‘She’s better than good’: Antelope High School basketball player taking her talents to Stanford next year

Mark Demsky, fox40.com, December 3, 2020

Even with the possibility that there will be no high school sports played in California this season, some student-athletes are fortunate enough to secure a college scholarship, such as Antelope High School senior basketball player Jzaniya Harriel.

She doesn’t know if she’ll get a chance to have a senior season at Antelope High just yet, but the 5’10” guard does know she’ll be taking her basketball talents to Stanford University, one of the top programs in the country, next year.

“From what I knew, I liked Stanford, but when I got to campus, it was everything and more than I thought it was going to be,” Harriel told FOX40.

more...

Sacramento County’s top women’s basketball player gets into top university

Michelle Dapper, kcra.com, November  19, 2020

The Sacramento area’s top women’s basketball player is going to attend the college of her dreams.

Antelope High School’s Jzaniya Harriel signed on with Stanford University. She said the school has a good balance of top athletics and academics.

more...

Signing Day Success

gostanford.com, November 11, 2020

Stanford's Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women's Basketball Tara VanDerveer announced the signings of four highly-touted prep standouts to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Elena Bosgana (Athens, Greece/American Community School of Athens), Brooke Demetre (Foothill Ranch, Calif./Mater Dei), Jzaniya Harriel (Sacramento, Calif./Antelope) and Kiki Iriafen (Porter Ranch, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) will join the Cardinal ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
 
Stanford's class is again one of the nation's strongest, collectively rated No. 6 by espnW HoopGurlz.

more...

Iriafen found the perfect fit at Stanford

Jacob Rayburn, stanford.rivals.com, August 25, 2020

At a remarkably young age, Okikiola "Kiki" Iriafen identified complacency as an enemy to her progress. She committed to Stanford and Hall of Fame head coach Tara VanDerveer Aug. 7 because she knew that the school and basketball team would challenge her to keep developing in all aspects of her life.

Iriafen is one of the most decorated players in the country and is ranked No. 9 overall in her class by ESPN. She has started every game of the past three seasons at the prestigious Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles and has been admitted to Stanford University.

more...

Basketball is taking Harvard-Westlake’s Kiki Iriafen to Stanford, maybe WNBA and Olympics, too

Tarek Fattak, dailynews.com, August 12, 2020

When Kiki Iriafen first started playing basketball at Harvard-Westlake, it was simple.

“I’m tall,” Iriafen said. “I just played basketball for fun.”

In the infancy of her basketball journey, Iriafen averaged a team-high 17 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as a high school freshman. That’s when she knew basketball could do a lot more than provide her fun.

more...

5-star Harvard-Westlake PF/C Kiki Iriafen commits to Stanford basketball

Kiki Iriafen, a senior PF/C at Harvard-Westlake, verbally committed to Stanford on Friday.

Lance Smith, scorebooklive.com, August 7, 2020

As a junior in 2019-2020, Iriafen averaged 23.3 points, 15 rebounds, and two steals per game on 56% shooting en-route to a CIFSS Division 1 championship. She was named the Southern Section Division 1 player of the year, and was also named SB Live’s L.A. County player of the year and a member of SB Live’s First Team All-Southern Section.

At 6-3 with great athleticism and post-up ability, Iriafen is a 5-star prospect and consensus top-10 prospect in the country. She primarily plays center at Harvard-Westlake, but is likely more of a power forward prospect at higher levels.

With her commitment, Stanford has now landed the top two ranked senior prospects in California – 5-star Mater Dei F Brooke Demetre committed to The Farm in June of 2019.

Iriafen will look to help lead Harvard-Westlake to another championship when high school basketball resumes in 2021.

link to story

Harvard-Westlake’s Kiki Iriafen 

wbbblog.com, August 7, 2020

more...

Congratulations to 2021 Elena Bosgana from Greece on her commitment to Stanford!

Elena Bosgana's Instagram, July 6, 2020
elena_bosgana
Dreams do come true! I am so excited to announce that I’ve committed to Stanford University🌲❤️🏀!!! A huge thank you to everyone who was next to me and helped me throughout this process! I’d also like to thank coach Tara, Kate, Katy, and Britney for believing in me! I can’t wait to be a Cardinal🤩.
#GoStanford

Paul Nilsen, fiba.basketball, March 9, 2019
http://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/ten-impressive-players-from-fibau16europe-who-didnt-make-the-all-star-fives. 

Eleni Bosgana - Greece

If finishing 12th in Skopje was mediocre, it took an astonishing all-around effort from Bosgana to ensure they were not dragged down to Division B. There is no doubt that she was one of the very best players to step out at the event and that was shown in her performances and the fact she topped her team’s chart in a jaw-dropping six different categories. She led the way in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and efficiency. She has more assists than anyone else in Skopje and was also the tournament’s second top scorer with 19.3 points per game. Her defensive work also saw her joint second in the competition for steals.

