Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Mele Sake of
'Iolani (Honolulu) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Hawaii High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior center led the Raiders to a 20-5 record and their fourth straight Division I state title.
Sake earned state tournament Most Outstanding Player honors after averaging 12.3 points and 12.7 rebounds over three games, including 23 points and 13 rebounds in a semifinal win over Campbell.
For the season, Sake averaged 9.3 points per game and shot over 52 percent from the field.
Kaliana Salazar-Harrell of Konawaena (Kealakekua) was the 2021-22 MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year. The current Cal State Fullerton freshman averaged 17.7 points per game for the state runners-up.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in April. Past selections include 2022 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2022 All-WNBA picks Skylar Diggins-Smith (2009), Sabrina Ionescu (2016), Jonquel Jones (2012), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Kelsey Plum (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Mele Sake helped 'Iolani win its fourth straight state title and eighth since 1987. (Photo: Brian Bautista)
