Girls Basketball: 8 different schools land all-area players

Underclassmen ruled the court as all but two players and this year’s Brainerd Dispatch All-Area Team will be back again next season.

The Brainerd Warriors led the list with two players selected to the all-area team. Crosby-Ironton, Wadena-Deer Creek and Pine River-Backus also received two spots on the team.

Players for the all-area team are nominated by their coaches and then selected by the Dispatch Sports Department.

Myah Nelson, Brainerd

Sophomore, guard

Finished with 297 points (11.0 per game), 59 rebounds (2.2 per game), 67 assists (2.5 per game) and 40 steals. She shot 45% (97-218) from the field, 37% (42-114) from 3-point and 69% (61-88) from the free-throw line.

Erika Lane, Brainerd

Junior, forward

Finished with 284 points (10.5 per game), 126 rebounds (4.7 per game), 31 assists (1.1 per game) and 36 steals. She shot 39% (107-275) from the field, 35% (43-123) from 3-point and 64% (27-42) from the free-throw line.

Lily Peterson, Crosby-Ironton

Junior, guard

Finished with 400 points (15.4 per game), 86 rebounds (3.4 per game), 128 assists (4.9 per game) and 32 steals. She shot 48% (144-303) from the field, 37% (45-121) from 3-point and 83% (63-76) from the free-throw line.

Karli Nixon, Crosby-Ironton

Junior, guard

Finished with 390 points (15.0 per game), 128 rebounds (4.9 per game), 35 assists (1.3 per game) and 65 steals. She shot 51% (143-280) from the field, 28% (23-82) from 3-point and 71% (79-111) from the free-throw line.

Maci Martini, Pequot Lakes

Freshman, guard

Finished with 339 points (11.7 per game), 114 rebounds (4.1 per game), 40 assists (1.4 per game) and 48 steals. She shot 37% (105-286) from the field, 28% (37-131) from 3-point and 81% (76-94) from the free-throw line.

Courtney Strohmeier, Pierz

Junior, guard

Finished with 266 points (9.5 per game), 102 rebounds (3.6 per game), 38 assists (1.4 per game) and 32 steals. She shot 30% (85-281) from the field, 34% (68-203) from 3-point and 55% (28-51) from the free-throw line.

Juliana Ewald, Pillager

Freshman, guard

Finished with 378 points (14.0 per game), 108 rebounds (4.0 per game), 63 assists (2.3 per game) and 78 steals. She shot 39% (123-314) from the field, 36% (67-185) from 3-point and 71% (65-92) from the free-throw line.

Rylie Hirschey, Pine River-Backus

Junior, guard

Finished with 452 points (16.4 per game), 84 rebounds (3.1 per game), 97 assists (3.5 per game) and 81 steals. She shot 36% (156-431) from the field, 33% (78-236) from 3-point and 55% (53-97) from the free-throw line.

Olivia Adkins, Pine River-Backus

Junior, guard

Finished with 349 points (13.2 per game), 113 rebounds (4.2 per game), 58 assists (2.1 per game) and 82 steals. She shot 42% (115-364) from the field, 25% (55-220) from 3-point and 77% (58-75) from the free-throw line.

Melissa Hammer, Verndale

Senior, center

Finished with 314 points (12.6 per game), 237 rebounds (9.5 per game), 13 assists (0.5 per game), 20 steals and three blocked shots. She shot 48% (128-267) from the field and 50% (58-116) from the free-throw line.

Kennedy Gravelle, Wadena-Deer Creek

Senior, forward

Finished 382 points (14.7 per game), 134 rebounds (5.2 per game), 25 assists (0.9 per game), 29 steals and eight blocked shots. She shot 42% (142-335) from the field, 37% (55-147) from 3-point and 64% (43-67) from the free-throw line.

Madison Cartsen, Wadena-Deer Creek

Freshman, guard

Finished 392 points (15.1 per game), 90 rebounds (3.5 per game), 87 assists (3.3 per game) and 42 steals. She shot 41% (134-324) from the field, 34% (45-132) from 3-point and 81% (79-97) from the free-throw line.

1/3: Brainerd's Erika Lane shoots a 3-pointer against Apollo during a game this season. Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

2/3: Pillager's Juliana Ewald takes the ball up the court during a game against Staples-Motley this season. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch

3/3: Wadena-Deer Creek's Madison Cartsen defends as Pine River-Backus' Rylie Hirschey dribbles the ball during a game this season. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch