Three Lady Jays get All-NLC nods

After finishing in third place in the Northern Lakes Conference behind Laona-Wabeno and Florence, three Three Lakes-Phelps girls’ basketball players were given all-conference recognition for their performances this season in eight conference games.

Senior Paige Brafford was selected to the All-NLC first team, with senior Kailyn Fogerty and sophomore Malia Szews each being selected to the All-NLC second team.

“All three of these kids were very deserving of all-conference recognition this year,” said Three Lakes-Phelps Head Coach Michele Brown.

Brafford landed on the first team this season as a senior after being a second-team selection last year. She ranked sixth in the NLC in scoring at nearly 10 points per contest. She led the team with 79 points in the eight conference tilts and also secured 69 rebounds, with 27 of those coming on the offensive end.

She led the Bluejays in field goal percentage at almost 51% and blocks with 14.

Fogerty finished right behind Brafford in total points in the conference with 73. She was the best free-throw shooter on the team at 84% and showed her defensive intensity by being second on the team in steals (20) and defensive rebounds (40). She was a four-year varsity player for the Lady Jays program.

“Kailyn was also a deserving second-team selection. She was one of our team captains and did lots of things that don’t show in the stats,” Brown stated. “She was our leader on the floor.”

Szews secured her second all-conference nod in as many years. The sophomore played in seven of eight NLC games due to injury and still led the team in steals with 22 and eight 3-pointers made for 50% shooting from that distance. She also ranked second or third in multiple other shooting and statistical categories.

“Malia was an honorable mention last season. She was second or third in most categories, even after missing several games late this season due to injury. We will have her back next year and will look to her for leadership.

The Bluejays will reload much of the roster next season as nearly two handfuls of seniors will be lost to graduation.