A look at the players to watch for the girls’ basketball season

Kara Bajema

Lynden Chr., Sr., F

The lanky senior is a former All-Whatcom Player of the Year and averaged 15.52 points per game last season while Lynden Christian finished fourth in state. She has a great shot but can beat anyone off the dribble too. If she gets hot, there’s no stopping her.

Emily Brandland

Mount Baker, Sr., G

With Emily Yost graduated, the Mountaineers are Brandland’s team; no more playing second fiddle. But the senior is more than capable of taking on a heavy load, averaging 14.76 points per game last year, including four 20-point performances.

Sarah Hulbert

Squalicum, Sr., PG

Fresh off a soccer state title, Hulbert is now tasked with leading the Storm to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The senior will have the ball in her hands an awful lot as Squalicum’s point guard but she has a lot of weapons on the interior to feed the rock.

Elisa Kooiman

Lynden, Jr., F

Kooiman is the league’s top returning scorer and with sidekick Kaitlyn Mark gone, she’ll be every team’s primary focus. Last year she focused on the defensive end to become a great two-way player and she’ll have to take another step forward this season.

Ryley Zapien

Meridian, Jr., G

The junior has had her fair share of battles with injuries. She missed parts of four games last year with a shoulder injury and then suffered an injury during the soccer season for the Trojans. She’s a great talent when she’s healthy and Meridian needs her to be.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 6:57 PM with the headline "A look at the players to watch for the girls’ basketball season."