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.
For the season, Heckel averaged 16.2 points, 6.5 assists and 3.7 steals per game. She has been the floor general for a team that is ranked No. 2 nationally and will participate in GEICO Nationals later this week.
Long Island Lutheran point guard Kayleigh Heckel is the MaxPreps New York Player of the Year. The junior has led the Crusaders to a No. 2 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 while averaging more than 16 points per game. (Photo: Darin Sicurello)
Heckel poured in 22 in Long Island Lutheran's biggest win of the season thus far, a 63-50 victory over then-No. 5 La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla, Calif.) in the Nike TOC finals.
Paris Clark of Long Island Lutheran was the 2021-22 MaxPreps New York Player of the Year. Now a freshman at Arizona, Clark averaged 25.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
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).
