Three players from state semifinalist Horseheads are among those from Section 4 to be recognized on the New York State Sports Writers Association’s girls basketball all-state teams for the 2025-26 season.
Section 4 had nine all-state picks among classes AAA, AA, and A, with another nine players receiving honorable mention. All-state selections in classes B, C, and D will be announced at a later date.
Leading the Horseheads trio was freshman point guard Samantha Bonnell, a fifth-team Class AA selection.
Horseheads junior guard Maddie Ribble was a 12th-team pick, and Blue Raiders sophomore Giana Hughey received honorable mention.
Those three helped the Blue Raiders advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA final four after winning Section 4 and regional titles. Horseheads lost to eventual state champion North Tonawanda.
Horseheads head coach Andy Scott, who reached 400 wins with the Blue Raiders’ victory in the regional final, said it’s the first time one of his teams has had three players recognized in the all-state process.
Section 4 had a pair of upper-tier picks in Class AAA.
Junior forward Charlise Starns of Corning was selected to the third team after leading the Hawks to a Section 4 title.
Elmira junior forward Mariah Matias became a three-time all-state choice with her selection to the Class AAA fourth team.
Among Section 4 large schools, Norwich junior Joey Ryan was the uppermost all-state pick, earning second-team honors in Class A.
All-state teams are compiled by the New York State Sports Writers Association based on nominations submitted from correspondents across the state.
Class AAA
Player of the Year: Julia Scott, Albertus Magnus, senior.
First team: Kayla Solomon, Manhasset St. Mary’s, senior; Josephine Pinnock, Christ the King, junior; Madison Howard, Monsignor Scanlan; Destiny Robinson, Manhasset St. Mary’s; Olivia Vukosa, Chris the King, senior.
Section 4 selections
Third team: Charlise Starns, Corning, junior.
Fourth team: Mariah Matias, Elmira, junior.
Honorable mention: Deanna Shaddock, Corning, senior; Meya Smith, Elmira, sophomore.
Class AA
Player of the Year: Annabella Day, North Tonawanda, senior.
First team: Layla Wagner, Monsignor McClancy, junior; Ava Thomas, Mary Louis Academy, senior; Julie Cruz, Williamsville East, junior; Sarah Rainville, Columbia, senior; Rakiya Mohammed, Nyack, sophomore.
Section 4 selections
Fifth team: Samantha Bonnell, Horseheads, freshman.
12th team: Maddie Ribble, Horseheads, junior.
Honorable mention: Giana Hughey, Horseheads, sophomore; Remi Campbell, Binghamton, senior; Tedessa DiRenzo, Vestal, senior; Giana Gennarelli, Union-Endicott, junior.
Class A
Player of the Year: Ella Trinkaus, Utica Notre Dame, senior.
First team: Astou Toure, Dalton, senior; Mia Betancourt, Mount Sinai, senior; Alex Leonard, Albany Academy, senior; Emerson Wandtke, Our Lady of Mercy, freshman; Emma McHugh, Tappan Zee, senior.
Section 4 selections
Second team: Josey Ryan, Norwich, junior.
Fifth team: Harper Eagan, Maine-Endwell, eighth-grader.
Sixth team: Aliya Hankey, Johnson City, junior.
Seventh team: Emma Urgo, Norwich, senior.
10th team: Bre Butler, Maine-Endwell, sophomore.
Honorable mention: Ryleigh Judson, Waverly, junior; Brynley Ryan, Norwich, sophomore; Jenna McEvoy, Owego Free Academy, junior.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: 9 large-school players from Section 4 named all-state in girls hoops
Reporting by Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
