SBLive's 2021-22 Sophomore All-State Girls Basketball Teams: First and Second Teams

Kennedy Smith is our Sophomore of the Year for leading Etiwanda to a Southern Section Open Division championship.

California high school girls basketball is stacked in the Class of 2024, and this past season saw sophomores star on many of the best teams in the state. Now it's time to unveil the first half of SBLive's 2021-22 Sophomore All-State awards – the First and Second Teams.

For all of our end-of-season girls basketball awards, the main criteria are individual statistics and team success relative to strength of schedule. Any other intangible contributions that substantially affected players' overall impacts on winning were considered. Looking at both regular season and playoff success were major parts of the decision process, and we also took in the opinions of coaches all across the area.

Additionally, keep your eyes peeled in the coming days for the second part of our Sophomore All-State awards – Third Team, Honorable Mentions, and the statewide 2024 watchlist.

SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR:

F Kennedy Smith – Etiwanda

Original photo by Nick Koza

For the second straight season, Smith was the clear choice for our 2024 Player of the Year award despite some immense competition. She helped lead Etiwanda (29-1) to its first ever Southern Section Open Division title on team-highs of 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and two blocks per game, and averaged three APG and two SPG as well. Smith was the only sophomore to make SBLive's First Team All-State this season.

FIRST TEAM:

G Izela Arenas – Sierra Canyon

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Arenas averaged 12.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for the Open Division State Champion and third-ranked team in the country.

G Athena Tomlinson – Clovis West

Photo by Jim Malone

The 4-star PG averaged 14.9 points, 2.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game to help lead the 28-4 Golden Eagles to a CIFCS Open Division title. Tomlinson was also named to SBLive's Second Team All-NorCal and First Team All-Central Section.

G/F Destiny Agubata – Etiwanda

Photo by Nick Koza

Agubata was second on the Eagles with 16.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and averaged 2.7 SPG as well. She's also a member of SBLive's Second Team All-State and First Team All-SoCal.

G/F Morgan Cheli – Archbishop Mitty

Cheli led the CIFCCS champion, State Open Division finalist, and top team in NorCal with 14.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. She's also on our First Team All-NorCal and Second Team All-State.

G/F Taj Roberts – La Jolla Country Day

Photo by Justin Fine

Roberts helped lead the Torreys (25-3) to a San Diego Section championship, Open Division State quarterfinals appearance, and top-10 ranking in the country. The 4-star SG averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a team-high two steals a game, and made SBLive's Third Team All-SoCal and First Team All-CIFSDS.

G/F Emily Eadie – Sage Hill

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Eadie was the leading scorer and rebounder for the CIFSS 2-AA finalist and Division II State champion with 14 points and 11 boards per game.

F Jordan Lee – St. Mary's (Stockton)

The 4-star G/F averaged team-highs of 18.1 points, seven rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game in addition to 2.5 APG playing one of the hardest schedules in the state. Lee guided the Rams to a No. 3 finish in the Sac-Joaquin Section and was on our Second Team All-NorCal.

F/C Gabrielle Abigor – Berean Christian

Abigor, an All-NorCal Second Teamer, amassed 27.6 points, 18.3 rebounds, 9.3 blocks, 4.3 steals, and 2.3 assists per game on 59% FG for the 21-7 Eagles.

F/C MacKenly Randolph – Sierra Canyon

Photo by Ralph Thompson

The 4-star forward was second in PPG (15) and first in RPG (11.6) for the season-end No. 1 team in California. Randolph was also on SBLive's First Team All-SoCal and Second Team All-State.

C Emmy Stout – Maranatha Christian

Stout averaged 21.7 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game on 58% shooting to lead the Eagles to a San Diego Section Division 3 championship. She was also on our First Team All-CIFSDS and Second Team All-SoCal.

SECOND TEAM:

G Ryka Aprameyan – Evergreen Valley

Aprameyan averaged 24 points, 4.4 rebounds, three assists, and 3.6 steals per game to lead the 22-3 Cougars to the CIFCCS Division 1 semifinals.

