All-Region Girls Basketball: Gray, Pudlowski share Player of the Year
Victoria Gray was the Monroe County Region Girls Basketball Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2022-23.
She had high hopes for this season, but spent much of the year battling a nagging ankle injury.
That was a tough blow for Bedford, but somehow the Mules got better this season.
How was that possible?
It was because other players, such as Payton Pudlowski, stepped up their games.
When Gray finally returned to form, Bedford was nearly unbeatable, reeling off 10 straight games while outscoring their opponents 518-364.
The Mules finally met their match in the Division 1 state quarterfinals in a loss to eventual state champion West Bloomfield.
Pudlowski and Gray have been named co-winners of the Monroe County Region Player of the Year award.
They are good friends and great fans of each other.
“She has such an impact on the team,” Pudlowski said of Gray. “She is one of our bigs, but she can defend guards. It’s insane.”
Gray used her tremendous quickness and agility to average 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the floor.
Pudlowski, meanwhile, averaged 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 42 percent on 3-pointers. She set school records for steals in a season and career.
“I love Pud and the way she plays,” Gray said. “She handles pressure for us and does all the dirty work. We need her to anchor this team.
“When I was out, she had to do more inside. She played it perfectly, never batted an eye.”
More: Bedford girls basketball reaches state quarterfinals for sixth time
Pudlowski and Gray feed off each other on the court.
“We have really good chemistry,” Gray said. “We’re really good friends.”
Pudlowski says Bedford coach Bill Ryan talked to her about taking more responsibility as a senior, especially when Gray was out of the lineup.
“The whole team is so talented, each player has a role to play,” she said. “When Vic was out, I moved to more of a post role.
“I’ll do anything for the team.”
That kind of attitude is a big reason Bedford had such a successful season.
Pudlowski and Gray both are future Division 1 athletes, but not in basketball.
Pudlowski will play softball at Toledo in 2025.
Gray is only a junior, but already has committed to play volleyball at Indiana.
Junior Aubrey Hensley also has committed to Toledo for softball and Nyah Mullins is weighing softball opportunities in college.
All of them put their primary sports aside during basketball season.
“It’s kind of crazy, most of us won’t play basketball in college,” said the daughter of Jim and Amy Pudlowski. “But we’re all so competitive and would do anything for each other.”
Gray said Bedford’s 24-3 season was a true team effort.
“We had a phenomenal season,” said the daughter of Christy and Mike Gray. “We had some ups and downs, but we came together as a team. Our bench was amazing. We had good players from top to bottom.”
Pudlowski says all of the girls pride drives the Mules’ success.
“Bedford is such a good program,” she said. “We have high standards. We are proud of it. That pushes us.”
Brenna Baker, Airport, 5-6, soph.
Broke the school record for 3-pointers in a season and average 10.6 points per game. “A huge heart,” said Airport coach Darrell Mossburg.
Sophia Bussell, Monroe, 5-8, junior
Averaged 12.7 points, 4.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds a game. “Shoots the basketball incredibly well,” Mason coach Josh Sweigert said.
Abby Carafelli, Carlson, 6-0, senior
“Abby was our leader on both ends of the court,” said Carlson coach John Mason. Led the team in points (13.2) and rebounds (7.1).
Lila Clements, Huron, 5-5, senior
“She was a go-to anytime we needed a play or a big shot,” Huron coach Chris Imperati said of his senior who averaged 13.8 points per game.
Olivia Gratz, Airport, 5-9, sophomore
Rang up 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. “She plays effortlessly and has solid skills,” Huron coach Chris Imperati said.
Aubrey Hensley, Bedford, 5-5, junior
“Aubrey is the ultimate court general,” Bedford coach Bill Ryan said. She averaged 5.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Madleen Hussein, Flat Rock, 5-4, soph.
Netted 9.2 points and 3.3 assists a game. “Madleen is the epitome of what a coach wants in a point guard,” Flat Rock coach Brian Kryk said.
Jaeli Jones, Summerfield, 5-10, soph.
Averaged a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds a game. “Jaeli came to play every night,” Summerfield coach Micky Moody said.
Natalie LaPrad, SMCC, 5-11, junior
Led her team with 7.1 rebounds a game while averaging 6.6 points. “Natalie has a soft touch,,” SMCC coach John Durbin said.
Mia Miller, Summerfield, 5-9, junior
Contributed 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. “Great scorer. Tough defender,” said Mason coach Josh Sweigert.
Brooke Mossburg, SMCC, 5-8, junior
“Brooke really elevated her game this season,” SMCC coach John Durbin said. She averaged 12.4 points and 4 rebounds per game.
Nyah Mullins, Bedford, 5-9, junior
Played all five positions and scored 8.3 points a game. “She has a knack for assessing what our team needs,” Bedford coach Bill Ryan said.
Emily Rasor, Whiteford, 5-6, junior
Tied school record with 50 3 pointers and averaged 11.3 points a game. “She did everything for us,” Whiteford coach Nick Brillhart said.
Jessica Schrader, Ida, 5-6, junior
Averaged 17 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. “She can take over a game at any time,” Summerfield coach Mickey Moody said.
Malea Wourman, Milan, 5-8, junior
Notched for 4 steals and 15.6 points a game. “Malea is the best female pure athlete in southeast Michigan,” Milan coach Rob Carlson said.
SPECIAL MENTION
Players: Jillian Baker, Airport; Emily Bladen, Milan; Anna Boggs, Jefferson; Clare Boggs, Jefferson; Nina Clements, New Boston Huron; Annabelle Gapp, Whiteford; Gracie Jones, Jefferson; Brooklyn Kemokai, Gibraltar Carlson; Lily Klein, Flat Rock; Addison Kopp, Flat Rock; Zoe Leach, Monroe; Bailey Meiring, Erie Mason; Natalie Rath, Dundee; Maddie Salenbien, Dundee; Zoie Stubleski, Erie Mason; Audrey Trainor, Erie Mason; McKenna Williams, Flat Rock.
Coaches: Nick Brillhart, Whiteford; John Durbin, SMCC; Tim Leonard, Ida; Mickey Moody, Summerfield, Darrell Mossburg, Airport.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: All-Region Girls Basketball: Gray, Pudlowski share Player of the Year
