Maddie Snyder is a senior at Catlin Gabel High School, covering youth sports in the Portland area from a student perspective. This story is part of an initiative by WW to develop young voices in journalism.

On July 15, the WNBA’s Portland expansion team announced to a crowded courtyard in the Rose Quarter that the Portland Fire would be returning to the Rose City.

It’s been more than 20 years since Portland was home to a WNBA franchise, and although media hype is high, there is one unfortunate new phenomenon:

The Portland Fire are returning to a city where girls aren’t playing as much high school basketball.

All school sports participation dropped when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, but girls basketball has had a particularly tough time regaining numbers.

For the 2021–22 season,

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