LITTLE 4 GIRLS — MVPs Shanahan, Florvilus lead all-league team

By barstoolfanatics on March 14, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Laila Florvilus

By Ray Hamill — Just five days after winning a state championship on the basketball court, St. Bernard’s teammates Madelyn Shanahan and Laila Florvilus have been named co-MVPs of the Little 4 for the second straight year, the league announced on Thursday afternoon.

Both players dominated from the opening tip of the season and never relented, leading the Crusaders to a conference championship and the most memorable campaign in school history.

Not only did they play a hugely important role on the first H-DNL team to ever win a state championship in the sport — boys or girls — but they complemented each other very effectively on the court, giving head coach Matt Tomlin and his team a potent one-two punch that opposing teams had problems countering.

“Maddy and Laila complemented each other so well,” Tomlin said. “On offense they ran the high pick and roll game to perfection and were our two highest scorers.”

The dynamic duo were equally effective on the other end of the floor.

“On defense Laila led us in steals on the perimeter and Madelyn blocked over seven shots a game inside,” the long-time coach added. “They were a dynamic tag-team that led us to a state championship.”

They weren’t the only players from the historic Crusaders squad that were named to the Little 4 All-League Team.

Junior Aliyah Vigil also was included after an outstanding season as the Crusaders’ lock-down defensive player.

The Crusaders finished the season with a record of 30-5, including a perfect 6-0 run through conference play.

The Hoopa and Ferndale girls tied for second in the final conference standings and each had a pair of all-league selections.

Madelyn Shanahan

Caidence Young

Ivy Lamebear

Senior Reaghan Langer and sophomore Tinnley Pidgeon each were included for the Wildcats, while senior Tashee Tracy and junior Ivy Lamebear were named all-league for the Warriors.

All four of those players were among the most consistent in the Little 4 all winter long and helped set the tone for their teammates.

The South Fork Cubs closed out league play winless, but there were several bright spots on a Cubs team that qualified for the North Coast Section playoffs and won its opening game on the road at Calistoga.

Most notably, senior Cadence Young was outstanding all season on a young South Fork team and was also a deserved all-league selection.