2023-24 MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team: Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian headlines high school girls basketball's best from the Class of 2027

By Aaron Williams Apr 18, 2024, 11:00am

"Special K" averaged nearly 35 points per night, including 62 in a January game.

Our look at high school basketball's best from the 2023-24 season continues with the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team, highlighted by National Freshman of the Year Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.).

The 5-foot-6 point guard is already well-known in basketball circles for her dazzling handle and jaw-dropping range – think Caitlin Clark territory. "Special K" averaged 34.9 points, 6.5 assists, 4.2 steals and 3.5 rebounds per game, leading Ontario Christian to a 28-5 record with four of the five losses coming against nationally-ranked opponents. 

Smith went for a high of 62 points while adding games of 55, 45 and 42 (twice), 41 and 40. She poured in 35 in a season-ending playoff loss to Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) and 34 against national champion Etiwanda.

Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion.
Kie'Aundria Acree, Monroe (Albany, Ga.)
5-11 | Guard

Averaged 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.1 blocks as the Golden Tornadoes went 22-10 and reached the AAA semifinals.



Haylen Ayers, University School of Jackson (Jackson, Tenn.)
6-0 | Guard

Produced a team-high 18.6 points per game as the Bruins won their first state title.

Jazman Bailey, Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas)
5-8 | Point guard

Averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, helping the Eagles win 20 games.

Jezelle Banks, Ursuline Academy (Wilmington, Del.)
5-7 | Point guard

Already getting offers from the likes of Ohio State, South Carolina and Texas, Banks averaged 21.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.6 assists per game in leading Elena Delle Donne's alma mater to a state title.

First team Class 2A All-State pick by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association averaged 18.0 points per game. The Tigers went 19-8 as Bradley came up big late in the season with 31 points in a 47-33 win over Madison in the District 2-2A finals.

JaNyia Cunningham, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.)
6-1 | Forward
All-State selection averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds as South Pointe went 26-3  and reached Class AAAA quarterfinals.

C’India Dennis, Creekside (Fairburn, Ga.)
5-5 | Point guard

Named first team All-Metro by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 4.5 steals per game as the Seminoles went 20-9  and reached the second round of the AAAAA playoffs.

Miciah Fusilier, Camden Fairview (Camden, Ark.)
6-4 | Wing

Offered a scholarship when she was in the sixth grade, Fusilier averaged 17.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocked shots, 2.8 steals and 2.1 assists per game as the Cardinals went 22-8 and reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs.

Lillie Graves, McCutcheon (Lafayette, Ind.)
6-0 | Guard

Posted 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.7 steals per night. Already with seven Division I offers, she was named the Lafayette Journal & Courier Big Schools Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the first freshman to earn the honor.



Vivian Grenald, Orangewood Academy (Garden Grove, Calif.)
6-0 | Forward

A member of the Panama's U16 team, she averaged a team-high 13.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She led the Spartans into Southern Section Open Division play before reaching the quarterfinals on the Division I SoCal bracket.

Khalia Hartwell, Westside (Anderson, S.C.)
6-5 | Post

Already with a handful of Power 5 offers, she averaged 10.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocked shots per game as the Rams went 24-4 and advanced to the semifinals of Class AAAA state tournament.

Lauren Hassell, Clarksville Christian (Clarksville, Tenn.)
6-3 | Wing

Averaged 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.2 blocked shots per game, helping Clarksville Christian win 21 games and a state title.

Zaniya Johnson, Biloxi (Miss.)
6-3 | Center

Closing in on 1,000 career points, she led Biloxi with 17.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.2 blocked shots per night.

Eve Long, Olathe South (Olathe, Kan.)
6-2 | Forward

All-State choice averaged 16.0 points and 10.4 rebounds for the 18-5 Falcons. 

Ashley MacCalla, Middletown (N.Y.)
5-8 | Guard

Already over 1,000 career points thanks to her time on varsity as a middle-schooler, MacCalla averaged 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
 
Leena McField, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, N.C.)
5-9 | Guard

Led the Nighthawks to a 28-2 record with averages of 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 assists per game.

Alaysha Mills, Moreno Valley (Calif.)
6-0 | Forward

Helped Moreno Valley reach the regional semifinals with averages of 17.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Jemini Mitchell, Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas)
6-2 | Guard

Averaged 16.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the 30-win Panthers.



Sydney Mobley, Olentangy (Lewis Center, Ohio)
6-2 | Forward

Helped the Braves to a 24-2 record and Division I regional semifinal appearance, averaging 17.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.2 blocks.

Micah Ojo, Princess Anne (Virginia Beach, Va.)
5-11 | Wing

Virginia's Class 5 Player of the Year averaged 18.8 points, 10.9 steals, 4.4 blocks, 4.2 steals and 3.6 assists. She had 17 double-doubles, a triple-double and a quadruple-double as the Cavaliers went 25-2 and won the state title.

Nevaeh Roberson, Georgetown Day (Washington, D.C.)
6-1 | Forward

Produced 14.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the 22-8 Mighty Hoppers.

Qandace Samuels, Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)
6-2 | Wing

A true sharpshooter, she averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.0 assists for the Mustangs, who finished the season ranked No. 7 nationally.

Sydney Savoury, Belleville (Mich.)
5-11 | Guard

Shot 52 percent from the field and 46 from distance while averaging 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. She dropped a season-high 38 against Franklin (Livonia) as the Tigers went 23-3 and reached the Division 1 semifinals.

Dasia Scott, Principia (St. Louis, Mo.)
6-1 | Forward

The top-rated player in Missouri in her class, Scott averaged 24.2 points and 13.5 rebounds as the Panthers went 24-8
and were runners-up in the Class 2 state playoffs.

MAXPREPS NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Kaleena Smith, Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.)
5-6 | Point Guard

Piled up 34.9 points, 6.5 assists, 4.2 steals and 3.5 rebounds per game to help Ontario Christian go 28-5.

Jordan Speller, North Pitt (Bethel, N.C.)
5-6 | Guard

Tallied 17.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game, teaming with MaxPreps All-American Zamareya Jones to help the Panthers go 29-3 and win a state title.

Ivanna Manyacka-Wilson, Bullis (Potomac, Md.)
6-0 | Guard

Put up 15.6 points, 10.3 rebound and 2.5 steals per game to help the Bulldogs go 24-8.