FIRST TEAM

MEGAN AAKER

Laguna Hills

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Jr. 5-11 G

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A first-team player as a sophomore, Aaker found herself the focus of opposing defenses. Despite the attention, the point guard still turned in dominant performances, including a win over Esperanza. She averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and fewer than two turnovers.

BETHANY BLAIR

Esperanza

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Sr. 6-0 C

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Out of position at center, Blair did the necessary things to help Esperanza rise to No. 1 in the Orange County rankings. Quick, with a deft touch, good range and excellent defensive skills, she helped the Aztecs reach the Division I-AAA section final by averaging 12.4 points and 6.4 rebounds.

BRANDI DAVIS

Sonora

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Sr. 5-10 G

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Davis, who will attend Oregon, has been one of the county’s most entertaining and flashy players over four seasons. Her offensive performances helped Sonora finish 22-6, and her quickness on defense didn’t hurt, either. She averaged 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

LARA GRAY

Woodbridge

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Sr. 6-0 F

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Gray doesn’t put up gaudy numbers, but she does things necessary to win. Woodbridge won its first 28 games before losing in the section semifinals. Gray, who will attend UC Davis, averaged 11.6 points and 7.8 rebounds for the fifth-ranked Warriors and also played tough defense.

VERONICA JOHNS-RICHARDSON

Troy

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Sr. 5-10 G

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Colorado-bound Veronica Johns-Richardson is a three-time selection. Her performance on defense, as much as offense, keyed an 18-game winning streak that yielded Troy’s first section title. A defensive standout, she averaged 6.1 steals, 16.8 points, 8.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds.

JACKIE LORD

Brea Olinda

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Sr. 5-8 G

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Few were as consistent as Lord, who will go to California. Her shooting was remarkable, 62.2% from the field, including 57.9% from the three-point arc. She was the primary offensive threat for second-ranked Brea, and averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 assists for the Division II-AA section champion.

KRISTEN MANN

Foothill

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Sr. 6-1 F

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A three-time selection, UC Santa Barbara-bound Mann was especially productive in the first half of the season. She cooled off after an ankle injury in the Orange County Championship, but still finished with dominant totals, averaging 27.2 points, 12 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

LINDSEY PLUIMER

San Clemente

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Fr. 6-2 F

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No freshman made a greater impact than Pluimer, whose presence helped the Tritons rise to No. 3 in the county rankings and, with her 22-point performance, win their first section championship. She averaged 13.5 points while shooting 61%, and averaged 8.9 rebounds.

AMY SANDERS

Huntington Beach

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Jr. 5-10 F

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The Oilers’ season never developed as expected because of Kelsey Ball’s recurring ankle injury, but Sanders--a second-team selection last season--carried the load as one of the county’s top scorers. She averaged 20.3 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the county’s ninth-ranked team.

KRISTIN THAWLEY

Irvine

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Jr. 6-1 F

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With only seven players, Irvine had to play near-perfect basketball, and Thawley was one reason the sixth-ranked Vaqueros could do so. She shot 51.7% and averaged 16.4 points and 9.5 rebounds as Division I-AA finalist Irvine got past the semifinals for the first time in school history.