The 2022-23 All-Observer girls basketball team: Who are the player, coach of the year?

A state championship coach and a player who led her team to its first state championship appearance headline the 2022-23 Charlotte Observer girls high school all-star basketball team.

In all, 25 players made the All-Observer team. And for the first time, The Observer is adding a Sixth Player of the Year award, as well as Most Improved Player and All Defensive and All Freshman teams.

Lake Norman High’s Kirsten Lewis-Williams is The Observer’s regional player of the year. The media outlet’s coverage zone, which is now changing, covered 164 schools in 18 counties last season.

Lewis-Williams led her team to a 31-1 record and a national ranking. She averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Wildcats, who lost to Cary’s Panther Creek High School in the N.C. 4A state final.

The coach of the year is West Rowan’s Ashley Poole, who led her team to a 31-0 record with a 60-50 win over Rocky Mount in the state final. West Rowan won its first girls basketball state championship.

Note: the teams were selected by The Observer’s high school sports staff along with Talking Preps’ co-hosts Randall Clark and Rick Lewis. All schools were asked to nominate players for possible inclusion.

▪ The Observer changed its coverage area beginning with spring sports coverage. After the winter sports All-Observer teams are named, only athletes in the new coverage zone will be considered for inclusion for future teams. The revised coverage area includes schools in counties that touch Mecklenburg: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln and Union.

The All-Observer Girls Basketball All-Stars

FIRST TEAM

Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, 6-5, Jr., F: Top 10 national recruit averaged 16.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 4.2 bpg to lead Catholic to back-to-back regional finals. More than 1,000 career points, 800 career rebounds.

Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Lake Norman, 5-10, Sr., G: Averaged 21 ppg, 9 rpg, 5 apg, 4 spg to lead her team to its first NC 4A state championship game appearance.

Elle Stone, Mallard Creek, 5-10, Soph, G: Averaged 18 points, 4.6 rebounds, four steals and two blocks per game for the Queen City 3A/4A conference champions.

Samyha Suffren, Cannon, 5-7, Sr., G: Averaged 15.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.9 spg, 3.5 spg. All-state pick led her team to state finals and has signed with Virginia Tech.

Kate Sears, Watauga, 5-9, Soph, G: Averaged 21.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5 apg and 2 spg. She has already scored more than 1,000 career points.

SECOND TEAM

Nevaeh Farmer, North Meck, 5-4, Sr, G

Cassidy Geddes, Newton-Conover, 5-7, Sr, G

Shalyn Bell, North Stanly, 6-1, Soph, F

Kyla Bryant, Salisbury, 5-9, Sr, G

Ally Hollifield, Shelby, 5-5, Sr, G

THIRD TEAM

Lauren Arnold, West Rowan, 5-10, Jr, SF

Amya Graham, South Point, 5-11, Soph, F

Jordyn Latter, Providence Day, 5-7, Sr., G

Jerin Truesdale, Myers Park, 5-9, Jr, F

Betsey Burnett, South Meck, 5-8, Sr, G

HONORABLE MENTION

Zamya Blakeney, Forest Hills, 5-9, Sr., G

Anastasia Sinclair, South Meck, 5-7, Sr., G

Kam Kitchen, Independence, 5-9, Soph, G

Jade Washington, Parkwood, 5-5, Sr., G

Zahra Douglas, Marvin Ridge, 5-7, Sr., F

Gracynn Gough, Charlotte Catholic, 6-1, Jr., F

Lili Booker, Cannon, 5-6, Jr., G

Braelyn Stilwell, East Burke, 5-4, Soph, G

Chloe Norman, West Lincoln, 5-5, Sr, G

Madison Cole, Ashbrook, 5-10, Sr., G

All-Defensive Team

Blanca Thomas, Charlotte Catholic, Jr, F: The Observer’s defensive player of the year averaged 4.2 blocks per game as well as 9.4 rebounds. She has more than 800 career rebounds in three seasons.

My’Asia Young, Mallard Creek, Fr, G: Team’s top on-ball defender had 93 steals, 40 defensive rebounds and averaged five deflections per game.

Braelyn Stilwell, East Burke, 5-4, So., G: Offensively, averaged 17 points, 7.7 assists. On defense, averaged 6.1 steals per game and set a single-game school record with 13 steals.

