BY MICHAEL KELLY
Gazette Sportswriter
CLIFTON PARK — A prolific week for the Shenendehowa basketball teams continued Thursday.
After both the Shenendehowa boys (20-0) and the Shenendehowa girls (18-2) received No. 1 seeds Wednesday for the upcoming Section II Class AA tournaments, each program had a player nominated Thursday for the state’s top individual award.
For the boys, senior guard Kevin Huerter was announced as one of four finalists for the Mr. New York Basketball award. Committed to the University of Maryland, Huerter — last year’s MVP of the state championship tournament — has averaged 22.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game this season.
For the girls, senior guard Carly Boland was announced as one of five finalists for the Miss New York Basketball award. Committed to Binghamton University, Boland has averaged 20.5 points, 6.7 steals, and 6.2 rebounds per game this season.
Also within Section II, Bethlehem senior Jenna Giacone was a finalist for Miss New York Basketball.
After a day off Wednesday, both Shenendehowa squads and their star players were back to practice Thursday. The boys will next play Feb. 20 against either La Salle Institute or Schenectady, while the girls will play Feb. 22 against either Catholic Central or Guilderland.
- Mike Collins is shown during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Paris Smith, left, attempts to knock the ball away from Sydney Quinn during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Luke Hicks stretches out during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Jake Dzikas lines up a shot during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Morgan O’Brien, left, looks to make a pass during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- From left, Evan Warner, Jaia Benson, and Evan McMahon sprint during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Courtney Guiry is shown during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Charlotte Macken dribbles during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Samira Sangare, left, goes up against assistant coach Brian Rubio during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Sydney Brown follows through after taking a shot during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Carly Boland lines up a shot during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Petar Bebic makes a pass during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Mike Pizziketti lines up a shot during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Carly Boland, left, makes a move to the basket during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)
- Petar Bebic is shown during a Shenendehowa basketball practice Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 in Clifton Park. (Michael Kelly/Gazette Sportswriter)