Our 2024 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, Super Team & All-Stars
Four of the SouthCoast's nine girls basketball teams qualified for the state tournament, where Apponequet and Dartmouth had the most success.
Apponequet, which successfully defended its South Coast Conference Blue Division championship, wrapped up a 20-4 season with a 68-40 loss to St. Mary's in the Div. 3 Round of 16.
Dartmouth, which broke through to win its first-ever Southeast Conference championship, capped a 18-4 season with a tough 40-38 loss in overtime to Whitman-Hanson in the Div. 2 Round of 16.
Old Rochester finished 15-7 after ending its season with a 42-28 loss to Watertown in the Div. 3 Round of 32, and Wareham saw a 15-6 season come to an end after a 39-29 loss to Saint Bernard's in the Div. 4 preliminary round.
Here's a look at The Standard-Times' top girls basketball players for the 2023-24 season.
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kat Cheesebro, Dartmouth, Junior
The high school basketball season may be over, but things are starting to heat up for Kat Cheesebro.
Basketball is pretty much a year-round sport for the Dartmouth junior, who has shifted her focus to playing for her AAU team, the North Attleboro-based Honey Badgers.
"I'll be playing in some local tournaments and we'll be traveling to play in Iowa, Kentucky, and Chicago," Cheesebro said. "I'm practicing three days a week right now to stay in shape. It's going to be a fun summer and I'm looking forward to playing against some of the top players in the country."
With Cheesebro averaging 27.2 points a game this past season, Dartmouth finished 19-4 overall and won the first Southeast Conference championship in program history. The title included a first-ever regular-season sweep of Bridgewater-Raynham.
Dartmouth also benefited from a tough non-conference schedule that included matchups against three Div. 1 playoff teams (Andover, Brockton and Durfee), Div. 3 powerhouse St. Mary's, and Apponequet, which put together a 20-4 overall record and repeated as champions in the South Coast Conference Blue Division.
"You always want to play against good competition and I had to step up my game this season," Cheesebro said. "Playing a tough schedule was a good thing for everyone. It helped me improve as a player and prepared me for my AAU games."
The only disappointment Cheesebro had this season was not going further in the state tournament, where Dartmouth ended its season with a 40-38 overtime loss to Whitman-Hanson in the Div. 2 Round of 16.
"That was a tough way to end things, but we only graduate one senior and we have a lot of experienced players coming back next season," Cheesebro said. "We're going to play another tough schedule and we'll be looking to make a deeper run in the playoffs."
Dartmouth coach Brian Jalbert is already excited about the team's prospects next season and he's thrilled that Cheesebro will be returning for her final go round.
"Kat plays like a coach and she never comes off the court," Jalbert said. "She ran the team this season. Our offense went through her and as she went, we went. She developed into a tremendous team leader and she's a great kid on and off the court."
Even with all the success Dartmouth enjoyed this past season, Cheesebro will always remember being part of a tight-knit group of players.
"We were close with each other and we had great chemistry with each other," Cheesebro said. "We were quick, we were able to push the ball and that led to a lot of fast-break points. We had a lot of fun playing with each other."
For all of her individual accomplishments, Cheesebro knows how important it is to be part of a team effort.
"I have to thank my teammates and coaches for supporting me," she said. "None of the good things that have happened to me on the basketball court would have been possible without them."
WHY SHE WAS SELECTED
Did everything exceptionally well for Dartmouth. Developed into a proven scorer who was able to shoot on the perimeter, take the ball to the basket, and get to the free-throw line. Did a great job creating shots for herself and her teammates. Handled the ball with confidence, scored on the fast break, and made everyone around her better. Made big plays at key times and set a good tone for the team with her hard work on defense. Used her quickness to get past defenders and had a good feel for the game. Scored a lot of points, but was unselfish with the ball and proved to be a consummate team player.
KEY STATS
Led the area in scoring for the second straight season with a 27.2 average on the way to being named the Most Valuable Player in the Southeast Conference. Pulled down 7.9 rebounds a game and finished with an average of 3.0 assists and 3.1 steals a game. Shot 53.7 percent from the floor and 85.3 percent at the free-throw line. Surpassed 1,000 career points with a 24-point effort in a 71-37 win over GNB Voc-Tech in December. Finished the season with a three-season total of 1,434 points.
MVP MOMENTS
Came up big for Dartmouth in a pair of wins over perennial SEC powerhouse Bridgewater-Raynham. Scored 41 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 62-52 victory on the road and added 20 points in a 49-39 win at home despite playing with an ankle injury. The victories helped fuel an 8-0 record in the conference and powered the program's first-ever league championship.
NOTES
Lives in Dartmouth and is the only child of Cory and Karen Cheesebro. Her mother was a swimmer at New Bedford High and her father played basketball and golf in high school. ... Her favorite subjects are math and science. ... Has started looking at possible college choices and plans to major in biomedical engineering. ... Is a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.2 GPA. ... Plays fullback for the girls soccer team in the fall and takes part in unified track in the spring.
SUPER TEAM
Zaria Anderson, New Bedford, Junior
A good shooter, Anderson averaged 18.3 points a game to finish third in the Southeast Conference, where she earned All-Star honors. Also helped the Whalers with some hard-nosed defense that saw her take 15 offensive charges by opponents and she pulled down 5.6 rebounds a game. "Zaria came back with an improved outside shot," New Bedford head coach Jordan Pina said. "She developed a good mid-range jump shot as the season progressed and she worked hard to create better shots for herself. She helped us at both ends of the court and she played with a lot of confidence. When she wasn't making outside shots, she did a great job taking the ball to the rim."
