GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CAITLIN BOYLE
Bishop Fenwick Junior
Forward
It’s one thing to face up against the opposing team’s best player every night. Doing it when the opposing teams are often the best in the entire state of Massachusetts is what set Bishop Fenwick junior captain Caitlin Boyle apart from the rest this winter.
A 6-foot-2 forward, Boyle averaged 16.7 points per game while helping the Crusaders reach the second round of the Division 2 state playoffs. With 7.8 rebounds per game plus 1.5 assists and 1.7 blocks, the Beverly native was voted a Catholic Central League all-star.
Her production is even more impressive when looked at through the lens of the fact that Bishop Fenwick played eight games against teams that reached one of the four state championship games.
“Caitlin is widely regarded as one of the best post players in the state,” said Fenwick head coach Adam DeBaggis. “She can beat teams, from the outside or with her passing ability. She plays 32 minutes a game and guards the opposing team’s best post every minute of every game.”
Boyle’s season high of 29 points came against Hanover. She topped 20 points in a game six times and posted several double-doubles, with one coming in a home win over Masconomet. For the season, Boyle shot 52 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the 3-point line.
A top-notch recruit in the Class of 2026 who also plays ball for MCW Starz, Boyle already has collegiate offers from Army, LeMoyne and Loyola while being recruited by several other high-academic Division 1 outfits.
THE ALL-STARS
TESSA ANDRIANO
Marblehead Junior
Power Forward/Shooting Guard
Captain-elect had an outstanding all-around season on the hardcourt for the Magicians, averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and two assists per game … Drained 30 3-pointers … Athletic 5-foot-9 playmaker could cause matchup nightmares for opponents … Northeastern Conference all-star … Team MVP had season high of 21 points in a game … Had 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists in close win over Beverly … Also a third baseman for Marblehead’s softball team … Carries excellent 3.9 GPA … Would like to play basketball or softball in college … Likes Paige Bueckers.
ALLY BETTENCOURT
Peabody Senior
Guard
Tremendously well-rounded first-team All-Northeastern Conference choice impacted the game with both her scoring and ability to distribute the rock … Averaged 9.6 points per game while handing out 2.6 assists … Scored 17 points with five assists and five rebounds vs. Danvers … Very strong defender … Had a 17-point, 15-rebound double-double in win over Beverly … Multi-sport captain … Top-notch student was her school’s Salem News Student-Athlete Award nominee … Committed to play college lacrosse at Vassar.
RILEY BOVARDI
Masconomet Senior
Guard
Defensive demon in all three of her sports earned a spot on the NEC All-Conference team while helping the Chieftains run the table against league foes … Totaled 54 steals and 36 deflections this winter, with 160 swipes in her four-year varsity career … Captain averaged 3.0 assists per game … Had a monster 17-point, 15-rebound, 4-steal effort in win over Beverly … Keyed defense in win over previously-unbeaten Chelmsford … Seven rebounds in win over Peabody to clinch Larry McIntire tourney title, named after her grandfather … State champion will play soccer at Ithaca.
ANNABEL BOYD
Danvers Sophomore
Guard
First-year starter became a dependable all-around player who could do a little bit of everything for the Falcons … Fourth on the North Shore in assists per game at 4.2 … Made 13 3-pointers … Chipped in with 6.7 points per contest … Northeastern Conference all-star … Best outing came against Gloucester when she scored 18 points go with four rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals … Also plays lacrosse for Danvers High … Would like to go to college in California and major in sports medicine … Paige Bueckers is her biggest influence athletically.
LYLA CAMPBELL
Pingree Senior
Guard
Ipswich native served admirably well as a combo guard for the Highlanders, ability to play point or as the No. 2 equally well … Team captain was named team MVP … Averaged 11.1 points per game … Made 28 3-pointers while pulling down an average of six rebounds a night … Outstanding showing in a three-point win over Phillips Exeter when she scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds … Headed off to Chapman University in Orange, Calif. … Wears the No. 14 to honor her biggest supporter and toughest coach, her father.
