FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ashley Ginascol (312-729-3622)
CHICAGO (March 8, 2012) — In its 27th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced
Tisha Phillips of
Lewiston (Lewiston, Idaho) as its 2011-12 Gatorade Idaho Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Phillips is the first Gatorade Idaho Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from Lewiston High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Phillips as Idaho's best high school girls basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award announced in March, Phillips joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners, including Candace Parker (2003-04, 2002-03, & 2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Diana Taurasi (1998-99 & 1999-00, Don Antonio Lugo HS, Calif.), Maya Moore (2005-06 Collins Hill HS, Ga.), Rashanda McCants (2004-05, Asheville HS, N.C.), Shyra Ely (1999-00, Ben Davis HS, Ind.) and Lisa Leslie (1988-89, Morningside HS, Calif.).
The 5-foot-10 senior guard led the Bengals to a 22-4 record and their second straight Class 5A state title this past season. Phillips averaged 15 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 53 percent from inside the 3-point arc. A 2011 First Team All-State selection she was named Player of the Game at the 2012 State Championships by Idahosports.com.
Phillips has maintained a B average in the classroom. A devoted member of her church community, she has volunteered locally as an elementary school guest speaker and as a youth basketball coach.
"Tisha Phillips is a fearless competitor and at times she seems unstoppable," said Lewiston High head coach Pat Teichmer. "She has a very high basketball IQ and always wants the ball in critical situations. She is a winner in all aspects."
Phillips remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
Phillips joins recent Gatorade Idaho Girls Basketball Players of the Year Jackie Luna-Castro (2010-11, Boise High School), Katelyn Loper (2009-10, Post Falls), Katie Baker (2008-09, 2007-08, & 2006 – 07, Lake City), Ashley Baldwin (2003-04, Skyline), and Aubree Johnson (2002-03, Post Falls) among the state's list of former award winners.
To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.
