Staff report

For the second consecutive year, Fort Loramie standout Jessica Boerger has been named the Shelby County League’s Player of the Year in girls basketball.

Fort Loramie, runner-up Anna, third-place Jackson Center and fourth-place Russia all had two players each named to the first two teams. The other two spots were taken up by players from Fairlawn and Houston, and they were both first-team selections.

First team

Jessica Boerger, senior, Fort Loramie, Player of the Year — A senior, Boerger led the Lady Redskins to an outright County championship this season at 11-1 and a current 18-4 record and the No. 1 seed going into today’s sectional tournament at Sidney.

Boerger leads the Lady Redskins in scoring at 14.9 points per game, in assists with 81, in steals with 79 and is second on the team in rebounding at 5.1 per game. She shoots 41 percent from the field overall, and has dropped in 91 of 120 free throws for 76 percent.

Avery Bensman, senior, Anna — Bensman was the key reason for Anna’s resurgence this season, leading the Lady Rockets to as high as a No. 2 ranking in the state in Division 3 and a final 19-3 regular season record. She averaged 12.1 points per game, tops on the team, and five rebounds. She also dished out 93 assists and had 80 steals.

Audrey Francis, junior, Fairlawn — Francis did a lot of everything for the Lady Jets this season. She averaged an area-leading 21.1 points per game during the regular season, along with 9.4 rebounds per game. She got to the free throw line an amazing 214 times, hitting 153 for 71 percent, and she also lead the team in steals with 47 and in assists with 69.

Jenna Winner, senior, Houston — Winner led the Lady Wildcats in scoring this season with a 12.3 average, in rebounds at 6.3 per game, and in blocked shots with 29. She shot 48 percent from the field, 1o9 for 228.

Nicole Barhorst, senior, Anna — Barhorst gave Anna two on the first team. She was second on her team in scoring at 11.8 and second in rebounding at 6.3. She also had 41 steals and 33 assists.

Second team

Holly Frey, senior, Fort Loramie — Frey gave Fort Loramie a solid one-two punch with Boerger, they being two players who were key to the state championship run from a year ago. This season, Frey averages 9.9 points and leads the team in rebounding at 5.5 per game. She is an outstanding shooter, hitting 82 for 134 for 61 percent from the field.

Maria Herron, junior, Russia — Herron was one of the league’s top three-point shooters this season, hitting 47 in 136 attempts for 35 percent. Her 47 is the County’s best, and is more than four of the County teams’ total this season. She averaged a team-high 12.7 points per game and had 60 assists. She was outstanding at the line, canning 54 for 67 for 81 percent.

Nicole Fogt, senior, Jackson Center — Fogt led the Lady Tigers in scoring this season at 11.8 per game, in rebounding at 5.5, and in blocked shots with 28. She also shot 72 percent from the free throw line.

Peyton Esser, senior, Jackson Center — Esser was second on the team in scoring at 8.0 points per game, and led the Lady Tigers in assists with 58 and steals with 55.

Tiffany Hatcher, junior, Russia — Hatcher averaged 11 points per game for the Lady Raiders and hit 33 three-pointers in 84 attempts for 39 percent. She was the team leader in assists with 91 and also in rebounding at 5.6.

Honorable Mention

Anna — Macey Huelskamp, sophomore

Botkins — Kayla Heuker, senior; Sarah Bergman, sophomore

Fairlawn — Mollie Roe, senior

Houston — Macey Stang, senior

Jackson Center — Cassie Meyer, junior