The Gatorade player of the year award is seen as the most prestigious individual award in girls basketball. This award considers not only on the court achievements but also academic and character off the court. As the basketball season is coming to a close I wanted to throw a few names out their to get the conversation started for the 2022-23 season... although I think it's a clear who the winner will be this season it's a fun conversation to get started!
Former Gatorade Player of the Year Awards
2022 - Mikaylah Williams - Parkway
2021 - Jeriah Warren - LaGrange
2020 - Jerkaila Jordan - John Curtis
2019 - Tiara Young - Walker
2018 - Kourtney Weber - Ursuline Academy
2017 - Cara Ursin - Destrehan
2016 - Cara Ursin - Destrehan
2015 - Cara Ursin - Destrehan
2014 - Kalani Brown - Salmen
2013 - Kaitlyn Pratt - McDonough 35
2012 - Kuaneshia Baker - Helen Cox
2011 - Brandi Jeffrey - St. James
2010 - Theresa Plaisance - Vandebilt Catholic
2009 - Theresa Plaisance - Vandebilt Catholic
2008 - Kristi Bellock - John Curtis
2007 - Adrienne Johnson - Franklin
2006 - Whitney Jones - West Monroe
2005 - Whitney Jones - West Monroe
2004 - JoHannan McKnight - John Curtis
2003 - Katie Antony - Anacoco
2002 - Simone Augustus - Capitol
2001 - Simone Augustus - Capitol
2000 - Alana Beard - Southwood
1999 - Ashley Anthony - Anacoco
1998 - Takeisha Lewis - Pineview
1997 - Melshika Bowman - Peabody
1996 - Danielle Butler - Captain Shreve
1995 - Christie Sides - Central Private
1994 - Lesli Vollrath - Byrd
1993 - Maquisha Walker - Athens
1992 - Joskeen Garner - Florien
1991 - Racquel Spurlock - Donaldsonville
1990 - Treskessa Syas - St. Louis
1989 Danielle Whitehurst - Southfield
1988 - Shannon Gridley - Redemptorist
1987 - Shantel Hardison - Natchitoches Central
1986 - Derunzia Johnson - Caldwell Parish
Mikaylah Williams - McDonalds All American - Parkway High School (LSU Signee)
Mikaylah Williams has put together one of the best high school basketball careers we have seen as she was named to the McDonald's All American game being only the fitfth Louisiana player to make the game since it started in 2002. She was also recently named a Naismith 1st All American which is an honor given to the top five players in the nation. Williams will be up for several national player of the year awards to be decided at the conclusion of the season. It's been a pleasure to watch Mikayla continue to grow her game and as a person over the past 4-5 years and we look forward to continuing to follow her journey at LSU. Like I said last year believe it or not I still don't think she gets the respect she deserves/earned around the state just yet but under the bright lights of the PMAC she'll have a great opportunity to do something that's never been done in program history! Good luck and congratulations on winning a state championship! #TwelveIsland
Paris Guillory - St. Louis Catholic High School / LA Tech Signee
Paris Guillory has been a star in our state for several years now and she took that to another level this weekend breaking TWO records that have been standing for over 40 years. Paris helped St. Louis to its fourth straight state championship game where they came up just short but that's not before she had the opportunity to break Kim Mulkey's scoring record in a single game for 3A/Division II. Paris scored 41 points in a semifinal win over Vandebilt Catholic which is now the single game record for 3A and she followed that up by breaking the combined total of 65 by scoring a total of 68 points in the semifanals and championship games which was set in 1970. It's safe to say that despiste not coming away with another state championship Paris Guillory went out with a BANG leaving her name etched in the history books.
Chrysta Narcisse - Lafayette High School / South Alabama Signee
Chrysta Narcisse can now add state champion to her name which few can say they have won the last game of their high school career! For those that don't know this Gatorade player of the year award is given to the best basketball player and student athlete combination. Therefore it's not surprise with a 4.25 GPA the future doctor Chrysta finds herself on this short list. Her game has continued to improve over the years on the court and she has led by example off the court as well both in the classroom as well as the community. Chrysta has won countless academic and leadership scholarships including one from our event. She has carved out a great legacy on the court but is making just as big an impact in her community.
Jada Richard - #1 Ranked 2024 State - Lafayette Christian Academy
Jada Richard's is the lone junior on this list and she even made the list last year as she's been considered one of the top players in the state for years now. She continues to impress us with her game night in night out which is a trues testament to just how hard she works at consistently improving. She'll go from the argument of one of the best in the state to the top player here in a few months and as she talked about in her interview she's ready for the target to be on her back competing at a high level night in night out. I'm expecting a big summer out of her this year on the circuit as she will continue to garnish national recognition. She's won three state championships and has three MVP trophies as well in her first three years of high school.... She's got some big shoes to fill as the best player in Louisiana but we know she's up for the challenge!
Caitlin Travis - Walker High School / Loyola New Orleans Signee
Caitlin Travis has been the silent assassin for Walker for four years now as she'll graduate being a three time all state point guard in 5A which is truly remarkable putting her in a special group of former players! She also has been above and beyond in the classroom throughout her career making an impact on and off the court. It goes with out saying as Caitlin has found the "right fit" at Loyola she'll have an opportunity to make an immediate impact at one of the top NAIA schools in the nation given they are losing so many seniors. I expect Caitlin to hit the ground running being extremely successful on and off the court where she'll have the opportunity to graduate as an All American and compete for a National Championship right here in Louisiana at Loyola of New Orleans. Congratulations on a very success for high school career at Walker where your squad was in the conversation for a state championship run year in year out and that says a lot about the point guard of those teams!
