Honorable Mentions: 2017 WDN Female Athlete of the Year

Published 4:55 pm Thursday, June 15, 2017

RACHEL LANG, NORTHSIDE

From fall to winter to spring, Rachel Lang was a consistent contributor to Northside’s athletic success this year. Her height made her key to the Lady Panthers’ volleyball and basketball teams. In volleyball, she helped Northside to a 10-6 finish that featured a first-round playoff win. She led Northside’s girls’ basketball team with 12.3 points per game. On the softball field, Lang was the team’s leading batter (.483 average) and its starting pitcher (1.94 earned-run average, 10-3 record).

 

MEGHAN MOORE, WASHINGTON

Meghan Moore overcame a shoulder injury early in her senior year to become an impact player in three varsity sports. When she was able to play with the Lady Pack’s volleyball team, her height and vertical jump made her a threat up front. Moore was a reserve forward for Washington’s girls’ basketball team that made the playoffs. She finished the softball season with a .380 batting average and was one of Washington’s most consistent infielders. She will continue her softball career at Pitt Community College.

 

SYMONE RUFFIN, SOUTHSIDE

Symone Ruffin played a significant part in Southside’s girls’ basketball team earning a postseason berth in the winter. She led the team in scoring (12.9 points per game), assists (2.9) and steals (5.2). Her 5.5 rebounds per contest were second on the squad. In softball, she was fourth with a .420 batting average. She also helped the Lady Seahawks’ volleyball team reach the playoffs.

 

HAILEY HARRIS, WASHINGTON

Hailey Harris was far and away Beaufort County’s most dangerous softball player. Her hitting vastly improved as freshman Abbigail Tucker shouldered some of the pitching load. Harris, who will continue her career at North Carolina Wesleyan, batted .634 this season. She finished the season with 18 extra-base hits, including two home runs. Defensively, she was able to slot in anywhere.

 

SAVANNAH SLADE, NORTHSIDE

After showing plenty of promise as a sophomore, Savannah Slade finished her junior year as an impact player in three varsity sports. She was one of the best servers on Northside’s volleyball team. The same vertical leap and overall athleticism carried over to basketball season. In the spring, her .462 batting average was second only to Lang. She was a stable shortstop, too.

 

DARIA JONES, WASHINGTON

Daria Jones was a one-woman wrecking crew on the hardwood. The sophomore led Washington’s girls’ basketball team with 12.1 points per game. She was also the Lady Pack’s leading rebounder. While Jones was a dominant post player, she could also spread the floor with her range. She was just as deadly with her corner 3-pointer as she was under the basket.

 

HANNAH PARAMORE, SOUTHSIDE

In one way or another, Hannah Paramore was important to three strong Southside teams this past season. The Lady Seahawk junior used her height to be an impact player on a volleyball team that earned a trip to the playoffs. It also made her a valuable reserve forward in basketball. On the softball field, her .465 batting average was second on the team and she led the team in stolen bases.

 

KENNEDY LANDEN, WASHINGTON

Washington’s track and field season came to an earlier end than most had hoped, but Kennedy Landen finished up her senior year on a high note. One of the speediest to ever don a Lady Pack uniform, Landen placed top 10 in the eastern region in the 1,600-meter run (sixth) and 3,200-meter run (ninth). She also finished 13th in the fall’s cross-country regional.