By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

The Mid-Willamette Conference was well-represented in the State Honors this past shortened Winter season.

Lebanon’s Ellie Croco and Meagan Mendazona were named to the All-State First team this year as the Senior Mendazona, who has committed to Utah State for basketball, helped lead Central to a 14-11 and 11-5 MWC record under first-year Head Coach Marc Burelson.

“Meagan did an amazing job this year for Central. She is a very talented player and should do some great things at Utah State.  Change is always a little scary, however Meagan accepted the change and embraced the new system,” said Burelson.  “We tried very hard as a staff to make sure we built the team up around Meagan and I believe that helped her have an amazing year.  We knew Meagan would get her shots, and as a leader she got the other girls involved in the offense.”

Mendazona understood the expectation that her new coach this year, and used her leadership to help the Panthers turn a 3-7 start to a 11-4 finish that included a six-game winning streak between January 14 and January 31. Leaving her mark for the underclassmen as the program enters next year as she was also the Player of the Year in the Mid-Willamette Conference this past Winter.

“Meagan understood the expectation we established for the program this year and she help set the tone for the season and future seasons not only on the basketball floor but in the classroom and community,” said Burelson.  “The entire program benefited by having Meagan around and seeing what it takes to become a great player and a great team.”

Croco, too a Senior, helped the Warriors to a second-place finish in the Mid-Willamette at 19-7 overall and 11-5 overall and reached the fourth-sixth place game before the season cancellation.

Silverton saw Truitt Reilly garner Second-Team All-State honors and Foxes Head Coach Tal Wold got Coach of the Year honors.  Silverton reached the Final Four and was supposed to play Crater on March 12.

First team

Sydney Burns- Wilsonville

Ellie Croco- Lebanon

Meagan Mendazona- Central

Danika Starr- Churchill

Addison Wedin- La Salle Prep

 

Second Team

Madison Holm- St. Helens

Emily Niebergall- La Salle Prep

Paige Pentzer- Ridgeview

Truitt Reilly- Silverton

Natalie Willoughby-Willamette

 

Honorable Mention

Emilia Bishop- Wilsonville

Cali Denson- Milawaukie

McKenzie Hirsch- Crater

Muriel Hoisington-Pendleton

Ellie Schmitz- Silverton

Riley Traeger-Silverton

Mary Workman- Lebanon

COY- Tal Wold- Silverton