SBLive’s 15 must-see post players in Washington girls basketball for 2021-22: Controlling interior is top priority, but many can step out and score

Led by recent WAVOR all-star MVP and WSU signee Lauren Glazier, of Mount Si, and Class 4A all-tournament first-teamer Alyson Deaver, of Sumner - these girls usually get what they want near the basket

Who controls the interior best? These girls certainly take ownership in and around the paint.

After polling other coaches and media outlets, here are SBLive WA's 15 must-view post players in Washington for 2021-22:

15 MUST-SEE POST PLAYERS IN WASHINGTON

VIVIENNE BERRETT, Stanwood, jr.

Every time you'd check in with his all-3A Wesco performer last season, her emerging skill set had vastly improved.  / Photo by Todd Milles

That dread "P" word - potential - has followed this Spartans' nucleus for years. But as team made its move in second half of last season, this all-3A Wesco first teamer was leading the charge. Can do things off the bounce that girls her size shouldn't.

ALYSON DEAVER, Sumner, sr.

No interior force in the state had a better season than this two-time 4A SPSL player of the year who is headed to Dixie State / Photo by Todd Milles

It was all about health for Deaver (knee), who saved her best season (24.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg) for last, leading the Spartans to the Class 4A title game. Outclassed other post players with elite skill and sheer determination. Signed at Dixie State.

TYLER GILDERSLEEVE-STILES, Snohomish, fr.

After missing much of the first month, ninth grader Tyler Gildersleeve-Stiles returned to give the Panthers a low-post presence / Photo by Todd Milles

As a first-year varsity ninth grader, she took her lumps in the post. But she certainly gave them as well, flashing a level of athleticism, bounce and skill that should make her a riveting force in the coming seasons in the 3A Wesco.

LAUREN GLAZIER, Mount Si, sr.

In the WAVOR all-star game in Oregon, Mount Si's Lauren Glazier won MVP honors for the senior-only Washington squad

Projects to likely play on the wing at Washington State University, but for the Wildcats, all this 6-foot-4 standout had to do was play behind her defense - and shots were sent the other way. All-4A KingCo first teamer has not yet tapped boundless ability.

ELISE HANI, Lake Washington, sr.

After the Kangs started utilizing UW volleyball signee Elise Hani more as a scoring presence, they took off right back to Class 3A title game / Photo by Todd Milles

She might not even be the best basketball player in her family, but with sister, Sydney (knee), sidelined in 2021-22, this Washington Huskies volleyball signee picked up the scoring slack. Has always been one of state's top in-the-paint defensive enforcers.

ADDISON HARRIS, Camas, soph.

Very few underclassmen in the state have the skill and natural around-the-basket instinct as this 4A GSHL player of the year / Photo by Todd Milles

There's a reason why people around this program are excited about Harris - she is good. And not just ordinary good, the 4A GSHL most valuable player has a speed-and-strength combination that should send her to the top of D1 recruiting lists.

CAMILLE JENTZSCH, Lake Stevens, sr.

Lake Stevens' center Camille Jentzsch shook off a late-season foot injury to lead the Vikings to the Tacoma Dome / Photo by Vince Miller

She is the taller of the Vikings' twin frontcourt towers - and also had the better senior season as a reliable inside scorer (who can also shoot the 3-pointer). With a classic back-to-back arsenal, Jentzsch is headed to play at Eastern Washington University.

MEAGAN KARSTETTER, Moses Lake, sr.

In the absence of veteran backcourt playmakers, Karstetter became more of a focal point around the basket on offense as a senior / Photo by Todd Milles

For those state-bound Chiefs' squads in previous seasons, Karstetter was more regarded for her post defense than her scoring. But that changed in 2021-22 as she demanded the basketball. Signed with Carroll College in Montana.

TAIJA MACKEY, Pasco, sr.

It might have been Mya Groce's team, but Taija Mackey owned the lane for the Bulldogs - on offense and defense / Photo by Vince Miller

It wasn't difficult to spot the Mid-Columbia Conference's top two-way post player - Mackey. She was a relentless scorer and rebounder on the offensive end, and she was an in-your-face defender who flustered teams with her passion and energy.

BRYNN MCGAUGHY, Colfax, fr.

In four months, Brynn McGaughy went from newcomer ninth grader to go-to inside scorer for the Class 2B runners-up / Photo courtesy of Colfax athletics

Yes, she still has a baby face at 14. But then watch her post-playing footwork, and you will immediately know she is a D1-hoopster-in-the-making. Even when defenses began focusing on her, her booming hops and immaculate body control won out.

MALIA RUUD, Chiawana, fr.

Even joining a host of returners at Chiawana, Malia Ruud was the one who emerged as the team's lone 4A Mid-Columbia first-team selection / Photo by Andy Buhler

Yes, another ninth grader. Except this one might not only be the most powerful one in her class - she has a case as the strongest post player in Washington. Ruud, an all-MCC first teamer, registered a double-double in all of the Riverhawks' 27 games.

KEANNA SALAVEA, Heritage, jr.

On a team with no basketball tradition, Keanna Salavea is the one constant - a three-time GSHL selection / Photo courtesy of Heritage athletics

It has happened often over the past few years. When opposing GSHL coaches were asked about ex-standout Katie Peneueta, they would counter with, "Well have you seen the other girl?" That would be Salavea, who led Clark County in scoring.

AVA SCHMIDT, Eastlake, jr.

A big-time playmaker in clutch moments, Ava Schmidt led Eastlake to the Class 4A semifinals in the Tacoma Dome / Photo by Todd Milles

Now that Tatum Thompson and Veronica Sheffey are graduating, who is the best bet to become the next 4A KingCo MVP? Smart money would be on Schmidt, who blends interior strength with mid-range finesse - and impacts the game in all facets.

JAZMYN SHIPP, Bonney Lake, jr.

In just her sophomore season, Shipp was named the most valuable player in the 3A Pierce County League / Photo by Todd Milles

What people in Pierce County have known all along - opposing coaches around the state found out in March: Shipp is a throwback post player whose array of crafty moves around the hoop are effective and efficient. Profile continues to expand.

HALLE WRIGHT, Prosser, sr.

The spring of 2021 2A CWAC player of the year led Prosser to a Class 2A semifinal berth in March in the Yakima Valley SunDome / Photo by Todd Milles

Another uber-talented player with positional flexibility, Wright - last spring's 2A CWAC MVP and Idaho State signee - seemed to do her most damage from the free-throw line and in. At 6-foot-1, she is strong (and salty) enough to dominate on the block. 

Post players to watch: Olivia Anderson, Ellensburg, jr.; Eve Burke, Port Angeles, sr.; Hannah Dickinson, Lakeside of Seattle, sr.; Jaycee Goldsmith, Freeman, jr.; Naomi Hall-Schiffner, Kentridge, sr.; Mahaila Harrison, Hudson's Bay, jr.; McKylee Hawkins, Bothell, soph.; Naomi Hotchkiss, Puyallup, jr.; Kayla Johnson, Decatur, sr.; Imbie Jones, Garfield, jr.; Vivian Kingston, White River, fr.; Paige Lisherness, Montesano, sr.; Kenzi Pedersen, Garfield-Palouse, sr.; Erika Pickett, Clarkston, sr.; Alyssa Smith, Bethel, jr.; Cori Wilcox, Lake Stevens, sr.

More top players 

BOYS: POINT GUARDS | BIGS | OFF-BALL GUARDS | WINGS

GIRLS: POINT GUARDS | BIGS | OFF-BALL GUARDS | WINGS