2018 HockomockSports Girls Basketball Awards

Foxboro senior guard Ashley Sampson has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the seventh recipient of the award in the site’s history and the second Foxboro player to earn this honor (Kat Tamulionis in 2015). Sampson led the Warriors to a second straight Davenport division title, third in her four years on varsity, and to the program’s first state championship since 1995.

“Ashley is one of the most dynamic players in the league and she demonstrated this year that she can raise her game on the biggest stage,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She is a unique talent who can take over a game on both ends of the floor and who wants the ball in her hands when the game is on the line.”

Sampson averaged 19.5 points per game this season, scoring 526 for the year and passing the 1,500-point mark for her career, which is third best in the program’s history. Sampson also pulled down more than five rebounds, dished out more than three assists, and picked up more than four steals per game this season. She was an inside-outside threat, knocking down 40 threes this year, and shot an impressive 73 percent from the line.

Canton coach Jim Choquette said, “Ashley works all year on her craft, She has the unique ability to change the game in many ways – rebounding, offensively, defensively. She has guarded all five positions and most importantly she makes her teammates better. State champion, 1,000-point scorer, 31-1 in the league the last two seasons, league MVP, she’s a special talent for sure.”

In the state semifinal against Pentucket, Sampson was held scoreless in the first half and Foxboro trailed by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, but in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Adelphi University-commit scored 20 points, including 19 of Foxboro’s final 20 points, to bring the Warriors back. The 2017 Hockomock League MVP also scored a team-high 15, including nine in the fourth quarter, in the state title game against Hopkinton, again helping the Warriors rally from a double-digit deficit.

“She is simply an amazing player; what she was able to accomplish night after night even with receiving each team’s best defensive pressure attempting to limit her touches and points was just incredible,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs. “She will be a source of pride to myself and the program in general for many years to come.”

Sampson is the second Foxboro girls basketball player to receive this award and the fourth recipient from the Davenport division (Candace Steadman of Oliver Ames in 2012 and Karlie O’Driscoll of Sharon in 2014 were the non-Foxboro winners).

Honorable Mentions: Kayla Raymond (Oliver Ames), Kate Irwin (Milford), Meg Hill (Mansfield)

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Ashley Sampson – Foxboro – Guard
Foxboro senior Ashley Sampson was a dominant force for the Warriors on both ends of the floor, helping Foxboro win its second straight Davenport division title and its first state championship since 1995. The Adelphi University-commit averaged 19.5 points per game this year, while also pulling down more than five rebounds, dishing out more than three assists, and picking up more than four steals per game and leading Foxboro to a 16-0 record in the league (31-1 in the last two years). Foxboro coach Lisa Downs said of Sampson, “She was a force to be reckoned with and she did so in an unassuming and very unselfish manner – she will be a source of pride to myself and the program in general for many years to come.”

 

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Kate Irwin – Milford – Guard
Milford senior point guard Kate Irwin became just the second girls basketball player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career (finishing with 1,077 career points), while also leading the Hawks to their first playoff victory since 2001 and a spot in the Div. 2 quarterfinal. One of the most dynamic scorers in the league, the speedy lefty could finish in the paint or step back and knock down threes. She was one of the league’s top scorers averaging more than 17 points per game this season. Milford coach T.J. Dolliver said, “Coaching Kate over the last three years was an absolute pleasure. She has grown not only as a basketball player but as an overall athlete. Her experience and maturity are going to help her tremendously at the next level.”

 

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Kayla Raymond – Oliver Ames – Forward
Oliver Ames senior forward Kayla Raymond was named the Hockomock League MVP after scoring in double digits in all but two of the 21 games she played this season for the Tigers, including four games with 30-plus points, and reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career. Raymond led the league with 20.5 points per game this year while shooting a remarkable 72% on two-point attempts and 34% from three. She also averaged 8.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.6 steals, and 2.0 assists per night, while leading the Tigers into the second round of the D1 South tournament. OA coach Laney Clement-Holbrook said, “Kayla was blessed with tremendous athleticism but will forever be remembered for her character as a person. Kayla understood that it wasn’t about her; it was about how she could help us become better.”

 

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Meg Hill – Mansfield – Forward
Mansfield senior center Meg Hill played 100 games in her four-year career, winning three straight league titles (a program-first) and making it to at least the Div. 1 South semifinal in all four seasons, while scoring more than 1,000 points, pulling down more than 1,000 rebounds, and blocking more than 400 shots. This season, Hill averaged 13.8 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. Her 404 career blocks are 236 more than the second-best in program history and her 1,064 rebounds are 200 more than second place. The Stonehill University-commit is also second in career points with 1,090. Mansfield coach Mike Redding said, “Meg just had an unbelievable career for us. You could count on her every night for a double-double and, just as importantly, great leadership.”

