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.
Sarah Strong of
Grace Christian (Sanford) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps North Carolina High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 junior forward led the Crusaders to a 32-3 record and the NCISAA Class 2A state championship.
For the season, Strong averaged 22.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.2 blocked shots per game. In an 88-63 win over Wayne Country Day (Goldsboro) in the title game, she piled up 22 points, 20 rebounds and five assists.
Sarah Strong has led Grace Christian to a 61-4 record over the past two seasons. (Photo: Steven Worthy)
Over the past two seasons at Grace Christian, Strong has accumulated over 1,300 points, 850 rebounds and 250 assists while helping the Crusaders go 61-4 with two state championships.
Strong is regarded as one of the top prospects in the United States in the Class of 2024. Arizona, Clemson, Duke, LSU, North Carolina, North Carolina State and South Carolina are among the programs in pursuit of her talents.
Indya Nivar of
Apex Friendship (Apex) was the 2021-22 MaxPreps North Carolina Player of the Year. The current Stanford freshman averaged 18.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game for the 29-3 Patriots.
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).
