Video: California Girls Open Division Basketball Championship 2015
See highlights from Mater Dei vs. St. Mary'sAlthough her team fell short of winning a Southern Section or CIF state championship this year, there was no doubting the ability of Mater Dei's Katie Lou Samuelson.
A Connecticut recruit, Samuelson was one of the leading scorers in the state of California, averaging 29.3 points per game and shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. The Gatorade National Player of the Year, Samuelson was also named the area player of the year by both the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.
Jessica Kunisaki, McClatchy
Photo by David Steutel
Samuelson is also the MaxPreps California Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Samuelson led Mater Dei to a 31-3 record for the season with two of the losses coming to Chaminade in the Southern Section playoffs and St. Mary's (Stockton) in the Open Division state final.
Samuelson is also one of five divisional MVPs. She earns the Division 1 MVP honor while Ali Engelhardt of Mt. Carmel (San Diego) is the Division 2 MVP, Sabrina Ionescu of Miramonte (Orinda) is the Division 3 MVP, Kennedy Burke of Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) is the Division 4 MVP and Destiny Littleton of Bishop's (La Jolla) earns Division 5 honors.
Jessica Kunisaki of McClatchy (Sacramento) is the MaxPreps State Coach of the Year. She led the Lions to a 27-7 record and a CIF Division 1 state title. According to the Sacramento Bee's Joe Davidson, the state title is the first state championship in any girls sport in Sacramento City Unified School District's history.
First Team
Katie Lou Samuelson, Mater Dei
Photo by Mark Jones
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 18 points per game, 11 rebounds per game.
Katie Lou Samuelson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 6-3, Senior
Gatorade State Player of the Year, Orange County Register All-County Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Player of the Year, Southern Section Open Division co-Player of the Year.
Stats: 29.1 ppg, 8.5 rebounds.
Valerie Higgins, Chaminade (West Hills), 6-0, Junior
Southern Section Open Division co-Player of the Year, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 14.9 ppg, 9.8 rebounds.
Aquira Decosta, St. Mary's (Stockton), 6-2, Freshman
Stockton Record All-Area Team.
Stats: 12.9 ppg.
Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte (Orinda), 5-11, Junior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay Player of the Year, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: 23 ppg.
Second TeamAisia Robertson, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), 5-9, Senior
San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team, Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team.
Stats: Not available.
Leaonna Odom, Chaminade (West Hills), 6-2, Junior
Los Angeles Daily News All-Area First Team, Los Angeles Times All-Area First Team.
Stats: 17.5 ppg, 6.6 rebounds.
Dijonai Carrington, Horizon Christian Academy (San Diego), 6-0, Junior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 27.4 ppg, 21.1 rebounds.
Destiny Littleton, Bishop's (La Jolla), 5-9, Sophomore
San Diego Section Player of the Year.
Stats: 33.7 ppg, 12 rebounds.
Jaelyn Brown, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 6-1, Junior
Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Player of the Year, Southern Section All-Open Division, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 17.9 ppg, 11.4 rebounds.
Third TeamTania Lamb, Long Beach Poly, 5-7, Senior
Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year.
Stats: 15.8 ppg.
Ali Engelhardt, Mt. Carmel (San Diego), 6-0, Senior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 27.2 ppg, 11.2 rebounds.
Emily Surloff, Windward (Los Angeles), 5-9, Senior
Southern Section Class 1AA Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 17 ppg.
Marissa Hing, Pinewood (Los Altos Hills), 5-1, Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Player of the Year, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Third Team.
Stats: 10.8 ppg.
Aarion McDonald, Brookside Christian (Stockton), 5-7, Junior
Stockton Record All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 26.3 ppg, 9.3 rebounds.
Honorable Mention
Nautica Morrow, Serra
Photo by Louis Lopez
Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 12.9 ppg, 9.8 rebounds.
Kayla Washington, Cajon (San Bernardino), 6-0, Junior
Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Team, San Bernardino Sun Player of the Year, Southern Section All-Open Division Team.
Stats: 28 ppg, 16 rebounds.
Sierra Campisano, Torrey Pines (San Diego), 6-3, Junior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 24.7 ppg, 12.6 rebounds.
Latecia Smith, Narbonne (Harbor City), 5-7, Senior
Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.6 rebounds
Gigi Garcia, McClatchy (Sacramento), 6-3, Junior
Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: 17.7 ppg, 11.3 rebounds.
Charnea Johnson Chapman, Canyon Springs (Moreno Valley), 6-3, Senior
Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Team, Southern Section All-Open Division Team.
Stats: 16.9 ppg.
Isamar Conde, Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills), 5-10, Senior
Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team.
