Meet 21 breakout high school girls basketball stars across the country in 2023-24

These 21 players have boosted their stock a bunch this season

Late last fall as the football season wound down, we featured the high school girls basketball players expected to be best in the nation at their respective positions in 2023-24.

We grouped the star players by point guards, combo guards, wings, forwards and posts, then gave fans the chance to vote for the best of the best at each position.

Now we’re featuring 21 players across the country who have raised eyebrows with their breakout performances in 2023-24 — but don’t have a bunch of stars next to their names in the recruiting world.

Know of some more breakout players this season who are flying under the national recruiting radar? Let us know at bob.lundeberg@gmail.com and back it up with some stats.

Editor's note: All stats are current through Jan. 17. 

Macie Arzner, jr., McMinnville (Oregon)

After battling injuries during her first two high school seasons, Arzner has blossomed into a dominant lead guard for McMinnville. The junior is averaging 20 points, 15 rebounds and four steals.

Elyn Bowers, jr., Pinedale (Wyoming)

Bowers netted her 1,000th career point in December. She was voted Wyoming all-state as a freshman — the first Pinedale boy or girl to accomplish that feat in basketball — and is putting up 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

Shayla Cordis, so., Timberline (Washington)

Cordis is the engine of Timberline’s offense from the point guard position and is a lockdown defender at the other end. She scored 25 points per game as a freshman and is up to 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 6.4 steals this winter. 

Julie Cuellar, sr., Anthony (Texas)

Cuellar recently erupted for 54 points in a victory over Da Vinci. The talented scorer is averaging 28.9 points per game. 

Carrington Davis, jr., Rialto (California)

Davis, who helped lead Rialto to a 28-3 overall record last season, is a dominant two-way player. The versatile junior is averaging 28.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 4.4 steals and 1.3 blocks. 

Anna Drakeford, sr., Mercer County (Kentucky)

Drakeford has upped her scoring average by more than 11 points per game this season to 27.9. The Thomas More commit is also putting up 6.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.2 steals. 

Olivia Hamlin, jr., Snow Canyon (Utah)

Hamlin is a volume scorer who is averaging 26.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 5.1 steals as a junior. The talented junior is capable of playing either guard position for Snow Canyon. 

Beckham Hockley, sr., Sickles (Florida)

Hockley can handle the ball and function as an off-guard in Sickles’ offense. The Saginaw Valley State signee is a deadly 3-point shooter who is averaging 21.9 points, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals.

Korrie Holcer, sr., Meadville (Missouri)

A two-time all-state selection, Holcer is headed to Johnson County Community College after this season. She has blossomed into one of the top point guards in Missouri, tallying 23.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 5.5 steals. 

Lauren Jacobs, jr., Heathwood Hall Episcopal (South Carolina)

Jacobs helped lead Heathwood Hall Episcopal to the Class 4A state title last season, and the do-everything guard has picked up right where she left off this winter. Jacobs is putting up 32 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 4.3 steals. 

Oaklee Lofton, jr., Legacy Academy (Arkansas)

A do-everything guard, Lofton is averaging a double-double for Legacy Academy at 32.4 points and 13.1 rebounds. The junior is also thriving as a distributor (2.8 assists) and defender (5.3 steals). 

Emma Pierson, jr., Belvidere (Illinois)

Pierson is a prolific scorer who is averaging 23.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 4.3 assists. A multi-sport athlete, Pierson is also a college prospect in golf. 

Samantha Redinger, sr., Argos (Indiana)

Redinger is a talented offensive player who is leading the state of Indiana in scoring at 32 points per game. The guard recently exploded for 55 points in a victory over Oregon-Davis. She is also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 4.1 steals. 

Ashlyn Riley, sr., Lincoln (West Virginia)

Riley excels as a go-to scorer with a 25.1 points per game average, but the guard is a strong all-around player who also tallies seven rebounds, 2.7 assists, 3.8 steals and 1.8 blocks. Riley will play college basketball for Glenville State. 

Nia Rogers, sr., Redwood Christian (California)

One of the most prolific scorers on the West Coast, Rogers is on track to repeat as Bay Counties East League player of the year. She is putting up 32.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and an eye-popping 8.6 steals. 

Zhieyah Rolack, sr., Meadowdale (Ohio)

Rolack is almost a guaranteed double-double every time she takes the court. The power forward is putting up 26.2 points, 14 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 3.5 steals and 3.1 blocks. 

Willow Thiel, sr., Perham (Minnesota)

A Minnesota-Crookston commit, Thiel is averaging a double-double for the second straight season at 27.3 points and 13.6 rebounds. She is also a standout hitter in volleyball who notched 305 kills as a senior. 

Tiara Tyson, sr., Manchester (Connecticut)

Tyson was an all-state selection a season ago and is playing at an even higher level as a senior. The senior guard is putting up 29.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.1 steals. 

Iyanna Wade, jr., Clairton (Pennsylvania)

Clairton is one of the top contenders in WPIAL Class 2A, and Wade is a big reason why. The junior guard is averaging 38.8 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals. 

Da’Mya Wilson, so., Barton (Arkansas)

Barton has erupted as a dominant scorer for 18-3 Barton, which leads the Class 2A Region 6 standings. She's averaging 37 points, eight rebounds, four steals and four assists per game, and was named Dermott Thanksgiving Tournament MVP after dropping 42- and 43-point outings.

Ava Ziolkowski, sr., Crown Point (Indiana)

One of the best all-around forwards in Indiana, Ziolkowski is averaging a double-double at 28.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. Ziolkowski will play college basketball for Indiana Tech. 

(Korrie Holcer photo by Ron Rigdon)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports