The News Tribune’s 2021 All-Area girls basketball team
Each year, with input from local coaches, The News Tribune selects its All-Area girls basketball team.
This year, 12 high schools from the South Sound are represented by players and coaches selected to the first and second teams.
The 12 spots, broken down by leagues, are 4A South Puget Sound League (three), 3A Pierce County League (two), 2A South Puget Sound League (two), 4A North Puget Sound League (one), 3A North Puget Sound League (one), 3A South Sound Conference (one), 2A Evergreen Conference (one) and 1A Nisqually (one).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Julianna Walker
Annie Wright
Guard, 5-6, sr.
The 1A Nisqually league MVP will go down as one of the most prolific scorers the state has ever seen. The Syrcause signee finished third on the state’s all-time career scoring list with 2,834 points, behind Cashmere’s Hailey Van Lith, who set the record last year with 2,992 points, and Davenport’s Jennifer Stinson, who scored 2,881 points from 1991 to 1995. With a standard-length season, Walker more than likely would have broken the state’s scoring record. During her senior season, she averaged 34.8 points, six rebounds, six assists and seven steals, leading Annie Wright to a 10-0 record and the 1A Nisqually title. Named the state’s girls basketball Gatorade player of the year in 2021.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Chris Gibson
White River
Coached the Hornets to a 14-1 record (the lone loss coming to Tahoma, a 4A school) and the 2A South Puget Sound League title, collecting the program’s 100th consecutive league win in the process when White River defeated rival Enumclaw in the league tournament championship game, 64-55.
First team
Kristol Ayson
Lincoln
Guard, 5-7, sr.
The 3A Pierce County League MVP averaged 25 points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists for the league champion Abes. Dynamic two-way player who was at her best and most unstoppable in transition. Able to get to the rim and finish with ease.
Alyson Deaver
Sumner
Forward, 6-1, jr.
Coming off season-ending knee surgery as a sophomore, Deaver returned to dominate the 4A South Puget Sound League, earning league MVP honors after averaging 19 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She led the Spartans to the program’s first league title in the 4A SPSL since the 1995-96 season, posting a 16-1 overall record. The high-motor forward was unstoppable in the paint.
Hope Hassmann
Tahoma
Guard, 5-8, soph.
The 4A North Puget Sound League MVP led the Bears to a 14-0 record, the 4A NPSL title, and a win over 3A NPSL champion Auburn in the crossover championship game. She averaged 23.5 points, six assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. Shot an impressive 54 percent from field, including a 41 percent clip from 3-point range and 85 percent from the free-throw line.
Esmeralda Morales
Bethel
Guard, 5-5, sr.
Portland State signee averaged 25.4 points, 6.2 assists and three steals for the Braves. Was named the 4A South Puget Sound League south division co-MVP. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.
Joclyen Wyatt
Wilson
Guard, 5-8, sr.
The offensive player of the year in the 3A Pierce County League was a scoring machine for the Rams, averaging 29.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 6.2 steals per game. She scored a school-record 44 points in a 74-65 win over Bonney Lake on June 3. University of Denver signee.
Second team
Aubrey Amendala, Tumwater, jr.
Madelyn Brown, Auburn, jr.
Bayleigh Harder, Yelm, sr.
Kara Marecle, White River, sr.
Allison Pettit, Rogers, sr.
This story was originally published July 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
