Presenting the 2024 Providence Journal All-State Girls Basketball selections
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the player of the year nominees for Girls Basketball. The winners will be announced during the live show on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
During the live show, athletes of the year in 30 sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Details on how additional tickets can be obtained will be available soon.
For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit the website and you can also follow it on Facebook.
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its athletic department through our School Spirit Contest.
2024 Providence Journal All State Girls Basketball
First Team
Jaelyn Holmes
North Kingstown, Junior
Guard
A talented No. 3 option for the Skippers in her first two seasons, Holmes took over top-dog status and showed just what kind of player she was. On a roster filled with underclassmen, Holmes was an elite scorer, defender and a team leader. Holmes’ play was crucial in the Skippers reaching the D-I title game and final four at the state tournament and she’ll be chasing titles in her senior season next winter.
Jaina Yekelchik
Ponaganset, Senior
Guard
Yekelchik topped an already terrific career for the Chieftains with her best season. Ponaganset’s go-to scorer averaged 16.7 points and was ferocious on the defensive end while earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Yekelchik, a three-time All-Stater and two-time first-teamer, she closed her career as one of the best players in Ponaganset history and she’ll play at Rhode Island College next winter.
Maddie Gill
Barrington, Senior
Guard/Forward
There weren’t many players as steady as Gill was for the Eagles this season. A second-team selection last winter, Gill’s talent and demeanor stood out as she helped Barrington win the D-I title and reach the state championship final. She finished her season averaging 14 points and 6.2 rebounds a game and will take her talents to Ithaca in the fall.
Grace Martone
La Salle, Senior
Guard/Forward
Her senior season was in doubt after her junior year ended with a knee injury, but Martone fought her way back and returned to form. Martone’s fire was unmatched on the court and when she wanted a bucket, she went out and got it. The senior averaged 15.6 points, 7 assists and 3 steals a game this year, more than earning her second straight first-team selection.
Lauren Bousquet
Moses Brown, Sophomore
Forward
There wasn’t a player who could take over a game quite like Bousquet. The sophomore dominated D-II with 20.6 points 11.6 rebounds per game. After faltering in the D-II final, Bousquet put on a show in the state tournament, dominating in a semifinal win over D-I North Kingstown and then finishing with 29 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks in their championship game win over Division I Barrington.
Isys Dunphy
Barrington, Junior
Forward
The most athletic big in the state, Dunphy was a nightmare matchup for every team and was the key to the Eagles’ Division I season and run to the state final. Dunphy outran bigs, dominated guards and filled up stat sheets, averaging 13 points, 9.7 rebounds, three steals and 2.6 assists per game. Her senior season at Barrington next winter should provide even better highlights.
Second Team
G – Amelia Polichetti, Bay View, Senior
G – Armani Rivera, Pawtucket, Senior
G – Janayah Prince-Baquero, Barrington, Senior
F – Adeline Areson, Toll Gate, Senior
F – Maia Riccio, Cranston West, Senior
F – Ava Wasylow, Bay View, Senior
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2024 Providence Journal All-State Girls Basketball first and second teams
