MANSFIELD — Kaelyn Harkness picked up where former Norwalk teammate and cousin Jiselle Thomas left off.
A senior guard for the Truckers, Harkness is the headliner of the All-Richland Source Challenge girls team. She scored 23 points as Norwalk handed Lexington its first loss of the season in the 12-team showcase earlier this month at Shelby High School.
A freshman guard at Division I High Point (North Carolina) University, Thomas was a two-time All-Richland Source Challenge selection before graduating last spring. Harkness, who was an All-Ohio soccer player in the fall, had been Thomas’ sidekick the past three years before taking on a leading role this winter.
“She has been big for us,” Norwalk coach Brock Manlet said. “She has hit some big shot for us.”
Harkness scored 20 of her 23 points in the first half and sat out much of the second half as Norwalk cruised to a 58-28 win.
“Harkness hit some big shots in the first half,” Lexington coach Connie Doutt said. “We’re a pretty big team and have good wingspan in our zone, but she shot over top of us.”
Here’s a look at the rest of the All-Richland Source Challenge team:
Jasmine Thomas, Norwalk: While Harkness dominated the first half, Thomas took control in the second. The senior forward had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Nashail Shelby, Ontario: A senior wing, Shelby was unstoppable in the Warriors’ 48-40 win over Mansfield Senior. Shelby scored 22 points as Ontario withstood a spirited second-half comeback bid by the Tygers.
Makenzie Hendrickson, St. Peter’s: A senior guard, Hendrickson scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds as the Spartans knocked off Galion 54-47. Hendrickson helped lead a stifling St. Peter’s defense that limited Galion to just four third-quarter points, erasing a 27-23 halftime deficit.
Gabby Kaple, Galion: A junior guard, Kaple did her best to keep the Tigers close against St. Peter’s. Kaple scored 24 points in the loss.
Bailey Walter, Shelby: A physical 5-foot-8 forward, Walter led the Whippets to a 61-55 win over Ashland. The junior led a balanced Shelby attack with a team-high 15 points. She was one of four Whippets to reach double figures.
Alyssa Steury, Ashland: A talented — albeit undersized — guard, Steury scored a team-high 19 points in a 61-55 loss to Shelby. The 5-foot-4 junior was the catalyst as the Arrows twice erased double-figure deficits in the setback.
Cory Santoro, Bellevue: A 5-foot-5 freshman, Santoro scored 15 points in a 36-32 win over Napoleon. Santoro teamed with sophomore sister Casey Santoro to combine for 27 of the Lady Red’s 36 points.