Cece Levrault, Apponequet, Sophomore
Scored a team-high 14.8 points a game for the Lakers, who put together a 20-4 overall record and successfully defended their South Coast Conference Blue Division championship. Pulled down 4.3 rebounds a game and shot 49.7 percent from the floor on the way to being named an SCC All-Star. Also plays soccer and lacrosse at Apponequet. "Cece was one of our most versatile players," Apponequet head coach Trevor Gagnier said. " She took the ball to the basket, she led us in steals (4.2 a game) and she played tough, hard-nosed defense. She's just a tremendous athlete."
Addison Taylor, Apponequet, Junior
A three-year starter, Taylor averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 assists and 2.8 steals a game on the way to earning South Coast Conference All-Star honors for the third straight season and finishing second in voting for the league's Most Valuable Player. "She ran our offense in the backcourt and she finished with less than two turnovers a game," Apponequet head coach Trevor Gagnier said. "She made 43 3-pointers to help us on the perimeter and she made a lot of big plays when we needed them."
Lexi Thompson, New Bedford, Senior
The only returner from last season's Super Team, Thompson finished as the second-leading scorer (19.6 points a game) in the Southeast Conference, where she earned All-Star honors for the third straight season for her play in the backcourt. Also finished fifth in the conference in rebounding (7.6) and first in steals (4.6). She capped her career by winning the prestigious Dave Cowens Award given annually to the best male and female senior players in the area. "Lexi did a little bit of everything for us and she was able to take over games," New Bedford head coach Jordan Pina said. "She rarely came off the court and she was one of our team leaders."
Hannah Thorell, Old Rochester, Sophomore
Made a big impact for the Bulldogs as a 5-foot-10 forward who earned South Coast Conference All-Star honors. Finished as the area's only player to average a double double with 10.2 points and 12.3 rebounds a game in her first season as a starter. "Hannah worked hard to get better and it showed as the season progressed," Old Rochester head coach Rick Regan said. "Her footwork in the post was solid and she also helped us with her passing. She's a smart player and she played with a lot of energy and confidence."
ALL-STAR TEAM
Caroline Brogioli, Old Rochester, Junior
Did a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs. Averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists on the way to earning South Coast Conference All-Star honors. Ran the offense at the point and played with a lot of athleticism. Got better as the season progressed and proved to be a good ballhandler and team leader.
Casalice Dias, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior
A hard-working point guard, Dias averaged 5.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals a game en route to being named South Coast Conference Honorable Mention. Played with good fundamentals and did a nice job directing the Bears' offense. Proved to be a solid ballhandler and set a good example as a team leader on a young squad.
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Jordyn Elwood, Wareham, 8th Grade
Stepped up to become the Vikings' top scorer and best defender despite her inexperience. Helped lead the Vikings to a 15-7 record and a berth in the Div. 4 playoffs with her solid outside shooting. Took good care of the ball at the point and played with a high basketball IQ on the way to earning Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors.
Hannah Kuriscak, Apponequet, Sophomore
Averaged 11.3 points and made a school-record 70 3-pointers for the Lakers, who finished 20-4 overall and repeated as South Coast Conference Blue Division champions. Made a school-record nine 3-pointers in a win over Middleboro and made eight threes in a victory over Abington. Stepped up her defense and earned SCC All-Star honors.
Ava Morrison, Fairhaven, Junior
Used her shooting and ballhandling skills to average 11.0 points and 3.5 assists a game on the way to earning South Coast Conference All-Star honors. Helped the Blue Devils with her shooting on the perimeter and took the ball to the hoop with a purpose. Scored with an effective pull-up jumper and served as team captain.
Laila Pires, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior
Shined for the Bears with her play in the paint as a small forward. Proved to be tough on the boards with an average of 5.9 rebounds a game. Also averaged 5.8 points a game and proved to be one of the Bears' most consistent players. Has four varsity seasons under her belt and set a good tone as the team's most experienced player.
Jai-Ana Silva, GNB Voc-Tech, Freshman
Put together a tremendous first season with the Bears. Scored 389 points (19.5 a game) and has the potential to be a 1,000-point career scorer if she continues to work hard and develop her game. Made 43 3-pointers and was named a South Coast Conference All-Star. Scored a season-high 34 points in a win over West Bridgewater.
Alaysha Sylvia-Figueroa, New Bedford, Freshman
Helped the Whalers in the backcourt and at forward, where she finished as the leading rebounder in the Southeast Conference with an 8.8 average. Never stopped working on the boards, wasn't afraid to hit the deck for loose balls and used her quickness to make steals. Scored a season-high 24 points in a tough loss to Taunton.
Johnny Tompkins, Wareham, Sophomore
Proved to be a versatile Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star for the Vikings with her ball handling and athletic play at forward. Helped the Vikings with her rebounding and was able to use both hands to score around the basket. Played hard-nosed defense and was able to match up against players of all sizes and skill levels.
Kaelyn Zuber, Dartmouth, Sophomore
Averaged 8.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals a game for Dartmouth, which went undefeated (including a pair of wins over perennial league powerhouse Bridgewater-Raynham) in conference play on the way to winning their first-ever Southeast Conference championship. Did all of the little things that don't show up in box scores and was named an SEC All-Star.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ava Dixon, Apponequet, Senior; Cynthia Morales, Apponequet, Junior; Hailey Martins, Dartmouth, Senior; Kate Sullivan, Dartmouth, Junior; Kyra Joseph, Fairhaven, Sophomore; Jamila Ramos, New Bedford, Freshman; Lindsey Bacchiocchi, Old Colony, Senior; Serenity Pina, Old Colony, Freshman; Amber Engel, Old Rochester, Senior; Emerson Gonet, Old Rochester, Junior; Keira Pierre, Wareham; Senior.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2024 Girls Basketball Player of the Year and Super Team
