5A State Tournament Awards
The 5A State Tournament at Gill Coliseum started off as an exciting event, as players got to showcase their skills and talents in a bigger than life setting. However, the second round of the exciting event was shutdown,…
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Continue ReadingThe 5A State Tournament at Gill Coliseum started off as an exciting event, as players got to showcase their skills and talents in a bigger than life setting. However, the second round of the exciting event was shutdown, as players and teams unfortunately were not able to finish this captivating event. Although the tournament itself did not finish, this doesn’t take away to the great individual performances that the players gave, inspiring others in the process of such feats. The tournament, being at such a historical site of basketball in Gill Coliseum provided the players with a unique atmosphere in which the players felt part of something bigger, playing in a historical collegiate arena. With the lights shining bright on them, players stepped up to the occasion, with large huge performances. Here is a list of those that stepped up and awards given to them for their respective performances.
Best Shooter
Tiara Bolden Tiara Bolden 5'9" | SG Churchill | 2021 State OR 2021 5’9″ SG Churchill HS
Tiara averaged 17 points through the first two games of the State Tournament for the Lancers and did it in impressive fashion. She made the most out of her touches as in their game versus Crater, she sank the first five shots that she took. In that game, she went 6-10 overall, going an astonishing 5-7 from three-point land. Bolden used the most out of her dribbles, as she initiates a move and that is effective but simple. She is quick off the bounce and lets it go with a nice, consistent, fast release. She was the most efficient shooter in the tournament as almost all of her points came off the jump shot.
Breakout Performer
Rhyan Mogel Rhyan Mogel 5'10" | SF Clackamas | 2023 State OR 2023 5’9″ SG La Salle HS
The defending 5A Champions, the La Salle Falcons produce talent year in, year out, under Coach Kelli Wedin and have as much depth as anybody else in the entire State. What is the most impressive are their freshman, who are ready at any given second to contribute despite their underclassmen status. Corvallis kept it close with La Salle in the first half, trailing only 35-34 and keeping things close. Mogel was the unprecedented breakout performer of not only the game but also the tournament, as she poured in 23 points and 7 rebounds. Mogel found ways to penetrate inside the defense and was acrobatic and nimble in her finishes as well. The freshman played well beyond her years and was the most dominant player on the court during the game.
Most Inspirational
Anna Dazey Anna Dazey 5'7" | PG Corvallis | 2021 State OR 2021 5’7″ PG Corvallis HS
Playing against the reigning State Champions is always a tall task, but Corvallis’ Anna Dazey Anna Dazey 5'7" | PG Corvallis | 2021 State OR was up for the challenge. She was the heart and soul of the Spartans, as she remained calm throughout their run with the Falcons. Despite the athletic defenders of La Salle, Dazey would read the defense accordingly and make smart decisions for her teammates. When she wasn’t facilitating, she was orchestrating her own offensive skills in the form of dribble penetrate, finding crafty ways to create her own shot as she contributed 12 points and a game high 6 assists. She was also playing aggressive on-ball defense, leading her team through exemplary example. Dazey showed that determination and patience are the keys for keeping your team in it.
Best Defender
Truitt Reilly Truitt Reilly 6'1" | PF Silverton | 2021 State OR 2021 6’0″ PF Silverton HS
Silverton came out a little timid in the first quarter versus Ridgeview. However, after an early time-out, they refocused their efforts, beginning on the defensive end. It began and started with Truitt Reilly Truitt Reilly 6'1" | PF Silverton | 2021 State OR , who was in the middle of their zone and anchored the Foxes down low. This resulted it several steals for the forward, as she made it difficult for any sort of offense to be initiated. The trademark play for Reilly was a dive out of bounds for a loose ball that resulted in a steal for her team. Players like Truitt Reilly Truitt Reilly 6'1" | PF Silverton | 2021 State OR contribute so much for their team and sometimes their impact goes unnoticed in the statistics. Reilly’s long arms and determination were a key component of their 73-26 win. Reilly made her mark everywhere, as seen through her 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 3 steals.
Most Versatile
Emilia Bishop Emilia Bishop 6'1" | PF Wilsonville | 2021 State OR 2021 6’1″ PF Wilsonville HS
The 6’1” forward for Wilsonville can truly do it all. Versus Lebanon, she displayed her tall frame through her rebounding and ability to score. She displayed her agileness through initiating the offense by bringing it up herself on the break. She also depicted her court awareness and finesse by throwing it up upon rebound to jump start the offense that much faster. Emilia’s game is so unique, as she displayed the various different ways she can impact the game, without even scoring. Her efforts were seen everywhere in the scorebook, as she had 7 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Bishop was the engine for the Wildcats that displayed how basketball can be impacted in so many different, vibrant ways.
Best Teammate
McKenzie Hirsch McKenzie Hirsch 5'11" | SF Crater | 2022 State OR 2022 5’10″ SF Crater HS
Amongst the biggest difference makers just by simply being on the court was shown by Crater’s McKenzie Hirsch McKenzie Hirsch 5'11" | SF Crater | 2022 State OR . She made a great difference but playing great defense and being an overall asset by simply being on the court. Uplifting her teammates by her spirited play, she also contributed 5 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, illustrating that she had a hand in a lot of different plays. Her presence made a huge different in slipping past Churchill in the opening round 48-47.
Most Determined
Ellie Croco 2020 6’1″ PF Lebanon HS
The St. Mary’s bound forward for Lebanon, had a tough night of her own. 3-12 shooting as the ball simply wouldn’t go in the hole for the senior. But she continued to play the game as she knows it: tough and disciplined. Croco got second chance attempts through her rebounding and got to the foul line and continued to play great defense. Ellie contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals and despite what the score board said she played at a great pace and never looked back.
Biggest Blurr on the Court
Sydney Burns Sydney Burns 5'8" | PG Wilsonville | 2021 State OR 2021 5’8″ PG Wilsonville HS
Burns’ change from 0 to 60 mirrors that of a Ferrari as she really shifts gears at a great pace and her change of speed is something to admire. Once the ball is in her hands, she attacks the defense where they lack the most. Burns plays at a high motor to say the least. One play that defined her State Tournament efforts was when she drove to the basket with no abandon, through a defender, fell down, whistle blown, and the ball somehow goes into the basket. Burns’ quick pace of game set the game for her teammates, as Wilsonville rolled through Lebanon 49-29.
Most Composed
Addison Wedin Addison Wedin 5'11" | PG La Salle | 2021 State OR 2021 5’11″ SG La Salle HS
Wedin is the proven leader of the Falcons, as the offense begins and ends with her. In a strange confusion, the Falcons come out of the second half late for the game, as the players quickly shuffled onto the court. Addison “The Pro” Wedin kept her composure despite the circumstances, as kept the gas pushing for her team. She played with a calm intensity that only few can tap into and contributed 18 points and 5 rebounds. Her display of pressure yet being present was one that was admired by her teammates as they kept things going in the second half in a victory over Corvallis.
Best Player off the Bench
Lilly Horner 2022 5’2″ PG Silverton HS
Silverton is a team that plays a lot of their players with significant minutes. Lilly made her most of her 22 minutes, leading the Foxes in scoring with 15 points. She couldn’t miss from three point land, as she was 4-5 from deep. The Silverton bench gave a nod of approval through their celebrations every time she sank a three. Horner was a pleasant surprise but looked the every bit comfortable making them in the collegiate setting. She was the exclamation point on a truly exciting team win for the Silverton Foxes, whose theme was the group effort throughout their season.