Jana - Colorado High School Senior Athletes Search For Closure After Coronavirus Cancellations

Jana Van Gytenbeek will play basketball at Stanford this fall. Her senior year season at Cherry Creek High School was cancelled by the coronavirus outbreak school closures.

Vic Vella, cpr.org, May 25, 2020

A year ago this spring, Cherry Creek High School basketball star Jana Van Gytenbeek was dazzling spectators at the state playoffs. Her layup off the glass in the closing seconds of the Class 5A Championship was the shot that gave the Bruins a state title.

Fast forward to this year, in March: The Bruins were breezing through the state playoffs and knocking on the door of back to back state titles.

more...

Antelope High School basketball star Jzaniya Harriel announces commitment to Stanford

abc10.com, May 15, 2020

The five-star point guard is Sacramento's top girls basketball recruit and after her senior year she's set to join one of the top college programs in women's hoops.

click to story/videos..

Jzaniya Harriel - Sacramento’s top girls basketball player chooses her college. Where’s she going?

Antelope guard Jzaniya Harriel shoots against Granite Bay in a 2019 playoff game. The Bee’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year two years running has committed to Stanford.

Cameron Salerno, sacbee.com, May 12, 2020

The top girls basketball player in the Sacramento area has made her decision.

Antelope High School guard Jzaniya Harriel announced her commitment to Stanford University on Tuesday. The senior-to-be averaged 25.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists and led her school to a Sac-Joaquin Section championship win ober Del Oro at Golden 1 Center.

more...

Top scorers in Oregon girls basketball history: Cameron Brink climbs to No. 10 on all-time big-school list

Mike Swanson, oregonlive.com, April 30, 2020

But Mountainside senior Cameron Brink, above, ascended to No. 10 on Oregon's all-time scoring list among big schools (most of her points came playing her first three years with Southridge).

click to see list/photos...

6A all-state basketball: Fledgling program, serious injury … no matter the challenge, never count out the remarkable Cameron Brink

JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, April 17, 2020

Cameron Brink, Mountainside

6-5 senior forward

6A girls first team

2019-20 statistics: 19.7 points per game, 13.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.5 steals, 2.5 blocks, 54.1% field goals

It was the ankle injury heard all around the Oregon girls basketball scene. 

And it left everyone asking, Will Cameron be back this season?

more...

Jana Van Gytenbeek leaves Cherry Creek as a girls basketball legend

Dan Mohrmann, chsaanow.com, April 7, 2020

Two years ago, Clint Evans was still a little unsure if he wanted to take the girls basketball coaching job at Cherry Creek. It would mean heading to Colorado from Kansas and there were just too many uncertainties that came with such a big decision.

Then a blessing in disguise happened. A friend of his in Golden sent him a highlight reel of one of Cherry Creek's top players, a girl heading into just her junior year.

Evans couldn't get packed soon enough.

He just needed to watch a few minutes of film to see that Jana Van Gytenbeek was a special player and one that any coach in the country should want to coach.

more...

Mountainside’s Cameron Brink among Top 24 players in US

AJ McCord, Koin.com, March 13, 2020

Before her senior year of high school, Cameron Brink transferred from Southridge to Mountainside. Though she was an immediate fit with the Mavericks, the transition wasn’t entirely smooth.

She suffered a high ankle sprain in a game against Jesuit and was in a boot for about 4 weeks. “A couple days before the Oregon City game I decided to come back and play. So that was kind of a big decision,” Brink told KOIN 6 News. “But I feel like if I’m good enough to play, I want to play and be there for my teammates.”

more...

STANFORD COMMIT CAMERON BRINK IS PRIMED FOR GREATNESS

Ryan Jones, slamonline.com, March 12, 2020

“Dell and Sonya really instilled this love of the sport in her,” Greg Brink says. “That’s when the competitive juices really started with her, when she saw how the Curry family was engaged in the sport. That relationship has meant everything from a basketball perspective.”

Had it not been for the Currys, it’s possible that Cam would’ve remained the self-described “goofy” kid who was more interested in art than basketball. But at the Currys’ urging, she came out for one of Dell’s youth camps, and eventually joined school and club teams. Her mom says middle school was when Cam made the jump from disinterested kid to potential star. 

“It was really amazing to watch how she went from zero skills to just being so competitive that it drove her development,” Michelle Bain-Brink says. “From sixth grade to eighth grade it really was a rapid transition.”

more...

