Southern Tier Sports ReportSeven area basketball players earned all-state honors in the large school classes, with Corning junior Char Starns earning third-team honors.
Starns was a third-team pick in Class AAA. The junior averaged 20.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, three blocks and 1.8 steals a game. She helped Corning win the sectional title and scored 33 points against Elmira in the sectional final, including the 1,000th point of her career. Starns scored 12 straight points in the fourth quarter of the final.
Starns has double digit Division I offers, including an SEC offer from Mississippi State. The 6-foot, 6-inch center was a force defensively for the Hawks as well. She was The Sports Reports’ co-offensive player of the year.
Elmira junior Mariah Matias was a fourth-team pick in AAA. It’s her third straight all-state selection, and her second straight year making fourth team.
Matias averaged 16 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals a game. She elevated her game in big moments with 20 against St. Mary’s and 23 against state finalist Aquinas. She’s just four points shy of 1,000 for her career.
Elmira sophomore Meya Smith and Corning senior Deanna Shaddock were both honorable mention in Class AAA.
Horseheads freshman Samantha Bonnell was a fifth-team pick in Class A. Bonnell, who was the Sports Reports’ Player of the Year, averaged 17 points, four steals and five assists a game. She had a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio and 41 threes, making 80% from the free throw line.
Bonnell had the highest assist-to-turnover ratio of any guard coach Andy Scott has had in his 27 years and she helped lead the Blue Raiders to the state semifinals and a No. 2 overall state ranking to end the year.
Horseheads had three players recognized with all-state this year, the most under Scott. All three of the players are underclassmen.
Maddie Ribble, a junior, was a 12th team pick. The guard was the Sports Reports’ Defensive player of the year. The tenacious guard always took on the other tea’s best player. Ribble averaged 10 points, two assists and five steals a game. She made 29 threes and shot 70% from the free throw line.
Giana Hughey, a sophomore, was an honorable mention all-state pick after nearly averaging a double-double.
