Over four years her statistics just kept getting better and better.
So, it was to no one’s surprise when Oak Harbor senior Heidi McNeill received her fourth straight first-team WesCo North all-league basketball selection.
McNeill, a 6-foot-3 post averaged a career high 20 points and 10 rebounds a game this season, while breaking a 30-year old school scoring record midway through the season, and setting another of 40 points in her final contest.
“Heidi was a pleasure to work with the last few years,†OHHS head coach Brett McLeod said. “She has great talent which is fun to utilize as a coach, and even more than that she has a tremendous work ethic and attitude.â€
Set to play for the University of Washington next fall as the lone female scholarship recipient, McNeill isn’t done representing OHHS yet.
The McDonald’s All-American nominee will compete in the Washington State Coaches Association All-State game at 5 p.m., Saturday, March 19 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way.
Twenty of the top 4A girls from around the state were picked to play by sportswriters and coaches.
McNeill will also participate in the 12th annual Oregon vs. Washington game, at 5 p.m., Sunday, April 3, at the University of Portland.
The top 10 players from Washington and top 10 players from Oregon will face one another in a battle for Northwest bragging rights.
Others on the Washington roster include: Kristen Thompson (Monroe), Nadia Parker (Bethel), Jamile Bates (Garfield), Malia O’Neil (Garfield), Briann January (Lewis & Clark), Jacqua Williams (Rainier Beach), Kelsey Burns (Kennedy), Jami Bjrokland (University) and Allyson Seivers (Kentlake). McNeill is the only player on the roster to not compete on a state playoff team this season.
Although it hasn’t been decided officially, the game will likely be aired on Fox Sports Northwest as in years past.
The Wildcats’ only other winter WesCo North all-league selection came from senior basketball player Marc Ferguson, who was named to the second team.
Ferguson averaged just under 18 points a game for Oak Harbor, who finished the season 0-20. He was named honorable mention last season, but this is his first time being named to an all-league team.
“To make second team in a winless season shows the respect the teams had for this young man,†OHHS head coach Bryan Schulle said. “He should be proud of this accomplishment.â€