The second Amanda Mieczkowski stepped on the basketball court for Northampton she became a leader.
From the start of her freshman season on through her final season, girls coach Perry Messer knew he could count of Mieczkowski giving her all.
“I just really want to win,” Mieczkowski said. “I’m a big competitor and I just don’t want to lose. When I step on the court I’m not going to let anyone work harder than I do. It starts in the offseason, it starts in the gym, it starts before practice and after practice. It’s all about the extra work you do to get a step ahead of the competition.”
She became a two-time Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament champion during her middle years, and this past season joined the program’s 1,000-point club.
Her leadership and exceptional play on the court is why Mieczkowski has been named the Daily Hampshire Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
“I knew I was going to have a great four years under Perry as a coach and I knew how he coached his girls,” Mieczkowski said. “I always admired him and wanted to play for him. I think the teammates I had over the year definitely made the four years the best they could be.”
Mieczkowski averaged 15.2 points per game during her senior season.
“She came in as a starter and put herself right into a captains role right off the bat and led for four years,” Messer said. “Even when she was a freshman, she was a starting point guard and leader for the team. She set the tone. She’s an awesome player, tenacious competitor but probably just the nicest kid off the court you’d every meet.”
Mieczkowski counts her first championship during her sophomore year as her favorite moment.
“It was definitely something we were working toward all season and it hadn’t been done in a long time,” Mieczkowski said. “I think as a team we were very close that year. We had really good team chemistry. It was the best ending to that season for all of us come together and share that moment.”
Mieczkowski’s senior season came to a close in a tough way as top-seeded Northampton was upset by No. 8 Pittsfield in the quarterfinal round. Mieczkowski was called for a questionable offensive foul with the Blue Devils up one late.
Pittsfield made two free throws with one second left for the win.
“It was disappointing to end my career here but I wouldn’t trade this season for anything,” she said. “I gained a lot of friendships that will last.”
Mieczkowski signed with Assumption College before her senior season and is looking forward to the challenge of college basketball.
“I’ve just been working really hard at the gym,” she said. “I started training with my trainer (recently). I’m getting ready, getting stronger, preparing myself mentally, just focusing on getting stronger and faster and the little skills that I need going into freshman year.”
Mike Moran can be reached at mmoran@gazettenet.com. Follow on Twitter @mikemoranDHG.
Tessa Kawall, freshman, Amherst Regional
Erin Klaes, senior, Amherst Regional
Delaney MacPhetres, sophomore, Amherst Regional
Petua Mukimba, junior, Amherst Regional
Gina Camerota, sophomore, Belchertown
Avery Klingensmith, sophomore, Belchertown
Maria Belfakalah, freshman, Easthampton
Emma Downer, sophomore, Easthampton
Lauren Morse, freshman, Easthampton
Marie Diemand, senior, Frontier Regional
Kaitlyn Mackin, sophomore, Frontier Regional
Amelia Sobieski, junior, Frontier Regional
Peyton Bucko, junior, Gateway Regional
Grace Van Buren, senior, Gateway Regional
Kaeleigh Croteau, senior, Granby
Julia Frappier, senior, Granby
Nora Young, senior, Granby
Lila Labrie, junior, Hampshire Regional
Delaney Marek, junior, Hampshire Regional
Maddie Pond, junior, Hampshire Regional
Maggie Rubeck, junior, Hampshire Regional
Bianca Ortiz, freshman, Holyoke
Yamaya Perez, sophomore, Holyoke
Ashley Vasquez, freshman, Holyoke
Sara Beauchamp, junior, Hopkins Academy
Thea Hanscom, senior, Hopkins Academy
Allison Kowal-Safron, senior, Hopkins Academy
Gabby Palmisano, senior, Hopkins Academy
Jill McGrath, senior, Northampton
Amanda Mieczkowski, senior, Northampton
Carolina Tanner, senior, Northampton
Karlie Guimand, senior, Smith Academy
Emma Kelly, junior, Smith Academy
Haleigh Pensivy, junior, Smith Vocational
Olivia Marion, sophomore, South Hadley
Paige Marjanski, junior, South Hadley