Lawrence North High School coach Chris Giffin describes Kristian Young as playing with more toughness and heart than anyone he ever coached.
Young said there is one main reason why.
“Majority of the time, I am the smallest person on the court,” Young said. “Many people doubt my skills due to that, so I play every game as hard as possible. Proving size does not reflect skill.”
Young, a 5-foot-5 guard, and Katie Davidson, who helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 4A state title Feb. 29, were named Indiana Girls All-Stars. The games, which were scheduled to be played against the Kentucky All-Stars June 5-6, were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lawrence North’s Tony Perkins was named to the Indiana Boys All-Stars team.
Young, who will play at Illinois-Chicago, averaged 10.8 points and 2.6 assists.
“She is off the charts in every intangible skill,” Giffin said. “Then you get to her ability to control the game with the dribble. She penetrates better going both directions than anyone we have had and can finish both ways. She was a very good 3-point shooter and had our school all-time record for assists.
“Finally, she is the best rebounder from a true guard position we have ever had play.”
Giffin describes Davison as one the most unselfish and versatile players he has ever coached.
“Lamina Cooper was the only player who was as versatile from both an offensive and defensive standpoint,” Griffin said. “Katie matured so much her junior and senior year that her incredible skill level began to be seen by all. She can score at the rim, from the post, mid-range, from 3 and free throw line. She’s a good rebounder and an exceptional and unselfish passer. Her basketball IQ is off the charts.”
Davidson said being an All-Star has always been a goal.
“it’s disappointing not being able to represent LN and play with Kristian one last time,” Davidson said.
The 5-10 Davidson, who will play for Miami (Ohio) University next season, averaged 10.7 points and 3.7 rebounds
“The biggest improvement I made for my senior season was my mindset,” she said.
The 6-4 Perkins, who will play for the University of Iowa, averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Wildcats, who finished 25-2 and won a Class 4A sectional title. The rest of the state tournament was canceled due to the pandemic. A four-year varsity player, Perkins scored more than 1,200 career points.
“Tony has always been an exciting player capable of taking over a game, but he has always tried to fit a role within the team,” said Jack Keefer, Lawrence North’s longtime boys coach. “This year, his main role was leadership, and this allowed us to lose only two games all year. We were a pressing and running team this year, and those are areas and skills that Tony is very good at.
“As a team. we had over 120 dunks this year, and Tony had many of these and fed his teammates for others.”
Keefer said Perkins’ enthusiasm fired up crowds.
