Six Needles girls honored in Class 2A Southern League basketball

Neither of the top two awards in the Class 2A Southern League went to the Needles (Calif.) girls basketball team.

But the Mustangs were rewarded for their second straight 2A state championship with six players on the all-league team.

Needles junior point guard Alex Chandler, junior post player Miranda Brackett and sophomore wing Gina Chavira received first-team honors.

“It’s just great for our program,” Needles coach Manuel Calderon said. “I thought those three were deserving all year.”

The Mustangs (30-3) also had junior Kristin Arthur named to the second team, and junior Chrystian Dick and senior Cassie Cairns gained honorable mention.

“It really says a lot about our team,” Calderon said of having six players honored. “The pride and determination of these girls, it really paid off for them.”

West Wendover junior guard Danika Sharp was named Player of the Year.

Sharp, who already orally has committed to UNR, averaged 29.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Coach of the Year went to Mountain View’s Mike Valenzuela, who guided the Saints to a 10-4 league record.

The first team is comprised of Chandler, Brackett, Chavira, Mountain View’s Ellie Markwardt and Lincoln County’s Marissa Smerek and Maicah LeBaron.

The second team is comprised of Arthur, White Pine’s Heather Hamilton, Calvary Chapel’s Sammie Mann, Mountain View’s Patrice Marshall, Lincoln County’s Kori Gloeckner and White Pine’s Alex Hall.