‘This is our time to shine.’ Liberty’s 3-point barrage buries Cameron Brink, Mountainside in 6A girls quarterfinal

JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, March 11, 2020

No. 4 Liberty 62, No. 12 Mountainside 44 
story/photos

More High School Honors

gostanford.com, March 10, 2020

Honors continue to roll in for the incoming class of Stanford Women's Basketball, as Cameron Brink and Jana Van Gytenbeek were named high school All-Americans by both Naismith and the WBCA, while Van Gytenbeek was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Colorado.

more...

Cherry Creek's Jana Van Gytenbeek selected girls basketball player of the year by Gatorade

Ryan Casey, chsaanow.com, March 6, 2020

Cherry Creek senior Jana Van Gytenbeek was named the Colorado girls basketball player of the year by Gatorade on Friday just as her team prepares to compete in the Class 5A Great 8.

Van Gytenbeek, who will play basketball at Stanford next season, is averaging 18.3 points, 7.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals for the Bruins (22-2). She is a two-time first-team all-state selection (so far). Earlier this season, she set the state record for career assists.

more...

Cameron Returns

Cameron Brink’s storied high school career will end at Chiles Center: Mountainside star makes surprise return at Oregon City, leads Mavericks to first tournament berth
JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, March 7, 2020

Stanford signee Cameron Brink sits as Mountainside notches first playoff win in program history
JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, March 4, 2020

Cameron Brink’s status unknown for 6A girls basketball playoffs: ‘That’s the $1 million question’
JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, February 28, 2020

Cameron Brink on leaving Southridge: Oregon’s top girls basketball player says she needed ‘a fresh start – new school, new team’

JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, February 26, 2020

Cameron Brink won two state titles and two Class 6A player of the year awards during her first three years in high school at Southridge, so many people were surprised last summer when she announced she was leaving the Skyhawks to attend Mountainside High School and play for the Mavericks.

more...

Cameron Brink returns to Southridge … in a walking boot; Mountainside crumples in second half as star Stanford signee nurses injured ankle

JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, February 19, 2020

As the Southridge girls basketball team prepared for its Metro League rematch with Mountainside, players heard the rumors.

Cameron Brink, the former Skyhawks star whose seemingly sudden decision over the summer to transfer down the road to the new school, might not be able to play in Tuesday’s second meeting between the teams.

more...

Brink to Jordan Brand Classic

gostanford.com, February 18, 2020

Incoming freshman Cameron Brink will suit up in the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic on Friday, March 27th at 4 p.m. PT in Chicago.

more...


Shawn Grant, thesource.com, February 18, 2020
The Jordan Brand Classic is coming to Chicago for the first time, taking over the Wintrust Arena in downtown Chicago on March 27. The girls will take the floor first at 6:00 pm, and the guys will follow at 8:00 pm CST.

THE JORDAN BRAND CLASSIC SET TO COME TO CHICAGO FOR THE FIRST TIME


GIRLS’ ROSTER

Home team: Cameron Brink (Stanford), Paige Bueckers (UConn), Allison Campbell (Notre Dame), Kamilla Cardoso (Syracuse), Caitlin Clark (Iowa), Olivia Cochran (Louisville), Sasha Goforth (Oregon State), Treasure Hunt (Kentucky), Te-Hina Paopao (Oregon), Sydney Parrish (Oregon), Lauren Ware (Arizona), Kylee Watson (Oregon), Priscilla Williams (Syracuse).

Away team: Sarah Andrews (Baylor), Dalayah Daniels (California), Lexi Donarski (Iowa State), Angela Dugalic (Oregon), Hannah Gusters (Baylor), Diamond Johnson (Rutgers), Deja Kelly (North Carolina), Natalija Marshall (Notre Dame), Mir McLean (UConn), Jordyn Merritt (Florida), Angel Reese (Maryland), Maddie Scherr (Oregon), Madison Scott (Ole Miss), Hailey Van Lith (Louisville).

Cherry Creek's Jana Van Gytenbeek sets career assists record

Ryan Casey, chsaanow.com, February 6, 2020

Cherry Creek senior Jana Van Gytenbeek has had one of the best careers of any girls basketball player in Colorado history.

Last season, her last-second shot won the Class 5A title for her Bruins. The Stanford recruit is a two-time first-team all-state selection, and is the reigning 5A player of the year.

And on Wednesday night, Van Gytenbeek set the state record for career assists, breaking a mark that had stood for nearly 24 years.

more...

