Note: For more photos from Paul Soriano, click here.

Girls basketball teams around the state returned to action this week after the long holiday break layover. Nobody apparently told Monarch’s Natalie Guanella she’d probably need some time to get back into rhythm.

Following the 14-day break in game action, the senior hit all 14 of her free throws in a 25-point outing Wednesday night as the Class 6A No. 2 Coyotes beat 5A No. 9 Windsor 67-47.

Guanella, who is the only returning all-state player from the largest classification, now has 14 or more points in seven of her eight games this winter.

What other stars can you count on in 2023? Let’s take a look at a few from the big-school classifications heading into the new year.

Class 6A

Grandview’s Sienna Betts: The sophomore sister of Lauren Betts, the former preps star now at Stanford, comes into 2023 second in the classification in points per game at 21.

She is also averaging 15.2 rebounds and 4.6 blocks.

With her leading the way, the No. 7 Wolves (6-3) have an intriguing matchup on Jan. 11 against No. 1 Valor Christian, who is led by Macey Huard’s 19.4 PPG.

The Eagles (8-1) already have top-10 wins over No. 3 Cherry Creek, No. 5 Regis Jesuit and No. 10 Arapahoe.

Regis Jesuit’s Hana Belibi: Sisters of Stanford women’s basketball players are a theme in 2023.

Remember Fran Belibi? She was the first girls’ player to dunk in state history in 2017.

Her sister is really good, too.

The junior is averaging 16.3 PPG and 6.6 boards for the Raiders (6-4), a team with what seems like a deceiving record through 10 games.

So far, Regis Jesuit has top-10 wins over No. 2 Monarch and No. 10 Arapahoe. Its four losses are against No. 1 Valor Christian, No. 4 Cherokee Trails, No. 9 Doherty and a team from Texas.

It travels to No. 3 Cherry Creek Friday. The Bruins (7-3), who were ranked first in the class three weeks ago, have suddenly lost three straight, falling to No. 2 Monarch, No. 1 Valor Christian and No. 13 Ralston Valley.

Scoring leaders: Denver South’s Nevaeh Millard is averaging 22.3 PPG. Betts is at 21 PPG and Far Northeast Warriors’ Sharneal Polk is at 20.4

Class 5A

Centaurus’ Laura Gensert: The senior is 34 points away from hitting 1,000 in her high school career.

Led by the sharpshooter’s 16.1 PPG, the No. 3 Warriors are home against Greeley West Friday before hosting No. 10 Grand Junction Central Saturday.

Gensert is the type of player who can shoot teams out of the gym. From deep, she already has 20 3s this season and 124 in her career.

Palmer Ridge’s Natali Volk: The senior already has five double-doubles this season for the Bears (7-2), who are currently ranked seventh.

She is averaging 14.1 points and 10.3 rebounds as her team hosts reigning 4A champ Mullen (6-4), which is now in 6A, Thursday. The two teams are known early for their stingy defenses as Palmer Ridge is allowing just 40 ½ points, the Mustangs 41.2.

Scoring leaders: Air Academy’s Caitlin Kramer is averaging 27.7 points per game. Sand Creek’s Kennedy Spellman has an average of 24.7. Standley Lake’s Taylin Serlen is at 20.8.

Class 4A

Riverdale Ridge’s Brihanna Crittendon: The freshman leads the state with 30.4 points through eight games. Only eight players in the country average more, per MaxPreps.

Crittendon is shooting 67% from the field and 74% from the free throw line. She has scored 30 or more points in six of her first eight high school games.

She already has offers from Colorado, Louisville, Ohio State, Arizona State, Oklahoma, BYU, Mississippi State and Missouri, among others.

The Ravens (7-1), whose only loss this winter is to a team from California, travel to 5A No. 13 Frederick Tuesday in Longs Peak League action. Savanna Staff is averaging 12.3 PPG and 5 ½ rebounds for the Golden Eagles (5-2).

University’s Taryn Kravig: The senior shooting guard is shooting 45% from the field and 43% from deep.

She has at least three 3s in five of her first seven games. The fourth-ranked Bulldogs’ only loss of the season came to No. 1 Holy Family before the break, where she had a team-high 11 points.

University (6-1) will host No. 5 Lutheran (8-1) Thursday. The Lions are on a six-game winning streak as their lone loss came to 5A No. 2 Mead early in December.

Scoring leaders: After Crittendon, Arrupe Jesuit’s Karen Alvarez is at 20.9 PPG. Peak to Peak’s Alexandra Eschmeyer is at 18.9.