The good news is that Nansemond-Suffolk Academy put two players on the All-TCIS girls basketball team last season. The better news is that they’ll both be back next year.

Most Valuable Player Michelle Boucher, said rookie coach Kathleen Hotte at the team’s banquet on Monday evening, &uot;had several shoes to fill. But she never underestimated herself and stepped up to the challenge.

&uot;Michelle was our go-to girl in several aspects of the game,&uot; Hotte said. &uot;She was not only able to sink a three when called upon, but continuously took it to the basket.&uot; The sophomore was the only Lady Saint on the First All-league squad.

&uot;Words that describe (Coach’s award winner) Parris (Grieder),&uot; said Hotte, &uot;are dependable, coachable, hardworking and motivating.

&uot;I can rely on Parris to show up for practices and games ready to work hard and give it her all. She is self-motivated both with her academics and her athletics.&uot;

As Lindsay Jarman and Ashlee Robb said farewell, a group of junior varsity superstars prepared to replace them.

&uot;Each girl learned a lot about the game of basketball,&uot; said coach Michelle Jarman, whose team racked up a 12-7 record last year.

&uot;I felt like they had a great willingness to do what was asked of them.&uot; Ashley Anderson was named the most improved player and Morgan Newhall the top offensive star.

&uot;When I think of the term ‘student athlete,’&uot; Michelle said of Coach’s Award winner Ginny Stulb, &uot;I think of this girl. She would go on the Internet to find exercises for us. She was the heart and soul of this team.&uot;

The Gold (Grade 7-8) squad ended second in the league, said coach Brooks Batcheller.

&uot;The girls came out for every game on time,&uot; he said. &uot;It was a fantastic experience for me.

&uot;The most important thing was that we really wanted to send the message that this program is solid, and only getting better.&uot;

Winning the Most Improved award, he said, &uot;was no small feat because everyone improved so much this year. But halfway through, this girl really emerged as an offensive powerhouse and an amazing shutdown defender.&uot;

That would be Channing Midgette. Kristel Keith got the Most Valuable Player award.

On the Gold’s counterpart team, the Blue girls, Dew Weitzman took the Most Improved award, Lauren Hoy the Coach’s Award, and Sidney Spence the Most Valuable Player honor.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com