News-Herald girls basketball player of the year watch list

The News-Herald will present the girls basketball Player of the Year award as part of the Varsity Chalk Talk Show at Hooley House on March 27. The following players are leading candidates as the tournament season gets going. (in alphabetical order) Constance Chaplin, Euclid: The senior guard scored 22 points in the Panthers’ 50-43 win over Brush. For the season, she is averaging 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 4.0 assists per game heading into the Panthers’ sectional final against North on Feb. 22. Naz Hillmon, Gilmour:

The senior forward had 35 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a win over John Hay. For the season, the University of Michigan commit is averaging 21.0 points, 14.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.4 assists per game heading into her team’s Division III sectional final on Feb. 22 against Lake Catholic.

Destiny Leo, North: The senior guard/forward scored 17 points with seven rebounds and three assists in the Rangers’ 52-29 win over Perry. For the season,

she is averaging 19.1 points (with 52 3-pointers), 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game heading into North’s sectional final against Euclid on Feb. 22. Teagan Ochaya, Mentor:

The senior forward scored 15 points in the Cardinals’ 67-29 win over South. For the season, she is averaging 16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game heading into Mentor’s sectional final against Chardon on Feb. 22. Samantha Pirosko, North:

The senior forward scored 15 points and had eight rebounds in the Rangers’ 52-29 win over North. For the season, she is averaging 18.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game heading into North’s sectional final against Euclid on Feb. 22. Danajah Sanders, Brush:

The senior guard scored 21 points in the Arcs’ 50-43 tournament loss to Euclid. She ended the season averaging 19.3 points (with 65 3-pointers) per game. Sydney Snyder, Kirtland:

The senior guard/forward is averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 4.3 steals per game heading into her team’s tournament opener on Feb. 24 against the winner of Beachwood and Brooklyn.