Hazleton Area junior Kaitlyn Bindas was selected the Times Leader Player of the Year for girls basketball.
Fred Adams | Times Leader file photo
Kaitlyn Bindas
Hazleton Area
Junior
Player Of The Year
A three-time All-WVC selection and Class 6A all-state first team choice, Bindas led the Cougars to the WVC Division 1 and District 2 Class 6A championships and to the PIAA Class 6A state quarterfinals. The do-it-all guard led Division 1 with a 19.7 scoring average, was second with 45 3-pointers and was fifth in free-throw shooting by hitting 73.9%. She reached 1,000 career points during the season and was named the Division 1 MVP by the coaches.
Nevaeh Baran
Nanticoke Area
Senior
The high-energy guard helped Nanticoke Area to the Division 2 title with her play on both ends of the court. She was fourth in the division with a 14.1 points per game and showed shooting range with 29 3-pointers. She placed fifth in free-throw shooting at 61.6%. She has committed to Michigan State for track.
Sophia Benyo
Hazleton Area
Junior
The two-time All-WVC selection was a major force on the boards once again, regularly recording double-digit rebounds. While Benyo averaged 7.6 points, her rebounding often led to second and third chances for her teammates. She put on an incredible display in the paint during the postseason.
Bella Boylan
Holy Redeemer
Senior
Boylan was named All-WVC for a third consecutive season and a Class 3A all-state third team selection. Her tenacious play helped the Royals get to the PIAA Class 3A state title game. She led the Royals with a 12.9 scoring average and was among the best defenders in the WVC. She was also all-state in volleyball in the fall.
McKenzie Chimock
Holy Redeemer
Senior
Chimock was selected to the Class 3A all-state second team. She was among the division leaders in several categories and shined in Redeemer’s postseason run to the PIAA Class 3A state title game. She averaged 12.4 points, was second in the division in free-throw shooting by hitting 69.6% of her shots and tied for second with 32 3-pointers.
Keira Dougherty
Crestwood
Senior
After missing her junior season with an injury, Dougherty earned Class 5A all-state second team honors. She also made the All-WVC team for a third time. As a guard, she was capable of scoring anywhere on the court on the way to 1,000 career points. She averaged 15.3 points, sixth best in Division 1. Her 35 3-pointers were the fourth most in the division. She was the Division 1 Co-Player of the Year.
Jackie Gallagher
Crestwood
Junior
Gallagher was selected to the Class 5A all-state first team to go along with her second selection to the All-WVC team. The 6-footer was fourth in Division 1 in scoring with an 18-point average, connected on 31 3-pointers and led the entire WVC by hitting 80% from the foul line. She scored 1,000 career points this season.
Charlie Hiller
Crestwood
Junior
Hiller turned in her second All-WVC season. The 6-footer was a force inside where he grabbed 8.5 rebounds per game and scored, but was also a threat from the perimeter. She averaged 10 points and hit 18 3-pointers during the regular season. She was also among the WVC’s top defenders. She should reach 1,000 career points very early next season.
Kinley Purdy
Lake-Lehman
Sophomore
Purdy assumed the role of Lake-Lehman’s go-to player and thrived in it. She led the Black Knights in scoring with a 17-point average, which was second best in Division 2. She hit 65.5% of her free throws, which was fourth best in the division, and added 24 3-pointers. She is on pace to reach 1,000 career points, perhaps early as next season.
Kate Reed
Nanticoke Area
Senior
The Division 2 MVP shot the 3-pointer like no one else, hitting an amazing 71 shots from beyond the ace for the Division 2 champion Trojanettes. She finished third in Division 2 in scoring with a 15.7 average. While Reed didn’t get to the foul line much, she was a 69% shooter from there. Her all-out play also made her a force on defense.
Alexis Reimold
Hazleton Area
Senior
Reimold was selected All-WVC for a second consecutive year. While other teammates stuck out more, she was a glue player who did everything asked on both ends of the court. The Bloomsburg recruit averaged 10.9 points during the regular season on her way to 1,000 career points. She was among the WVC’s top free-throw shooters, hitting 75.4%.
Ella Stambaugh
Wyoming Seminary
Junior
Stamabugh was selected to the Class 2A all-state first team. The 6-foot-2 Richmond recruit was capable of playing all five positions. A two-time All-WVC selection, she led the entire WVC with a 21.2 scoring average and led Division 2 by hitting 71.2% from the foul line. She tied for second in Division 2 with 32 3-pointers while also scoring her 1,000th point. She was selected the Division 2 Player of the Year by the coaches.
Molly Walsh
Dallas
Senior
Walsh was selected to the Class 5A all-state second team. She was selected the Division 1 Co-Player of the Year. A two-time All-WVC selection who missed her junior season with a knee injury, Walsh was third in the division in scoring with a 18.4 average, second in free-throw shooting by hitting 78.2% from the line and scored her 1,000th career point.
Times Leader All-WVC Second Team
Jordan Andrews`Crestwood`Sr.
Natalee Atkins`Nanticoke Area, Sr.
Abby Calarco`Berwick`So.
Mia DelGaudio`Dallas`Sr.
Odessa Kanton`Dallas`So.
Ellie Kersey`Wyoming Seminary`Jr.
Julia Long`Pittston Area`Jr.
Mariah Marolo`Hazleton Area`Jr.
Olivia Oliver`Lake-Lehman`Sr.
Jaida Underwood`Wilkes-Barre Area`So.
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