[Baltimore Sun] All-Metro girls basketball 2023-24: McDonogh’s Autumn Fleary repeats as Player of the Year
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Here are The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro girls basketball teams for the 2023-24 season.
Player of the Year
Autumn Fleary, McDonogh, sophomore, guard
Fleary is The Sun’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after averaging 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The dynamic guard led the Eagles to their third straight Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference title.
“Autumn was again the engine that drove the team,” coach Brad Rees said. “She saved her best performances for the biggest games, including performances of 29 points against the No. 5 team in the country Sidwell Friends, 30 points against national power Paul VI, and a 27-point showing in the conference championship against St. Frances.
“Autumn just makes everyone around her better.”
This past season, Fleary embraced a leadership style that balanced assertiveness with empathy and adaptability. As a point guard, she prioritized being vocal with her teammates while also listening to their perspectives and needs. She also took on the role of a coach on the floor.
All of those components led to another league title.
McDonogh sophomore guard Autumn Fleary averaged 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for the IAAM A Conference champion Eagles. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
“The keys to winning another IAAM title was undoubtedly our great team chemistry, hard work, and dedication,” Fleary said. “We were a cohesive team that communicated well and supported each other. In each practice, we pushed ourselves to improve while being committed to winning. Through unity, determination, and our amazing coaches we conquered challenges and rose to the top, securing our third consecutive championship.”
Fleary, a four-star prospect rated the No. 23 player in the Class of 2026 by ESPN’s HoopGurlz, is also one of the most highly recruited players in the area. The McDonogh gym will be crowded with college coaches over the next two years.
“My college recruiting process has been a great journey so far. I’ve had incredible support from my parents, coaches, mentors, and trainers, who have all played a crucial role in guiding and supporting me through this process,” Fleary said. “I’ve had the opportunity to connect with some amazing coaches and explore various options for my future. I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for the interest shown by coaches and for the offers that have come my way.
“Overall, I’m excited about what lies ahead and eager to see where this journey takes me.”
Coach of the Year
Ayanna Jones, Hammond
Jones took over the Hammond program just two years ago and has already turned the Golden Bears into a powerhouse.
This past season, Hammond went 27-0 and won its first state championship since 1995 and fourth in program history with a 65-46 victory over Francis Scott Key in the Class 2A title game.
Hammond coach Ayanna Jones accepts the championship trophy after a win over Francis Scott Key in the Class 2A state championship game at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Brian Krista/Staff)
“I think the keys to developing a good program are building solid relationships, establishing fundamentals, and promoting hard work and effort in every aspect of basketball. Building relationships comes from conversations about goals and values,” Jones said. “Knowing each player’s short-term and long-term goals helps establish what motivates them and better understand their mindset.
“Fundamentals of the game are important to establish early and set a certain level of expectations that are helpful throughout the seasons.”
The Hammond players never took a game for granted and held each other accountable. From the beginning of the year, the team had specific goals in mind and each game was a step closer to winning a state championship. Going undefeated was a bonus.
“Hard work and effort are things that can be controlled,” Jones said. “They are small things that set you apart from your opponent and are needed to be successful in almost every aspect of life. No matter the outcome, if you give your best effort and work hard, you can always walk away with your head held high.”
First team
Milan Brown, Mercy, junior, guard
Brown was one of the most dominant players in the area, averaging an astounding 27.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. She has 20 NCAA Division I scholarship offers.
Mercy’s Milan Brown averaged 27.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game this season. (Haldan Kirsch/Freelance)
Ayla Galloway, Fallston, senior, center
Galloway averaged a double-double — 18 points and 14 rebounds — and led a young team to a 21-5 record and a Class 2A regional championship. She was named Harford County Player of the Year.
Nia Green, Hammond, senior, guard
Green was the leader on the court and the most impactful player on the team, averaging 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 4.1 steals per game.
Terrance Williams/for Capital Gazette
St. Mary’s Bailey Harris, middle, averaged 19.4 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game this season. (Terrance Williams/Freelance)
Bailey Harris, St. Mary’s, sophomore, guard
Harris has emerged as one of the best players in the region after averaging 19.4 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game. She was pivotal to the success of the Saints, who went 18-4 with her in the lineup and 2-5 when she was out.
Ryn Feemster, Severna Park, senior, guard-forward
Feemster was the Falcons’ leader on the court, averaging 14.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.1 steals per game. She was named the Capital Gazette girls soccer Player of the Year in the fall.
Lauren Kraft, Hereford, senior, forward
Kraft led the Bulls to a third straight regional championship, averaging 20.2 points and seven rebounds per game. She will play at Catholic University next season.
Poly’s Mickelle Lowry dribbles away from Oakdale’s Emma Carey in the Class 3A state championship game. (Brian Krista/Staff)
Mickelle Lowry, Poly, senior, guard
Lowry led the Engineers with efficient shooting and scoring throughout their Class 3A state championship run and amassed several 20-point games against opponents such as McDonogh, Gerstell, Georgetown Day, Greenberg Central Catholic and Dunbar (Washington).
Ava McKennie, McDonogh, senior, wing
McKennie was third in scoring (13.5 points), second in rebounding (9.3) and first in steals (4) for the Eagles and has committed to play for Maryland next season.
Chaniya Taylor, Forest Park, senior, forward
Taylor is widely considered one of the best defenders in the state and a force offensively with 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and three blocks per game.
Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun
McDonogh’s Kennedy Umeh, right, shot 62% from the field and led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding. (Amy Davis/Staff)
Kennedy Umeh, McDonogh, senior, forward
Umeh is perhaps one of the best post players in the country. The Stanford commit shot 62% from the field and led the Eagles in scoring (16.4 points) and rebounding (9.5).
Darielle Weems, Pikesville, senior, forward
Wees was the heart and soul of the Panthers, who won the Class 1A state championship. The team leader averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per game.
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Second team
Kiri Faimanifo, Dulaney, freshman, center
Maya Gray, Western, senior, guard
Naomi Koldobskiy, Roland Park, freshman, guard
Shelby Lewis, Mount de Sales, junior, forward
Zoe Osby, St. Frances, sophomore, center
Drew Watkins, Francis Scott Key, senior, guard
Dylan Watson, River Hill, junior, guard
Sara Yarnell, Hammond, junior, forward
Alissa Young, Reservoir, junior, guard
Sophie Zirkin, Park, junior, guard
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