 

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Ali Brigham – Franklin – Forward
Franklin sophomore Ali Brigham continued to show why she is already getting looks from Div. I colleges with another strong season in the post for the Panthers. Brigham averaged more than 15 points and 14 rebounds per game this season and also recorded two triple-doubles when she accumulated more than 10 blocks in a game. As her game continues to grow, Brigham has added the ability to step outside and knock down shots, making her even more potent on offense, and she became the first player to be named Underclassman of the Year twice in a row for the same sport. Franklin coach John Leighton said, “Ali has worked since day one to become the best player she can be. She has the ability to change a game on either end of the floor.”

 

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Aliyah Wright – Stoughton – Guard
Stoughton sophomore Aliyah Wright has been a two-year starter for the Black Knights and while she had shown flashes of her all-around game during her freshman season, this winter Wright put it all together to help turn around a 1-7 start. Wright led Stoughton in scoring at 10 points per game and was a key to the Black Knights going on a run of 12 wins in 13 games to reach the Div. 2 South quarterfinal and a rematch against eventual state champ Foxboro. Wright was also a strong defensive presence with her size and speed forcing turnovers and altering shots in the paint. Stoughton coach Charmaine Steele Jordan said, “Wright really stepped up her game this season for the Black Knights on the offensive end. We are excited to have her back next year and know she will be laser-focused on working towards another opportunity in the state tourney.”

 

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Lily Sykes – Foxboro – Guard
Over the course of her four-year varsity career, Foxboro senior guard Lily Sykes has emerged as one of the top perimeter players in the league and was a major piece in the Warriors winning their third league title in four seasons and first state title since 1995. Sykes, the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year (see below), averaged 10.7 points per game, knocking down 59 threes this year, while dishing out nearly six assists per game as the spark plug for the league’s top offense and its top defense. Foxboro coach Lisa Downs said of Sykes, “She not only stepped up to each challenge – she welcomed it. Her ability to defend extremely good point guards and also to shoot and pass the ball as well as she did is extremely rare.”

 

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Samantha Pierce – Attleboro – Forward
After being the third option on offense for her first three varsity seasons, Attleboro senior forward Sam Pierce became the primary weapon for the Bombardiers this winter and excelled on both ends of the floor. Pierce, who will be playing at UMass Dartmouth next season, led Attleboro with 15.3 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three-point range (also team-bests). She also averaged two blocks per game and was selected as a league all-star by the coaches. “Sam is by far the best inside-out player I have ever coached,” said Attleboro coach Marty Crowley. “When we needed a hoop it was no surprise that we looked for Sam. She is an outstanding player and a great kid.”

 

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Val Whalen – Stoughton – Forward
Stoughton senior forward Val Whalen put in another strong performance for the Black Knights this season to lead a young roster from a 1-7 start to the second round of the state tournament, earning team MVP honors for the second year in a row. Whalen had six double-doubles this season and her tenacity on the glass made her one of the league’s top rebounders. She averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game, while helping Stoughton put together a run of 12 wins in 13 games to advance to the Div. 2 South quarterfinal before facing off against eventual state champion Foxboro. Stoughton coach Charmaine Steele Jordan said, “Val’s senior leadership and tough-as-nails work ethic will be missed next season on offense and defense.”

 

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Hannah Jerrier – Canton – Forward
Canton senior forward Hannah Jerrier concluded her stellar career with the Bulldogs with another impressive statistical season and helped Canton end a seven-year postseason drought with a return to the Div. 2 South tournament. Jerrier averaged 16.8 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season. She recorded 16 double-doubles, including a 41-point and 25-board game against North Attleboro in February, and added an improved outside shot to her ability to score in the paint. Canton coach Jim Choquette said, “Hannah works hard at her weaknesses in the off-season and has been one of the best teammates we could ask for over the last four years. She will certainly go down in Canton girls basketball history as one of the best players to ever put on the uniform.”

 

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Ann Maher – Mansfield – Guard
Mansfield senior guard Ann Maher continued to be a strong defensive presence for the Hornets this season but was also the team’s main outside threat and one of its best passers into the paint. Maher averaged 8.2 points per game this year and knocked down 62 three-pointers, which moved her into third place in program history with 129. Maher, the 2017 HockomockSports.com Defensive Player of the Year, was also second on the team with 79 assists, finishing her career with 131, good for 10th all-time at Mansfield. She also had more than a steal per game and chipped in with more than three rebounds per night. Mansfield coach Mike Redding said, “Ann was just so consistent at both ends of the floor. We knew she could play great defense against the opponent’s best shooters and, on offense, she was a three-point machine.”

