2015-16 season highlights:Led Tigers to a Central League championship and an undefeated league record. Scored 23 points per game. Tallied at least 30 four times, including a season-high 36 in a win over Hampshire Regional. Scored her 1,000th career point in a win over Monson in January.
Gatzounas on the season: “We had a great run. We finished 19-2, which is unbelievable. … (Losing in the first round) it’s something you learn from. I’ve had a lot of reflection time on that and acknowledging. When you start playoffs it could have gone either way. I’m just trying to become an all-around better player, work on my shot, work on my ballhandling. Offseason is the best season, it’s the season to get better. I love the process. I love the journey before. I love the ‘fun stuff.’ I’ve got one more year in me.”
Coach Paul Dubuc on Gatzounas: “She’s brought her game out to the 3-point line quite a bit. Her handle, her dribbling skills have improved immensely. She’s also a great rebounder. I don’t think there’s anyone that works harder than her. … The bigger the game, the better she’s going to play. … She hasn’t hit her ceiling yet. She’s good enough to get her shot or get someone else on our team a shot with the shot clock winding down. She can do it all.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL STARS
FIRST TEAM
Sophie Gatzounas, junior, guard, South Hadley
Lexi Gawron, senior, guard, South Hadley
Jada Glasgow, senior, guard, Amherst Regional
Kayla Henry, junior, guard, Belchertown
Lauraine Joensen, junior, forward, Northampton
Megan McCarthy, junior, forward, Northampton
Cara McKenzie, junior, center, Belchertown
Chelsea Moussette, senior, guard, Hampshire Regional
Katy O’Connor, junior, center, Hampshire Regional
Kate Sarnacki, junior, guard, Granby
Jamie Staples, senior, guard, Amherst Regional
Stephanie Start, junior, forward, Smith Vocational
Kate Sullivan, junior, guard, Granby
SECOND TEAM
Joanna Arkoette, senior, guard, Gateway Regional
Nicole Buzzee, senior, guard, Hampshire Regional
Olivia Cavanaugh, junior, guard, Smith Academy
Sydney Cyr, freshman, forward, Smith Vocational
Mikhaila Edge, sophomore, forward, South Hadley
Ally Jenks, junior, forward, Hopkins Academy
Samantha Jenks, freshman, guard, Hopkins Academy
Jackie Johnson, senior, forward, Belchertown
Emma Jopson, senior, forward, Belchertown
Katelyn Pickunka, sophomore, forward, Hampshire Regional
Erin Tudryn, sophomore, guard, Hopkins Academy
Courtney Urban, senior, guard, Easthampton
HONORABLE MENTION
Ella Deane, sophomore, guard, Frontier Regional
Ashley Higgins, senior, forward, Smith Academy
Jordyn Roberts, senior, guard, Frontier Regional
Shannon Ryan, junior, guard, Smith Vocational
Emma Tanner, sophomore, guard, Northampton
Nora Young, eighth grade, forward, Granby