By Clay Whittington
The Belton Journal
The Lady Broncos punctuated a successful season by recently receiving three superlatives and placing three more players on the 22-5A All-District Team.
Senior point guard Cassidy Gladney earned the most prestigious accolade, being named co-most valuable player after averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.7 steals to help Lake Belton produce an 11-3 record in district.
While the honor marks the conclusion of her high school career, Gladney is proud of the impact she made.
“I knew when this school opened,” Gladney said, “there were going to be people coming behind us, so it was all about what kind of legacy were we going to leave behind. To know kids in the future could be looking up to me when they want to win an MVP trophy feels really good.”
Gladney, who shared the accolade with Chaparral junior Jerriyah Baines, was not the only Lady Broncos standout recognized.
Additionally, senior forward Ella Wagenaar was named defensive player of the year. She averaged 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
Furthermore, Lake Belton head coach Tiffney Barnes was named coach of the year.
Although Gladney and Wagenaar are moving on, plenty of talent remains on the roster highlighted by junior forward Allie Uzzell, who was placed on the 12-player first team. Uzzell averaged 12.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
The Lady Broncos rounded out their selections with a pair of second-team honorees in seniors Angelina Deleon, a forward, and guard Alanah Thompson. Deleon averaged 6.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals, while Thompson averaged 3.4 points, 2.4 rebound and 1.8 steals.
“To have multiple girls recognized really says something,” Barnes said. “I give all the praise to them for me being named coach of the year. That speaks volumes, because they earned that.
“They are the ones who made me look good to even be in that position.”
Belton was represented by two players, and both are bound to return next season.
Junior guard Avelle Bonfoh, who averaged 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals, landed on the first team, while sophomore teammate Emma Flory, a guard, was placed on the second team. Flory averaged 4.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals.
Rounding out the superlatives, Killeen Shoemaker senior guard Sophia Edwin was named offensive player of the year, and Killeen Ellison freshman Faith Etienne was named newcomer of the year.
