Thornton named league MVP; four Cats honored
CLARK FORK — After dominating the North Star League this season, it came as little surprise when four Wampus Cat girls were named to the all-league basketball team announced recently, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Leading the way was senior Brocklynn Thornton, who averaged nearly a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds on the season, leading the Cats to their third straight trip to state. Thornton shared co-MVP honors, but there was no doubt in her coach’s mind who the top player in the league was.
“Brocklynn was by far the best player in the league,” said Dexter Vogel, whose team won every league game with room to spare. “She dominated the league, rebound-wise.”
Joining Thornton on the team were senior Celeste Komanec, and juniors Dimi Kailang and Dimi Kailang.
Komanec averaged seven points and five assists a game, and was a great perimeter defender.
“She kept her composure and dealt the ball really well for us,” said Vogel. “She always did a good job for us when other girls were struggling.”
Kailang will be one of the top returning players in the league next season, looking to improve on her nine points and four steals per game averages.
“She’s all-around the best athlete in our league,” said Vogel of the cat-quick guard. “A very explosive kid.”
Rounding out the all-league selections was Tessa Vogel, who averaged seven points and seven rebounds a game. The numbers are even more impressive when you consider she played much of the season with a broken elbow sustained during the end of the volleyball season.
Her dad and coach summed up her game in three words.
“Hard working kid,” said Vogel of his daughter and power forward. “She never wanted me to take her out of the game. I’m excited to have her and Dimi back for next year.”
All North Star League girls basketball team
MVP — Mackenzie Dire, Wallace; Brocklynn Thornton, Clark Fork.
CLARK FORK — Dimi Kailang, Celeste Komanec, Tessa Vogel. LAKESIDE — Shannon Miller, Tah-wy-Ah Davis. WALLACE — Amanda Pehan, Jordan Browning. KOOTENAI — Brie Benson. MULLAN — Kami McKinnon.