Arizona high school girls' basketball players of the week
With region play in full swing in Arizona girls’ high school basketball, The Republic takes a look at the players who have stood out over the past week. Players are nominated by their coaches and listed in alphabetical order:
Onaida Barrios, Cholla, G, Fr.
Barrios had the performance of her freshman year on Monday against Desert View. She scored 28 points on the night, helping lead Cholla to its third win of the season.
Amalie Cartagena, Seton Catholic, G, Sr.
Cartagena stepped up in a big way this week as Seton Catholic made a statement with blowout wins over Saguaro and Mesquite — teams ranked eighth and second in 4A, respectively. She held Saguaro’s Alexa Simpson (22.4 ppg) to three points and Mesquite’s Vanessa Sepulveda (12.4 ppg) to five points. Cartagena also added 18 of her own in the win over Mesquite.
Victoria Cazares, Pueblo, G, Sr.
With its 60-56 win over Sahuaro on Wednesday, Pueblo showed that it’s a team capable of winning the 4A crown in March. Cazares dominated that night, repeatedly getting to the line and finishing with 30 points.
Cassandra Coolidge, Sahuaro, G, Jr.
Before falling to Pueblo, Sahuaro picked up a big win of its own, knocking off Flowing Wells, 47-39. Coolidge had a game-high 15 in that one and also scored 13 in the loss to Sahuaro and 16 in a win over Canyon del Oro.
Mackenzie Dunham, Sunrise Mountain, F, Sr.
Tuesday’s win over Ironwood was a game of milestones for Dunham, who was named to last year’s All-Arizona team and is dominating again this year. In the win, she crossed the 1,000-point and 1,000-rebound marks for her career.
Katy Frost, Sandra Day O’Connor, F, Sr.
In between defeats to Desert Vista and Xavier Prep, O’Connor picked up a much-needed 50-41 win over Cibola. The Eagles came out on top in large part because of Frost’s 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
Carmella Gallardo, Seton Catholic, G, So.
Gallardo had an explosive offensive outing in Seton Catholic’s big win over Mesquite, scoring a game-high 23 points on five threes.
Lilli Juve, Gilbert Christian, G, Sr.
Juve helped lead Gilbert Christian past then-3A No. 1 Yuma Catholic on Saturday, helping vault the Knights into the conference’s top spot. She’s averaging 17.8 points per game on the season.
Kayda Lewis, Mica Mountain, F, Sr.
After struggling to a 6-9 start, Mica Mountain has found its groove in the new year, picking up four straight wins to start section play. Lewis has been excellent in that stretch. She filled up the statsheet against Amphitheater, scoring 11 points to go with six rebounds, four assists and seven steals. Four nights later, she recorded her first ever double-double, with 17 points and 13 boards in an eight-point win over Sahuarita.
Dalaiha Madden, Cesar Chavez, G, Jr.
With a late return from winter break, Chavez has only been back for one game. Madden, though, excelled over the holiday period, earning MVP honors at the PXU Queens of the Court Tournament, where Chavez went 6-0.
Mallory Matthews, San Tan Foothills, F/C, Sr.
Matthews averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals per game as San Tan Foothills went 1-1 in its return from the holidays.
Alexis Merrill, Buckeye, G/F, Sr.
In three wins to start 2023, Merrill has made her presence felt in all facets. She’s averaging a double-double, along with nearly five assists and six steals per game in that stretch.
Dominique Nesland, Xavier Prep, G, Jr.
Nesland has been ridiculously good all season, showing why she was one of the Republic’s top 10 players in the state back in December. This week was no different, as she averaged 27 points per game in three Xavier Prep wins.
Mackenzie Nielsen, Sunrise Mountain, G, Sr.
Like Dunham, Nielsen crossed the 1,000-point threshold in Sunrise Mountain’s win over Ironwood. She’s averaging a team-high 19.5 points per game this season.
Mia Powell, Vista Grande, G, Jr.
Powell’s performance in Vista Grande’s win over Cortez on Wednesday was filled with eye-popping numbers. Not only did she score 26, but she managed six rebounds, eight assists and 13 steals. Yes, 13 steals. Remarkably, it was her second game this year with double-digit steals.
Jerzy Robinson, Desert Vista, G, Fr.
Robinson might be the best freshman in the state since Jennah Isai four years ago. It’s fitting, then, that she scored 24 in a win over Valley Vista — Isai’s old team. Robinson also added 21 in a dominant win over O’Connor.
Hope Sielaff, Valley Christian, C, Jr.
Sielaff has always been a strong rebounder, but she’s taken it to another gear over the past 10 games, collecting double-digit boards in each of those contests. In Friday’s win over Superior, she had her most dominant effort yet, bringing down 35 rebounds, including 24 off the offensive glass.
Mia Singstock, Pinnacle, G/F, Jr.
Singstock is another preseason Top 50 selection who has been in fine form this year. She scored 17 and 24 in wins over O’Connor and Mesa, respectively, as Pinnacle had its best week of the season.
Isabella Webb, Mica Mountain, G/F, So.
Webb has been perhaps the most crucial part of Mica Mountain’s winning streak. She’s scored in double figures in all four wins, including a season-high 18 against Sahuarita.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school girls' basketball players of the week
