Liberty’s Ali’a Matavao is interviewed during the Sun’s annual high school basketball media day at Red Rock Resort Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Liberty High senior forward Ali’a Matavao was picked by coaches as the Class 5A girls basketball player of the year.
Matavao, who will play in college at Brigham Young University, averaged 18.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and three steals per game in helping the Patriots finish with a 10-1 record in league games. The playoffs are this week.
Centennial junior Danae Powell was selected as the offensive MVP and teammate Kaniyah Boyd, also a junior, was tabbed as the defensive MVP.
Faith Lutheran’s Jennifer Karner was selected as the coach of the year.
Centennial, the defending state champions, additionally had three players picked for first-team all-conference: Asani Ceaser, Saroiya Ajomale and Charlece Ohiaeri. Coronado had two players selected: Kaylee Walters and AJ Wick.
Other members of the first team are: Adrienne Puletasi (Liberty), Mia Ervin (Spring Valley), Leah Mitchell (Faith Lutheran) and Zh’mya Martin (Shadow Ridge).
Second team all-league selections are: Alofa Eteuini and Daisha Peavy from Liberty; Gia McFadden and Charolette Delisle from Spring Valley; Raina Forgue and Tamiah Harrison from Faith Lutheran; Jaslyn Jefferson and Kelly Megown of Shadow Ridge; Silvia Garcia (Bishop Gorman); and La’Niah Hicks (Desert Oasis).
Honorable mention picks are : Gabrielle Brooks and Gabby Delacruz of Coronado; Rylee Hjorth and Wynter Mackey of Foothill; Jaden Newman and Payton Gates of Liberty; Emma Herpin (Faith Lutheran); Reina Bell (Bishop Gorman); Aiyana Alchawa (Green Valley); Jaleese Mckenzie (Legacy); and Kenijae Cherry (Canyon Springs).
In Class 4A, first-team all-Nevada selectionsare Layla Faught and Kayla Terry of Las Vegas, Alanna Jackson of Desert Pines, Sarah Upshaw of Clark and Dazani Graham of Cimarron-Memorial.
The second-team selections are: Aniyah Williams (Clark), Trista Mabry (Desert Pines), Hallie McKnight (Palo Verde), Saniyah Branch (Arbor View) and Ashley Saxton (Silverado).
Coaches in the Desert Division picked Clark and Graham to share the most valuable player honors, while Las Vegas teammates Faught and Terry were the most valuable players in the Sky Division. In the Mountain Division, Jackson of Desert Pines won the top award.
First-team picks for the Desert Division are: Payton Gomez (Doral Red Rock), Amaya Payne (Cimarron-Memorial), Claudia Vargas (Rancho) Vicktoryus Byrd (Clark), Taylor Dagons (Rancho) and Williams.
Second-team Desert Division: Christina Ramirez (Bonanza), Sienna Turco (Doral Red Rock), Heaven Hill (Cimarron-Memorial) and Trinity Travita (Clark).
In the Sky Division, first-team selections are: Vernonie Newson (Las Vegas), Harmony Warren (Las Vegas), Sophia Rivera (Palo Verde), Kaleigha Plett (Sunrise Mountain) and McKnight.
Second-team Sky Division: Jaidyn Savoy (Las Vegas), Brook Robinson (Western), Jordyn Finley (Mojave), Alanna Connor (Palo Verde), Reagan Nehls (Palo Verde) and Anita Franklin (Cheyenne).
In the Mountain Division, first-team selections are: Destiny Sao-Martinez (Desert Pines), Sanai Branch (Arbor View), Shayla Kantarevic (Druango), Donnayja Gibson (Sierra Vista), Mabry and Saxton.
Second-team Desert Division: Brianna Mendez (Sierra Vista), Tatum Meatoga-Ubiam (Basic Academy), Talyiah McKinney (Arbor View), Savanna Stokes (Silverado), Alektra Anaya (Durango) and Tatianna Wilder (Desert Pines).
