The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
North’s Leo leads girls hoops all-stars
North’s Destiny Leo is this year’s News-Herald girls basketball Player of the Year. Find out who else made the team from your favorite school.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Destiny Leo North, Junior The legend of Destiny Leo started when she scored 52 points in an eighth-grade game. The 5-foot-10 junior guard has built on that legacy ever since, and is the 2018-19 News-Herald girls basketbal player of the year. Leo averaged 29.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. She made more than 80 3-pointers this year and shot 85 percent from the line. Leo is a dynamic scorer, especially in the biggest of games. For instance, she scored 36 points in her team’s 65-57 win over Euclid in a Division II district final at Perry. But even when she is not scoring, she makes those around her better in that she draws so much attention from the opposition’s defense that it opens opportunities for her teammates to score. A junior, Leo is drawing a lot of attention from Division I college programs. Anyone who has seen her play isn’t surprised. Find out more in a video interview with Leo at NewsHerald.com. — John Kampf
COACH OF THE YEAR Paul Force
North Force and his team added a new chapter to the program’s success story this year by advancing to the Division I regional tournament for the first time since 1999 winning a regional game for the first time since 1994. North finished with a 25-2 record, won a Western Reserve Conference championship — and did it all with an underclassmanheavy team. The Rangers will again be a force to be dealt with in the 2019-20 season.
FIRST TEAM
(In alphabetical order)
Abby Carter, North, Soph.
An honorable mention D-I All-Ohioan, she averaged 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Shot 79 percent from the line. Best play was in two regional games.
Constance Chaplin, Euclid, Sr.
Eastern Michigan signee was a first-team D-I All-Ohioan after averaging 29 points, 12 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 4.0 assists. She shot 72 percent from the lien.
Annika Corcoran, Gilmour, Sr.
Detroit Mercy signee was a first team D-II All-Ohioan after averaging 17.9 points, 4.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals. An outstanding floor general.
Madyson Hacking, Perry, So.
A third-team Division II All-Ohioan, she averaged 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.5 assists. A huge upside for this 10th-grader.
Katelyn Kinczel, Mayfield, Sr.
An honorable mention Division I All-Ohioan, she averaged 17 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She hit 51 3-pointers and shot 87 percent from the line.
Carly Perusek, Beaumont, Jr.
Third-team Division II All-Ohioan averaged 15.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.3 steals. Also a tenacious defender.
Alexis Reese, Euclid, So.
Dynamic 10th-grader averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds as a special mention D-I All-Ohioan. The area’s premier post player.
SECOND TEAM
(In alphabetical order) Michaela Cloonan, Cornerstone, Jr.: Second team D-IV All-Ohioan averaged 9 points, 5.7 assists and 44 rebounds. Team’s best all-around player. Camille Cummins, Cardinal, Sr.: Special mention D-III All-Ohioan averaged 12.4 points, 17.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.8 assists. Catara DeJarnette, Kenston, Fr.: Young playmaker averaged 11 points, 4.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in her rookie campaign. Sydney Feller, Chardon, Sr.: The senior guard averaged 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists. She hit 53 threepointers. Lydia Gattozzi, Beaumont, So.: Honorable mention D-II All-Ohioan average 15 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Nika Humeniuk, Andrews, Sr.: A second team D-IV AllOhioan, the 6-footer from the Ukraine averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. Catherine Rock, Mayfield, Jr.: Averaged 13.0 points, 4.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals. Junior guard does everything well.
THIRD TEAM
(In alphabetical order)
Madison Cloonan, Cornerstone, Jr.: Third team D-IV AllOhioan averaged 12.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Bella Dalessandro, Chagrin Falls, Jr.: Special mention D-II All-Ohioan averaged 13.6 points, 3.2 steals, and hit 38 3-pointers.
Athena Hocevar, West Geauga, So.: Averaged 16 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in half a season. A flat-out difference-maker in this program.
Elle Infalvi, Perry, So.: Honorable mention D-II All-Ohioan averaged 12.1 poitns and hit more than 60 3-pointers. A premier threat at both ends of the floor.
Emma Liberatore, NDCL, Jr.: Honorable mention D-II AllOhioan averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals. She shot 71 percent from the lne.
Stephanie Martin, Wickliffe, Jr.: Special mention D-III All-Ohioan averaged 20.9 points, 3.1 steals per game. Program’s all-time leading scorer.
Jordan Vencill, Geneva, Sr.: Averaged 14.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game. Shot 51 percent from field, 66 percent from line.
Maddie Puletti, Gilmour, Jr.: Averaged 13.4 points per game, had a breakout season in junior year.
HONOR ROLL
Andrews: Tai Roberts, Andrea Miguel Benavent, Darina Dyazhuk; Beaumont: Elizabeth Carvajal, Tamya Edwards, Elissa Letterio; Beachwood: Maison Prince, Ashaunti Griffin; Berkshire: Madison Chapma, Lexi Boyk, Lydia Kastor; Brush: Talia Jeter, Dalayah Johnson, Quintaya Alli; Cardinal: Ashley Gubanyar, Brittni Lawrence; Chagrin Falls: Carolyn Bencko, Julia Santamaria, Lily Karyo; Chardon: Lindsey Nichols, Danni McCartney, Tori Butala; Cornerstone: Riley Stopp, Kailey Tyna, Lauren Harris; Euclid: Mariah Childress, Jasmine Thomas, Taylor Curtain; Fairport: Olivia Eldridge; Geneva: Miranda Francis, Hope Stanley, Vonda Harold; Gilmour: Lizzie Bender, Jordan Nolan; Harvey: Nevada Melton; Hawken: Zariah Johnson, Makayla White; Kenston: Rayonna Peterson, Rachel Apshago; Kirtland: Lauren Lutz, Jenna Sayle, Grace Wolfe; Lake Catholic: Bryna Vargo, Carmyn Cremonese; Mayfield: Juls Consolo, Julianna Nicolli; Madison: Riley Montagner, Elizabeth Bottar; Mentor: Brooke Hickman, Carolyn Wochele, Tori Lanese; Mentor Christian: Emma Hixson, Mikayla Hoynes, Isabelle Venman; NDCL: Amanda Carney, Kaelin Ettinger; Team; Newbury: Hannah Grubbs, Kenzie Grubbs; North: Taylor Valaitis, Maddy Hamilton, Avril Drew; Perry: Anna Sorine, Makenzie Hacking; Riverside: Amanda Kolar; South: Mya Matriano, Grace Woodcock, Emma Woolnough; West Geauga: Nikki Ehrbar; VASJ: Kenya Ball, Iyana Smith, Willo Singleton.