CONTACT US

Contact Form

    News Details

    All-County Girls Basketball Team: Mater Dei’s Addison Deal is the O.C. player of the year
    • March 31, 2023

    Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

    PLAYER OF THE YEAR

    Addison Deal, Mater Dei, So.

    Mater Dei girls basketball coach Kevin Kiernan believes Addison Deal challenged herself when she decided to join the Monarchs’ program last summer.

    “She was in a situation last year where she got to put up some great numbers, won a lot of games, and she could have kept doing that for a long time and been very, very happy,” Kiernan said.

    “She took a gamble. She came to a team with other good players,” he added. ” A lot of players get in their comfort zone and they don’t want to change. They just want to be good at what they’re good at and they don’t challenge themselves (on) things they need to work on.”

    Deal’s venture paid off.

    She still produced impressive scoring stats with the O.C. powerhouse but also improved while blending with new teammates. She helped the Monarchs finish undefeated against county teams, capture the Trinity League title and reach the Open Division semifinals of the CIF-SS and CIF Southern California Regional playoffs.

    The Orange County Register’s girls basketball player of the year, Addison Deal of Mater Dei, in Santa Ana, CA, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Orange County Register’s girls basketball player of the year, Addison Deal of Mater Dei, in Santa Ana, CA, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Mater Dei guard Addison Deal, moves around a Sage Hill defender to put up a shot in the first round of the CIF Southern California Regional Open Division Playoffs in Santa Ana on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei guard Addison Deal makes a move past Chaminade guard Addison Keenan, for a lay-up in a non-league basketball game in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Addison Deal (3) of Mater Dei moves to block Taliyah Mcferson (22) of Orange Lutheran as she moves to the basket during a Trinity League girls basketball game at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Mater Dei’s Addison Deal, (#3), lays the basketball in for a score against Etiwanda during the second half of their CIF Southern Section Open Division girls basketball playoff game at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca., Saturday, Febuary 18, 2023. (Contributing Photographer/John Valenzuela)

    Addison Deal (3) of Mater Dei scores on a layup against Orange Lutheran during a Trinity League girls basketball game at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Orange County Register’s girls basketball player of the year, Addison Deal of Mater Dei, in Santa Ana, CA, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    The Orange County Register’s girls basketball player of the year, Addison Deal of Mater Dei, in Santa Ana, CA, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

    Mater Dei guard Addison Deal, right, steps in front of Chaminade guard Laila Carrillo, left, to grab a loose ball in a non-league basketball game in Santa Ana on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    of

    Expand

    Deal has been chosen by the Register as the Orange County player of the year.

    Deal, a 6-foot guard, led the Monarchs in scoring by averaging 15 points, about six points less than her 2021-22 season at Pacifica Christian. She also finished second in rebounding (5.3) and tied for the team lead in steals (2.7).

    Kiernan said Deal had a “great season” and credits her for enduring the “growing pains” of playing at the Open Division level.

    Deal believes she improved this season defensively, especially in the Monarchs’ trapping schemes. She embraced the challenges of being guarded by opponents such as national player of the year Juju Watkins of Sierra Canyon and Kennedy Smith of state champion Etiwanda. And she adjusted to playing off the ball more.

    Deal’s highlights included averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in back-to-back postseason games against Etiwanda and Sage Hill.

    Overall, Deal felt encouraged by her season and the Monarchs’ run to a 29-4 record.

    “I think we definitely over-performed,” Deal said. “Our team is super young so I think the next two years should be real good.”

    COACH OF THE YEAR

    Danny Roussel, Marina

    Most improved. Best postseason run. Most inspirational.

    Marina’s girls basketball team proved worthy of all those descriptions for transforming itself from a squad that finished 6-20 in 2021-22 into a Southern California champion that reached the state finals for the first time.

    Leading the way was Danny Roussel, who is the Register’s selection for Orange County coach of the year.

    The fifth-year coach challenged his players to work harder in the offseason, implemented an aggressive full-court press and led the Vikings (21-16) to the Division V title in the CIF Southern California Regional playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

    Marina was the lone Orange County girls basketball team to reach the state finals. It lost to Bret Harte 62-39 in Sacramento.

    Roussel, a three-time leukemia survivor, molded a roster with several seniors and a few up-and-coming players, including high-scoring freshman Rylee Bradley.

    “We just kept getting better all season,” Roussel said. “I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish this year.”

