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.
Lana McCarthy of
Bedford is the 2023-24 New Hampshire MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4 senior post led the Bulldogs to a 24-0 record and Division I state championship.
For the season, McCarthy averaged 14.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 2.0 assists per game. In addition to POY honors in basketball, she was also the New Hampshire MaxPreps Player of the Year in
volleyball after going unbeaten in her Bedford career.
Bedford went 70-9 in McCarthy's four years in the program with two championship game appearances.
McCarthy signed with Purdue in November over offers from Minnesota, Providence and West Virginia among others.
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 New Hampshire MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Ahnay Adams, Tilton School (Tilton)
2022-23 — Brooke Paquette, Bishop Guertin (Nashua)
