Vote now: Who should be SBLive’s 2022-23 Texas Girls Basketball Class 5A Player of the Year?
After four months of regular season play and seven rounds of postseason, it's time to recognize the top high school basketball stars in Texas in 2022-23.
SBLive has selected finalists for our Class 1A-6A and Private School Player of the Year awards to be chosen by the fans.
First we took a look at the private school (TAPPS) boys and girls finalists, then Class 6A boys, Class 5A boys, Class 4A boys, Class 3A boys and on down to 2A and 1A.
Up next, we're turning to the girls. After starting with Class 6A, SBLive gathered the most valuable players in Class 5A during the 2022-23 Texas high school girls basketball season. We narrowed the list down to six finalists. Now we want to hear from you.
Read up on the nominees and cast your vote below to determine the fan-voted winner. Voting is open through May 11 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
5A state player of the year: Who are the finalists?
Aaliyah Chavez, Lubbock Monterey Soph. PG/SG
The prolific scorer already has more than 2,000 points in two years of high school, breaking the school record of 1,729 that stood since 1982. Chavez averaged 30 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game for the Plainsmen. She set a school record with 13s – breaking her own mark of 11 – in 47-point showing in a 104-64 win in the bi-district round. She was a Naismith All-American.
Kaelyn Hamilton, McKinney North Jr. PG/SG
She became the school’s fifth player to hit the 1,000-point mark earlier this season. She was named the District 13-5A MVP, helping her team to a 30-7 mark and 12-0 in district play and a regional runner-up showing. Hamilton, who has several Division I offers, scored 19.3 points per game this year for the Bulldogs.
Emma Lucio, Edinburg Vela Sr. SG/SF
The future USTA guard eclipsed the 2,000-point mark this season, scoring 822 for the SabreCats this year. In her second year at Edinburg Vela – she started at PSJA North – she 22.8 points per game. Her play has landed her district offensive MPV honors, as well as the all-defense list.
Peyton North, Lubbock Cooper Sr. PG/SG
Guided the Pirates to the Class 5A title game behind a 31-point showing in the semifinals, hitting 12 of her 16 shots from the field. The first-year varsity player had 26 points in an upset of No. 1-ranked Lubbock Monterey in the Region 1-5A finals.
Janiah Perkins, San Antonio Highlands Sr. PG
Capped off her playing career by being named to the 27-5A District MVP. She shot 42% percent from the field and averaged 25.2 points per game for the Owls. Scored 30 or more points 13 times, tallying 40 twice. The St. Edward’s commit led her team with 9.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals.
LA Sneed, San Antonio Wagner Soph. PG/SG
Helped the Thunderbirds reach the Class 5A semifinals, ultimately falling against Frisco Liberty. Sneed is a 46% percent shooter from the field and led her team with an 18 points per game average. She’s also led in rebounds (6.7), assists (5.6) and steals (4.7).
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Lead photo by Tom Dendy
