The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
News-Herald girls basketball all-stars
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Madyson Hacking Perry, Senior
A senior guard who was a four-year starter, Hacking capped a decorated high school career by averaging 16.7 points, 6.8rebounds, 3.7steals and 3.3assists per game. But her importance goes well beyond statistics. Her ability to score off penetration or from the perimeter often drew double teams from the opposition, thus opening opportunities for her teammates. She was at her best in the clutch, as it was her shot from near midcourt that propelled the Pirates past Salem in a district championship game. Hacking also became the program’s all-time leading scorer this season.
COACH OF THE YEAR Roy Infalvi Jr., Perry
Infalvi led the Pirates to a 22-5 record, including the program’s first appearance in a Division II regional championship game. Even through the pandemic, Infalvi scheduled the toughest schedule in program history, playing and defeating multiple Division I programs. Under Infalvi’s tutelage, the Pirates won a CVC title and went further in postseason play than any team in program history.
FIRST TEAM
(In alphabetical order)
Abby Carter, North, Senior
An Akron signee, Carter averaged 16.9points, 8.8rebounds and 2.5steals per game. Can attack the rim, but also shoot the 3.
Catara DeJarnette, Kenston, Junior
The multi-talented junior guard averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9steals and 3.6assists per game. Great court vision as a floor general.
Lydia Gattozzi, Beaumont, Senior
The Canisius signee averaged 18.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6steals and 2.3steals per game. She can score, defend and also distribute the ball.
Riley Montagner, Madison, Junior
— John Kampf
The talented junior averaged 17.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.2 assists. She shot 40 percent from the field and 70 percent from the line.
Tai Roberts, Andrews Osborne, Junior
Ultra-athletic junior guard averaged 20.2points, 6.9 steals, 5.5rebounds and 4.9assists. She’ll be one of the top players in the area next season yet again.
Riley Stopp, Cornerstone Christian, Senior The Ursuline College signee averaged 16.8points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.2assists and 2.5steals per game. She is the all-time leading scorer for the CCA program.
Kayla White, Brush, Senior
The playmaking guard for the WRC champion Arcs averaged 13.2points, 3.7assists and 2.6steals per game. She’s signed to play at Bethune-Cookman.
SECOND TEAM
(In alphabetical order)
Avril Drew, North, Sr.: She averaged 18 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6assists, while shooting 47percent from the field and 71 percent from the line.
Alexa Hocevar, West Geauga, Jr.: The 6-foot junior averaged 11.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.
Elle Infalvi, Perry, Sr.: Record-setting shooter made 74 3-pointers, averaged 14points, three rebounds, 2.5steals and 2.3 assists.
Jo Janda, Chardon, Sr.: Senior guard can score on all three levels. Averaged 11.9 points and made 51 3-pointers. Hard-nosed player.
Taylor Johnson-Matthews, Brush, Jr.: She averaged 10 points, and 7.7rebounds per game. Can score in the post or slashing to the hoop.
Emily Noerr, Chardon, So.: Not only averaged 11.4 points, 4.5rebounds, 2steals and 2assists, but she was also one of the best lockdown defenders around.
Ally Ziegler, Beaumont, Sr.: Wheeling University signee averaged 12.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Dominating post.
THIRD TEAM
(In alphabetical order)
Athena Hocevar, West Geauga, Sr.: Youngstown State signee averaged 12.6points, 4.6rebounds, three steals and three assists per game.
Aislyn Hurst, Cornerstone, Sr.: She averaged 14.8 points, 6.7rebounds 2.5assists and 2.4steals per game.
Giselle Johnson, AOA, Jr.: She averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game this season.
Kailey Minch, South, So.: Multi-talented guard averaged 15.1points per game and shot an area-best 88percent from the line.
Asia Nicholson, Brush, Jr.: She averaged 9.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. She’s primed for a huge senior year.
Lauryn Stover, Gilmour, Jr.: Athletic forward averaged 12.5 points and eight rebounds per game.
Makayla White, Hawken, Jr.: She averaged 14.8 points and 8.4rebounds per game, along with 3.1steals for the league champ Hawks.
HONOR ROLL
Andrews Osborne: Jensen Sminchak, Valentina Navarro, Janae Camargo; Beachwood: Madison Prince; Beaumont: Elissa Letterio, Shannon Blankenship; Berkshire: Lydia Kastor, Maddy Triskett, Mollee Chapman; Brush: player; Cardinal: Haley Domen, Ronee Collins;
Chagrin Falls: Julia Santamaria, Lily Karyo, Peyton Gellin; Chardon: Sam Liechty, Kayla Noerr; Cornerstone Christian: Alex Rosson, Kristen Suszek; Euclid: Alexis Reese; Fairport: Kara McFadden, Olivia Eldridge; Gilmour: Cooper Flowers, Nicci Finazzo, Katie Pulletti; Harvey: Hailey Davis, Ashia Robinson; Hawken: Kate Bollinger, Gabi Cicerini; Kenston: Ramsey Smith, Kate Haynes; Kirtland: Haley Coso, Reilly Greenlee, Macy McIntosh; Lake Catholic: Ali Hudik; Madison: Payton Lewanski, Alyssa Lavdis; Mayfield: Uriah Jennings, Ashley Dearden, Hannah Peterson;
Mentor: Bella Carcioppolo, Brooke Hickman, Sofia Kraska;
NDCL: Ava Baeslach, Raegann Leininger, Erica Leinweber; North: Cece Hamilton; Perry: JaC’ana Anderson, Margaux Jean, Marcela Rodriguez; Riverside: Amanda Kolar, Savanah Laurenty, Sam Volpe; South: Grace Woodcock, Jada Hopps; West Geauga: Nikki Ehrbar, Grace Wolfe.