIL Class 1A state championship game last March. Schlueter returns coming off a junior campaign where she averaged 17.4 points a night with 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 steals. For her amazing year, the 6-foot-1 post was an All-State selection.
Avery Cathey, Panhandle, 5-8, guard, Sr.
Cathey has been a mainstay on head coach Rob Schmucker’s roster and a dependable player for an always talented Panhandle squad. Last season, the District MVP and All-State selection posted 12.2 points a game, shot 36.7 from 3-point range and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Landri Richey, Farwell, 5-10, guard, Sr.
Farwell has high expectations once again this season and it’s easy to see why with a player like Richey returning. The point guard and All-State selection from a year ago is the quarterback of the Lady Blue after scoring 10.1 points a contest her junior year with 3.3 rebounds, four assists, and 3.3 steals.
Kenidee Hayes, Clarendon, 5-4, Guard, Jr.
Hayes is part of a talented young group of Lady Broncos that expect to make some noise coming into the 2024-2025 season. As a sophomore, Hayes not only put her name on the map knocking down a half-court buzzer beater to stun Wellington, but she was also named as an All-Region player thanks to putting up 10.2 points a game with 4.6 steals and 3.2 rebounds.
Addison Bell, Stratford, 5-9, forward, Sr.
Behind the play of Bell, the Stratford Lady Elks were able to earn a district championship and put themselves in the conversation when it comes to Class 2A basketball. The District MVP is looking to capitalize on a year where she scored 14.6 points a game, pulling down six boards a night and averaged four assists per outing.
Brooklyn Birkenfeld, Nazareth, 5-11, post, Sr.
It wouldn’t be a proper list with a Nazareth Swiftette making an appearance. The 5-foot-11 Birkenfeld was a mismatch for most opponents scoring a team-high 18 points a game with six rebounds. Birkenfeld, the reigning District Offensive MVP and All-State selection, and the Swiftettes as always have high expectations coming into 2024-2025.
Kasidy Russell, McLean, 5-7, guard, Sr.
The Lady Tigers prolific scorer is back and ready for a huge season. McLean is considered a very dangerous team at the Class 1A level with Russell being one of the top players in the state. As a junior, the sharpshooter put up 20 points a night, dished out four assists a game and averaged three steals.
Harlie Brabham, San Jacinto Christian Academy, 5-9, forward, Sr.
The four-year varsity player for the Lady Patriots is now a senior leader and ready to make another deep playoff run for SJCA. Brabham, a two-time All-State selection as well as a District Offensive MVP, is a do-it-all player for the Lady Patriots. Over the past two years, Brabham was averaged 15.3 points a game to go with 8.2 rebounds, three assists a night and 3.2 steals.
Best of the rest
(Alphabetical order)
Jaikyle Baker, Kress, 5-10, post, Sr.
Makylee Baldwin, Farwell, 5-10, forward, Sr.
Berlin Bartlett, Pampa, 5-4, guard, Sr.
Kylie Cavalier, Canadian, 5-7, guard, Soph.
Jada Clay, Texline, 5-4, guard, Soph.
Kambrie Grasor, Canyon, 5-11, forward, Jr.
Harmony Hampton, Caprock, 5-7, guard, Jr.
Isabelle Jaime, Farwell, 5-7, guard, Sr.
Hannon Lankford, Gruver, 5-8, guard, Sr.
Joie Read, Dalhart, 5-6, forward, Soph.
Hailo Moon, McLean, 6-2, post, Jr.
Piper Patterson, West Plains, 5-8, guard, Sr.
Layla Romero, Randall, 5-9, guard, Sr.
Riley Seguria, Panahndle, 5-10, guard, Soph.
Kate Shaw, Clarendon, 6-0, post, Jr.