Top players to watch in the CIF Southern Section girls basketball Open Division playoffs

The Open Division only consists of eight teams, but there might be 40 or more future college players in action

The CIFSS Open Division girls basketball playoffs kick off on Saturday evening. As usual, the field is star-studded, so here's what you need to know about the top players who'll be in action.

This breakdown does not include players who've been sidelined with injuries, such as Santiago's Destiny Agubata or Windward's Samari Bankhead.

No. 1 Sierra Canyon:

G/F Juju Watkins – Sr.

Photo by Heston Quan

The top-ranked recruit in the country, reigning SBLive California Player of the Year, reigning Gatorade State Player of the year, and current National POY frontrunner. Watkins, a USC commit, averaged 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 2 blocks per game as a junior, and she's been even better as a senior.

F/C Mackenly Randolph – Jr.

Photo by Heston Quan

Another 5-star prospect on the Trailblazers. Randolph is perhaps the best pure rebounder in the state and a 20-PPG scorer with nearly every skill in her toolkit on offense.

F Crystal Wang – Sr.

Photo by Heston Quan

The Northwestern commit is an underrated part of the Trailblazers' success. At 6-2 and quick, Wang takes defensive assignments guarding 1-5, sets the tone with a high motor, and can score 15 or more points on any given night.

G Izela Arenas – Jr.

Photo by Leon Neuschwander

Arenas has taken a substantial leap on both ends since her sophomore year, and it's a major reason the Trailblazers are the No. 1 team in the country. The speedy combo guard averaged averaged 13 PPG last season and has improved across the board in 2022-23.

G Christy Reynoso – Jr.

Photo by Ralph Thompson

One of the best pure shooters in California, Reynoso is a deadly three-point threat both spotting up and shooting off the dribble. She's also improving quickly at finishing at the rim. If there were a Southern Section sixth man of the year award, Reynoso would probably be the frontrunner as a scoring spark plug off the bench. She went 5-5 from the field (4-4 from three) for 14 points in SC's state championship win last year.

F Leia Edwards – So.

Photo by Leon Neuschwander

Another bench weapon for the Trailblazers and one of the most intriguing 2025 forwards in the state. At 6-0 with a versatile skillset, Edwards can play a number of positions and is one of the premier International players in Great Britain's pipeline.

C Emilia Krstevski – Fr.

Imposing 6-4 post who's rapidly improved throughout her freshman year. Willing to battle any other towers inside when the right matchup dictates extended minutes.

G Kayla Malek – Jr.

Starting point guard who doesn't make a big dent in the box score but helps wins games. Malek provides a very steady presence and plays mistake-free basketball on both ends, and also hits some threes when her number is called.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

G Sofia Ruelas – Sr.

No. 2 Etiwanda:

F/C Kennedy Smith – Jr.

Photo by Heston Quan

5-star forward who's been named the statewide Freshman and Sophomore of the Year by both SBLive and Cal-Hi Sports. After averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds a game last season to help lead Etiwanda to its first-ever Southern Section Open Division title, Smith is averaging nearly 25 PPG as a junior. Plays a lot of de facto five for the Eagles, but is likely to play the three and four in college. About as complete and multidimensional a player as they come.

G Aliyahna "Puff" Morris – So.

Photo by Heston Quan

Not only the top 2025 point guard in the state, but among the best in the country. Despite her 5-5 size, Morris is lethal attacking the cup and an outstanding defender at the lead guard spot. She can also pass the ball at a very high level and is quickly becoming a bigger jump shooting threat.

G/F Majesty Cade – Sr.

Photo by Heston Quan

Particularly athletic and tenacious two-way wing who can score both from three and by attacking the rim. Cade reinforces Etiwanda's M.O. with an outstanding motor and brand of physical defense, and can lead the team in scoring on any given night as well.

F Sa'lah Hemingway – Sr.

Photo by Heston Quan

After leading Eisenhower (Rialto) to the CIFSS 3-A finals averaging about 16 points and 10 boards a as a freshman, Hemingway averaged over 18 PPG as a sophomore to lead the Eagles to a 2-A title. The Howard commit was Etiwanda's third-leading scorer last season and scored a team-high 23 points in the title victory over Sierra Canyon.

F Mykelle Richards – Jr.

Photo by Heston Quan

Yet another versatile, defensively-gifted forward/wing on the Eagles. Richards averaged 15.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game as a freshman to lift Cajon to the 2-AA finals, and has fit right in with Etiwanda as a junior.

F/C Ryann Riddle – So.

Photo by Heston Quan

As a freshman, Riddle was the second-leading scorer and leading rebounder and shot-blocker for La Salle, the 3-AA champion and state finalist. She has good touch from anywhere inside the arc.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

G Jaiya Mix – Sr.

G Arynn Finley – Fr.

No. 3 Mater Dei:

G Caia Elisaldez – Sr.

One of the most experienced players in the state and the quintessential "big-game player". Elisaldez has started at PG since her first days at Mater Dei and was a big part of their back-to-back Open Division titles. The Chattanooga commit is a speedy slashing point guard who can also shoot consistently and cause havoc defensively.

G/F Addie Deal – So.

