Senior guard led Ponaganset to Division I semifinals, state quarterfinals.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Jaina Yekelchik of
Ponaganset (North Scituate) is the 2023-24 Rhode Island MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-4 senior guard led the Cheiftains to an 18-8 record, Division I tournament semifinal appearance and the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
For the season, Yekelchik averaged 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.0 assists per game. She posted a high of 28 points in a loss to North Kingstown earlier this month in the Division I semifinals.
Yekelchik surpassed 1,000 points for her career in January and helped Ponaganset win a Division II title as a freshman and state title as a sophomore. She will continue her basketball career next year at Rhode Island College.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released April 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past Rhode Island MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Jillian Rogers, North Kingstown
2022-23 — Genesis McNeill, Juanita Sanchez Complex (Providence)
