Vote for Arizona's top girls high school basketball player

The Arizona Republic's top performers for Feb. 16-21

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Arizona Republic has compiled a list of the top high school girls basketball players in the state for the week ending February 21, 2026. Coaches provided input on the standout performances. Readers can now vote in a poll to determine the player of the week.

Why it matters

High school sports, especially basketball, are a point of pride for many Arizona communities. Recognizing the top players not only highlights their individual achievements, but also generates excitement and interest in the sport across the state.

The details

The top players include Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs of Gilbert Campo Verde, Novelle McQuiston of Gilbert Perry, Claire Greenwade of Gilbert Higley, Grace Beckler of Chandler Basha, and Layla Curtis of Tuba City. The list features standout performances in the Open Division playoffs, as well as other divisions.

  • The poll will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.
  • The performances highlighted are from the week ending on Feb. 21, 2026.

The players

Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs

A freshman at Gilbert Campo Verde who had 27 points and 17 rebounds in a playoff win, and 19 points and 11 rebounds in another playoff victory.

Novelle McQuiston

A senior at Gilbert Perry who had 18 points, 15 rebounds, and six steals in a playoff win.

Claire Greenwade

A junior at Gilbert Higley who scored a season-high 22 points and dished out 10 assists in a playoff game, also breaking the program record for career 3-pointers made.

Grace Beckler

A senior at Chandler Basha who had 31 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in a playoff win, and 15 points and 13 rebounds in another playoff victory.

Layla Curtis

A freshman at Tuba City who had 28 points, seven assists, and five steals in a playoff semifinal win.

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What’s next

The poll to determine the player of the week will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The takeaway

The performances of these top high school girls basketball players showcase the depth of talent across Arizona, from small towns to large cities. Fans can now have their say in who stood out the most during this exciting week of playoff action.