 

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Bea Bondhus – Franklin – Guard
Franklin junior guard Bea Bondhus helped the Panthers book a place in the state tournament this season as the team’s primary ball-handler and as one of the Hockomock League’s most dangerous and consistent outside shooters. Bondhus averaged more than 11 points per game this season and also dished out 47 assists for the Panthers. She shot 36 percent from the field and hit an impressive 36 percent of the threes that she took, giving the Panthers an outside threat to go along with the inside presence of Ali Brigham. Bondhus was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches and is one of many returning players that has Franklin excited about the team’s potential next winter.

 

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Katelyn Mollica – Foxboro – Guard
Foxboro freshman guard Katelyn Mollica made an instant impact for the Warriors this season as the first sub off the bench for most of the regular season and then as a starter during the playoffs after an injury to Shannon Smally. She played an integral role in the Warriors winning a league title and a state championship this year. Mollica averaged more than 11 points per game as a rookie, hit a team-high 60 three-pointers, and dished out more than two assists per game, while showing no fear against the league’s top guards. She has the potential to be one of the league’s best next year. “Her work ethic was evident from day one and she basically completed the puzzle for our team by adding another quick guard that can shoot light’s out,” said Foxboro coach Lisa Downs.

 

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Shannon O’Connor – King Philip – Guard
Despite missing a few games at the end of the year due to an injury, King Philip junior guard Shannon O’Connor had another stellar season for the Warriors, showing off her developing all-around game that has made her a Div. I recruit. O’Connor scored 12.9 points per game this season and also pulled down 5.7 rebounds, dished out 4.1 assists, and grabbed 2.7 steals per night for a still young KP team under first-year head coach Amy Siggens, who said of the Boston University-commit, “Shannon was a huge threat for our team this season even with her missing six games. Her naturalness with the ball is something to watch and her inside and outside game continues to be dangerous.” O’Connor was selected as an all-star by the Hockomock League coaches.

 

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Emma Eberhardt – Sharon – Forward
Sharon junior Emma Eberhardt built off a strong sophomore campaign to earn team MVP honors while leading a young Eagles roster this winter. Eberhardt, who has the size and skill to play as a guard or forward, was the top scorer for the Eagles with 13.6 points per game, was third on the team with 4.8 rebounds per game, and led the team with 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals per night, showing off her range as a playmaker and a defender who can guard multiple positions. First-year Sharon coach Sandra Lombardi said, “Emma has been a leader on and off the court all season for a young Sharon team. She earned MVP honors because of her leadership, hard work, and commitment to the program. I’m fortunate to have Emma back next season.”

 

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Franklin sophomore center Ali Brigham has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Underclassman of the Year; the sixth season that this award has been given out to the top freshman or sophomore in the league. Brigham is the first player in any sport to earn this honor two seasons in a row.

Brigham scored 364 points this season, an increase of 130 from her outstanding freshman year, which was more than 15 points per game. She also controlled the paint, pulling down a team-high 337 rebounds this season, more than 14 per game, and also had a pair of triple-doubles after recording more than 10 blocks in a game twice.

“There are few players that come into the league and make as big an instant impact as Ali has in the past two years,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “Teams have to focus their whole game plan on how to slow her down and she is able to control play on both ends of the floor. She has all the tools and it will be fun to watch her grow as a player over the next two years.”

Although primarily getting the ball in the paint, the 6-foot-3 Brigham showed off a developing handle that allowed her to be an outlet against a press and step outside to get her shot. She made 48 percent of her shots overall and even made 37 percent from three-point range.

“Ali has worked since day one to become the best player she can be,” said Franklin coach John Leighton. “She has the ability to change a game on either end of the floor, and she makes her teammates better through her unselfish play.”

Brigham is the first Franklin player, first center, and last year was the first freshman to earn this award. She is the third Kelley-Rex division player to be named Underclassman of the Year following Sarah Deyo of Attleboro and Caroline Maher of Mansfield.

Aliyah Wright, Stoughton – Wright emerged as a go-to scorer for the Black Knights this winter with her ability to get into the paint and finish, as well as being a strong defensive presence who caused problems for opposing guards with her unique combination of size and speed and ability to guard multiple positions.

Faith Roy, King Philip – Roy, a sophomore guard, emerged as a solid ball-handler running the offense for the Warriors this season, averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists per game. KP coach Amy Siggens said, “We pushed Faith out of her comfort zone this season and it has been really fun to watch her game grow because of that.”

Olivia Forbes, North Attleboro – Forbes, a sophomore, proved to be a steadying influence for the young Rocketeers while running the point this season. She led the team with 60 assists and was second on the team in minutes. North coach Derek Herber said, “Olivia became a coach on the court, which allowed us to improve throughout the season.”

