The Oakdale High School girls basketball teams have handed out the end of the season awards. Coaches, players and fans all gathered for the ceremony at Oakdale High School recently. Awards were handed out for players at all three levels of Lady Mustangs basketball.

For the varsity team, head coach Julie Ford honored four players. Senior Sarah Bohrer, who averaged 11.3 points per game, won the Outwork, Outhustle Player of the Year Award. Bohrer also claimed All Valley Oak League honors for the third time. The guard was a four-year varsity player under Coach Ford.

“Extremely high work ethic, success off the court as well where she holds a 4.2 grade point average,” praised Ford. “Sarah is the epitome of what any coach would want in a player – an all-around talent, very high basketball IQ, does all the little things that don’t show up in the stat sheet, hustles, extremely hard worker, complete commitment and dedication to the team, unselfish, coachable, one of the best defenders in league and great attitude.”

Grace Higle took home the Best Offensive Player of the Year Award. Higle averaged 12.2 points and six rebounds per game. In 2017 she averaged five points per game. Higle connected on 44 three-point shots this season and nearly had a triple double against Sierra with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals. Like Bohrer, Higle also made the All-VOL team.

“Grace’s stats speak for themselves, even though she was our point guard,” said Ford. “She was first or second in every single category: points per game (first), shooting percentage (first), three point field goal percentage (first), free throw percentage (first), rebounds per game (second), steals per game (first), assists per game (first), blocks per game (second), efficiency rating (first).”

In a non-conference game this season, Higle connected on a game winning three-pointer against Ripon Christian.

“I had a hard time taking her off the court. She was known as Ms. Clutch in a handful of other games hitting very important shots in the final minutes,” noted Ford.

Whitney Neilson, a senior, took home the Mustang Award. That is an award that is voted on by the players. Neilson battled down low most of the season and scored 11 points on senior night against Central Catholic in a 68-30 win.

“Whitney has an amazing attitude, she never complained, such a hard worker. She is a positive person, great leader, great shooter, selfless, amazing teammate and every coach would love to have her,” said Ford.

Most Improved Player went to freshman Alicia Platt. The freshman guard went from likely starter on the junior varsity team to starting on the varsity team just before the start of the season. She averaged 4.5 rebounds per game and showed her distance shooting capabilities by knocking down 22 three-pointers on the year. She also averaged 2.2 steals per game and had 70 deflections on the year.

“This kid is the energizer bunny and wreaks havoc on the defensive end,” Ford said.

Junior varsity awards were given to Kayden Legan for Best Offensive Player of the Year, 13.1 points per game. Legan drained 51 three-point shots this season. Kendra Branch won Best Defensive Player and the Mustang Award went to Afton Daley.

For the freshman team Madison Jones won Best Offensive Player; Jadyn Rau took home Best Defensive Player and Macie Gregory won Most Improved Player.