ANGIE DJOKO
Danvers Junior
Power Forward
Earned both team MVP and All-Northeastern Conference honors for the second straight season … The 5-foot-10 presence down low averaged a double-double with 15.4 points and 11.2 rebounds a game … Second in the region in rebounds and fifth in ppg. … Team captain had immense game vs. Saugus with career high 29 points, 19 rebounds, three steals and three blocks … Had 26 points vs. both Swampscott and Beverly, combining for 11 rebounds, 11 steals and three blocks in those two outings … Excellent 3.95 GPA … Wants to major in biomedical sciences and play college basketball … Loves the versatility and fearlessness of WNBA star A’ja Wilson.
SAMMY DOSCH
Marblehead Junior
Point Guard
Among the North Shore’s leading facilitators with an average of 4.5 points per game, good for third best in the region … Terrific ballhandler and can work her way out of tough jams and tight defensive pressure by keeping cool at all times … Season best for scoring was 15 points against arch rival Swampscott … The 5-foot-4 standout is will serve as one of the Magicians’ captains in 2025-26 … Named her team’s Unsung Hero … Terrific student carries a 4.1 GPA … Also No. 1 singles player for Marblehead girls tennis team … Looking at mid-sized colleges along the East Coast to potentially play club on intramural sports … Big fan of Celtics guard Derrick White.
THAIS DOS SANTOS
Essex Tech Senior
Forward
Cape Ann League First Team all-star was also Hawks’ MVP … Team captain averaged 12.7 points per game, scoring 20 or more points on five different occasions … Standing 5-foot-11, she was a force under the basket and grabbed 7.6 rebounds a night … Had eight double-doubles … Had 19 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 75 percent from the field and was perfect from the free throw line in a win over Lynnfield … Magnificent 24-point, 15-rebound performance vs. Lynn English … Outstanding 3.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale … Will study criminal justice and minor in psychology at Worcester State while also playing college basketball for the Lancers.
ANNA KANDERS
Swampscott Freshman
Guard
Exploded onto the varsity scene and had five of the region’s six highest scoring games this winter … Averaged 17.4 points per contest … Only local player to score 30 in a game this season, doing so against. Lynn Tech … Canned 44 three-pointers, ranking second in the area … Surefire MVP candidate also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists … Surpassed 20 points in nine games, by far the area high … NEC All-Conference … Helped Big Blue end 6-year playoff drought … Made corner three in final seconds to top Peabody … Her 404 points believed to be a Big Blue 9th grade record … Grateful to her dad, who played basketball at Union, for showing her how to play and push her limits.
CLARA KOSTRO
Beverly Sophomore
Guard
Excellent 10th grade season saw Kostro rewarded by the Northeastern Conference coaches by being chosen All-Conference … Led the Panthers in assists (52) and was second in steals (33) … Hit 27 3-pointers, second-best on her squad … Third for BHS in scoring (6.2 ppg.) and fourth in rebounds … Felt her best showing of the season came on Senior Night against Georgetown, where she had 15 points and four steals in an upset win … Excellent student has 4.6 GPA … Wants to play soccer at a four-year college … Said her parents have spent countless hours supporting her and helping her improve.
ANGIE LALIKOS
Masconomet Senior
Center
Powerhouse in the middle at 5-foot-11 for the Northeastern Conference champions … Captain ranked in the top 10 in the region in rebounding at 8.2 per game … Posted five double-doubles and Masconomet was undefeated when she did so … Season-high 14 rebounds on three occasions … Scored 14 in win over previously unbeaten Chelmsford … Recorded six blocks in state tourney against Mansfield … NEC all-star averaged 8.3 points per game … Also totaled 27 blocks with 34 steals for the season.
SAMIA LALIKOS
Masconomet Sophomore
Forward
Emerging two-way threat earned a league all-star nod for the unbeaten Northeastern Conference champs … Can score both inside and outside with season-best 23 in win over Beverly … Scored in double figures 13 times with 20 in a win over North Andover … Averaged 11.2 points per game … Also led Masconomet in steals (2.6 per game) and rebounding (tied with her sister at 8.2 per game) … Posted seven double-doubles, including three straight to end the season and win the Larry McIntire tournament.
