By CRAIG KNOWLES
PLATTSBURGH — Peru's Kara Hackett and Saranac Coach Chad Keysor top the honor roll for Champlain Valley Athletic Conference girls' basketball for the 2008-2009 season.
MOST Valuable Player
Kara Hackett, Peru — Kara, a senior forward for the Indians, helped her team reach the Section VII Class B championship game where Peru lost to New York State semifinalist Northeastern Clinton. Hackett was the second leading scorer in the area with her 17.1 points-per-game average. She finished the season with 142 field goals, 107 free throws and 395 points in 23 games. She wound up her career with 1,082 points scored, averaging 270.5 points per season.
Coach of the Year
Chad Keysor, Saranac — Keysor, in repeating as CVAC Coach of the Year, led the Chiefs to an 18-3 record overall and two victories over Class B champion Northeastern Clinton. The only three blemishes on his record came at the hands of Peru. Keysor passed Westport's Tom Beauvais for all-time victories and his 283-183 record in 20 years of coaching trails only Northeastern Clinton's Andy Landry, who has 285.
RAY HOLMES SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Plattsburgh High — Coach Sue Wilson and her Hornets finished the season with an 8-13 record in picking up the Ray Holmes Sportsmanship Award for the League.
First Team
Kaitlyn Myers, Saranac — Myers, a senior forward, led the Chiefs all season with her 12.4 points-per-game average. She finished with 103 field goals, 54 free throws for 262 points in 21 games. Myers was held to single digits in scoring in just four games all season and had a season-high 19 points against Beekmantown on Feb. 11.
JohniRae Coryea, Northeastern Clinton — Coryea, a senior guard, was the leader of the Cougars and helped them push into the NYSPHSAA state final four at Hudson Valley Community College. She led the team averaging 13 points a game and had 120 field goals, 58 free throws for 327 points in 25 games. Coryea also knocked down 29 3-point baskets during the season.
Alex Coolidge, AuSable Valley — Coolidge, a sophomore forward, led the Patriots in scoring all season as she averaged 14.5 points-per-game. She had 130 field goals, 36 free throws for 305 points on the season in 21 games.
Katrina Garrand, Northeastern Clinton — Another strong player for the Cougars. Garrand, a sophomore guard, helped Northeastern Clinton capture the Section VII Class B title and advance in regional play in the NYSPHSAA tournament. She finished with 12.4 points a game. She had 104 field goals, 63 free throws, 287 points in 23 games.
Trista Harris, Seton Catholic — Harris, a senior forward, led the Knights to the Section VII Class C title game in which they fell to Ticonderoga. She averaged 13.4 points-per-game in 17 games. She had 90 field goals, 45 free throws for 229 points on the season.
Second Team
Julie Thompson, Ticonderoga — Thompson, a senior center, was a bright spot for the Sentinels all season long. She helped Ticonderoga capture the Section VII Class C crown and advance to NYSPHSAA regional play. Thompson averaged 15 points-per-game in 21 games. She had 148 points, 21 free throws for 317 points on the season.
Megan Bowman, Saranac — Bowman, a sophomore guard, had a strong season for the Chiefs. Bowman averaged 8.8 points-per-game in 20 games. She made 76 field goals, 11 free throws for 177 points on the season. She also knocked down 14 3-point baskets.
Meagan McComb, Northeastern Clinton — McComb, a senior guard, helped the Cougars all season long with her consistent play throughout. McComb finished the season with 9.8 points-per-game average in 23 games. She scored 91 field goals, 18 free throws for 227 points. She also converted 28 3-point baskets.
Zoe Saulsgiver, AuSable Valley — Saulsgiver, a senior guard, was fourth in the area with 31 3-point baskets on the season. She finished the season with a 12.8 points-per-game average in 19 games. She made 88 field goals, 39 free throws for 244 points.
Alex King, Peru — King, a junior forward, had a strong season for the Indians. King, along with MVP Hackett, combined for 602 points on the season. King finished with 85 field goals, 37 free throws for 207 points in 23 games. She averaged nine points a game.
Third Team
Megan Riley, Lake Placid — Riley, a sophomore guard, finished tied for second in the area with 34 3-point baskets on the season. Riley averaged 12.1 points-per-contest.
Renee Egan, Seton Catholic — Egan, a senior guard, finished the season with 10.4 points-per-game in 19 games.
Mychelle Favreau, Saranac —Favreau, a junior guard, finished the season with a 7.9 points-per-game average.
Emily Higgins, Plattsburgh High — Higgins finished with a 6.7 points-per-game average and had a season-high 15 points in a win over Moriah.
Erin Sullivan, Peru — Sullivan, a junior guard, finished the season 10th in the 3-point leaders list with 22 on the season. She averaged seven points-per-game.
