photo by: File photos

Free State senior Shannon Clarke (left) was named all-area girls basketball player of the year, while Baldwin's Bob Martin (right) was tabbed coach of the year for the 2020-21 season. File photos from the Lawrence Journal-World.

Player of the year: Shannon Clarke, Free State

Clarke came through with a standout senior season with the Firebirds. Despite being face-guarded frequently, she produced an average of 13.9 points per game. She also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. The 6-foot wing was a disruptive defender and had an all-around offensive game, which all should translate to the next level when she plays for the Naval Academy.

Coach of the year: Bob Martin, Baldwin

No area girls basketball teams made it to state this season, but Martin’s Baldwin squad was the last area team standing when it advanced to the substate championship. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs finished just shy of a third consecutive state berth and went 11-10 for the season. Baldwin’s best win was an upset in January, when it knocked off previously unbeaten Piper.

First-team selections

photo by: Courtesy photo

Lydia Alvarado, Veritas sophomore

Lydia Alvarado, Veritas — Alvarado has been instrumental to the Eagles since the return of Veritas’ girls basketball program, which was revived last year after a two-season absence. The team is still young, and Alvarado, a sophomore, served as its leader during an abnormal season.

Morgan Brusven, Tonganoxie — Brusven had 12.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game during her senior season. Her best performance of the year was a career-high 24 points and 12 rebounds in an overtime loss at Jefferson West.

photo by: Chance Parker

Lawrence High sophomore Lucy Hardy dribbles the ball up the court against Olathe Northwest Thursday evening at LHS on Dec. 3, 2020.

Lucy Hardy, Lawrence — The past season was tough for the Lions, but Hardy was one of the bright spots. She was a great defender all year, and she also averaged 3.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Hardy was one of many promising sophomores to play for LHS this winter, and she should take another step next season.

photo by: Carter Gaskins

Free State senior Evy Harrell dribbles the ball past a defender during a game against Shawnee Mission West Friday night at FSHS on Jan. 29, 2021.

Evy Harrell, Free State — During her final season, Harrell stepped up and took over the point guard position for the Firebirds. The offense started with her, and she recorded 46 assists for the season. She also averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was a tenacious defender.

photo by: Courtesy photo

Jenna Harvey, Baldwin senior

Jenna Harvey, Baldwin — Harvey was a reliable post presence for the Bulldogs this past season. She was effective on both ends of the floor, averaging 10.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-2 senior also swatted 90 shots on her way to earning an All-Frontier League second-team selection.

Katy Hurd, Perry-Lecompton — Hurd led the Kaws in the post this year. She was second in the Big 7 league in blocks, with 39, and first in total rebounds, with 112. She also averaged 11.2 points per game in 13 appearances and chipped in 21 total assists and 13 steals.

photo by: Carter Gaskins

Lawrence High sophomore Serenity Keo (22) drives to the rim past Shawnee Mission North’s Jessica Brown (35) Wednesday night at LHS on Jan. 20, 2021. The Lions secured a 41-36 win to snap a four-game skid.

Serenity Keo, Lawrence — Few local players were as tough as Keo this past season. The sophomore guard was never afraid to put her body on the line, and she drew a total of 12 charges. She also posted an average of 5.8 points per game.

photo by: Courtesy photo

2020 fall sports all-area photo: Jayla Pierce, Eudora

Jayla Pierce, Eudora — Despite usually surrendering the size advantage, Pierce was an incredible post player for the Cardinals in her senior season. She was especially strong on the defensive end, but she also averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

photo by: Courtesy photo

Harper Schreiner, Eudora girls basketball

Harper Schreiner, Eudora — Schreiner impressed in 2019-20 as a sophomore, and she was just as dominant as a junior. She averaged 18.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this past season. And she was also a lockdown defender with an average of 4.6 steals.

photo by: Courtesy photo

Riley Smith, Baldwin junior

Riley Smith, Baldwin — The Bulldogs leaned on Smith during her junior campaign. The 5-foot-8 guard was named to the All-Frontier League first team after posting impressive numbers: 12.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals per contest.

Honorable mention

Taylor Damme, Perry-Lecompton; Amaya Marshall, Lawrence; Karly Neufeld, Baldwin; Robin Todd, Free State; Daeci Walker, Free State.