Inside-outside combinations were a staple in Cayuga County girls basketball this winter. Nearly all local teams had a power duo, but perhaps none as dominant as Weedsport's Kaitlin Hammersley and Markie Kreplin. The sophomore and the senior were always ready to make a play - no matter which part of the court the Warriors needed help with. The two led Weedsport to a Section III, Class C-2 final appearance, just one reason why Hammersley and Kreplin were named The Citizen's girls basketball co-players of the year.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Weedsport's Markie Kreplin, left, and Kaitlin Hammersley are The Citizen girls basketball co-players of the year.
Weedsport's Markie Kreplin, left, and Kaitlin Hammersley are The Citizen girls basketball co-players of the year.
“Each player complimented the other player,” said Warrior coach Chris Vargason. “Markie was an inside player for us for most of the year, but if they double-teamed Markie, I could put Kaitlin in because she was big enough and strong enough.”
Hammersley started her career as a forward, but has rotated to more of a guard role.
She averaged 14 points per game, seven rebounds, three assists and nearly three steals. She is on pace to break the 1,000-point mark next season (Hammersley has 840 now).
“Kaitlin does a lot of things for our team,” Vargason said. “She has to handle the ball for us, score for us, she has to rebound for us - she has to dish out assists. She is an all-around player.”
“She works really hard - she scores a lot of points,” Kreplin said about her teammate. “She and I work really well together. She's just another really good player.”
Kreplin began her varsity career as a sophomore, and shattered the school record for blocks in her three years (She finished with 110).
She averaged 9.3 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and about one steal per game.
“When guards get beat and people try to dribble-penetrate, she was there to block shots, score on the inside and also open things up so that people out the outside can get good looks too,” Vargason said.
“She's very coordinated and athletic,” Hammersley said. “She's really game-smart and I know without her we wouldn't be where we are today.”
While Hammersley will continue her career as a Warrior, Kreplin is undecided on whether she will play in college. The senior will leave with positive memories.
“Making it as far as we did this year - I'll never forget that,” she said.“
Hammersley started her career as a forward, but has rotated to more of a guard role.
She averaged 14 points per game, seven rebounds, three assists and nearly three steals. She is on pace to break the 1,000-point mark next season (Hammersley has 840 now).
“Kaitlin does a lot of things for our team,” Vargason said. “She has to handle the ball for us, score for us, she has to rebound for us - she has to dish out assists. She is an all-around player.”
“She works really hard - she scores a lot of points,” Kreplin said about her teammate. “She and I work really well together. She's just another really good player.”
Kreplin began her varsity career as a sophomore, and shattered the school record for blocks in her three years (She finished with 110).
She averaged 9.3 ppg, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and about one steal per game.
“When guards get beat and people try to dribble-penetrate, she was there to block shots, score on the inside and also open things up so that people out the outside can get good looks too,” Vargason said.
“She's very coordinated and athletic,” Hammersley said. “She's really game-smart and I know without her we wouldn't be where we are today.”
While Hammersley will continue her career as a Warrior, Kreplin is undecided on whether she will play in college. The senior will leave with positive memories.
“Making it as far as we did this year - I'll never forget that,” she said.“