Cameron Brink named a semifinalist for the 2020 Naismith High School Girls Trophy

Stanford Womens Basketball Twitter, February 4, 2020
Another elite level honor for @cameronbrink22 🤩


Andrew Nemec, oregonlive.com, February 4, 2020
Mountainside’s Cameron Brink, 2 Oregon Duck signees make final 10 for Naismith Trophy

Van Gytenbeek’s double-double lifts Cherry Creek over Dakota Ridge in 85-34 victory

hero sports, denverpost.com, January 29, 2020

Van Gytenbeek’s double-double lifts Cherry Creek over Dakota Ridge in 85-34 victory

Agnes Emma Nnopu - 2019 Australian School Championships

Agnes Emma-Nnopu - 2019 Australian School Championships

Agnes Emma-Nnopu - 2019 Australian School Championships

All-American Status

Brink is Stanford's 25th McDonald's All-American all-time

gostanford.com, January 23, 2020

Incoming freshman Cameron Brink landed elite status, earning an invite to the 2020 McDonald's All-American Games on April 1 in Houston.

Brink, who signed with the Cardinal in November, is one of 24 players in the country to earn a spot to the game, which will air at 2:00 PM on the ESPN family of networks.

Brink adds her name to the exclusive list of 24 Cardinal women's basketball alumnae to be featured in the nation's premier high school basketball all-star event, including nine current players on the 2019-20 squad.

more...

McDonald's Girls All American Roster

ESPN story

oregonlive.com story

Mater Dei girls basketball edges Rosary on last-second basket by Brooke Demetre

Mater Dei’s Brooke Demetre, right, shoots over Rosary’s Nicole Rodriguez during a Trinity League game at Rosary in Fullerton on Thursday, January 23, 2020.


Dan Abano, ocregister.com, January 23, 2020


Mater Dei’s girls basketball team had a few answers for Rosary on Thursday night, but the biggest one arrived with just 1.1 seconds left in fourth quarter.

Before a passionate and overflow crowd, Brooke Demetre put back her offensive rebound for a basket with 1.1 seconds remaining to lift the No. 2 Monarchs past top-ranked Rosary 64-62 in a high-octane Trinity League game at Rosary High.


more...

With ‘Mama Bear’ Cameron Brink on the bench, Mountainside pulls out signature win over defending state champion Benson

JD Humburg, oregonlive.com, January 21, 2020

The Mountainside Mavericks kept their composure among the chaos Monday afternoon in a featured girls basketball matchup at the MLK Holiday Invitational.

Their leader had fouled out after a monster performance...

Brink had 25 points, 20 rebounds and five blocked shots before being whistled for her fifth foul with 3:14 to play in the fourth quarter.

more...

Best In State: Jana Van Gytenbeek Talks State Titles & Stanford

Romi Bean, denver.cbslocal.com, January 20, 2020

Jana Van Gytenbeek is the reigning Class 5A Player of the Year – and that’s just the one honor in a long list of accolades for the senior point guard at Cherry Creek High School.

In the 2019 5A State Championship Game, Van Gytenbeek hit a floating bank shot in the final seconds of the game to break a tie with the heavily-favored Grandview Wolves. The shot helped lift Creek to its first ever girls basketball state title.

“To be part of that team was the coolest thing ever. We all wanted it. We’ve always wanted to do it for Creek and for our community,” Jana said.

more...

After game-winning shot in state championship last year, Cherry Creek’s Jana Van Gytenbeek is primed for more big moments

Jana Van Gytenbeek (4) of the Cherry Creek Bruins dribbles between defenders at Cherokee Trail High School on Jan. 8, 2020 in Aurora. Van Gytenbeek will play college basketball at Stanford next season.

Kyle Newman, denverpost.com, January 12, 2020

Long before Jana Van Gytenbeek hit the game-winning, floating bank shot in the waning seconds of the Class 5A championship last year, the point guard was already forecasting her basketball prowess. On a random court in the mountains. At age 7.

Van Gytenbeek was on winter break with her family in Buena Vista at the time. She, her older brother Carter and her father, Tony, shoveled snow off the cracked concrete court at a nearby elementary school, and Van Gytenbeek went to work schooling Carter, then 12, on the art of shooting.

“Their court was practically in the middle of nowhere, mountains all around, and the wind’s really blowing, too,” Carter recalled. “I’m making shots, getting a little hot, and she’s making shots, matching me shot-for-shot through the wind and the cold and a rim that made you miss if you hit it.

“That’s when I started to know she was going to be really good. Like, really, really good.”

more...

New uniform, same Cameron Brink: Stanford signee, ex-Southridge star powers Mountainside past Grant at POA Holiday Classic

Bob Lundeberg, oregonlive.com, December 29, 2019

Cameron Brink appears to be fitting in quite nicely with her new team.

In Mountainside’s first game against an Oregon opponent since a surprising loss to Canby, Brink put together a dominant 24-point, 15-rebound performance Friday evening at the POA Holiday Classic. The 6-foot-5 Stanford signee also had four assists, four blocks and five steals in the Mavericks’ 58-48 victory over Grant.

more...