FONDA - The Colonial Council boys and girls basketball all-stars have been announced with just Jarett Ladd from Fonda-Fultonville taking honors.
The Lady Braves were shut out on a player making either a first, second or third team, but playing in a league that competitive was understood by coach Wendi Waters.
"I was a little disappointed we didn't have anyone chosen for the all-star team, but that league is just so good," Waters said in an email.
Article Photos
Fonda-Fultonville’s Jarett Ladd dribbles the ball while under pressure from Watervliet’s Jordan Gleason (1) during a Feb. 9 Colonial Council game at Fonda-Fultonville High School. Ladd recently was named a Colonial Council all-star. (The Leader-Herald/James A. Ellis)
Ladd was a second-team all-star in the Colonial.
The 5-foot-9 senior guard averaged 15.4 points per game and his 58 3-pointers this year was a single-season record at Fonda. Ladd scored a season-high 25 points in a win at Cobleskill-Richmondville on Feb. 7.
Over the last six games of the season, which included Fonda's loss in sectionals to Catskill, Ladd averaged 19.3 points per game.
Braves coach Eric Wilson said Ladd's scoring won't be the only part of his game that he'll miss.
"He really stepped into a leadership role for us," he said. "Obviously, he can score, but his attitude is what we'll miss most from Jarrett. There were a number of times this year where he really put the team on his back and carried us, and it wasn't all because of his scoring."
Wilson said Ladd did it on defense too, with Wilson commenting he "really takes pride in getting a steal or taking another player out of their game."
That was shown against eventual Section II Class C champion Mechanicville and Colonial Council MVP Jordan McBride. During that game back on Jan. 17, Ladd and the rest of the Braves shut down McBride for just 11 points and one made jump shot - a season low.
Being one of the smallest schools in one of Section II's more competitive leagues didn't matter much to Ladd. The only thing that mattered was getting the win.
"His determination to win and willingness to do whatever it takes to get a win sets him apart in my eyes," Wilson said. "Most players want to win, but Jarrett hates to lose."
McBride took home MVP honors over Watervliet's Jordan Gleason. Both were named first-team all-stars for the second consecutive year.
Both seniors, McBride scored almost 25 points per contest and Gleason averaged 17.8. Gleason led Watervliet to the New York State Class B championship game, where they dropped a heart-breaker to Bishop Ludden by a point, just a day after Gleason fed Griffen Kelly for a buzzer-beater to advance to the finals.
"Gleason is so skilled," Wilson said. "He's got all the tools. He can shoot, put it on the floor, and his athleticism is off the charts."
McBride, who was named MVP of the Section II Class C tournament, helped lead Mechanicville to a sectional title and eventually to the Final Four of the Class C state tournament at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Wilson won't miss McBride or Gleason next season, as both were standouts in the Colonial.
"McBride isn't quite as athletic [as Gleason], but he does so much to make his teammates better," Wilson said. "He's so good at getting down the lane, drawing fouls and getting others involved."
Watervliet had the most all-stars with four as Kelly and Antoine Johnson took first team honors, while teammate Tyler McLeod was a second-team selection.
Although not selected for the girls all-stars, seniors Alyssa Craig and Sarah Wyzomirski were elected as Colonial Council senior all-stars.
Craig was a third-team all-star her senior year and averaged 9.8 points per game, was second on the team in steals with 29 and 45 made 3-pointers in her career is the seventh highest total in Fonda-Fultonville history.
Waters said teams took notice to the senior after her fine season last year.
"Every team this year focused on stopping her, so it was a lot tougher for her to get open looks," Waters said.
Nonetheless, playing AAU ball in the summer did improve Craig's game Waters said and she plans to play at Herkimer next year.
"It will be tough without her next year - not only for what she brings on the court, but off the court too," Waters said. "She had become a very important team leader. She was so dedicated to the sport of basketball and to this program. The other girls could see that and fed off of that. She was a great example of doing things the right way and was always humble even when she was enjoying individual success."
Waters called Wyzomirski one of the most improved players since the time she started playing basketball and it showed this year in the Lady Braves double-overtime loss to Mechanicville. The 6-foot-2 senior dominated with a 16 point 17 rebound performance, both career highs.
She led the team with 148 rebounds this year.
"The more confidence she got, the better she played," Waters said. "She became a dominant force in the paint by the end of the season. When we were getting beat on the boards, she would come in and have an impact right away."
Waters said Wyzomirski plans to attend Fulton-Montgomery Community College to play volleyball.
Allison Craig is the other departing senior for the Lady Braves.
Emily Parslow a freshman, led the team in scoring, averaging 10.8 points per game and scored a single-game high of 22 against Cobleskill-Richmondville on Feb. 7.
Watervliet's Allayia Demand was selected as league MVP with teammate Mikayla DeGuire taking in first team honors. Demand, DeGuire and teammate Lashana Tolliver, a second-team all-star, are all juniors for Watervliet, who won Section II Class B this season.
Colonial Council Boys All-Stars
MVP: Jordan McBride (Mechanicville)
First Team
Jordan Gleason (Watervliet), Nate Monson (Cohoes), Antoine Johnson (Watervliet), Griffin Kelly (Watervliet), Raheem Felder (Lansingburgh)
Second Team
Joe Fey (Ichabod Crane), Tyler McLeod (Watervliet), Jarett Ladd (Fonda), Elijah Newsome (Cohoes), Dom Caputo (Schalmont)
Third Team
Ryan Rivers (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk), Logan Hotaling (Voorheesville), Ryan McBride (Mechanicville), Sean Thaxter (Cobleskill-Richmondville), Bryce Allen (Cobleskill-Richmondville)
Colonial Council Girls Basketball All-Stars
MVP: Allayia Demand (Watervliet)
First Team
My'Asia Alston (Cohoes), Mikayla DeGuire (Watervliet), Sam Randio (Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk), Sarah Madden (Voorheesville), Nina Spricer (Holy Names)
Second Team
J'Vanay Santos (Albany Academy), Hanna Friend (Holy Names), Jen Cillis (Voorheesville), Lashana Tolliver (Watervliet), Kayla Hotaling (Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk)
Third Team
Alicia Razanousky (Ichabod Crane), Sarah McDonald (Cohoes), Amber Maiello (Mechanicville), Katelyn Murray (Watervliet), Jessica Bellai (Schalmont), Mary Kate Murray (Holy Names)