Note from publishers: This is the third story of a summer series in five games on the Gonzaga women’s basketball program. It continues until August 1.
Blame it on Allie Turner.
Or come back more than a decade and consider Courtney Vandersloot or Heather Bowman.
Turner, a leader of St. Louis, probably had the best start of any gonzaga women’s basketball player in the history of the school. Certainly the best of all guards.
So that raises the question – who among the three first -year students for the 2025-26 team could have a similar impact?
There are three candidates: Jaididen Haile, a 6 -foot 2 inch striker of Fargo, Dakota from the North; Julia Wilson, a 5-10 guard from Temecula, California; And Paige Lofing, a 5-9 goalkeeper from Billings, who was appointed player of the year Gatorade du Montana.
The New Year Redstirt, Lauren Whittaker from New Zealand, could be considered in this category. But since she has been in Gonzaga since January 2024, she is technically not a beginner.
What Turner did last season was pleasantly unexpected, but quite necessary.
The Zags did not have a tested playmaker after graduating the talented twins Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong the previous year.
So there was an opportunity. And with a few injuries at the start of the season at other options, he opened the door to Turner.
Turner did not get her first departure before the third match, then she started 32 of the next 33 – the senior day being the only exception.
At the end of the season, Turner accumulated the most minutes played (1,144), with an average of 32.7 per team per game.
It is unlikely that a first -year student gets a starting job this season. Not because we are not talented enough; Largely because there are many more experienced options in front of them.
The Zags knew that Turner could shoot the pointer at 3, but she did it efficiently.
She broke the record of one season set the previous year by Brynna Maxwell (95). It was 105 out of 230 (45.7%). It finished just a little more in the field (166 out of 360, 46.1%).
The summits of the Turner season in matches were 23 points, 41 minutes, six made 3 points, nine assists. It collected on average 13.4 points (second best), 3.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds. She was appointed eight times first -year player of the West Conference Week.
It was therefore obvious that Turner was appointed recruit of the Coe of the Year. She was also honored as the first team of the world’s horn team.
Fortier speaks in a fun way of entrants first -year students. Everyone brings something that could save them time in the rotation of Gonzaga.
“The good thing about Allie last year is that the other first -year students have seen that we are going to play the best person who must play at the moment (even if they are first -year students),” said Fortier. “They are all lucky there to be a lot of opportunities. I am delighted to see who presents itself in these opportunities and take advantage of it. ”
Gonzaga has eight guards, six of whom can play to the point. The ZAGS have five attackers, so the addition of Haile provides a necessary depth inside.
Its size should make it a robust strength inside, but has a solid mid -range game and will pass behind the 3 -point line when you have the opportunity.
“His scope shot is the lowest of the three levels,” said Fortier about Haile. “She is very capable in the basket. It is a hard defender. I like how physical she plays inside. She takes accusations. Sometimes, forward tries to block the shots. She is not. She has a lot of advantages.”
Haile, who played West Fargo Horace in Fargo, has an average double-double with 23.3 points and 15.5 rebounds to go with 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks last year. She was appointed Dakota from North Miss Basketball, the first player of West Fargo Horace to have received the honor of the 41 years of history of the prize.
The position of the guard is deep, but by shaking, Wilson and Lofing could make things interesting.
“Julia and Paige are really good handlers,” said Fortier. “Julia has a talent to shoot mistakes. We have not drawn a ton of faults in the position of guard in recent years. She draws more free throws than most of the players we have.
Lofing is known for his shooting. She directed Hunters Project, a state school B near Billings, at a state championship last year, with an average of 23.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.7 interceptions and 4.0 assists per game. Six times, she has exceeded 30 points. She was a choice three times from all states.
“Paige really shoots it,” said Fortier. “We are deep against people who can break the pressure and manage the ball. I watched her make 5 of 6 3 in a state championship match, on a big stage. She plays composed. “
Wilson, who played Rancho Christian in Temecula, collected an average of 21.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 2024-25 and was appointed player of the year by MaxPreps Basketball.
The ZAGs would benefit from the pressure from the guards and would not make unl forced errors.
Last year, the Bulldogs had the most reversals under Fortier, with an average of 17 per match.
