Mohawks named All-Ohio

By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer 12:47 AM Wednesday, March 17, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — For the third consecutive year, Madison High School’s Ally Malott has been recognized at the state level in girls basketball.

The Mohawks junior, who averages 18 points per game, was named for the second year in a row to the Division III All-Ohio first team on Tuesday, March 16, when the state teams for D-III and IV were released by The Associated Press.

The teams are selected by a statewide media panel.

“It’s pretty exciting and a very nice accomplishment,” said Malott, who also received All-Ohio special mention honors as a freshman. “But I’ve got more important things right now.”

Malott and her teammates will play Ironton at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the state semifinals at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus. It is the first time a Madison girls team has advanced to the state tournament.

“How many adjectives can I use to describe Ally,” Madison coach John Rossi Jr. said. “She’s a once-in-a-lifetime player and I’m lucky to be her coach. She deserves every honor she gets and we’re extremely proud of her, but knowing her, I’m sure she’s more concerned about the team.”

Senior teammate Lindsay Hoskins, a four-year varsity starter who averages 14 points per game, received special mention honors for the first time.

“Lindsay is very deserving,” Rossi said. “To be honest, I’m shocked she’s not on the second or third team. There’s not a kid on those teams that I’d trade her for, but I am extremely happy she got some state recognition.”

South Euclid Regina’s Tay’ler Mingo was named the D-III player of the year for the second straight year. She is committed to Florida State.

Joining Malott and Mingo on the first team are Findlay Liberty-Benton’s Amanda Hyde, Smithville’s Jena Pew, Oak Hill’s Karissa Adkins and Heath’s Megan White.

The D-III coaches of the year are Springfield Northeastern’s Kari Kitchen and Loudonville’s Joy Taylor.

In D-IV, player of the year honor was shared by Canal Winchester Harvest Prep’s Shicole Watts and Berlin Hiland’s Hilary Weaver.

The D-IV coaches of the year are DeGraff Riverside’s Dean Sanford, Harvest Prep’s David Dennis and Ottoville’s Dave Kleman.

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