Carolina Robinson, West Lincoln, Jr, C: 6-1 post averaged 12 points, 14.5 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Ginny Overbay, East Lincoln, Sr, F: guarded opposing teams’ best player. Had 102 steals for the season, averaged 8.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.4 spg, 2.2 apg. Winter Jam Tournament MVP, all-conference pick.

Most Improved Player

Kairah Dixon-Booker, North Mecklenburg, 5-10, Sr, SF: As a junior, Booker averaged 7.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg and had one college offer. As a senior, she jumped to 14 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 spg and now holds five college offers.

Sixth Player of the Year

Gabrille Troy-Mebane, South Mecklenburg, 5-8, FR, CG: Averaged 10 points, three assists and helped team go unbeaten in conference and reach Sweet 16 in playoffs. College interest from Clemson, East Tennessee state.

All Freshman Team

Misa Garris, Garinger, 5-4, G: All-Southwestern 4A performer averaged 17.5 pp, 4.9 rpg, 3.9 apg. She had five games with 25 points or more. The Observer’s freshman of the year.

The new face of Garinger High: Freshman Misa Garris wants to win, and she wants to win now

Kelsey Rhyne, Lake Norman, 5-5, F: Started for N.C. 4A state runner-up; averaged 12.6 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg, one of NC’s top 3-point shooters.

Jaida McClure, Providence Day, 5-9, PG: Averaged 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg and helped Providence Day to a 22-7 record. Named NCISAA all-state.

Oshauna Holland, Stuart Cramer, Stuart Cramer, 5-7, G: No. 2 in NC among freshman guard at 18.1 ppg. Also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 5.5 steals, 4.7 assists.

Charlotte Tune, Charlotte Latin, 5-7, PG: First-team all-conference pick averaged 16.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.7 spg while leading the Hawks to a 16-9 record.

Previous All-Observer Winners: Player of Year, Coach of Year

2021-22: Blanca Thomas (Charlotte Catholic); Donnell Rhyne (Chambers)

2020-21: Reigan Richardson (Cannon School); Donnell Rhyne (Vance)

2019-20: Chyna Cornwell (Newton-Conover); Donnell Rhyne (Vance)

2018-19: Nia Daniel (Hickory Ridge); Clarence Johnson (Mallard Creek)

2017-18: Ahlana Smith (Mallard Creek); Clarence Johnson (Mallard Creek)

2016-17: Janelle Bailey (Providence Day); Josh Springer (Providence Day)

2015-16: Erin Whalen (Providence Day); Josh Springer (Providence Day)

2014-15: Aliyah Mazyck, Myers Park and Stephanie Watts, Weddington; coach Barbara Nelson (Myers Park)

2013-14: DD Rogers (Myers Park) and Jatarie White (Providence Day); Barbara Nelson (Myers Park)

2012-13: Jatarie White (Providence Day); Ina Thompson (Porter Ridge)

2011-12: Tiffany Mitchell (Providence Day); Anthony Jones (Harding)

2010-11: Cierra Burdick (Butler): Chris McNeil (Salisbury)

2009-10: Cierra Burdick (Butler); Stephanie Butler (Butler)

2008-09: Christal Caldwell (West Charlotte); Reggie Mobley (West Charlotte)

2007-08: Christal Caldwell (West Charlotte); Angela Morton (Concord)

2006-07: Tiffany Whiting, South Iredell; Barbara Nelson (Providence Day)

2005-06: Joy Cheek (South Meck); Troy Gaston (South Meck)

2004-05: Joy Cheek (South Meck); Larry Ross (East Rutherford)

2003-04: Kyria Buford (Victory Christian); Jennifer Shoaf (Salisbury)

2002-03: Ivory Latta (York, S.C.); Gary Richmond (Vance)

2001-02: Ivory Latta (York, S.C.); Jamie Smith (Freedom)

2000-01: Natasha Brackett (Providence Day); Barbara Nelson (Providence Day)

1999-00: Natasha Brackett (Providence Day); Bob Angley (Charlotte Christian)

1998-99: Alicia Abernathy (Hickory); David Elder (Hickory)

1997-98: Alicia Abernathy (Hickory); David Elder (Hickory)