New York’s Finest

Then rising to the moment were two of the Bears most reliable players, twins Taytum and Ava Jimerson. Coming down on the counterattack Ava looked to send a shot on net, but instead Section VI’s top scorer crossed the ball safely into the box where her sister Taytum could slam home the tying goal.

That would be the final goal the twins would connect on in their high school career as Byron-Bergen’s Mia Gray ended the Bears’ season with a golden goal in overtime, but the Jimersons still received their recognition on the All-State teams selected by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports.

Taytum was selected to the Class C First Team at midfield, finishing her senior season with 17 goals and 25 assists, while sister Ava led the section in scoring with 43 goals and 17 assists to receive a spot on Second Team.

Gray went on to score an even bigger overtime goal, sending the Bees past Section II’s Stillwater in overtime 1-0 to win the state championship, solidifying her position as the Class C Player of the Year.

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove sophomore Julianna Roth earned a First Team All-State selection in Class B by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports.
P-J file photo

Also earning recognition in Class C are Wilson freshman Addison Elia selected to Second Team and Portville sophomore Grace Gariepy named to Third Team.

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove broke into the state tournament this season capturing the Section VI Class B title and doing it all from the midfield was sophomore Julianna Roth. She netted 19 goals and 10 assists to earn a spot on the Class B First Team.

Fellow Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove sophomore Kylie Kress led the attack for the Golden Cougars, scoring both goals in the team’s sectional title win to finish with 24 goals and 12 assists on the season. Kress was named to the Class B Second Team at attack for her performance.

While her season was cut short due to injury, Southwestern senior Kaylyn Carnes still finished with 16 goals and 11 assists to earn a Fourth-Team selection in Class B.

Lexi Fragnito led Section III’s Marcellus to the Class B state championship and was named the Player of the Year, while Allegany-Limestone’s Cait Kellogg made Second Team, Addison Fisher was Third Team for the Gators and Akron’s Aleyna Susfolk was named to the Fourth Team.

Ellicottville senior Addison John paced the Eagles with 16 goals and three assists en route to the Section VI Class D title and earned a spot on Second Team. Lily Klippel of state champion Northville in Section II was named the Player of the Year for Class D.

State champion Kate Crowley was named the Class A Player of the Year representing Section V’s Pittsford Mendon, while named to First Team are Ava Plezia of Williamsville South and Emily Stefik of Lewiston-Porter. Then on Fourth Team are Lewiston-Porter’s Elisabeth Gray and Amherst’s Sophie Rourke.

Kennedy Ring of Section II Columbia was named the Class AA Player of the Year, while Clarence’s Naoimh Brady was named to the First Team. Second Team saw Clarence add Emma Payne and teammate Breanna Hurley was Fourth Team.

Maddie Costello led Section XI’s Ward Melville to the Class AAA state title and was named the Player of the Year, while Lancaster’s Laila Sengbusch was named to the Fourth Team.