By Bill Collmer, Hornell Sun Senior Sports Writer
The Hornell girls’ basketball team had a historic season playing in their first State Championship game, unfortunately coming up just short losing to Cold Spring Harbor 54-50.
However, the accolades keep coming in for the players. The New York State Sportswriters Association have released the 2025 Girls All-State Teams.
Junior Jordyn Dyring was named First Team All-State in Class B after being named to the second team her sophomore year. Dyring led Hornell in scoring averaging 18.8 points per game, she also averaged 4.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, & 2.3 SPG she surpassed 1,000 career points and shot 39.4 % from 3-point land. She was named the LCAA Player of the Year, Section V Class B1 Tournament MVP, and to the NYS Class B All-Tournament Team.
Hornell Coach Jim Dagon said it was a season to remember.
“Jordyn had a season that people around here will talk about for a long time. She was dominant on both ends and just had calm control over every game,” Dagon said. “What separates her is how much she cares about getting better, about her teammates, about winning. With how driven she is, she’s only scratched the surface. If she keeps working the way she has, she could be one of the best players in the entire state, regardless of class.”
Dagon said Dyring makes everyone around her better.
“You couldn’t ask for a more dedicated and coachable player than Jo. She truly has earned all of the individual awards and accolades that she’s gotten, but I know she won’t let that affect her drive to improve — her unselfish attitude only cares about one thing, and that is to end her senior season on a win with her teammates,” Dagon added.
Junior Selena Maldonado was named fifth team All-State after averaging 11.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, & 4.0 SPG.
Sophomore Raegan Evingham was named sixth-team All-State after averaging 10.3 PPG 8.3 RPG 4.1 SPG. & 3.2 APG.
Junior Payton Bentley Hornell was named eighth team All-State after averaging 10.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 3.6 BPG, & 1.2 SPG.
“Those three are absolute dogs. They all bring something different, but they have this shared mindset — tough, unselfish, and willing to allow their strengths to mesh with one another for the success of the team,” Dagon said. “Selena controls the tempo and makes everything easier for everyone else. She sets the tone for us on both ends of the floor, and her athleticism is very hard for teams to match up with. Raegan plays with so much heart, she’s incredibly versatile, and she’s one of the most tenacious players I’ve coached in any sport. Payton is a total game breaker with her ability to play inside and outside on offense and protect the rim on the defensive end. She allows us to play aggressive on-ball defense because we know she will be there to protect the rim, and she makes our offensive style multidimensional. None of them care about attention or stats; nobody on this team does, they just do what they need to do, night in and night out, to make us successful. That’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had – it’s the group’s willingness to put ‘we over me,’ ” Dagon said.
All four girls will be back next season making the Lady Red Raiders a top contender to return to Hudson Valley Community College in search of the first State Championship in girls’ basketball in school history.
“We have the pieces to be really good. But next season isn’t about what we bring back, or what we accomplished this past season — it’s about whether we stay hungry. If we approach the offseason and the season with the same edge we had this year, we’ll give ourselves a chance to be right there again. When it comes to the “state championship or bust” mindset, I think our players and coaches do a great job of shifting our perspective away from that line of thought. Our goal is to be the best version of ourselves. That’s what we have preached, and what the girls have dedicated themselves to over their careers, and it’s led us to the place we are in now. Of course we want to win it all. But if we stay true to who we are — tough, connected, disciplined — the results will take care of themselves in the end,” Dagon added.
Wellsville Senior Makenna Dunbar was named 7th Team All-State in Class B after averaging 18.8 PPG.
Canisteo-Greenwood Junior Bailey Mullen was selected 10th team All-State in Class B after averaging 13.4 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, & 4.0 SPG she was a First Team Steuben County All-Star.
Dansville Senior Megan Tyler was named to the Twelfth team after averaging 16.2 PPG her senior season.
Class C
After a stellar season that saw her help lead Keshequa to the state quarterfinals, sophomore Braelyn Isaman was named second team All-State, she averaged 14.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, & 3.1 SPG. Look for another big year from her next season.
“Braelyn Isaman led our team in most major categories and we are excited for her development. The great thing for her and all of is that she has very good teammates,” Keshequa Coach Pete Peraino said.
Keshequa 6-foot eighth-grade center Alicia Wood was named eighth team All-State after averaging 12.0 PPG, & 6.9 RPG.
“Alicia Wood showed a lot of growth this year and we hope that this upward spiral continues. We all know that she will give it her best effort,” Peraino said.
