Valley basketball players recognized by USA Today

WASILLA — A handful of Valley basketball players have been recognized by USA Today.

Wasilla senior Azylnn Brandenburg and Warriors junior Olivia Davies were named to the first-team on the USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Alaska Girls Basketball All-State Team, the national publication released on Tuesday. Palmer senior Clayton Southwick was named first-team on the boys list.

Brandenburg and Davies helped lead Wasilla to a runner-up finish in the 4A girls’ state tournament. The duo led Wasilla to state titles in 2016 and 2017. Brandenburg, who will play for Division II Colorado Mesa next year, averaged 15 points per game. Davies, the 2018 Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year, averaged 14 points, six rebounds and six assists per game.

Southwick, a two-time NLC Player of the Year, averaged 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game. He is Palmer’s all-time leading scorer.

Wasilla senior Reilly Devine and Colony junior Sullivan Menard were named to the boys’ second team.

The teams were compiled by USA Today High School Sports.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com

USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Alaska Girls Basketball All-State Team

Player of the Year: Alissa Pilli, Dimond

Coach of the Year: Jim Young, Dimond

First team:

Alissa Pili, Dimond; Azaria Robinson, East Anchorage; Azlynn Brandenburg, Wasilla; Olivia Davies, Wasilla; Bethany Carstens, Nikiski.

Second team: Jahnna Hajdukovich, Dimond; Chasity Horn, Chugiak; Destiny Reimers, Anchorage Christian; DeeAnn White, Ninilchik, Bobbi Mott, Valdez.

USA Today American Family Insurance All-USA Alaska Girls Basketball All-State Team

Player of the Year: Tobin Karlberg, Grace Christian

Coach of the Year: Jeremy Arnhart, Barrow

First team: Tobin Karlberg, Grace Christian; Marcus Lee, Ketchikan; Travis Adams, Barrow; Erik Kelly, Juneau-Douglas; Clayton Southwick, Palmer.

Second team: Sullivan Menard, Colony; Trevor Wilson, Unalaska; Isaiah Moses, Dimond; Reilly Devine, Wasilla; Nicolas Horning, Dimond.