Cayuga Health Simmons-RockwellTioga State Bank Dandy Mini Marts Valley Sports ReportGUTHRIE SPORTS MED Gannon Associates Williams Auto GroupI-R FCU




Knolles.gifcoachesPizza.jpgWSC.jpgSmithBrothers.jpgBodineMotor.jpgBX.jpg
VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S TOMASSO GIRLS BASKETBALL 'PLAYER OF YEAR' - WAVERLY'S HAMMOND, ATHENS' MACIK, SAYRE'S SPARDUTI ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2019-03-20)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - Waverly senior Alex Tomasso led the Lady Wolverines to the Section IV, Class B semifinals, led the Valley in scoring, and joined the 1,000-point club this season to earn the 2018-19 Valley Sports Report Girls Basketball "Player of the Year."

Waverly senior Wendi Hammond is this year's "Defensive Player of the Year," while Athens freshman Caydence Macik has been tabbed the "Newcomer of the Year," and Sayre's Eileen Sparduti is the "Coach of the Year."

Alex Tomasso was a stand-out on both ends of the floor for the Lady Wolverines.

She shot 45.8 percent from the field, including a 52.7 percent mark from inside the arc, and a 38.9 percent clip from behind the 3-point line, with 53 3-pointers.

Alex Tomasso averaged 19.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, as well as 3.3 steals, and 2.4 deflections per game.

A gifted all-around athlete, Hammond is long, extremely quick, tireless, and a high-energy defender. She averaged 4.1 steals and 2.2 deflections per game, and led a Waverly defense that allowed just 34.5 points per game.

Macik made an immediate impact for the Lady Wildcats, providing a low-post presence on both ends of the floor. She averaged 8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocked shots and 1.8 steals per game.

For most, preseason expectations for the Lady Redskins did not include 20 wins or a trip to the PIAA, Class AA playoffs, but Sparduti directed her squad to an NTL Small School title, a runner-up finish in the NTL Showdown, a runner-up finish in the District 4 playoffs, a state playoff game, and a 20-8 season.

The 2018-19 Girls Basketball Super 7 are:
Alex Tomasso, senior, Waverly:
See above.

Camry Lane, senior, Sayre: A skilled scorer, Lane did it all for the Lady Redskins, including much-improved play on the defensive end. She averaged 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 2.2 assists per game. Lane, who also joined the 1,000-point club this season, had 25 3-pointers, and 1.6 deflections per game.

Wendy Hammond, senior, Waverly: The premier defender in our area (see above), Hammond became more of a factor on the offensive end this season. She averaged 9 points, 4.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.1 steals, as well as 2.2 deflections per game

Stephanie Klovekorn, senior, Sayre: A top-notch defender, Klovekorn also got it done on the offensive ends and the boards. She averaged 11.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals, and 2.2 assists per game. She also had 12 3-pointers and 1.6 deflections per game.

Sidney Tomasso, sophomore, Waverly: A good perimeter shooter, Sidney Tomasso is also dangerous in the mid-range. She averaged 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.6 steals per game, and also had 3.7 deflections per game. She made 39 3-pointers, and shot 35.8 percent from behind the 3-point arc on the season.

Kayleigh Miller, sophomore, Athens: Predominantly a perimeter threat as a freshman, Miller is rounding into an all-around threat for the Lady Wildcats. She averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals, and 2.4 assists per game. She also knocked down 43 3-pointers, and shot 70 percent from the free-throw line.

Emily Sutryk, junior, Sayre: A deadly 3-point shooter, Sutryk displayed an improve all-around game this season. She averaged 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 assists. She also knocked down 59 3-pointers, and had 2.7 deflections per game.

All-Newcomer Team
Caydence Macik, freshman, Athens:
See above.

Olivia Ayres, sophomore, Tioga: Ayres got better and better as the season progressed, and as her confidence grew she became as dangerous as anyone in the area from behind the 3-point arc. Don't be surprised if she becomes the top-flight scorer Tioga has been searching for.

Megan Collins, sophomore, Athens: Collins showed the ability to knock down the open jumper, and could develop into a consistent scorer for the Wildcats.

Roz Haney, freshman, Sayre: Quick as a hiccup, Haney, who missed a significant amount of time due to an injury, just needs more time on the floor. She could become a big-time contributor for the Lady Redskins.

Julia Bellis, freshman, Tioga: Julia Bellis showed flashes of what she could become - a good all-around player with the ability to score and defend.

All-Defensive Team
Wendi Hammond, senior, Waverly.
Stephanie Klovekorn, senior, Sayre.
Alex Tomasso, senior, Waverly.
Avery Priester, junior, Athens.
Chloe Bellis, junior, Tioga.

All-Overlooked Team
Lauren Newman, senior, Waverly:
Newman did all the little things that every coach wants, whether it was on defense, on the boards, or getting after a loose ball on the floor.

Giovanna Rossi, junior, Tioga: Long and athletic, Rossi was a force on the boards, and altered a lot of shots on the defensive end.

Amber Merrill, senior, Sayre: A good defender and rebounder, Merrill played the game the way it should be played.

Haley Barry, junior, Athens: Very quick and athletic, Barry can score and defend. Don't be surprised if she takes her game to another level in her senior season.

Sophie Adams, senior, Athens: A strong rebounder and tireless defender, Adams is another player who every coach would want on their team.

Gabbi Randall, sophomore, Sayre: Randall improved by leaps-and-bounds as the season progressed, and was a major contributor in Sayre's postseason run. She was among the team leaders in assists and rebounds, and I expect her to score much more next season.

Players to Watch in 2019-20
The underclassmen listed above are most certainly players to watch next year, but there are also others:

Kennedy Westbrook, 8th-grader, Athens:
Westbrook will likely step right into the starting line-up, and make an immediate impact for the Lady Wildcats.

Carrie Claypool, junior, Sayre: After missing this season following knee surgery, Claypool will need to pick up where she left off. The Lady Redskins will need a point guard, and another threat from the perimeter, and she can provide both.

Olivia Nittinger, freshman, Waverly: The Lady Wolverines could need some perimeter scoring next year, and Nittinger could provide it.

Paige Robinson, 7th-grader, Waverly:
Long and athletic, Robinson fits the mold for coach Bob Kelly's defensive scheme. Depending on the looks of next year's roster, Robinson could see varsity minutes.

------

IN PHOTO: Waverly's Alex Tomasso.

------

PAST "Players of the Year"
2009-10 - Kara McDuffee, Tioga
2010-11 - Kara McDuffee, Tioga
2011-12 - Sabrina Bowman, Waverly
2012-13 - Sabrina Bowman, Waverly
2013-14 - Reylyn Schwartzhoff, Waverly
2014-15 - Morgan Westbrook, Athens / Paige Wampole, Sayre
2015-16 - Paige Wampole, Sayre
2016-17 - Elle Nittinger, Waverly
2017-18 - Elle Nittinger, Waverly


You've asked about helping ...
here's your chance. Click HERE