YAIAA girls' basketball player of the year watch
The GameTimePA.com staff will select its YAIAA all-star team at the end of the regular season, which is a contrast from previous seasons. In the past, coaches would submit votes for all-star teams representing each division.
This year, the GameTimePA staff writers will select one team for the entire league. Being just past the midway point, here's a check in on who is contending for YAIAA Player of the Year and the all-star team.
Disagree with the assessments? Sound off below.
Maddie Comly, Delone Catholic (5-8, Sr., G, 24.0 ppg): Comly has led the YAIAA and, thus, the Squirettes in scoring. Delone Catholic owns a win over rival York Catholic, which has it in charge of the YAIAA Division III standings but second to the Irish in the District 3 Class AA rankings.
Courtney Dimoff, Red Lion (5-9, Jr., G/F, 15.1 ppg): While the Lions lost two straight last weekend, they still control their own destiny in YAIAA Division I. Dimoff's effectiveness on both ends has much to do with that.
Payton Hauck (5-9, Sr., G/F, 13.1 ppg): The Boston University recruit battled illness earlier this season, but her recent play suggests she's recovered and ready for the stretch run. Exhibit A, her 27-point performance and winning layup in the final seconds of a two-point win at Eastern York. By the way, Hauck scored 15 in the fourth quarter of that one.
Rebecca Isaac, Biglerville (5-7, Sr., G/F, 18.3 ppg): The Canners have flirted with a top-four ranking in the AA district rankings. Does that happen without Isaac?
Amari Johnson, Dallastown (6-1, Sr., F, 16.9 ppg): The Rhode Island recruit does a little bit of everything for the Wildcats -- score, rebound, block shots, set up teammates.
Jordyn Kloster, Northeastern (Jr., F, 16.2 ppg): Along with Payton Hauck, Kloster has helped pick up the load for a Northeastern squad that is getting healthy at the right time. A crucial step came last week in a win against York Suburban, which beat the Bobcats earlier this season. Kloster's 26 points and 12 boards led the way in their second meeting.
Kari Lankford, West York (5-9, Sr., G, 16.2 ppg): Lankford picked Shepherd (W.Va.) for her college destination before the season. Since then, she's done nothing on the court but lead the Bulldogs to the top district ranking in Class AAA and an unbeaten record.
Claudia Mingora, York Suburban (5-7, Sr., G, 14.2 ppg): The Trojans have been one of the surprise teams in the league, and Mingora wasn't even a returning starter from last season's 8-13 squad. Trojans were 13-4 entering midweek.
Marissa Ressler, York Catholic (5-8, Sr., G/F, 11.1 ppg): With the Fighting Irish, a few players can be considered -- including 6-1 senior Hannah Laslo. Some of Ressler's recent production (double-doubles against District 3 AAA power Berks Catholic and AAAA Dallastown) cannot be ignored.
Kelsey Wisner, Central York (5-7, Sr., G, 12.7 ppg): The Panthers are contending in Division I and, as of Tuesday, are the only YAIAA team to beat Division I-leading Red Lion.
Next five: Hannah Laslo, York Catholic; Kaelyn Long, New Oxford; Chyna Steele, William Penn; Soukaina Tracy, Hanover; Emily Wood West York.