BY DARRELL MOODY
Nevada Appeal Sports Writer
Todd Ackerman's Carson High's girls' basketball team improved dramatically in the 2008-09 season, going from six wins to third place in the Sierra League.
And, Ackerman, was honored by his peers as one of three 4A Region Coach of the Year winners and the Sierra League Coach of the Year.
Ackerman shared the award with Hug's Ed Shepard and Reno's Shane Foster. Reed's Erica McKenzie and Galena's Emily Burns were the 4A Co-Players of the Year.
"It's a nice thing for them to do," Ackerman said Monday night. "In my opinion, it was the way the team played. From where we were last year to the succes this year ...
"I think it was how we played everybody in the league, especially winnning our last seven games was really big."
Two of Carson's top players - Brandi Vega (16 points per game) and Gina Bianchi (12 a game) - were named to both the 4A Regional and Sierra League all-star squads.
Vega was the biggest difference from last year's squad to this year's group. She sat out last season, and created havoc the entire season with her relentless defense and coast-to-coast runs to the basket.
Bianchi was one of the most effective outside shooters in the region, and once she develops other aspects of her game she will be even more dangerous.
Tiffany O'Day, who averaged aound six points and five rebounds a game was named to the all-Sierra second team, while Yvonne Hollett, who was a consistent 3-point threat for the Senators, was an honorable mention selection.
Reno's Stephanie Rovetti. Abby Boorman and Sarah Finley, Galena's Hayley Jensen and Taylor Schaffer, Manogue's Ashley Armstrong and Nicole Aboumrad, Hug's Chakala Carthen, Spanish Springs' Ari James, North Valleys' Shakia Walker, Reed's Danielle Peacon and Douglas' Jessica Waggoner joined McKenzie, Burns, Vega and Bianchi on the first team.
On the boys' side, Reno's Austin Morgan and Manogue's Bobby Hunter were Regional 4A Co-Players of the Year, while Reed's Dustin Hall and Fallon's Corey Williams shared the coaching award.
Carson's Brian Barnes, who averaged 15 a game, and Douglas' James McLaughlin were the only locals to make the regional all-star squad. Fallon's Dexter Daum, Hug's duo of Tre Johnson and Duke Williams, Taelor Marchbanks of Spanish Springs, Reno's Zach Stanford and Manogue's Keith Fuetsch also were named.
Barnes also garnered first-team all-Sierra honors as did McLaughlin. Senior Matt Rutledge and Paul Cagle III were both second-team selections. Cagle averaged 12 points a game, and despite his 5-9 frame, did well against bigger players. Rutledge was the glue of the Senators' attack. The point guard averaged approximately six points and five assists this season.
Tim Rudnick was a second-team selection, while teammate Parker Robertson was an honorable mention selection.