Katelyn Mollica, Foxboro – Mollica averaged more than 11 points per game for the Davenport and Div. 2 state champions, while knocking down 60 threes and averaging 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this year. Foxboro coach Lisa Downs said of Mollica, “She is a coach’s dream! I’m thrilled for her and cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.”

Ali Brigham, Franklin – Brigham earned Underclassman of the Year for the second straight season after another strong winter in the post for the Panthers, helping Franklin make a quick return to the state tournament. Brigham is the first player in this site’s history to win back-to-back Underclassman of the Year awards.

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Foxboro senior guard Lily Sykes has been named the 2017 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Defensive Player of the Year. Sykes is the fifth player to receive this honor in the seven seasons that it has been given out and the first from Foxboro.

Sykes was a constant menace for the Warriors on the defensive side of the floor, sparking Foxboro’s potent transition game by forcing turnovers and putting pressure on opposing ball-handlers up and down the court. She finished the season with nearly four steals per game and also pulled down nearly four rebounds per night from her point guard position. Her ability to be aggressive on the opposing guard and read passing lanes helped Foxboro win a second straight league title and bring home its first state title since 1995.

“Lily is one of the most tenacious players in the league,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry, “and she seems to never let up from the opening tip to the final whistle. Foxboro loves to pressure the other teams and it all starts with Lily.”

Foxboro coach Lisa Downs said of Sykes, “Lily is simply a workhorse. She pushes herself to exceed when others may call it a day. I was able to challenge her to keep other guards limited in their ability to bring the ball up, get open looks and distribute the ball to where they would like to.”

Sykes is the second Davenport division player to win this award in its seven years, joining Nicole Daniels of Stoughton, who won it in each of the first two seasons it was awarded.

Lily Sykes, Foxboro – Sykes, a senior guard, was one of the top on-the-ball defenders in the league, hounding opposing guards up and down the court. She averaged 3.9 steals per game this year. Foxboro coach Lisa Downs said of Sykes, “She not only stepped up to each challenge – she welcomed it.”

Mady Bendanillo, Mansfield – Bendanillo emerged as one of the toughest on-the-ball defenders in the league, causing even the best point guards problems with her speed and strength. She led the Hornets with 57 steals this year. Mansfield coach Mike Redding said, “She is the ‘Energizer Bunny’ for sure, goes so hard all the time at both ends and rarely needs a break.”

Maggie Connolly, Canton – Connolly, a junior guard, was a tenacious on-the-ball defender for the Bulldogs (2.3 steals per game) and also tied for second on the team with 134 rebounds. Canton coach Jim Choquette said, “Her will to win and her fight inspires the team and has certainly helped us reach our postseason goals this season.”

Meg Hill, Mansfield – Hill dominated the paint for the Hornets for four seasons, recording more than 1,000 rebounds and 400 blocks in her career (both program records) and helping Mansfield bring home three straight league championships and reach four straight Div. 1 South semifinals.

Ali Brigham, Franklin – Brigham was a dominant force in the paint for the Panthers again this winter, recording a pair of triple-doubles by getting more than 10 blocks in a game and pulling down a team-high 337 rebounds, while earning HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year honors for the second straight season.

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Coach of the Year – Lisa Downs, Foxboro

Foxboro head coach Lisa Downs has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. This is the seventh year that the award has been given out and it is the second time that Downs has been the recipient. She also received the honor in 2015.

Downs guided the Warriors to their second straight Davenport division title, third in four years, and a perfect 16-0 record in the Hockomock League. Foxboro went on to win its second straight Div. 2 South title and capped a 26-2 season by winning the program’s first state championship since 1995. The Warriors came back from double-digit deficits in both the state semifinal and state title game.

The Warriors rolled through the season, winning its final 16 games and 26 of its final 27 after a season-opening loss to Coyle. Foxboro’s only losses of the season were against the Div. 4 state champion (in overtime) and to its opponent in the state title game (Hopkinton, which lost to Foxboro twice this season). All but four of Foxboro’s wins this season were by double digits and the Warriors also won nine times by 40-plus, four times by 30-plus, and four times by 20-plus points, while leading the league in points per game (63.7) and opponents scoring per game (36.9).

“This was a dominant season by any measure,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “Lisa was able to keep the team focused and keep them engaged despite going through long stretches where the team wasn’t really challenged and her adjustment to a zone in the state semifinal helped turn the game around against Pentucket and was a major factor in the team bringing home the state title.”

Downs is the sixth Coach of the Year from the Davenport division. Mansfield’s Mike Redding (2017) was the lone Kelley-Rex coach selected in the past seven years. Downs also joins Oliver Ames coach Laney Clement-Holbrook as the only two-time recipients of this award.

Honorable Mentions: Charmaine Steele Jordan (Stoughton), Jim Choquette (Canton), Mike Redding (Mansfield)

 

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