The season is over, the ballots are in and this year's list of most valuable players is ready to be announced.
Each player in this distinguished group, which includes three seniors, one junior and one sophomore, guided their teams to state championships. One has a family history of MVPs, one is a repeat MVP, one has won 3 state titles and two came from nowhere to MVP status.Without further adieu, the 1996 Deseret News Most Valuable Players are Lori Henry of Mountain View, Brooke Marcheschi of Ogden, Carrie Summerhays of Wasatch, Makenzie Gillins of Beaver and Jenny Holt of Enterprise.
These five players head the list of this year's all-state teams, which were selected by a ballot of the state's head coaches.
5A - Lori Henry, Mountain View
It would seem like the selection of Henry as MVP would be just a case of following tradition. After all, her two older sisters were also chosen as MVPs during their high school playing days. Lori, however, earned this honor of her own accord.
The only returning starter on a team that finished fifth in state last year, Henry took over the leadership role and banded together a group of players that went 24-0 and capped the season with a victory in the 5A championship game.
"With her experience and type of work ethic in practice it allowed the others to learn from her," Bruin head coach Dave Houle said. "She might have had a night off offensively but she never had an off night rebounding or defensively."
During her senior season, Henry scored an average of 16 points per game, but her rebounding ability stood out even more. With what Houle called "a knack of getting to the ball," Henry averaged 14 rebounds per outing, including a career-high 30-rebound performance against Provo.
4A - Brooke Marcheschi, Ogden
If you had called any of the psychic hotlines before the season began and asked who would win the 4A state title and be selected MVP, the names Ogden and Marcheschi would have never come up. It was that improbable of a year for the Tigers and the junior center.
Ogden won its last eight games of the year, and it was during that time that Marcheschi really came to life. Last year's 4A state high jump champion finished the season averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.
But during the state tournament, Marcheschi upped her output to 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. Her tourney numbers included a 21-point, 12-rebound outing in a second-round game and a 22-point effort in the championship.
"We worked with her and got her posting up better and taking advantage of her jumping ability," Ogden coach Phil Russell said. "She just kept progressing and improving and did an outstanding job for us."
3A - Carrie Summerhays, Wasatch
In answering his preseason questionnaire, Wasatch head coach Roger Pyper wrote next to Summerhays'
name, "excellent point guard possibilities." That statement turned out to be prophetic as the sophomore reached such a potential.
The aspirations might not have come true if it weren't for a midseason illness to the starting point guard, which forced Summerhays into that role. The daughter of Senior PGA Tour golfer Bruce Summerhays was ready to take over.
"She became the leader, and the other kids accepted that," Pyper said. "She is an excellent 3-point shooter and does a good job driving to the basket."
Summerhays - who also plays golf, of course, and is on the Wasp soccer and softball teams - averaged 11.2 points and five assists per game during the season. She turned it up to score 16 points per contest in the tournament.
2A - Makenzie Gillins, Beaver
Guiding the Beavers to a third-straight championship and being named MVP is just icing on the cake of a brilliant career for Gillins. During her four playing years, Beaver has a record of 83-13, including a 46-2 mark the past two years.
A four-year starter, Gillins averaged a double-double every year in compiling career numbers of 1,479 points and 1,464 rebounds. The rebounding total smashed the previously recognized state total of 693. At 5-foot-8, Gillins also played every position according to Beaver head coach Bryan Wood.
"A lot of nights she came out and just dominated the opponent," Wood said.
"She's got great range from anywhere on the court. She would be hard to replace on anybody's team."
A first-team all-state selection last year, Gillins has signed to play at Salt Lake Community College next season.
1A - Jenny Holt, Enterprise
There wasn't much this senior center could do to top last year's performance that saw her guide the Wolves to the state title and earn MVP honors for her efforts. She certainly matched it though.
Holt once again was the catalyst in the Enterprise drive for a second-straight year. She increased her scoring average from 12.6 points as a junior to 16 points per game this year. But her MVP efforts were never more evident than in the state tournament.
Holt led Enterprise in scoring each game, starting off with a 15-point outing in the quarterfinals, followed by an 18-point outing in the semifinals.
