By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

MILL CITY, Ore.–  It’s not easy to garner All-State Honors, let lone doing it with going up against the 2A Player of the Year in Kennedy’s Sophia Carley all four years.

Santiam’s McKenzie Dodge got Honorable Mention her Senior Year, joining Carley, Ellie Cantu (Kennedy) and the Vasquez sisters from Gervais as members of the Tri-River Conference to be named to the All-State team.

“Oh it was great, I loved being able to compete against them but at the same time be able to watch them grow alongside me as well. They have definitely helped me improve my basketball game and skills as well by making me work and not going easy on me,” said Dodge.  “Especially Sophia, we’ve been going up against each other since freshman year, so we’ve battled quite a bit but that’s definitely helped me better my game.”

Going from JV to Varsity her sophomore year, Dodge was a force in the post for the Wolverines who reached the 2A playoffs in 2019 and almost made it again her Senior year.  The squad went 12-14 and 8-6 in the TRC, finishing a game behind Colton for third-place in league.

All the blood, sweat and tears had helped her to this point, but couldn’t’ve done it without her teammates as she prepares to go to Linfield for Nursing.

“I couldn’t have done it without all of my teammates and my coaches pushing me and making me work as hard as i can. i have been blessed to have gotten to play 4 years in the program and am forever grateful for everyone involved,” said Dodge.  “My message to the younger girls would be to always work hard, push yourself and your teammates to be the best you can be. don’t let your confidence take over, keep a smart head and just be a team player, that’s what coaches are looking for is team players who they can rely on the most.”

Full 2A All-State Team here:

Player of the year:  Sophia Carley, Kennedy

Coach of the year:  Kerry and Peter Hall, Kennedy

First Team

Sophia Carley Sr Kennedy (unanimous)

Morgan Baird Sr Coquille (unanimous)

Mirtha Lopez Sr Monroe (unanimous)

Callie Glenn So Union

Traylyn Arana Sr Bandon

Ellie Cantu Jr Kennedy

2nd Team

Olivia Leslie Sr Nestucca

Angela Taylor Sr Lost River

Sydney Wilson Jr Heppner

Brooklyn Walters So Vernonia

Ryleigh Nofziger So Central Linn

3rd Team

Bella Vasquez Jr Gervais

Ashley Strain Sr Bandon

Araceli Vazquez Jr Gervias

Nyah Tejada So Union

Ashlyn Gray Sr Enterprise

Honorable Mention

Drew Wilson Jr Coquille

Mahala Fisher Sr Toledo

Eduarda Reolon Sr Bandon

Mahala Fisher Sr Toledo

Maya Rowland Fr Central Linn

Jordan Walters Sr Vernonia

Emilee Owen Sr Mannahouse Christian

Brianna Kohr Sr Union

Izzy Steerman Jr Faith Bible

Lily Persons Sr Regis

Damary Ramon Sr Lost River

Kendra Hart Sr Stanfield

McKenzie Dodge Sr Santiam