Stats: 9.7 ppg, 6.7 rebounds.
Aubrey Knight, Ventura, 6-1, Sophomore
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, All-Ventura County Team
Stats: 13.5 ppg, 7.1 rebounds.
Milan Moses, Dublin, 5-6, Senior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 15.7 ppg.
Ma'Ane Mosley, Saint Mary's (Albany), 5-11, Senior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 18.2 ppg, 11.3 rebounds.
Cheyanne Wallace, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 6-1, Senior
Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 17.2 ppg, 9.0 rebounds.
Celeste West, Garces Memorial (Bakersfield), 6-3, Junior
Bakersfield Californian All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 18.8 ppg, 14.3 rebounds.
Nao Shiota, Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 5-6, Senior
Southern Section Class 2AA Player of the Year, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: Not available.
A'shanti Coleman, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), 6-2, Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 12.3 ppg, 10.7 rebounds.
Sydney Raggio, St. Ignatius (San Francisco), 6-0, Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team.
Stats: 11.3 ppg, 9.6 rebounds.
Division 1First Team
Aquira DeCosta, St. Mary's
Photo by Ralph Thompson
Stockton Record All-Area Team.
Stats: 12.9 ppg.
Tania Lamb, Long Beach Poly, 5-7, Senior
Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year.
Stats: 15.8 ppg.
Katie Lou Samuelson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 6-3, Senior
Gatorade State Player of the Year, Orange County Register All-County Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Player of the Year, Southern Section Open Division co-Player of the Year.
Stats: 29.1 ppg, 8.5 rebounds.
Jaelyn Brown, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta), 6-1, Junior
Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Player of the Year, Southern Section All-Open Division, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 17.9 ppg, 11.4 rebounds.
Emily Surloff, Windward (Los Angeles), 5-9, Senior
Southern Section Class 1AA Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 17 ppg.
MVP: Katie Lou Samuelson, Mater Dei
Second TeamKayla Washington, Cajon (San Bernardino), 6-0, Junior
Riverside Press Enterprise All-Area Team, San Bernardino Sun Player of the Year, Southern Section All-Open Division Team.
Stats: 28 ppg, 16 rebounds.
Sierra Campisano, Torrey Pines (San Diego), 6-3, Junior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 24.7 ppg, 12.6 rebounds.
La'Tecia Smith, Narbonne (Harbor City), 5-7, Senior
Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.6 rebounds
Gigi Garcia, McClatchy (Sacramento), 6-3, Junior
Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: 17.7 ppg, 11.3 rebounds.
Nautica Morrow, Serra (Gardena), 5-8, Senior
Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 12.9 ppg, 9.8 rebounds.
Division 2First Team
Ali Engelhardt, Mt. Carmel
Photo by Rick Rowell
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team.
Stats: 11.3 ppg, 9.6 rebounds.
Ali Engelhardt, Mt. Carmel (San Diego), 6-0, Senior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 27.2 ppg, 11.2 rebounds.
Milan Moses, Dublin, 5-6, Senior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 15.7 ppg.
Amber Melgoza, Santa Barbara, 5-10, Junior
Southern Section All-Class 2AA Team, Presidio Sports All-City Player of the Year.
Stats: 33.5 ppg, 8.7 rebounds.
Nao Shiota, Redondo Union, 5-6, Senior
Southern Section Class 2AA Player of the Year, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: Not available.
MVP: Ali Engelhardt, Mt. Carmel
Second TeamCandice White, Modesto Christian, 5-8, Senior
Modesto Bee All-District Player of the Year.
Stats: 17.4 ppg, 8.1 rebounds.
Taylor Pierce, La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 5-7, Senior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 18.1 ppg, 4.6 assists.
Jaryn Fajardo, South (Torrance), 5-5, Senior
Southern Section All-Class 2A Player of the Year, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: Not available.
Heleyna Hill, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 5-6, Sophomore
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Second Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Third Team.
Stats: 12.8 ppg.
Madeline Holland, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), 5-10, Sophomore
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Second Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Third Team.
Stats: 11.2 ppg, 8.9 rebounds.
Division 3First Team
Valerie Higgins, Chaminade
Photo by Louis Lopez
Southern Section Open Division co-Player of the Year, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Player of the Year, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team.
Stats: 14.9 ppg, 9.8 rebounds.
A'Shanti Coleman, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), 6-2, Senior
Mercury News All-Area Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 12.3 ppg, 10.7 rebounds.
Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte (Orinda), 5-11, Junior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay Player of the Year, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Player of the Year.
Stats: 23 ppg.
Aisia Robertson, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), 5-9, Senior
San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team, Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team.
