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SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah had quite the year in high school basketball in 2015-16.
In girls hoops, Layton capped off an undefeated season with wins over Copper Hills and Sky View in the 5A state tournament, while Bountiful’s Kennedy Redding led the Braves to the 4A championship with a dominant showing of their own.
Below are the KSL Game Night Live MVPs in girls basketball for the Class of 2016.
Player of the Year: Hailey Bassett, Layton
Bassett did a little bit of everything for the Lancers in their run to a perfect 30-0 season and the Class 5A state title.
The senior averaged 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.2 assists per game for the undefeated Lancers, who won their first state title since 2004.
But the Utah State signee carried the team to the title in the second half against Sky View. Bassett scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the final prep basketball game of her career, including this spin move.
5A MVP: Shirsten Wissinger, Copper Hills
The Grizzlies’ season came to an end in the 5A state semifinals with a 46-44 loss to Layton — Copper Hills' first and only loss of the 2015-16 season.
But what a game it was for both teams, who were undefeated through that point in the season.
Wissinger showed she was a complete player, and the senior who averaged 19.9 points, 2.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game left it all on the floor in Copper Hills’ overtime loss that led to the best season in the Grizzlies' program history.
4A MVP: Kennedy Redding, Bountiful
The Deseret News’ Ms. Basketball carried the Braves on her 6-foot-4 shoulders to the 4A state title, averaging 23.14 points and 13.62 rebounds with just under four blocks per game as a senior.
Redding, an academic all-state honoree, will continue her career at BYU — in women’s volleyball. The all-state volleyball player quickly leapt at a chance to play for BYU coach Heather Olmstead, who was on hand throughout the state tournament to support her incoming freshman.
A standout two-sport athlete, Redding’s final prep basketball game was one to behold. She scored nine of her team’s 11 points in the second quarter of the state final as the Braves toppled Springville 63-42. When the final whistle sounded, she immediately embraced Bountiful coach Joel Burton with tears in her eyes.
Redding finished the game with 28 points, four blocks and an eye-popping 21 rebounds for the Braves’ first state title since 2001.
If that was the last basketball game of her career, what a way to go out.
3A MVP: Madison Mooring, Snow Canyon
The Warriors’ leader in virtually every statistical category in 2015-16, Mooring woke up the morning of the Class 3A state tournament so sick, she could barely make it to the bus.
And she still played 10 minutes in that game, despite the flu.
Mooring averaged 15.8 points, 4.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.8 rebounds per game. When the senior was so sick she could barely stand before a state bout Friday against Region 9 rival Pine View, Mooring’s teammates took over. In those moments, fellow Snow College commit Shaylee Reed stepped in for Mooring, just as Mooring had done for the Warriors her entire career.
Mooring’s career isn’t over at Snow Canyon, either. She currently plays second base on the softball team, and came into the hoops season following a standout tenure at goalkeeper with the soccer squad.
2A MVP: Sidney Springer, Delta
A four-sport athlete who also stands out in volleyball, softball and track, Springer scored 16 points in the 2A state championship to lead the Rabbits to their second-consecutive title with a 55-42 victory over North Sevier.
The 24-1 Rabbits had plenty of weapons in 2015-16, but Springer’s athleticism was a constant mismatch for opposing teams. The 5-foot-9 forward led a team that didn’t win a state title since 1987 to back-to-back championships in her career, averaging 11.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 4.7 steals per game.
Springer also helped the Delta girls volleyball team to a 2A state title, hitting .285 for 320 kills and adding 288 digs and 42 aces.
1A MVP: Chesney Campbell, Panguitch
Campbell finished her prep career with three state titles, and she played a major role in all of them as one of the most consistent double-figure scorers in the state.
The four-year starter only lost one state tournament game with Panguitch as a freshman, as the Bobcats have risen to become the premier girls team in 1A. After their loss to Rich in the first round of the tourney as a freshman, Campbell led the Bobcats on a 64-game winning streak.
