R.L. Bynum
03-22-2008, 10:16 PM
Daily Press Girls Basketball All-Stars
By JASON JORDAN | jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648
Player of the year
BONAE HOLSTON, SENIOR, FORWARD, HERITAGE
Because of her versatility, it wasn’t hard for Holston to shine on a team with five Division I signees. Holston punished opposing teams in the paint with her strength. When the lane got clogged, she stepped out and knocked down 15-footers with equal effectiveness.
Despite battling a nagging ankle sprain, which kept her sidelined for three games, Holston, a North Carolina State signee, averaged 16.4 points while shooting a team-leading 63 percent from the field. Holston also averaged 8.1 rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game this season and helped to lead the Hurricanes to their first Group AAA state title. It was the first time a Newport News girls team had won the state title.
Before that, the Canes ran the table in the Peninsula District and won their first regular-season and tournament titles. They also broke a seven-year losing streak to Hampton, last year’s Group AAA state champ, beating the Crabbers three times this season.
Holston began playing varsity as a freshman and was named the PD player of the year in her first two seasons.
First team
Amber Easter, junior, forward, Bethel
Easter may have been the toughest matchup in the district this season because, at 5-10, she blew by defenders off of the dribble, knocked down the mid-range jump shot and finished in the lane. Easter was named a PD co-player of the year and averaged 19 points and eight rebounds.
Sonia Johnson, senior, forward, Heritage
Johnson just edged Holston to lead the Canes in scoring with 17.6 points per game. Johnson also averaged seven rebounds and, along with Holston, formed the most lethal frontcourt tandem in the state.
Tiffany Davis, junior, guard, Hampton
Davis led the Crabbers to a second-place finish in the PD regular season and tournament and to the second round of the ER tournament. She averaged 17.4 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals per game.
Jen Falin, senior, forward, Bruton
She averaged 18.8 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in earning Bay Rivers District player of the year honors. She scored 12 points in a late 22-4 run that carried district tri-champion Bruton to a 49-46 win over Charlottesville and into the Group AA state semifinals.
Addie Williams, senior, forward, Lafayette
She averaged 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds to help the Rams tie for the Bay Rivers District title with Bruton and Poquoson. She scored more than 20 points in 10 of 21 games, including a season-best 30 in a win over New Kent.
Second team
* Denise Hamilton, senior, guard, Phoebus.
* Alyssa Bennett, junior, forward, Hampton.
* Caroline Wilke, senior, forward, Walsingham Academy.
* Kelly Halverson, junior, guard, Poquoson.
* Page Turner, junior, guard, Poquoson.
* Carlie Hampton, senior, center, York.
By JASON JORDAN | jjordan@dailypress.com | 247-4648
Player of the year
BONAE HOLSTON, SENIOR, FORWARD, HERITAGE
Because of her versatility, it wasn’t hard for Holston to shine on a team with five Division I signees. Holston punished opposing teams in the paint with her strength. When the lane got clogged, she stepped out and knocked down 15-footers with equal effectiveness.
Despite battling a nagging ankle sprain, which kept her sidelined for three games, Holston, a North Carolina State signee, averaged 16.4 points while shooting a team-leading 63 percent from the field. Holston also averaged 8.1 rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game this season and helped to lead the Hurricanes to their first Group AAA state title. It was the first time a Newport News girls team had won the state title.
Before that, the Canes ran the table in the Peninsula District and won their first regular-season and tournament titles. They also broke a seven-year losing streak to Hampton, last year’s Group AAA state champ, beating the Crabbers three times this season.
Holston began playing varsity as a freshman and was named the PD player of the year in her first two seasons.
First team
Amber Easter, junior, forward, Bethel
Easter may have been the toughest matchup in the district this season because, at 5-10, she blew by defenders off of the dribble, knocked down the mid-range jump shot and finished in the lane. Easter was named a PD co-player of the year and averaged 19 points and eight rebounds.
Sonia Johnson, senior, forward, Heritage
Johnson just edged Holston to lead the Canes in scoring with 17.6 points per game. Johnson also averaged seven rebounds and, along with Holston, formed the most lethal frontcourt tandem in the state.
Tiffany Davis, junior, guard, Hampton
Davis led the Crabbers to a second-place finish in the PD regular season and tournament and to the second round of the ER tournament. She averaged 17.4 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals per game.
Jen Falin, senior, forward, Bruton
She averaged 18.8 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in earning Bay Rivers District player of the year honors. She scored 12 points in a late 22-4 run that carried district tri-champion Bruton to a 49-46 win over Charlottesville and into the Group AA state semifinals.
Addie Williams, senior, forward, Lafayette
She averaged 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds to help the Rams tie for the Bay Rivers District title with Bruton and Poquoson. She scored more than 20 points in 10 of 21 games, including a season-best 30 in a win over New Kent.
Second team
* Denise Hamilton, senior, guard, Phoebus.
* Alyssa Bennett, junior, forward, Hampton.
* Caroline Wilke, senior, forward, Walsingham Academy.
* Kelly Halverson, junior, guard, Poquoson.
* Page Turner, junior, guard, Poquoson.
* Carlie Hampton, senior, center, York.