Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 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.
Leah Philpotts of
Hamden is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Connecticut High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-8 junior guard led the Green Dragons to a 27-0 record and the school's first Class LL state championship.
For the season, Philpotts averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals per game en route to Southern Connecticut Conference Player of the Year honors. In a 63-48 win over Ludlowe (Fairfield) in the title game, she piled up 28 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Leah Philpotts and twin sister Alana combined for 37 points in Connecticut's Class LL state championship game. (Photo: Dan Smith)
Along with twin sister
Alana, Philpotts has helped Hamden go 45-6 over the past two seasons.
Mackenzie Nelson of
St. Luke's (New Canaan) was the 2021-22 MaxPreps Connecticut Player of the Year. She averaged 22.1 points, 5.0 steals and 3.5 assists per game for the 26-1 Storm.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in April. Past selections include 2022 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2022 All-WNBA picks Skylar Diggins-Smith (2009), Sabrina Ionescu (2016), Jonquel Jones (2012), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Kelsey Plum (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
