Meg Ronaghan - North Attleboro
"We are honored to announce Meg Ronaghan as HockomockSports.com's second ever Girls' Basketball Player of the Year," Managing Editor Josh Perry said. "Meg had an incredible season personally and helped North exceed expectations to capture a share of the league title."
The Rocketeers captain averaged 21.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game this season,. Ronaghan accomplished that while shooting 53 percent from the floor. North finished 17-5, was co-champion of the Kelley-Rex division, and reached the Division 1 South quarterfinal.
"In my coaching career, that's the best single season anyone's ever had," said North Attleboro head coach John Del Bonis. "She's absolutely dominant. She worked very hard, without her it would have been a completely different team. What makes her unique is that she can run the floor so well. She's a tough match-up for teams."
Regarding the decision to name Ronaghan the Player of the Year, Perry noted, "Ronaghan was one of the league's leading scorers and rebounders, while playing the deepest position in the Hockomock. Every game, Ronaghan was going head-to-head against the other team's best player and was the focal point of their defense, but she never stopped producing. It was even more special because her team was young and Ronaghan provided not only great numbers, but also the leadership and energy that allowed the inexperienced players to flourish. Her hard work and enthusiasm made her a great role model."
Franklin head coach John Leighton, whose team shared the division title with North Attleboro, described what made Ronaghan such a tough player to guard.
“Meg is a special athlete and was very tough to defend,” said Leighton, whose team split two meetings with North Attleboro this season. “Her combination of size, athleticism, and skill forced many teams to defend her in creative ways.”
He continued, “Between her junior and senior year, she greatly improved her jump shot and was able to create from more spots on the floor. Yet, what might be her greatest feature is her ability to get to glass on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.”
Del Bonis remarked, "She gets easy baskets, she makes it look easy. She works hard for those baskets, but they come easy for her and that's what makes her valuable. We can set four on the perimeter and throw it in to her and she's going to make a play. It simplifies the game for us.
Congratulations to Meg Ronaghan on a great senior season and earning the HockomockSports.com Player of the Year.