    Marina coach Daniel Roussel talks with Tiana To, left, Kim Nguyen during the  CIF State Division V championship game in Sacramento on Saturday, March 11, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

    FIRST TEAM

    Addison Deal, Mater Dei, So., G

    The Orange County Player of the Year.

    Allison Clarke, Rosary, Jr., G

    The All-CIF Division 1 selection averaged 19.5 points and 2.6 steals to help the Royals reach the section semifinals.

    Jenessa Cotton, Mater Dei, Jr., F/C

    The All-CIF Open Division selection provided the Monarchs physical play while averaging 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds.

    Emily Eadie, Sage Hill, Jr., F

    An All-CIF Open Division pick, Eadie led the Lightning in scoring (15.2 ppg), rebounding (11.2) and assists (3.0).

    Amanda Edwards, San Juan Hills, Sr., G

    The South Coast League MVP and All-CIF Division 2AA selection averaged 14.3 points and made a school-record 111 3-pointers.

    Caia Elisaldez, Mater Dei, Sr., G

    The Tennessee at Chattanooga-bound point guard averaged 9.6 points, 4.5 assists and 2.7 steals to help the Monarchs win the Trinity League.

    Shea Joko, Orange Lutheran, Jr., G

    The CIF-SS Division 1 player of the year scored 17 points in the section final against Marlborough.

    Kaiya Mack, Esperanza, Sr., G

    The Crestview League MVP averaged 22.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 steals to lead the Aztecs to the league title.

    Larissa Robles, Sonora, Sr., G

    The two-time Freeway League MVP and All-CIF selection averaged 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 steals.

    Moka Saiki, Portola, Sr., G

    The Pacific Coast League MVP averaged 20.2 points and 3.1 steals while leading the Bulldogs to the CIF-SS Division 2A quarterfinals.

    SECOND TEAM

    Mya Barnes, Rosary, Jr., F

    Madi Bogan, Orange Lutheran, Sr., F

    Shanna Brown, Aliso Niguel, Sr., F

    Celine Castaneda, Tesoro, Sr., G

    Amalia Holguin, Sage Hill, Fr., G

    Madison Leiva, Santa Margarita, Sr., G

    Zona Miller, San Clemente, Jr., F

    Zoe Ramirez, Brea Olinda, Sr., G

    Kat Righeimer, Sage Hill, Jr., F

    Anna Shreeve, San Juan Hills, So., F

    THIRD TEAM

    Kayla Borgelt, Troy, Jr., G

    Shaena Brew, Mater Dei, So., G

    Princess Cassell, Orange Lutheran, Jr., G

    Myia Collins, Cypress, Sr., F

    Ava Dominguez, Rosary, Sr., F

    Aryanna Hudson, San Juan Hills, Jr., G

    Maria Mejia, Orangewood Academy, So., F

    Adyra Rajan, Fairmont Prep, Fr., G

    Avery Shiring, El Dorado, Sr., G/F

    Alana White, Buena Park, Fr., C

    Related Articles

    High School Sports |


    All-County Boys Basketball Team: Sophomore Brandon Benjamin is the O.C. player of the year

    High School Sports |


    Josh Beaty named boys basketball coach at Fountain Valley

    High School Sports |


    Canyon basketball standout Brandon Benjamin transfers to Mater Dei

    High School Sports |


    Sammy Howlin helped lift Fullerton College to state title after agonizing recovery from car crash

    High School Sports |


    Moe Golshani won’t return as Mission Viejo boys basketball coach

    FOURTH TEAM

    Rylee Bradley, Marina, Fr., G

    Isabella Caceres, Cypress, Jr., G

    Erin Choi, Sunny Hills, Jr., G

    Kiana Graham, Sonora, Jr., G

    Micaela Hanning, Calvary Chapel, So., G

    Madi Lam, Esperanza, Fr., G

    Sydnie Lendsey, Buena Park, Fr., G

    Kayli Liew, Los Alamitos, Jr., G

    Taliyah McFerson, Orange Lutheran, Jr., F

    Hana Watanabe, Woodbridge, Jr., G

     

    ​ Orange County Register 

    News
    CONTACT INFO
    3621 W. MacArthur Blvd
    Suite 107
    Santa Ana, CA 92704
    QUICK LINKS
    SERVICES
    CURRENT NEWS

    © 2024 Telepeer Cloud Business Communications. All Rights Reserved.

    Crafted with Love: DigiCorns