Shenendehowa stars Boland, Huerter up for state’s top basketball awards

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.