Kortni Elsworth couldn’t believe the news at first.
On Friday, Dec. 1, Goodrich High School Athletic Director Al Martus and varsity girls basketball coach Jason Gray told Elsworth, a GHS junior, that she was selected to the Class B girls basketball all-state team.
‘At first, I looked at them and asked if they were serious,? she said. ‘They said they were, and they were really excited for me.?
Elsworth, a 5?5? guard and a three-year member of the GHS varsity, is the first Martian to make first team All-State since Carrie Nance in 1996. Gray said sportswriters throughout the state vote on the All-State team.
As the Martians? leading scorer this season, Elsworth led the Martians to a 21-3 record and a trip to the Class B regional finals.
Gray said Elsworth’s outside shooting is the area where she made her greatest improvement this season.
‘She shot 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line, which is pretty amazing,? he said. ‘She really improved her left-handed shooting ability to make shots which are not that easy to make.?
For her part, Elsworth said she was better able to handle adverse situations on the court this year. ‘I’ve learned to keep things to myself and to keep my emotions in check,? she said.
She also said the prospects for next year’s team look promising. ‘We had a strong bench this year, and we have some girls coming up from the JV, so things should be interesting,? she said.