Sports
Hardwood Heroes: Girls’ All-Hero Team
By: Tony Heim
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The 2015-2015 All-Hero Team was a hot debate for the Hardwood Heroes staff this season. Ultimately, the team is determined on basketball ability and leadership qualities on and off the court. The roster is listed below.
Jessie Addis, Nelsonville-York
After bursting on the scene last season, Addis established herself as one of the premiere point guards in southeastern Ohio. Although only 5’ 5’’, Addis is one of the most physical players in the TVC. Her game revolves around constant pressure on the defensive end and relentless attacking on the offensive end. She can pass, shoot and dribble with either hand, making her nearly impossible to guard.
Dani Drayer, Waterford
Drayer is the last of four sisters to play for Waterford basketball, and she just might be the best. After losing in the state championship last year, she and the rest of the Lady Wildcats came back with a vengeance. Her scoring is slightly down from last season, but that’s because she has improved immensely on her passing. She is the catalyst for one of the most efficient offenses in the area.
Kaitlyn Hurd, Nelsonville-York
Hurd finds herself on this list again because of her consistency. Although Addis was the proverbial leader on the floor, Hurd was the spiritual leader for this team. When the Lady Buckeyes needed a basket, coach Dough Whiteman knew he could go to the senior forward. Her mid-range game is deadly, and the pick-and-roll option with Addis and Hurd was nearly unstoppable. Her leadership was key for a Lady Buckeyes squad that won a share of the TVC-Ohio.
Michaela Puckett, Vinton County
Puckett gets the nod over teammate Jalen Hale for her consistency for the Lady Vikings. When Vinton County needed a basket, they turned to Puckett. You could find her down low posting up smaller players or moving behind the arc and nailing a key three. On the defensive end she used her height to swat away shots and grab rebound after rebound. Night in and night out you could count on Puckett being a double-digit scorer for the Lady Vikings.
Laura Pullins, Eastern
Pullins stepped up after sophomore Madison Williams went down with a torn ACL. She helped lead Eastern to another district final as the team’s only true scorer. Pullins was deadly from downtown this season, and many of her shots were a couple feet behind the line. Playing with mostly underclassmen could have derailed Pullins, but she took on the role as the team leader from the beginning of the season and never looked back.
Leah Richardson, Alexander
Leah had an all-around incredible year. Not only did she surpass 1,000 career points, but she also broke the Alexander all-time scoring record as a junior. The pull-up game is her bread and butter, and with her ability to shoot the ball it is nearly impossible to stop. She, alongside her sister Rachel, led the Lady Spartans to grab a share of the TVC-Ohio crown.