Aliyahna Morris has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic point guards in girls high school basketball. The Etiwanda senior is a driving force for one of California’s top programs, showcasing a relentless motor, elite court vision and defensive intensity that make her a game-changing presence despite standing just 5-foot-4.
“I’ve been living small my whole life, so I’ve gotten used to it now,” Morris said. “I’m a lot faster than a lot of players, and I work on other things besides attacking the rim. Shooting has been a big thing for me this year – inside and outside the three-point line.”
On Jan. 16, Morris reached a major career milestone, becoming the third player in Etiwanda girls’ basketball history to surpass 1,500 career points. Her ability to score, facilitate and defend at a high level is why she’s ranked as WESPN’s No. 24 recruit in the class of 2025.
“It was great [reaching 1,500 career points],” Morris said. “I wasn’t expecting it because coming in, I wasn’t scoring that many points. I was more like a facilitator.”
However, Morris’ dominance extends beyond high school hoops. As a member of the Cal Sparks on the Nike EYBL circuit, she averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, four assists and 2.1 steals during the spring and summer, proving herself against top national competition. Her consistent production has earned her widespread recognition, including being named California’s Freshman, Sophomore and Junior of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports.
Her high school and club performances caught the attention of top college programs, and on Oct. 20, 2024, Morris committed to the University of California. She chose Cal over a competitive list of schools, including Michigan, Illinois, Mississippi State, USC and Duke, with Yale emerging as a top competitor in her recruitment.
“Cal was just different,” Morris said. “I felt at home when I visited there, and they made me feel welcomed. They say you get that feeling, and I got that feeling at Cal.”
Adding to her growing list of accolades, Morris was nominated as a 2024-25 McDonald’s All-American alongside Etiwanda teammates Grace Knox and Shaena Brew.
Morris’ IQ, determination and grit make her effective, showing exactly why she’s one of the top-ranked point guards in the country. At the Hoophall Classic on Monday, she set the tone early, scoring 14 points in the first half, including three three-pointers that kept Etiwanda even with Incarnate Word Academy (MO). Her ability to create her own shot, push the tempo and find teammates in transition stood out against elite competition.
Going into Monday morning’s game, the Incarnate Word girls had a 141-game win streak.
“The preparation was definitely thought about all weekend knowing we play a team that has one of the longest win streaks,” Morris. “Incarnate is a good team, and they’ve done really well to be winning that long. I’m just happy that we were the team to snap it.”
The game remained tightly contested until the final five minutes when Morris was fouled on a three-point attempt by Incarnate Word’s Peyton Olufson. Stepping to the free-throw line with composure, Morris calmly sank all three shots, giving Etiwanda a crucial edge in the closing stretch.
Etiwanda snapped the Red Knight’s nation-best win streak, 74-65. It was the first loss for Incarnate Word since Feb. 8, 2020.
Morris received MVP honors, scoring 26 points, five rebounds and four assists. She was 8-9 from the free throw line.
“Aliyahna works really hard every single day,” said head coach Stan Delus. “She’s in the gym working on her moves, her drives and her ability to see the floor. She has a knack for just working herself in the paint. She’s extremely tough, doesn’t mind contact, and then you have to be honest with her because she can shoot the three-ball, which makes her even more of a threat. You give her cushion, she shoots, you tighten up on her and she’s little enough to get right by you, but she’s not afraid when rotations come to get to any shot she wants.”
Photo by River Mitchell/The Student