Cloverdale's Koosman is 2007-08 BannerGraphic player of the year

CLOVERDALE -- When Cloverdale girls' basketball coach Bruce Cook talked about the upcoming season, he spoke about how the team was like a bunch of puzzle pieces. For the 15-6 Clovers, no piece was more significant than senior forward Ashley Koosman.

Described by Coach Bruce Cook as a "gamer," Cloverdale senior Ashley Koosman (34) always seemed to make plays when her team needed them most.

For that reason, Koosman has been selected as the 2007-08 BannerGraphic Player of the Year.

Joining Koosman on the Putnam County First Team will be teammates Chelsie Haltom and Elizabeth Cheatham, along with Greencastle's Hannah Spencer and South Putnam's Meghan Canary.

Players comprising the Putnam County Second Team will be fellow Clover Kristin McCammon, Greencastle's Kelsey Hennette, South Putnam's Oceaia Boetjer and North Putnam's Taylor Alles and Shawna Johnston.

After every contest this season, Cook would pour accolades on his seniors, but Koosman always found a way to single herself out. Whether it was rebounding or scoring a driving bucket, Koosman had the attention of her head coach.

"Ashley is a gamer," Cook said. "When the ball goes up, Koos is going to get after it."

And what a gamer she was.

Koosman entered her senior season having led the county in rebounding the season prior and duplicated that feat in her senior season campaign. She ranked 13th in the state with an average of 11 rebounds per contest. Koosman would attack the boards with reckless abandon using her quick feet and hands to steal rebounds away from taller players.

In addition to her rebounding prowess, she was Cloverdale's second leading scorer with 251 points for an average of 12 points a game.

Koosman displayed an aggressive defensive style of play that assisted teammate Chelsie Haltom's pressure in the frontcourt. Her intensity resulted in creating multiple turnovers and the recording of 40 steals on the season. She also collected seven blocks.

"Ashley is the most determined player I have ever coached," Cook commented.

"Coaching a kid like Ashley has been a joy," he acknowledged.

FIRST TEAM

Chelsie Haltom -- The Cloverdale senior led the county with five steals per contest. She also collected 82 assist, and 112 points for a five-point average. She was also the Clovers' third leading rebounder with 84 on the season.

Elizabeth Cheatham -- The junior center led the Clovers and the county in scoring with a 14-point average and was second in rebounding with 219. She collected 16 steals and 22 blocked shots.

Hannah Spencer -- The Greencastle junior led the Tiger Cubs in scoring with 221 points, for an 11-point average. She was second on the team in rebounding, collecting 219 for the season. She also averaged 71 percent from the charity stripe.

Meghan Canary -- The senior led South Putnam with 12.7 points per contest. Of her 87 rebounds on the season, 33 came on the offensive side. She also collected 21 blocks, 46 steals and dished out 56 assists.

SECOND TEAM

Kristin McCammon -- McCammon was the third player for the Clovers to average in double figures with an 11-point average. Known for her outside shooting; she connected on 52 three-pointers on the season and dished out 40 assists. She also hauled in 60 rebounds, and collected 27 steals.

Kelsey Hennette -- The Greencastle senior provided solid numbers for the Tiger Cubs this season. She averaged eight points and seven boards per contest while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Hennette also blocked four shots and grabbed 18 steals.

Oceaia Boetjer -- A junior for the Eagles, Boetjer was the team's second-leading scorer with 12 points a game. She collected 36 offensive rebounds and a total of 102 rebounds for the season. Boetjer also dished out 26 assists and recorded 39 steals for the Eagles.

Taylor Alles -- The North Putnam junior was second on her team in scoring with 200 points, a 10-point average, and led the Cougars in rebounding with a total of 173 for the season. She averaged 49 percent from the field. Alles also recorded 35 steals, 38 assists and three blocks.

Shawna Johnston -- As North Putnam's leading scorer, this junior averaged 10.5 points per contest, while collecting 158 rebounds for an average of eight per game. Johnston dished out 11 assists on the season. On the defensive side, she collected 24 steals and one block.