JTV Sport Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year

Player of the Year

Maddux Locke, Springport, Senior: The senior improved from her all-state performance as a junior scoring 21.6 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals per game in 2023-2024. Locke was named as the Big Eight Conference MVP for this season and averaged 18.4 points per game and nearly 6 steals in four years at Springport at the varsity level. She plans to play basketball at Lawrence Tech University next fall. 

Top 10 Players

Ashley Weller, Northwest, Senior: Weller was the top scorer for the Mounties this season with 17.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists per game for Northwest. She was named as the Player of the Year in the Interstate-8 Conference and plans to play basketball a Spring Arbor University next fall. 

Mara Mitchell, Northwest, Senior: Mitchell went over the 1,000-point plateau at the end of her senior season. She averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals per game for the Mounties. Mitchell will attend Ferris State University in the fall to play basketball. 

Kate Starkey, Grass Lake, Junior: Starkey was the MVP of the Cascades Conference this season leading the Warriors to a conference title. She averaged 17.1 points, 4 steals, 3 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds per game. The junior set a school record for steals in a season with 93. 

Samantha Wynn, Michigan Center, Senior: She averaged 12.2 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, and shot 45 percent from the field. Wynn was named to the Cascades Conference Dream Team. The Cardinals advanced to the Division 3 regional final in basketball this season. 

Rayah Hitt, Western, Sophomore: She led the Panthers in scoring with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 3 assists per game. Hitt earned first-team all-conference honors in the Interstate-8 Conference. Western earned a district title in Division 2 basketball this season. 

Hailey Freshcorn, Columbia Central, Senior: Freshcorn earned Cascades Conference Dream Team honors scoring 15.6 points, 2.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game for the Golden Eagles. CCHS earned its fourth consecutive district title in March. 

Mariah Kerley, East Jackson, Junior: Only a junior, Kerley already has more than 1,200 career points at East Jackson. She averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.3 assists for the Trojans this season. 

Cieara Barrett, Concord, Sophomore: Barrett helped the Yellowjackets to a district title and regionals final in Division 4 this season. She averaged 14.6 points and 6 rebounds per game and was named first-team all-conference for Concord. 

Bradie Lehman, Concord, Freshman: The freshman helped Concord win 20 games this season after a four-win campaign a year earlier. Lehman averaged 13.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.7 steals for Concord in 2023-2024. 

Allison O’Dowd, Lumen Christi, Senior: O’Dowd led the Titans to an 18-win season in 2023-2024. She averaged 13 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds per game for the Titans. 

Other Nominees Earning Consideration

Maggie Soper, Hanover-Horton, Sophomore: The sophomore averaged 9.7 points, and nearly 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals per game for Hanover-Horton. She shot 75 percent from the free throw line this season. 

Bayli Stewart, Western, junior: The junior averaged 10.6 points, 3 rebounds, and shot 43.7 percent from the field this season. Stewart was tabbed as the “best defender on the team” by her coach. 

McKynley Gaddy, Michigan Center, Freshman: The freshman made a significant impact on the Cardinals’ team this season averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and  2.4 steals per game for MCHS. Gaddy was first team all-conference in league play. 

Morgan Kuhl, Hanover-Horton, Junior: Kuhl improved her play from a year ago with 9.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Comets. She shot nearly 47 percent from the field this season. 

Hailey Mees, Michigan Center, Junior: Mees averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 steals, and 3 rebounds per game for Michigan Center. She was honorable mention in the Cascades Conference. 

Molly Soper, Hanover-Horton, Sophomore: Soper had a breakout season for the Comets with 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. She had a high of 23 points in a game for HHHS. 

The list was tabulated by writer/photographer Jeff Steers based on nominations from area coaches. Thank you coaches for taking the time to nominate players so JTV could honor the best female high school hoopsters in Jackson County.