G Dylan Tse – South Pasadena

Tse scored 22 points a game to lift the Tigers to a 26-3 record and CIFSS 2-A quarterfinals appearance.

G Avary Cain – St. Joseph (Santa Maria)

Cain averaged 18.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, three assists, and 2.4 steals per game to guide the Knights to a No. 3 finish in the Central Section.

G Marianne Boco – Granada Hills Charter

One of the state's top breakout players in the Class of 2024, Boco led the 24-4 Highlanders to the L.A. City Section Open Division semifinals and a postseason-end No. 1 ranking in the section. She was named the West Valley League co-MVP and Wooden Award winner for the CIFLACS for her 16 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and 3.1 assists per game. Boco scored in double-figures every game all season.

G Rylee Ghent – Santiago (Corona)

Another top 2021-22 breakout star, Ghent averaged a team-high 16.1 PPG in addition to 4.5 RPG to help lead the Sharks to a head-turning underdog CIFSS 2-A title run and CIF Division II State semifinals appearance. Ghent had 21 points and 20 points, respectively, in the section semifinals and finals.

G Natalia Martinez – Piedmont

Martinez put up a line of 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals per game to help lead the Highlanders to a 24-7 record and the CIFNCS Division 4 finals.

G Audrey Chen – La Salle

Chen was the pinnacle of consistency to lead the 31-3 Lancers to a Southern Section 3-AA title and CIF Division III Southern Region title/State finals appearance. She averaged team-highs of 14.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game to go with 7.3 rebounds a night, and the only five time she scored under 11 points were all in wins. The CIFSS 3-AA MVP and Wooden Award winner upped her scoring average to 16.7 PPG on 50% FG in the last six rounds of the postseason.

G/F Kimiko Kennedy – Lawndale

Kennedy averaged over 20 points a game to help lead the Cardinals to a CIFSS 4-AA title. She was named the 4-AA Player of the Year and Wooden Award winner.

G/F Madison Watts – Mary Star of the Sea

Watts: #23

Watts was the leading scorer among sophomores in all of Southern California for the 19-5 Stars. In addition to scoring 24.5 PPG on a blistering 57% FG (61% from two), she posted team-highs of 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, and added 2.2 APG. Watts never had under 14 points or six rebounds once all season, and registered a double-double in every game except for four.

G/F Mahliya Wilson – Bonita Vista

Wilson stepped up to be one of the top players in the San Diego Section, averaging 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 1.9 assists per game for an arguable top-five team in the CIFSDS.

G/F Allison Clarke – Rosary Academy

Clarke was the second best player on the Trinity League co-champion and CIF Division I State quarterfinalist/Southern Region semifinalist. She averaged 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while spacing the floor and defending the perimeter at a high level.

F Elana Weisman – Burlingame

Weisman helped lead the Panthers to the Central Coast Section Division 2 semifinals with a team-high 19 PPG plus 11.1 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and a block per game. She scored in double-figures every game all season.

F Faith Curry – Bakersfield

Curry was the leading scorer and rebounder in addition to being the defensive anchor for the 26-4 Central Section Open Division finalist. She averaged 12.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals a game on 52% FG, 40% 3FG, and 56% EFG.

F/C Bailey Barnhard – Del Norte (San Diego)

Barnhard led the Nighthawks with 14.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game to steer them to a San Diego Section Division 1 championship. She also chipped in 2.9 APG and shot a gaudy line of 52/31/75 with an EFG of 55%. In the final three rounds of the section playoffs, Barnhard averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists per game on over 60% shooting.

F/C Harper Peterson – Whitney (Rocklin)

Peterson averaged team-highs of 14.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game in addition to 2.3 SPG to lead Whitney to the CIFSJS quarterfinals. While her numbers don't jump off the page, those in the know will tell you that the 4-star forward/stretch big is one of the top all-around players in the state, and carried a heavy load for the particularly young Wildcats playing a tough schedule.