Desert Pines’ versatile Walker snares Northeast’s MVP award

To some girls basketball fans, LaBrea Walker flew well under the radar this season.

The Northeast League, though, had no choice but to take notice of Desert Pines' senior guard.

Unquestionably the Jaguars' leader, Walker was named the Northeast League's Most Valuable Player by league coaches.

Play, score, set up teammates to score, rebound, defend, Walker did a lot of everything for the Jaguars, who finished 17-12 overall and won the Northeast League regular-season title with a 12-2 record. She averaged 25 points and almost eight rebounds per game.

"She was like a LeBron James or a Kobe Bryant to her teammates insofar as she got everybody involved and made everybody better," said Desert Pines coach Mel Washington, the Northeast coach of the year. "She was an all-around player."

Desert Pines' TaQuiyyah Boyles joined Las Vegas' Shomari Harris and Courtney Ladson, Canyon Springs' Kenosha Wright, Chaparral's Janae Neuville and Valley's Estelle Wilson on the All-Northeast first team.

Centennial swept the Northwest League's top awards, with Alexis Byrd named player of the year and Karen Weitz coach of the year.

The Bulldogs also put Shannon Brown and Courtney Hayes on the first team. Joining them are Palo Verde's Jasmin Kiley, Legacy's Breanah Manley and Shadow Ridge's Elisha Hensey.

Bishop Gorman took both of the Southwest's top awards, as Aaryn Ellenberg took home player of the year and Sheryl Krmpotich coach of the year.

Gorman players also took half the first-team spots, with Chelsie Pitt, Amber Lane and Zhane Dikes honored. Bonanza's Alice Pitts, Durango's Cherelle Hicks and Sierra Vista's Jeanette Jackson also were named to the top unit.

Green Valley's Jazmine Jarvis was named the Southeast's player of the year, and Foothill's Mike Collins was the coach of the year.

On the Southeast first team are Liberty's Amanda Delgado and Jade Washington, Green Valley's Sarah Pickus, Foothill's Bri Higgins and Silverado's Shea Collins.