Girls basketball: Northampton’s Ava Azzaro named Naismith Western Massachusetts Player of the Year

Northampton’s Ava Azzaro (13), middle, drives the ball between Worcester South defenders Lydia Charlonne (0) and Madi Leighton (13) in the third quarter of the MIAA Div. 2 girls basketball state semifinals last week at Chicopee Comp High School. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

CONNOR PIGNATELLO

Staff Writer

Published: 03-18-2024 5:45 PM

Northampton’s Ava Azzaro was named the Western Massachusetts Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Monday.

Azzaro hit 1,000 points in a home victory over Wahconah on Feb. 12 and finished her career with 1,157 points. She averaged more than 18 points per game in her senior campaign and went above the 20-point mark nine times. Azzaro went for a career-high 32 against Springfield International Charter School on Feb. 5.

This season, Azzaro captained the Blue Devils to a 20-5 record, with three of those losses coming against Division 1 Central. Northampton advanced to the Western Mass. Class A championship game and to the Final Four of the MIAA Division 2 state tournament.

Next year, Azzaro will play basketball at Roger Williams University.

Khalil Carlson of Monument Mountain was named Boys Player of the Year. Both Carlson and Azzaro will accept their awards at halftime of their games at the Western Massachusetts Senior All-Star Games on Friday, held at the Hall of Fame in Springfield.

“We again praise the outstanding seniors who were selected as Western Mass. All-Stars, and extend our congratulations to Khalil and Ava on their Player of the Year honors,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are certain that each of these talented young athletes will make Western Mass. proud wherever they continue their basketball and academic journeys.”

Western Massachusetts All-Star Games rosters

Boys Class C and D, 5:30 p.m.

• Colin Murdock, Granby

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