Ranked as the No. 7 player in the Class of 2025, Deal is SBLive California's reigning Freshman of the Year. After averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.9 steals per game to lead Pacifica Christian (Newport Beach) to a CIFSS 4-A title, she's showcased selflessness, versatility, and defensive prowess in making her transition to Mater Dei work seamlessly.

C Jenessa Cotton – Jr.

Despite being hampered by injuries for a lot of the season, Cotton has taken the leap into one of the state's premier posts as a junior. Strong, fundamental 6-3 center with great touch in the low post and from mid-range. She's also a major force on the boards and a good interior defender.

G Amaya Williams –  So.

After making All-Trinity League as a freshman at Santa Margarita, Williams became eligible for Mater Dei around the turn of the new year and has added to their arsenal of excellent defensive guards.

G Shaena Brew – So.

Yet another versatile guard on the Monarchs who defends at a very high level. Brew is mostly a glue guy for MD, but she's a legit scoring threat when needed, including in crunch time.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

G Hannah Vela – Sr.

G Emily Shaw – Jr.

F/C Kaeli Wynn – Fr.

No. 4 Sage Hill:

F Emily Eadie – Jr.

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Matchup nightmare both on the wing and in the frontcourt who led the state champion Lightning with over 14 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. At 6-2, Eadie can move and attack off the dribble like a guard, making her one of the more versatile players out there on both ends.

G/F Kat Righeimer – Jr.

Very well-rounded 6-1 wing who improved rapidly throughout her sophomore season and between her sophomore and junior seasons. Righeimer is a stopper guarding 1-3 who also blocks shots, and on offense, she can score any way from anywhere. Also an above-average passer for a SG/SF.

G Amalia Holguin – Fr.

Considered by many to be one of the top 2026's in California heading into her freshman year, Holguin has lived up to the hype. She's a prototypical two-way scoring point guard with lethal range, good size, advanced ability to attack the rim, and a high motor. 

F/C Annabelle Spotts – Jr.

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Spotts is the state champs' versatile paint anchor and a nightly double-double threat. Mobile 6-2 hybrid big who can cause problems on either side of the ball for both perimeter-oriented forwards and big, physical centers.

G Zoie Lamkin – Jr.

Photo by Ralph Thompson

Athletic shooting guard who excels at spotting up for three but can also create for herself. Lamkin sometimes scores in bunches, and she also stays in rhythm on both ends during nights where her number isn't called as much on offense.

No. 5 Ontario Christian:

G/F Chloe Briggs – Sr.

A 4-star Washington commit, Briggs is less than 100 points away from breaking the all-time Southern Section scoring record of 3,446. And she's already the San Bernardino County all-time leading scorer. However, Briggs might actually be known more for her passing, averaging 9.1 APG last season and 8.3 this season. And she also touts career averages of 10.9 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

G Dejah Saldivar – Jr.

One of the premier three-point shooters in the state, Saldivar hit a state-record 17 threes on Jan. 13 to score 51 points against Linfield Christian. She averages 14.5 points, 2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 4.5 made threes per game on 42.5-percent shooting from downtown.

F/C Julia Lavigne – Sr.

In her only year as a Knight, Lavigne has played a crucial role shoring up the paint and averaging a double-double. She's contributed 12 points, team-highs of 10.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, 2.3 steals, and 2.4 assists per game on 56-percent shooting.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

F Brooklyn Goedhart – Sr.

G Bella Medina – Fr.

No. 6 Windward:

G Skye Belker – Sr.

Belker: #5

A longtime Princeton commit and one of the best guards in the state whether playing the one or the two. Belker led Windward to a CIF Division 1 Regional title and State finals appearance last year averaging nearly 20 PPG, and she's taken another leap as a senior. Top-flight shooter, including off the dribble and from mid-range.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

G Olivia Lagao – So.

G/F Laurel Hinds – Sr.

C Taylor Gerard – So.

G Sadie Cohen – Jr.

No. 7 Santiago (Corona):

F/C McKinley Willardson – Sr.

A double-double machine and frequent 20-20 threat, Willardson led the 2-A champs in rebounding and shot-blocking last season. Able to play either frontcourt spot on both ends, she combines the ability to score through traffic inside with great hands and solid touch from the perimeter.

F Zawadi Ogot – Jr.

After averaging 15.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2 steals per game on 50-percent shooting as a sophomore at Upland, Ogot has been one of Santiago's most consistent players as a junior. Versatile defensive player at 5-11 with impressive length, athleticism, and motor.

G Rhylee Ghent – Jr.

Ghent led the CIFSS 2-A champs with 16.1 points per game last season. She's had numerous games this season where she shoots less as other scorers emerge for Santiago, but she can really fill it up as a dangerous three-point shooter and skilled slasher.

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

G/F Jayda Cobbs – So.

G Queen Ruffin – Sr.

F Sierra Macias – Sr.

No. 8 Bishop Montgomery:

Photo by Lance Smith

G Jordin Blackmon – So.

Blackmon is rapidly becoming one of the top guards in the Southern Section, and she has the upside to keep getting better. She does some of everything for the Knights, including leading the team in scoring, creating for others, and playing disruptive defense. 

MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

F/C Kyori Lloyd – Sr.

G/F Deyla Davis – Sr.

G Cyriah Coleman – So.

G Atiyah Watson – So.

G Kadence Lloyd – So.

G Sophia Dignadice – Fr.