SASHA MAKOGONOV
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Center
Voted Cape Ann League Baker Player of the Year after pacing the Generals to the league title … Nearly averaged a double-double with 11.0 points per game and 9.8 rebounds … One of the North Shore’s toughest defenders in the paint with 41 blocks in addition to 54 steals … Scored 22 points with 11 rebounds in Senior Night win over Georgetown that clinched the CAL crown … First-team All-Cape Ann League selection … Excellent goalie helped Generals reach girls soccer state final as well … Grateful to her parents for always making every game, no matter how far, which makes her feel supported and confident on the floor.
ANNIE MOYNIHAN
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Point guard
Table setting All-Cape Ann League first-team guard was one of the region’s leaders in assists at 2.5 per game … Helped Generals to the CAL Baker title … Captain totaled up 50 steals for the season … Averaged 5.4 points per game … Grabbed 77 rebounds … One of the North Shore’s most disciplined defenders committed only 14 fouls all year … Scored 10 points with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals in state tournament win over Amesbury … Multi-sport captain helped Generals reach D4 state soccer final … Hopes to study biology in college … Grateful to her parents for constant support.
CELIA NEILSON
Bishop Fenwick Junior
Guard
Catholic Central League all-star from Georgetown is “one of the most well-rounded players in the state,” says coach Adam DeBaggis … Averaged 13.5 points per game with 6.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.4 steals … 6-footer had the size to drive on the opposition but also shoots extremely well … Also excellent at rebounds and defending … North Shore’s leader in assists while often guarded by the opponent’s top player … Made 17 3’s … Hit for 25 points against Division 1 state finalist Bishop Feehan … Scored 24 in playoff win over Wakefield … Top recruit in Class of 2026 already has offers from Loyola and LeMoyne.
SHAUNA O’BRIEN
Pingree Sophomore
Guard
Despite missing multiple games due to injury, she led Pingree in points per game (15.0), good for fifth on the North Shore … Hit more 3-pointers (55) than anyone else locally … Tied for fifth in assists per game (3.0) … Favorite game came in the season finale when she played with a sprained ankle but still canned seven 3-pointers en route to scoring 24 points … Captured Team Standout Award … Named honorable mention selection in the Eastern Independent League … Also a standout soccer player for the Highlanders … Looks up to siblings Devin and Kaleigh, both of whom are All-Conference performers for Masconomet in basketball and diving, respectively.
ALIANA RYAN
Peabody Junior
Guard
Emerged as one of the Northeastern Conference’s most well-rounded players, frequently filling up the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists and steals … Averaged 7.6 points per game … Her team’s leader in both assists (3.0 per game) and 3-pointers (22) could both run and stretch the floor … Earned an NEC all-star nod … Scored 15 with eight boards in win over strong Marblehead club … Paced Tanners by North Andover with 11 points and four steals … Also scored 14 against Swampscott.
SAM WARD
Swampscott Junior
Guard
Northeastern Conference all-star was one of the North Shore’s top long range shooters, ranking third with 42 three-pointers … Averaged 7.6 points per game while captaining the Big Blue to a state tournament appearance … Caught fire with five triples in the third quarter of a win over Peabody … 5-foot-7 with excellent sense and quickness on defense … Thanks her dad, Bobby, for always supporting her in the game of basketball … Honor roll student hopes to attend a high academic college.
HONORABLE MENTION
Beverly: Infinity Burns, Soph. F.
Bishop Fenwick: Caroline Perry, Sr. G; Kylie Pidgeon, Soph. F; Reese Spurchise, Soph. F.
Danvers: Kayda Brown, Jr. G/F.
Essex Tech: Janelle Dalton, Sr G.
Hamilton-Wenham: Sadie Gamber, Sr. G; Margot Bryce Morris, Jr. F.
Ipswich: Hazel Hoog, Sr. F; Natalie Elder, Fr. C.
Marblehead: Madison Forbes, Sr. F; Ramona Gillett, Sr. G.
Masconomet: Ava Allen, Sr. G; Sabrina Cafarelli, Soph. F; Shaye Vella, Soph. C.
Peabody: Lizzy Bettencourt, Jr. F; Sophia Coburn, Jr. F.
Pingree: Hannah Shields, Sr. G.
Salem: Isabella Leigh, Fr. G.
Swampscott: Cecilia Tripp, Soph. G; Olivia Quagrello, Soph. G.