HSHUDDLE

All-WNC Girls Basketball Team

David Thompson
The Citizen-Times
Mountain Heritage's Ciera Chandler maneuvers around Mitchell's Eden Phillips during their Western Highlands tournament game February 16, 2018.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Sonita Warren-Dixon, Asheville High

In her first year back as the Cougars’ coach, Warren-Dixon led the program to the NCHSAA playoffs. Asheville High finished 15-12 overall and 11-5 in the Western Mountain Athletic Conference, earning the No. 3 seed. They fell in the first round to conference tournament champion Erwin. It was Asheville High’s first playoff appearance since the 2012-13 season and first winning season since 2006-07.

GIRLS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Jessica Beckner, Murphy, Sr.

Beckner led the Bulldogs to a 27-3 record and a berth into the 1A NCHSAA Final Four, averaging 16.7 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. She was named the Smoky Mountain Conference Player of the Year, the District 12 Player of the Year and was a member of the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association’s All-State third team. She finished her career at Murphy with over 1,000 career points and with a 114-10 record. She’ll play at Young Harris College next season

Ciera Chandler, Mountain Heritage, Sr.

The Western Highlands Conference Player of the Year averaged 16.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3 steals a game for a Mountain Heritage team that made a run to the 2A NCHSAA Final Four. Chandler broke the school-record for most career and single-season three-point shots in 2017-18. She won four conference regular season titles and conference tournaments during her four years with the Cougars, finishing with a 97-8 overall record.

Asheville defeated North Buncombe 55-15 in girls basketball at Asheville High School on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.

ALL-WNC FIRST TEAM

Annabelle Schultz, Carolina Day, Soph.

Schultz helped lead Carolina Day to its eighth straight 2A NCISAA state title this season, averaging 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. She was named to the NCISAA All-State team and was the CAA All-Conference Player of the Year.

Kasey Kidwell, Carolina Day, Sr.

Kidwell, who will play college basketball at Austin Peay next season, averaged 10.7 point, five rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for Carolina Day. She was named to the NCISAA All-State team.

Chesney Gardner, Owen, Jr.

The junior averaged nearly a double-double (17 points, 9 rebounds) during the 2017-18 season, leading her team in both categories while finishing second in the WHC Player of the Year voting. Owen finished 20-7.

Aleshia Tisho, Smoky Mountain, Sr.

Tisho was named the Mountain Six Conference Player of the Year after averaging 12.7 points and 8.2 rebounds a game for Smoky Mountain.

Shelby Glance, Tuscola, Jr.

The junior was named the Western Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading Tuscola to a regular season conference title and a 21-6 overall record. The Mountaineers advanced to the second round of the 3A NCHSAA state playoffs.

Amber Redmond, Erwin, Jr.

Redmond was the catalyst for an Erwin team that won the Western Mountain Athletic Conference tournament title after finishing behind Tuscola in the regular season. The Warriors advanced two rounds deep into the 3A NCHSAA state playoffs.

Drew McMillan, East Henderson, Jr.

McMilan averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists a game for an East Henderson team that finished 17-9 overall and 6-4 in the Mountain Six Conference.

Tori Teesateskie, Cherokee, Jr.

The Cherokee junior helped lead the Braves to the fourth round of the 1A NCHSAA state tournament, while averaging 14.3 points and 3.8 steals a game. Cherokee finished in a first-place tie with Murphy for the regular season Smoky Mountain Conference title.

Emily Carver, Enka, Fresh.

As a freshman, Carver quickly became a standout in the Western Mountain Athletic Conference. She averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 rebounds a game and was named to the WMAC All-Conference team.

Erin Teesateskie, Robbinsville, Sr.

The senior averaged 16.2 points and 12.4 rebounds a game for Robbinsville and recorded a triple-double in a first-round playoff win over Highland Tech.

SECOND TEAM

Hannah Chandler, Madison

Shea Sutton, Smoky Mountain

Raven Walters, Asheville School

Bryn Copenhaver, Roberson

Nautica Smiley, Carolina Day

Ava Yurko, North Buncombe

Hali King, Mountain Heritage

Cambrie Lovin, Robbinsville

Zaria Joyner, Carolina Day

Hannah Jennings, Madison

Dani Sweeney, Carolina Day

Jaia Wilson, West Henderson

Madison Lloyd, Highlands

Autumn Owen, Polk County

Kaitlyn Messer, Erwin

Shelby Wolfe, Cherokee

MaeAnna Norris, Pisgah

Lani Woods, Pisgah

Aubrey Clapsaddle, Murphy

Morgan Buchanan, Mitchell

Heaven Nelson, Avery County 

Honorable Mention

Cherokee: Deante Toinetta

Mitchell: Hannah McMahan, Zoe Cloer

Hayesville: Hailea Rickett 

Murphy: Sydni Addison

Mountain Heritage: Hannah Tipton, Presley Peterson

Madison: Alex Nix, Jenna Barilovits, Bailey Cantrell

Smoky Mountain: Brayden Lewis, Kyra Fowler

Rosman: Gracy Briggs

Owen: Dee Graves, Ashley Valencia, Kendall Marlowe

Swain County: Lynsey Hicks

Blue Ridge: Charlotte Sherrill, Jade Bryson

Avery County: Hannah McIntosh, McKenzie Franklin

Highlands: Kedra McCall

Hiwassee Dam: Alexis Finley, Eden Schaffer

North Buncombe: Emme Ducker

Pisgah: Emma Sorrells

Hendersonville: Nahndi Smith, Sekaya Canady

Brevard: Tristen Berry

North Henderson: Karlee Honeycutt

Asheville: Tae'ya Vance, Olivia Lenderman, Emma Smith

Enka: Carli Banks, Mya Smith

Tuscola: Cierra Jackson, Faith Robinson, Gracie Glance, Kourtney Krege

ABOUT THE ALL-WNC TEAMS

The Citizen-Times All-WNC teams are compiled by staff writer David Thompson after nominations are requested from area coaches. Only nominated athletes are eligible for selection.

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