Then, in a rematch of the '95 title game with Valley, Holt saved her best for last with a 25-point, 21-rebound effort that proved to be just enough for the Wolves in their 45-41 victory.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Most valuable players
Class Name School Height Position Year Game averages
Ms. Basketball MEGAN JENSEN DAVIS 5-7 Guard Sr. 17.5 pts., 5 ast.
5A MVP LORI HENRY MTN. VIEW 6-1 F-C Sr. 16 pts., 14 reb.
4A MVP BROOKE MARCHESCHI OGDEN 6-2 Center Jr. 13 pts., 10 reb.
3A MVP CARRIE SUMMERHAYS WASATCH 5-7 Guard So. 11.2 pts., 5 ast.
2A MVP MAKENZIE GILLINS BEAVER 5-8 F-C Sr. 18 pts, 16 reb.
1A MVP JENNY HOLT ENTERPRISE 6-1 Center Sr. 17.2 pts., 10 reb.
*****
First teams
CLASS 5A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
LAURIE CROCKER Mountain View 6-0 F-C Sr. 14 pts., 8 reb.
JANNA WHITMAN Skyline 5-10 Guard Sr. 14 pts., 6 reb.
WENDY DALE Davis 5-9 Forward Jr. 15.3 pts., 7 reb.
TARYN STRINGAM American Fork 5-9 Forward Sr. 13 pts., 5 reb.
NIKKI VAUGHN Fremont 6-2 Center Sr. 14 pts., 3.6 blks.
CLASS 4A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
LORI RED Provo 6-0 G-F Sr. 20.2 pts., 7.6 reb.
LINSEY FRANCOM Pleasant Grove 5-9 Guard Sr. 17 pts., 5 reb.
TIRZAH CHURCH Pleasant Grove 5-10 Forward Sr. 16 pts., 6 reb.
HEIDI SORENSON Timpview 6-0 Center Sr. 15 pts., 9 reb.
ASHLEY MILLER Olympus 6-0 Forward Jr. 16 pts., 11.1 reb.
CLASS 3A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
JANELLE ROMNEY Cedar City 6-1 Center Sr. 16 pts., 12 reb.
MICHON HEPWORTH Hurricane 5-6 Guard Sr. 14 pts., 6 asts.
MARY JO COLF Snow Canyon 5-8 Guard Sr. 13.3 pts., 41 3-ptr.
CAMI CARLSON Carbon 5-8 Forward Sr. 12 pts., 8 reb.
ALI GRESSMEN Carbon 5-7 Guard Jr. 11 pts., 9 asts.
CLASS 2A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
JULIE BLAZZARD South Summit 5-9 Forward Sr. 17 pts., 10 reb.
KRISTEN MARCHANT Beaver 5-8 G-F Sr. 15.8 pts., 67% FG
BRITTANI GORDON South Summit 5-8 Guard Sr. 13 pts., 5 asts.
KAPRECE ACKERMAN South Sevier 5-11 Forward Jr. 17.9 pts., 7.5 reb.
BRITTANY SMITH Beaver 5-7 Guard Jr. 11.7 pts., 9 asts.
CLASS 1A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
LIZ WESTON Rich 6-0 Center Sr. 17.3 pts., 12.4 reb.
CHARY YOUNG Valley 5-10 Center Sr. 15.5 pts. in 1A trny
AMY SHOGREN Int. Christian 5-1 Guard Sr. 10 pts., 6 steals
BEVERLY GLOVER Valley 5-8 Guard So. 13.2 pts., 72% FT
CAROLINE HEATON Valley 5-10 Forward So. 14.5 pts. in region
*****
Second teams
CLASS 5A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
HEATHER JOHNSON Clearfield 5-11 C Jr.
LINDSAY SODJA Taylorsville 6-0 F Jr.
JILL ADAMS Davis 6-2 C Sr.
KELLY DUCKWORTH Skyline 5-8 G Sr.
SHARI KELSCH American Fork 5-10 C Sr.
TARA WALTON Alta 6-1 F Jr.
KRISTEL WHITTEN Viewmont 5-6 G Sr.
AMBER RUSSELL Fremont 5-6 G Jr.
STACY JENSEN West Jordan 5-7 G So.
JELENA ALBA Kearns 5-5 G Sr.
CLASS 4A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
ELYSE STOWELL East 5-9 G-F Sr.
CHARLOTTE NORMAN East 5-11 F-C Sr.
KRISTI FEHR Olympus 5-11 G So.
