VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: WAVERLY'S TOMASSO NAMED GIRLS BASKETBALL 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' ATHENS' PRIESTER, MILLER, WAVERLY'S WESTBROOK ALSO EARN TOP HONORS (2020-03-18)
Valley Sports ReportTHE VALLEY "” A well-rounded player, and a newly-minted member of the 1,000-point club,
Waverly junior Sidney Tomasso is the 2019-20
Valley Sports Report girls basketball "Player of the Year."
Waverly freshman Kennedy Westbrook is the "Newcomer of the Year," while
Athens senior Avery Priester is the "Defensive Player of the Year," and
Athens coach Brian Miller is the "Coach of the Year."
Tomasso, a good defender who creates easy points for herself and her teammates, can score with equal aplomb from behind the 3-point arc, with the mid-range jumper, or taking the ball to the hoop, and showed a nose for the ball on the boards as well.
She averaged 19.8 points and 6 rebounds per game, as well as 4 assists and 4 steals per game. She made 48 3-pointers on the season, and shot 85 percent from from the free-throw line.
Westbrook, who is a hard-nosed defender, was a ball of energy for the Lady Wolverines on both ends of the floor.
She averaged 10 points, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 rebounds per game.
Priester, a true floor general on the offensive end of the floor where she averaged 5 assists per game, was tasked with guarding the opponents best guard on a nightly basis, and was successfully many more times than not in holding their scoring output below average.
Miller, who made his bones at Waverly with defensive pressure and an up-tempo offensive game, has shifted his philosophy to match his talent at Athens, and the results speak for themselves.
Using solid half-court defense and a patient offense, the Lady Wildcats put together a 22-6 record that included a division title, an NTL Showdown title, a second-place finish in the District 4 Championships, and a trip to the PIAA, Class AAAA playoffs.
The 2019-20 Lady Wildcats under Miller were truly a team that as a whole was greater than the sum of its parts.
The remainder of the
All-Valley Girls Basketball Super 7 are as follows:
Kayleigh Miller, junior, Athens: A heady player, Miller made teams pay when they gave her even a glimpse of an open look.
She averaged 12.8 points per game, including a Valley-best 70 3-pointers, as well as 3.2 steals, and 2.6 assists per game.
Caydence Macik, sophomore, Athens: Macik showed flashes of becoming an absolutely dominant presence in the low-post, especially on the offensive end.
She averaged 11.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, as well as 2.4 steals per game and nearly 1 blocked shot per game.
Olivia Ayres, junior, Tioga: When she was on, Ayres could fill it up in bunches from beyond the 3-point arc.
She averaged 14.3 points per game, including 62 3-pointers, as well as 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 assists per game.
Giovanna Rossi, senior, Tioga: A monster on the boards, Rossi also showed a soft touch on her mid-range jumper.
She averaged 9.2 points, a Valley-best 11.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game.
Emily Sutryk, senior, Sayre: A good defender and dangerous 3-point shooter, Sutryk was the top target of opposing defenses all season on a team that only had one other major scoring threat.
She averaged 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 steals, and 1.5 assists per game, and knocked down 31 3-pointers.
Gabbi Randall, junior, Sayre: A good defender and tenacious rebounder, Randall was a focus of opposing defenses on a team that had just two scoring threats.
She averaged 8.7 points and 10.2 rebounds, as well as 2.8 steals, and 1.7 assists per game.
All-Defensive TeamAvery Priester, senior, Athens.
Chloe Bellis, senior, Tioga.
Rachel Stephens, junior, Athens.
Sidney Tomasso, senior, Waverly.
Julia Bellis, sophomore, Tioga.
All-Overlooked Team
Chloe Bellis, senior, Tioga: A tenacious defender and rebounder, Chloe Bellis had her best year offensively as well.
Eve Wood, junior, Tioga: A good shooter, Wood was the floor general of a Tioga team that improved as the season progressed. Don't be surprised if she becomes more of an offensive force next year.
Megan Collins, junior, Athens: A dangerous perimeter shooter, Collins made some clutch shots for the Lady Wildcats this season.
Morgan Adams, senior, Waverly: A rugged presence in the low post, Adams was not afraid to push opponents around, or get on the floor after loose balls.
Julia Bellis, sophomore, Tioga: A good all-around player, look for Julia Bellis to play a much bigger role for the Lady Tigers next year.
Players to Watch in 2020-21The underclassmen listed above are most certainly players to watch next year, but there are also others:
Carrie Claypool, junior, Sayre: After missing two years with knee injuries and surgeries, Claypool will bring much needed stability to the Lady Redskins at the point guard position in 2020-21.
Paige Robinson, 8th-grade, Waverly: Very athletic, Robinson can score in transition, and play defense - two things coach Bob Kelly likes in a player.
Peyton Shaw, 8th-grade, Waverly: A good scorer in the low post, Shaw can also step outside and knock down the 3-pointer. Like Robinson, she'll step into a big role as a freshman.
Rachel Stephens, junior, Athens: Already a strong defender and rebounder, don't be surprised if Stephens starts to score a little more next year.
Caprice Haney, 8th-grade, Sayre: Very athletic and a well-traveled AAU player, Caprice Haney could be a key piece to a resurgence for the Lady Redskins in 2020-21.
Roz Haney, sophomore, Sayre: With her younger sister playing, Roz Haney, who was a solid contributor for the Lady Redskins as a freshman, could return to the hardwoods in 2020-21. A tremendous athlete, Roz Haney would make an impact if she returns.
Olivia Bartlow, sophomore, Athens: A physical player, Olivia Bartlow could become a strong rebounder and shot-blocker for the Lady Wildcats, and possibly provide a little scoring punch in the low-post.
Karlee Bartlow, freshman, Athens: An athletic guard, Karlee Bartlow can put the ball on the floor and get to the bucket.
Emma Bronson, freshman, Athens: Quick and very athletic, Bronson could make an immediate impact for the Lady Wildcats, especially on the defensive end.
Mya Thompson, 8th-grade, Athens: Very athletic, Thompson can get up and down the floor, and could prove dangerous in transition. She could become more of a factor as the season wears on.
Reese Howey, freshman, Tioga: Long and athletic, Howey will have a chance to contribute for the Lady Tigers in 2020-21.
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IN PHOTO: Waverly's Sidney Tomasso.
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"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
2018-19 - Alex Tomasso, Waverly
