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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
Glendale senior outfielder Riley Best was selected the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association Class 1A Player of the Year when the organization released its all-state teams on Thursday.
Best hit a Glendale-record 16 home runs this season and holds the career home run mark at the school.
"Riley is an example of what hard work, dedication, commitment and being a total team player can do," Glendale coach Bruce Vereshack said. "She's coachable, talented beyond belief and humble. She's a coaches dream."
She will continue her softball career at Lock Haven after hitting .590 with 41 RBIs and scoring 49 runs for the Lady Vikings, who made it to the PIAA Class 1A semifinals for the second year in a row.
In addition to Best, Jillian Taylor (second-team shortstop) and Madison Peterson (second-team pitcher) were honored for Glendale.
"Jillian stepped up in a huge way this year both offensively and defensively, and was always willing to do whatever the team needed. She's such a talented young lady with a bright future," Vereshack said. "Madi has pitched her team to the state semifinals in both her freshman and sophomore years. She puts in the time and effort to get where she's at. She's so tough in the circle. I'm glad she's on our team. I'm excited to see what the next two years bring her."
Claysburg-Kimmel junior Emalee Cavender was also a first-team Class 1A selection as a utility player after batting .513 and going 17-4 in the circle with 142 strikeouts. The Lady Bulldogs won the District 6 title and also made it to the PIAA semifinals for the second-straight year.
"Emily is one of those athletes that coaches dream of coaching," Claysburg-Kimmel coach Mike Barbarini said. "Her skill set is endless, and she has such a knowledge of the game. This honor of first team all-state is well deserved."
Several other area players earned first- and second-team recognition.
Central and Central Cambria each had two players make the Class 3A first team.
The Scarlet Dragons landed Lacey Lynn on the squad as a third baseman after she hit .467 with four home runs and 29 RBIs and outfielder Madison Kennedy, who hit .571 with four home runs and 32 RBIs. Alexis Fetzer of Central made the second team as a utility player.
"Both of them are very dedicated hard workers," Central coach Jonathan Burket said. "They are team leaders, and you couldn't ask to coach any better girls than those two. They are wonderful just to be around to coach."
The Lady Devils were represented by pitcher Kami Kamzik and second baseman Kiera Link on the first team and shortstop Aubrey Ruddek on the second team.
Kamzik is headed to Notre Dame to continue her softball career and struck out 145 batters with an 0.36 ERA this season for Central Cambria. Link hit .462 and helped the Devils finish the regular season unbeaten.
"We were very excited to see three players on the all-state team selected," Central Cambria coach Steven Ruddek said. "We truly had a great team this year, and I feel others had to have been in the running as well. Congratulations to all the girls that were selected for this significant honor."
Chestnut Ridge's Alyssa Henderson (first-team catcher) and Maya Wingard (second-team shortstop) were also honored in 3A.
In 5A, Hollidaysburg was represented on the first team by catch Sydney Shay, who hit .567 with nine doubles and eight home runs with 35 RBIs.
"I'm so proud of Sydney for achieving such a high honor," Hollidaysburg coach Heather Perry said. "She truly exemplifies an all-state catcher in her superior ability, knowledge of the game and leadership both on and off the field."
Everett, the PIAA Class 2A champions, were well represented in Class 2A.
Olivia Hillegas was named the PAHSSBCA Class 2A Pitcher of the Year, and Kirstin Feathers (catcher), Cloe Price (outfield) and Makenna Richards (DP) were first-team selections.
Lexi Griak (first base) and Martina White (outfield) were second-team 2A selections for Cambria Heights.