AMBER WHITEAKER Ogden 6-1 F Sr.
JESSICA CARPENTER Ogden 5-11 F Sr.
KATHERINE ALLEN Ogden 5-10 G Jr.
DIANA TOBIASSON Provo 6-1 F Sr.
WENDY McENTIRE Logan 6-0 F-C Sr.
VAL KROGH Logan 5-8 G Sr.
MELISSA BRAEGGER Box Elder 5-10 G-F Jr.
JULIE CHAMBERS Timpview 5-8 G Sr.
CLASS 3A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
BRITTANY BOOTH Dixie 5-10 F Sr.
JENNI NIELSON Union 5-7 G Sr.
JENNY WERRY Union 5-7 G Sr.
HEATHER BROADHEAD Wasatch 5-9 F Sr.
BROOKE McKELL Hurricane 6-1 F-C Sr.
JILL BANKS Cedar City 5-8 G Jr.
RACHEL KONOLD Dixie 6-2 C Jr.
MCKELLE STILSON Emery 6-1 C Jr.
ALYSON AAGARD North Sanpete 5-8 G-F Sr.
KYM BROWN Wasatch 5-5 G Sr.
CLASS 2A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
SHADOE SHAHEEN North Sevier 5-7 G-F Jr.
SUZANNE STEVENS Millard 6-0 C Jr.
DALLAS BICE Morgan 5-8 F Jr.
SHELLY KOYLE Millard 5-9 F Sr.
ANN BRAITHWAITE North Sevier 6-0 F-C Jr.
HAYLEY JO NIELSON South Sevier 5-9 G Sr.
AMBER MANNING Morgan 5-9 F Jr.
JAMIE BENTLEY Parowan 6-0 C Jr.
MEGAN WILLIAMS RH-St. Marks 5-11 F-C Sr.
CASEY COOKE Parowan 5-5 G Fr.
CLASS 1A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
ROSIE TAIT Enterprise 5-9 G Sr.
GENNY POLL Panguitch 5-9 F Sr.
AVE NERIA Duchesne 5-10 F Jr.
KATIE HILL Int. Christian 5-7 F Sr.
GAYLENE EKKER Green River 5-8 F Sr.
MINDI SCHOFIELD Manila 5-10 F Jr.
HEIDI BRUCE Dugway 5-6 G So.
KIM KENNEDY Rich 5-7 G Sr.
ALLISON HEISER Int. Christian 5-9 C Sr.
RASHELLE NIELSEN Duchesne 6-1 C Sr.
*****
5A Honorable Mention
Molly McLean, Bingham
Christy McAtee, Layton
Athelia Graham, Mountain View
Moe Clarke, Weber
Sally Johnson, Skyline
Melinda Webber, Bonneville
Elisa Noel, Layton
Amy Taggart, Bingham
Rachel Nielsen, Kearns
Lisa Osguthorpe, Mountain View
4A Honorable Mention
Jamie Marrott, Provo
Natalie Webb, Murray
Deborah Shober, Cyprus
Mandy Young, Timpview
Taffy Smart, Sky View
Alyssa Whitby, Timpview
Heather Allen, Logan
Audrey Young, Sky View
Hollie Blau, Mountain Crest
Melissa Tervort, Payson
3A Honorable Mention
Betsy Fowler, Dixie
Melanie Whimpey, Wasatch
Corinne Cartwright, Carbon
Jessica Jensen, Snow Canyon
Lynn Daniels, Richfield
Jacque Palmer, Snow Canyon
Kristee Greathouse, Delta
Christina Webster, Pine View
Sara Parson, Cedar City
2A Honorable Mention
Macy Gillins, Beaver
Jamie Houston, Kanab
Marcia Swallow, Millard
Liz Jaussi, North Summit
Arielle Beck, Grand
Amanda Laning, Grantsville
Tiffany Okerlund, South Sevier
Brandy Robinson, Millard
Isis Redd, Kanab
Wendy Sperry, North Sevier
Rachel Park, South Summit
1A Honorable Mention
Susan Palmer, Valley
Brianne Torgersen, Piute
Kristi Dannelly, Enterprise
Melissa Abee, Int. Christian
Amanda Talbot, Panguitch
Bethany Jones, Enterprise
Sierra Johnson, Rich
America Alder, West Desert