Arkport-Canaseraga 6-foot Senior center Payton O’Dell was also selected eighth team All-State. She averaged 19.3 Points per game 14.0 rebounds and 3 blocks. She was named Steuben County League MVP. She was also recently honored as the Female Athlete of the year at the 49th Annual Hornell Sports Night. During the 2024-25 season she recorded a double-double in nearly every game while leading Arkport-Canaseraga to both the regular and post season Steuben County championship. She was named MVP at Steuben County Tournament. O’Dell played for the Rochester Royals AAU All-Star team in the off-season.
Keshequa Senior Ava Thayer was named 10th team All-State after averaging 11.2 PPG, 3.8 APG, & 3.1 SPG.
“Ava Thayer is such a strong competitor, unselfish and hard worker. She will be missed but we are happy that she will continue her soccer career at Alfred University,” Peraino said of the only senior Keshequa had on their roster this past season.
Honorable Mention
Kara Mahaney 7th Grader Arkport-Canaseraga (15.3 PPG)
Ryley Benner Sophomore Keshequa (9.5 PPG)
“Ryley Benner does everything for our team so it’s nice to see her recognized. Ryley and her two sisters can all score but do other things well also,” Peraino added.
Class D
Fillmore 8th grader Emalyn Mucher was named Fourth Team All-State in Class D after averaging 16.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 SPG she led Fillmore to the Class D Sectional Championship game where they lost 54-36 to Elba.
Avoca-Prattsburgh 6-foot sophomore center Evelyn Travis was named fifth team All-State after averaging 12.8 PPG, 13.0 RPG, & 4.0 BPG she was a first team Steuben County All-Star.
Honorable Mention
Mattie McCumiskey Junior Fillmore 11.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG
Meyah Putnam Freshman Avoca-Prattsburgh (11.2 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.0 SPG, 4.0 RPG) first team Steuben County All-Star.
With all of the underclassmen coming back next season, there is good reason to be excited about girls’ basketball come December especially in Hornell, Keshequa, Canisteo-Greenwood, Fillmore and Avoca-Prattsburgh.
For many of the girls’ the basketball season hasn’t ended as they’re working now to get better especially in Hornell.
“Our number one priority this offseason is to improve our physical strength. We’ve already begun a strength and agility training program, and the girls have bought into it because they know it can help us improve as a team. They come in and get put through workouts at 6:15 a.m. before school multiple times a week, and I think that type of dedication is what sets our program apart from the rest. This is a special group that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goals, and I’m very lucky to have them as players,” Dagon said.
“Our girls are doing a little bit of everything. Most girls of are playing AAU. We’ve got our strength and agility program, some scrimmages, skills training with private trainers, camps, a lot of things. But more than anything, we’re just focused on getting in the gym together, staying connected, and continuing to build the culture that got us this far,” Dagon added.
With so many seniors returning and with all five starters back, are there any newcomers who can crack the Red Raiders lineup next season?
“We’ve got a few younger girls who have been developing quietly and are getting ready to take the next step. I won’t name names yet — they’ve got to earn it first— but we’ve got depth coming, and I’m excited about how they can help the team,” Dagon concluded.
Keshequa will return all but one player from this year’s squad. Including Isaman, Wood and Benner.
“Bree Benner, Abby Wood, Riley Nageldinger as well as a few players moving up from JV will be very important to any future success we might have. Our non-league schedule for next year is still being worked on. I believe we are playing Hornell twice. We enjoy playing Hornell because they are very talented, good people and very well coached.” Peraino added.
Hornell and Keshequa split a pair of games last season. Hornell won at home 55-52, while Keshequa won the rematch on their home floor 64-59.
After playing in LCAA Division I last season they’ll move back to Division III next season.
“The LCAA Athletic Directors want us to play in D3 next year so that is what we are doing,” Peraino said.
Keshequa finished the season 23-2, losing to Class B State Finalist Hornell and eventual Class C State Champion Frewsburg 58-44 in the Far Western Regional.
Peraino just finished up his 46th season Coaching Girls Basketball at Keshequa, he is the All-Time winningest Coach in Section Five history and with 624 career wins is third all-time in New York State. Retirement doesn’t appear to be in his future anytime soon.
“I am very blessed to have the players I have and hope to continue coaching them,” Peraino said.
Hornell will play Canisteo-Greenwood in the 6th Annual Hall of Fame Showcase at Wayland-Cohocton on Saturday December 6th. The Chargers will also be returning all five starters and will be adding a couple of sharpshooters to the lineup in what should be a very good early season contest.
