Maci Thornton Named KSAC Girls’ Basketball MVP, Taylor Smith Named To Boys’ Squad (03/10/15)

on 10 March, 2015 at 22:39

The Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference selected their 2014-15 All-Conference Basketball Teams, on Sunday (March 8th). Clarion Area senior Maci Thornton was named the Girls’ KSAC MVP, while Bobcat junior Taylor Smith was named to the Boys’ Third Team.

(Photo by Jack Kenneson)
Maci Thornton

Thornton, who finished her career with 1575 points (second most in Lady Cats history), scored 564 this year, an average of 20.8 points per game. She was second in District Nine in scoring. She also averaged 8.5 rebounds per game and 4.3 steals per game.

Thornton led the Lady Cats in all categories. She was a member of teams that appeared in four straight District Nine Class-A Title Games (2011-12 to 2014-15) and two District Nine Class-A Champions (2012-13, 2013-14).

Thornton was the MVP of the Kane Tournament, earlier this year. She was a member of last season’s All-KSAC Team and a 2013-14 All-Stater.

Smith, who scored 365 points, was named to the Third Team for the second year in a row. He was eighth in the KSAC and twelfth in District Nine in points per game (16.6). He was second in the KSAC in three-pointers (56) and free throw percentage (77%). Smith was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Punxsutawney Tournament.

(Photos by Bri Nellis - Bri Nellis Photography) Taylor Smith

(Photo by Bri Nellis – Bri Nellis Photography)
Taylor Smith

The Girls’ First Team included three of Thornton’s 2013-14 fellow All-State players: Madison Johnson from Keystone, Brook Hinderliter from Redbank Valley and LeeAnn Gibson from Karns City. Also on the First Team were the Venango Catholic duo of Ava Homan and Taylor Moltz.

The Girls’ Second Team is made up of: Shanel Preston from Karns City, Kristina DeMatteis and Stephanie McCall from Moniteau, Tori Obenrader and Abbie Schmader from North Clarion and Union’s Lexey Shick.

The Girls’ Third Team consists of Erin Logue and Morgan Cratty from A-C Valley, Amber Hess from Keystone, Annie Hegedus from Karns City and Becca Dougherty from Redbank Valley.

R. J. Laugand, from Clarion-Limestone, is the Boys’ MVP. This is Laugand’s second straight MVP Award.

The Boys’ First Team includes: North Clarion’s Christian Cyphert, Jake Dougherty from Redbank Valley, Cole Morris from Union, Venango Catholic’s Devin Zagar, David Olszak from Karns City.

Members of the Boys’ Second Team are: Kolton Stiglitz from Clarion-Limestone, Devin Shumaker from Redbank Valley, Cranberry’s Jacob Creighton and Janco Swart and Venango Catholic’s Scott Toy.

The Boys’ Third Team consists of: Smith, Clarion-Limestone’s Dan Callen, Alex Graf from Keystone, Venango Catholic’s Brady Kingston and James Bair from Moniteau.

(Thanks to Clarion Area Girls Coach Ed Baumcratz, Clarion Area Boys Coach Todd Smith and KSAC Chairman Bonnie Wolbert for information. Thanks to Jack Kenneson and Bri Nellis for the photos. CONGRATULATIONS TO MACI, TAYLOR AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THIS SEASON’S ALL-KSAC BASKETBALL TEAMS!!!!)