All Olympic Conference Team of the Year
In this article:
High School basketball season around the state of New Jersey is quickly coming to a close, but what a season it was. Although the season was shortened due to the ongoing pandemic the players still gave it everything they had…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingHigh School basketball season around the state of New Jersey is quickly coming to a close, but what a season it was. Although the season was shortened due to the ongoing pandemic the players still gave it everything they had in a modified schedule in which games were only played in conference. Several players made a name for themselves on their way to major team success, here is the team of the year.
G: Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ , Paul VI: Because of the inability to play in the postseason Paul VI loaded up their schedule against some of the bigger names in the state in an effort for the younger players on their team to learn and grow against great competition. Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ rose to the occasion all season and once again showed that she has the talent to lead Paul Vi to great things in her next few years. As a sophomore Hidalgo averaged 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 4 steals per game, dominating both inside and out on offense and flying around on defense. A true threat at all levels Hidalgo is only improving which is a scary realization for the rest of the Olympic Conference.
G: Avery Kessler, Shawnee: The Olympic Conference is one of the toughest conferences in the state of New Jersey, this year Shawnee proved they can hang with the big teams. One of the reasons for a very solid season from Shawnee was the play of guard Avery Kessler. The sophomore took a giant leap in her second year on the team, tripling her offensive output from her freshman year from 4.3 to 13 points per game. Kessler also chipped in with 4 rebounds per game and averaged two made shots from three point range in her nine games. The sophomore showed that she can be a reliable option offensively, especially from long distance.
G: Kassidy Thompson Kassidy Thompson 5'9" | SG Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ , Camden Catholic: Coming into this season Camden Catholic were one of the favorites in the Olympic Conference, they then brought in several transfers that made the team even better. Kassidy Thompson Kassidy Thompson 5'9" | SG Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ was one of those transfers, she showed some real promise as a freshman at Clearview before making the jump to Camden Catholic where she led the team in scoring. The sophomore put up averages of 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game showing she has the talent to be one of the biggest names in the conference over the next two years.
F/C: Iliana Sosa-Lora, Woodrow Wilson: Things did not go how Woodrow Wilson wanted this season, the team had a record under .500 and didn’t really make any moves to get toward the top of the conference, but one bright spot was the play of their star senior. Iliana Sosa-Lora dominated in her final season, putting up averages of 15 points, 15.3 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. The paint was her home, she made life difficult on opposing teams whether on offense or defense by using her long limbs and quick feet. Even though the season didn’t go the teams way Iliana Sosa-Lora played her heart out.
F/C: Alexa Therien Alexa Therien 6'1" | SF Cherokee | 2021 State NJ , Cherokee: Considered one of the best players in the Olympic Conference heading into her senior season, Alexa Therien Alexa Therien 6'1" | SF Cherokee | 2021 State NJ did not disappoint in her final year playing for Cherokee. The Boston University basketball commit was the consistent presence she has been throughout her entire high school career, averaging 16 points and 4 rebounds per game for a Cherokee team that rolled to a 12-2 record on the season. Therien showed off her Basketball IQ throughout the year, making quick decisions and constantly finding herself in the right position to make big plays.