By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — As co-team champions in 3A/4A Northwestern Conference women’s basketball for the 2022-23 season, it is not surprising that Watauga and Hibriten dominated the all-conference selections announced on March 1, following all conference teams exiting the state playoffs after Watauga’s fourth round loss on Feb. 28.
The team co-champions also produced “Co-Players of the Year” in Watauga’s Kate Sears and Hibriten’s Katie Story. The Panthers’ Maury Patterson got the nod as “Coach of the Year.”
Both Watauga and Hibriten had four selections to the all-NWC team, as well as two honorable mentions.
In the 4A state playoffs, Watauga advanced to the fourth round for the first time since the 1980s. In the 3A state playoffs, Hibriten lost to No. 14 seed (and NWC rival) Freedom in the second round, 59-50. Freedom lost in the 3A fourth round to No. 2 seeded East Lincoln, 56-35. In one of the most competitive seasons for the Northwestern Conference in recent memory, No. 9 Ashe County also advanced to the 3A West bracket’s third round before being eliminated by the No. 1 seeded West Rowan, 80-55.
As reported earlier, Watauga was the Northwestern Conference tournament champion while the Pioneers’ Kate Sears got the nod as “Tournament MVP.”
ALL CONFERENCE SELECTIONS
- Watauga: Kate Sears, Charlotte Torgerson, Laurel Kiker, Brooke Scheffler
- Hibriten: Katie Story, Jada Brown, Zoey Walker, Emma Poarch
- Ashe County: Paige Overcash, Abby Sheets
- Alexander Central: Meredith Wike
- Freedom: Peyton Caldwell
- South Caldwell: Lillie Bumgarner
HONORABLE MENTION
- Watauga: Caroline Farthing, Kaitlyn Darner
- Hibriten: Sydney Wike, Alley Oliver
- Ashe County: Lexie Dawson, Morgan Phipps
- Freedom: Sydney Demiter, Statlee McGee
- South Caldwell: Kaylee Anderson, Addison Edwards
