12 Fall River area high school girls basketball player to watch this winter

FALL RIVER — It's that time of year again.

Greater Fall River girls basketball star players are set to lace up their sneakers and see what they've got against teams from across southeastern Massachusetts.

The Herald News takes a look at the top 12 female hoop players from the Greater Fall River area:

Liberty Gazaille, Case

Gazaille, a two-year starter, had another strong season for the Cardinals last winter. The senior forward had 247 points (11.2 per game), a team-leading 168 rebounds (7.6) and 64 assists (2.9) in 2022-23. Gazaille, a two-time South Coast Conference all-star, helped Case to a berth in the Sweet 16 for the second season in a row. The Cardinals won 72 percent of their games in the last two seasons with Gazaille in the lineup.

Julia George, Westport

George, a senior captain, is expected to play a bigger role for the Wildcats this winter. The senior guard stepped up as a starter last season and is a presence for the Wildcats both offensively and defensively. She helped lead Westport to an area-best 16-4 record and a berth in the Division V Elite 8 tournament game.

Mia Gentile, Somerset Berkley

Gentile was the best player on the floor for the Raiders last winter. The senior captain averaged a team-best 14.5 points per game and had three steals per game. The SBR sharp-shooting, off guard helped lead the Raiders to a postseason berth. Gentile, who was named a South Coast Conference all-star, shot almost 80% from the free throw line.

Julia Hargraves, Durfee

Hargraves, a third-year starter, had a solid year for the HIlltoppers last season. The Durfee senior captain averaged 7.8 points per game and nearly three rebounds (2.8) per game. She helped lead the Hilltoppers to a 15-5 regular season record, first playoff win since 2015 and a berth into the Round of 32 game in the MIAA state tournament. Hargraves was named a Southeast Conference honorable mention.

Korynne Holden, Westport

Holden helped energized the offense and defense for the Wildcats last winter. The senior guard scored 313 points, which was second on the team. She also contributed 67 rebounds, 27 assists, 90 steals and two blocked shots. Holden, who was named a Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star, helped lead Westport to an area-best 16-4 record and a berth in the Division V Elite 8 tournament game.

Elizabeth Kinnane, Diman

Kinnane will look to do it all for the youthful Bengals this winter. The Diman senior captain has speed, can run the point, play inside, rebound and is active on the defensive end. Kinnane averaged nearly seven boards per game as a junior.

Karlie Cosme, Somerset Berkley

Cosme had a solid all-around season for the Raiders last winter. The senior forward averaged seven points per game and grabbed 7.5 rebounds, which was second on the team. Cosme, who was named a South Coast Conference all-star honorable mention, guards the opposing team's best player. She helped lead SBR to a postseason berth.

Maggie O'Connell, Durfee

O'Connell did a little bit of everything for the HIlltoppers last winter. The senior third-year starter was named a Southeast Conference honorable mention. She averaged 6.1 points, grabbed 4.5 rebounds and collected 2.3 steals per game as a junior. O'Connell helped lead the Hilltoppers to a 15-5 regular season record, first playoff win since 2015 and a berth into the Round of 32 game in the MIAA state tournament.

Mya Hayes Paulette, Durfee

Hayes-Paulette made her presence known on offense and defense for the Hilltoppers last winter. The third-year starter averaged a team-best 10.1 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game. She also averaged 2.1 steals per game. Hayes-Paulette, who was named a Southeast Conference all-star, helped lead Durfee to a 15-5 regular season record, first playoff win since 2015 and a berth into the Round of 32 game in the MIAA state tournament.

Sarah Perry, Westport

Perry was a leader on the defensive end for the Wildcats last winter. The senior captain finished with 175 points, a team-leading 139 rebounds, 36 steals and 10 blocks. Perry, who was a Herald News All-Scholastics, helped lead Westport to an area-best 16-4 record and a berth in the Division V Elite 8 tournament game.

Emma Plante, Case

Plante had a stellar season as a freshman for the Cardinals last winter. She was named a South Coast Conference honorable mention. The sophomore forward provides a force inside and around the perimeter that helps Case to spread the floor with height. Plante helped lead the Cardinals to a berth in the Sweet 16 for the second season in a row.

Audrey Sperling, Somerset Berkley

Sperling ran the point guard position with poise and efficiency for the Raiders last season. The senior captain handles the ball well and can play good defense. She was named a Herald News second team All-Scholastic. Sperling helped lead SBR to a postseason berth.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Chezsports.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River area high school girls basketball players ready to star