Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2024-25 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.
Kate Sears of
Watauga (Boone) is the 2024-25 North Carolina MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-9 senior guard led the Pioneers to a 22-6 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal appearance.
For the season, Sears averaged 27.2 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. She went for a season-high 50 points to go along with 16 rebounds and 11 assists in a 93-91 double-overtime loss to South Caldwell (Hudson) in January.
Kate Sears of Watauga is the North Carolina MaxPreps Player of the Year. The Virginia Tech commit nearly averaged a triple-double this season with 22.7 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. (PHOTO: Brad Arrowood)
Sears was a triple-double machine for the Pioneers with 13 in 28 games this season, including a 43 points, 21 rebounds and 15 assists in a win over Freedom (Morganton). She finished with 2,613 career points and was a four-time conference player of the year.
Regarded as a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2025 by
247Sports, Sears signed with Virginia Tech in November over nearly 30 other offers.
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 in April. Past selections include 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2024 All-WNBA first team picks Caitlin Clark (2020), Napheesa Collier (2015), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Past North Carolina MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship (Apex)
2022-23 — Sarah Strong, Grace Christian (Sanford)
2023-24 — Zamareya Jones, North Pitt (Bethel)
