All-WNC Girls Basketball Team
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.
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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