Stats: Not available.
Leaonna Odom, Chaminade (West Hills), 6-2, Junior
Los Angeles Daily News All-Area First Team, Los Angeles Times All-Area First Team.
Stats: 17.5 ppg, 6.6 rebounds.
MVP: Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte
Second TeamReili Richardson, Brea Olinda (Brea), 5-10, Junior
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Orange County Register All-County First Team.
Stats: 17 ppg.
Breanna Calhoun, Alemany (Mission Hills), 5-7, Senior
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 14.2 ppg, 5.1 assists.
Paige Fecske, Chaminade (West Hills), 5-4, Senior
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area First Team.
Stats: 11.8 ppg.
Gloria Bates, Orange Lutheran, 5-10, Junior
Southern Section Class 3A Player of the Year, Orange County Register All-Area Second Team.
Stats: 10.5 ppg, 7.5 rebounds.
Brittany McPherson, North (Torrance), 6-0, Sophomore
Southern Section Class 3AA Player of the Year, Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area Team.
Stats: Not available.
Division 4First Team
Cheyanne Wallace, Sierra Canyon
Photo by John Downey
Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 17.2 ppg, 9.0 rebounds.
Kennedy Burke, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 6-4, Senior
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Los Angeles Times All-Area Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team.
Stats: 18 ppg, 11 rebounds.
Channon Fluker, Maranatha (Pasadena), 6-4, Senior
Southern Section All-Class 4A Team, Pasadena Star News All-Area Team.
Stats: 27.6 ppg, 19.6 rebounds.
Maane Mosley, Saint Mary's (Albany), 5-11, Senior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 18.2 ppg, 11.3 rebounds.
Aarion McDonald, Brookside Christian (Stockton), 5-7, Junior
Stockton Record All-Area Player of the Year.
Stats: 26.3 ppg, 9.3 rebounds.
MVP: Kennedy Burke, Sierra Canyon
Second TeamCierra Hall, Fairmont Prep (Anaheim), 6-0, Sophomore
Southern Section All-Class 4A Team, Orange County Register All-County Second Team.
Stats: 18.0 ppg, 9.9 rebounds.
Minyon Moore, Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond), 5-8, Junior
San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Third Team, Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team.
Stats: 13.8 ppg, 6.8 assists.
Katie Campbell, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village), 5-11, Junior
Southern Section All-Open Division Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Team, Ventura County Star All-County Team.
Stats: 16.7 ppg.
Kylie Kiech, Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa), 5-8, Senior
Santa Rosa Press Democrat All-Redwood Empire Player of the Year.
Stats: 14.7 ppg, 3.6 assists.
Ameela Li, Piedmont, 5-8, Senior
Contra Costa Times All-East Bay First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team.
Stats: 21 ppg.
Division 5First Team
Mai-loni Henson, La Jolla Country Day
Photo by Greg Jungferman
All-San Diego Section Player of the Year.
Stats: 33.7 ppg, 12 rebounds.
Mai-loni Henson, La Jolla Country Day, 6-0, Junior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 16.4 ppg, 11.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists.
Dijonai Carrington, Horizon Christian Academy (San Diego), 6-0, Junior
All-San Diego Section Team.
Stats: 27.4 ppg, 21.1 rebounds.
Marissa Hing, Pinewood (Los Altos Hills), 5-1, Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area Player of the Year, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Third Team.
Stats: 10.8 ppg.
Destiny Graham, Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto), 6-3, Senior
San Jose Mercury News All-Area First Team, San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro First Team.
Stats: 16 ppg, 14 rebounds.
MVP: Destiny Littleton, Bishop's
Second TeamNina Bessolo, Valley Christian (Dublin), 5-11, Junior
San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Fourth Team, Contra Costa Times All-East Bay Second Team.
Stats: 16.1 ppg, 10.2 rebounds.
Rebecca Gallis, Kern Valley (Lake Isabella), 5-7, Junior
Bakersfield Californian All-Area First Team.
Stats: 27.1 ppg, 11.2 rebounds, 4.9 steals.
Jordyn Lilly, Bishop Diego (Santa Barbara), 5-6, Senior
Southern Section Class 5A Player of the Year, Presidio Sports All-City Team.
Stats: 15.8 ppg.
Joanna Chavoya, Avalon, 5-9, Senior
Southern Section All-Class 5A Team, Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team.
Stats: 22.7 ppg, 6.9 rebounds.
Leah Purvis, Buckley (Sherman Oaks), 5-6, Senior
Southern Section All-Class 5AA Team, Los Angeles Daily News All-Area Second Team.
Stats: 24.6 ppg, 9.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists.
