By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — May 29, 2007 — Even though the high school basketball season ended several weeks ago, the Democrat recently contacted all of the local varsity girls’ basketball coaches to ask for their help in selecting a 2006-2007 Sullivan County Democrat all-star team.
The coaches were asked to nominate players from their own team as well as players from the other varsity teams in the county – Eldred, Fallsburg, Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Sullivan West, Tri-Valley – as well as The Family School.
The coaches nominated players for Most Valuable Player, first team, second team and third team. Votes were tabulated on a 3-2-1 basis (3 points for a MVP or first-team vote, 2 points for a second-team nomination and 1 point for a third-team nomination).
The coaches also provided statistics such as points per game, rebounds per game, etc.
Ties were broken by the Democrat sports staff.
And the members of the 2006-07 Sullivan County Democrat girls’ basketball all-star team are…

Most Valuable Player

Rachel Houghtaling,
center/ forward, Sullivan West
A sophomore, Houghtaling nearly averaged a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds per game for the Lady Bulldogs this past season.

First Team

Marissa Diescher,
guard, Livingston Manor
Diescher, an eighth-grader, led the Lady Wildcats in scoring with an average of 11 points per game.
“Marissa showed the leadership qualities of a senior both verbally and by example,” Coach Kevin Clifford said.
Kanacia James,
forward, Tri-Valley
James, a senior, led the Lady Bears in scoring (seven points per game) and rebounding (eight per game). She was named the team’s offensive MVP at the T-V winter sports awards ceremony following the season.
Sarah Lander,
forward, Sullivan West
Lander was the top scorer for the Lady Bulldogs, averaging 13.3 points a game. She also grabbed five rebounds per contest.
Jackie Trotti, guard/forward, Livingston Manor
A senior, Trotti averaged six points and five rebounds per game. In the Lady Wildcats’ Class D quarterfinal game versus The Family School, she scored a team-high 20 points.
Coach Clifford noted that Trotti’s “leadership really held this team together.”
Ceara Williams,
center, Liberty
Williams, a sophomore, led the Lady Indians’ offense. She averaged 10 points per game.

Second Team

Stephanie Berger,
guard, Eldred
Berger, a senior, averaged eight points and four assists per game for the Lady Yellowjackets.
Jessica Fairweather,
guard/forward,
The Family School
Fairweather, a senior, led the Lady Falcons’ offense. She almost averaged a double-double (14 points and nine rebounds per game). She also had 3.1 blocked shots per contest.
Keyshawn Kennedy,
guard, Fallsburg
A freshman, Kennedy was named the Lady Comets’ MVP for the 2006-2007 season at the Fallsburg winter sports awards ceremony.
Polly Palhano,
center, Monticello
Palhano, a junior, led the Lady Panthers in several categories this past season. She averaged eight points, 10 rebounds and five steals per game.
Gabby Westfall,
forward, Eldred
Westfall, a junior, averaged a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds a game this season.
“She was an excellent player for us,” Coach Frank Kean said.

Third Team

Angela Giacalone,
guard, Liberty
Giacalone, a sophomore, averaged nine points per game for the Lady Indians during this season.
Jessica Diaz,
guard, Liberty
Diaz, a senior, averaged seven points a game for the Lady Indians.
Kelly McNamara,
guard, Tri-Valley
A freshman, McNamara was chosen as the Lady Bears’ Most Improved Player this past season.
Mary Schmieder,
center, The Family School
Schmieder, a senior, averaged nine points, 11 rebounds and six blocks per game for the Lady Falcons.
Jakki Pugh, guard,
Tri-Valley
An eighth-grader, Pugh was named the Lady Bears’ Defensive MVP this past season.