Central's Nevaeh Hearne, Robert Lee's Kailey Freeman named the All-West Texas Co-MVP's
The 2023-24 girls' basketball season ended with multiple Concho Valley and San Angelo area teams making deep playoff runs, including the Goldthwaite team that made it to the state tournament in San Antonio.
Regardless of team success, plenty of outstanding area athletes had stellar seasons. Here is a look at the Standard-Times' 2023-24 All-West Texas girls basketball teams.
Most Valuable Player
Kailey Freeman, sr., Robert Lee
Freeman has been a rock for the Lady Steers during her three years on varsity capped by a trip to the Region II-1A tournament. The 2022-23 Region 11-1A Offensive Player of the Year followed up a fantastic junior season with a senior season where she averaged 21 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals earning 2023-24 District 11-1A Co-MVP honors. She leaves Robert Lee with 1,870 points scored with 2022 and 2024 All-Regional Tournament honors.
Nevaeh Hearne, sr., San Angelo Central
Hearne was a crucial member of the Lady Cats in 2023-24 which won its first district title in 21 years, splitting the title with state-ranked Frenship. Hearne averaged 13.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game and was named the District 2-6A Co-MVP this season. She led the way for Central in the team's first bidistrict championship since 2021 with a 69-51 win over El Paso Franklin scoring 35 points. Hearne was also voted Standard-Times Athlete of the Week and was named to the THSCA Academic All-District team.
District 11-A Honors: Robert Lee's Freeman, Irion County's Rainey named District 11-A girls basketball MVP
District 7-2A Honors: Christoval's Halle Hughes highlights District 7-2A girls basketball honors
Offensive Player of the Year
Kellyn Gass, jr., Ozona
The 2023-24 District 7-2A Offensive MVP averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks per game leading the Lady Lions to the second seed in their district. Gass helped Ozona reach the regional quarterfinal where she averaged 23 points per game in the postseason.
Makinley Kothmann, sr., Menard
The District 12-1A Co-MVP averaged 19.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.8 steals, while shooting 48% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc. Kothmann's impact helped lead Menard to a district title in 2023-24 and a regional quarterfinal appearance. She was also named to the TABC All-Region Team.
Defensive Player of the Year
Brylyn Watts, jr., Wall
Watts was named Defensive MVP in District 6-3A and helped the Lady Hawks to the No. 8 spot in the TABC rankings by the end of the season. She averaged 15.1 points, 4.6 steals, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds, helping lead Wall to a regional quarterfinal appearance.
Newcomer of the Year
Christina Geary, fr., Sterling City
Geary earned District 7-2A Newcomer of the Year after averaging a double-double with 10.5 points and 10 rebounds and added two steals and two blocks per game. She was also named to the Academic All-District team and is ranked No. 1 in her class.
Coach of the Year
Brad Blalock, Christoval
In his first season as the Lady Cougars head coach, Blalock turned a great team into an outright district championship — which finished 14-0 in District 7-2A. He also led Christoval to a 30-8 overall record and a regional tournament appearance.
First Team
Emalyn Bohensky, jr., Bronte; Matilda Glavan, jr., Ballinger; Jayden Gomez, jr., Water Valley; Halle Hughes, jr., Christoval; Emily Jackson, sr., Bronte; Taegan King, sr., Ballinger; Scout Magnus, jr., Mason; Jezabel Pasillas, jr., Sonora; Kendyl Riddle, jr., Miles; Anna Marie Whitworth, soph., Mason; Jayla Williams, jr., Sonora.
Second Team
Jayci Barnes, fr., Miles; Ainsley Burns, soph., Mason; Avery Burns, sr., Mason; Kaleigh Elliott, sr., Miles; Kenzie Galicia, sr., Robert Lee; Jayden Gomez, jr., Menard; Kennedi Graves, soph., Wall; Katherine Lewis, soph., Wall; Makenna McMillan, sr., San Angelo Central; Sydnee Moore, sr., San Angelo Central; Lucy Rochat, sr., Mason.
District 6-3A Honors: Jim Ned's Riley Grohman highlights the District 6-3A girls basketball honors
STATE TOURNAMENT: Goldthwaite's remarkable 2024 season ends with loss to Martins Mill in state semifinals
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Meet the 2024 Standard-Times' All-West Texas girls basketball team
