Mata Hingano captains the GHSAAs vs. BC today. /// Photo courtesy Atavus Rugby •
The Girls’ High School All-Americans (GHSAAs) kicked off its West camp on August 2, and will play the first of two games against the BC U18s today at 5:30 p.m. at Magnuson Park, Seattle. The rematch will occur on Sunday, same location, at 9 a.m.
The GHSAAs are 2-0 against the Canadian representative side, winning 58-0 and 45-17 in August 2015, and have placed seven players from that tour squad onto today’s starting lineup. Five of eight pack players have returned from that inaugural 15s squad last year – Finau Tamaivena, Destiny Arena, Tiara A’au, Mililani Leui and Lolohea Makaafi – as well as backs Sui A’au on the wing and fullback Nia Toliver. Also of note, with the addition of Tiana A’au, all three sisters will be starting together.
All told, the starting lineup features familiar players, including GHSAA 7s alumni like Cassidy Bargell and Julia Riekena, who have been named to the European 7s Championship team along with Makaafi and Herriman’s Alex Sedrick. Sacramento Amazon Mele Tausinga is the high school club championship MVP and makes her debut at flyhalf. And the Kent Crusaders have the largest representation on the roster with four players and sent 15s debutantes Ceara Bettcher to the second row and Mckenna Strong to inside center.
Unlike the East camp, the West camp is collectively a U18 assembly, and there will not be U16 games taking place. For more on the East camp, which concluded on Sunday, read more.
Girls’ High School All-Americans, Powered by Atavus
Friday, Aug. 5 • Seattle • 5:30 p.m. PST
1. Finau Tamaivena – Kent, Wash.
2. Destiny Arena – Fallbrook, Calif.
3. Tiara A’au – Grant, Ore.
4. Ceara Bettcher – Kent, Wash.
5. Mililani Leui – South Bay, Calif.
6. Lolohea Makaafi – Kent, Wash.
7. Julia Riekena – Missoula, Mont.
8. Tiana A’au – Grant, Ore.
9. Cassidy Bargell – Summit, Colo.
10. Mele Tausinga – Sacramento, Calif.
11. Alexandria Sedrick – Herriman, Utah
12. Mckenna Strong – Kent, Wash.
13. Mata Hingano – Danville, Calif.
14. Sui A’au – Grant, Ore.
15. Nia Toliver – ICEF, Calif.
Stay tuned for game reports.
