LAKE COUNTY >> A good nickname for Middletown High School center Ashlyn Welton might be “The Hammer.” The junior averaged in double digits in both scoring and rebounding while also playing a physical brand of defense for the Mustangs during a 20-7 campaign in 2014-15.
Welton also propelled the Mustangs to the top of the North Central League I standings in 2015 with a 13-1 record. To the surprise of no one, Middletown’s powerful post presence was named the most valuable player on the All-League team, which was recently selected by a vote of the league’s eight coaches. Three teammates joined her on the All-League squad, a tribute to the team’s dominant play, including 11 straight wins to close out its NCL I schedule.
Welton averaged a team-leading 15.6 points a game for the Mustangs, who narrowly missed beating Marin Catholic in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs. She was joined on the All-League first team by one of Middletown’s captains, Nicole Corsetti, a multi-talented senior guard who did a bit of everything on offense and defense for head coach Anthony Bazzano’s club. Also cracking the team was Middletown guard Makenzi Smith, one of two sophomores to pull down first-team honors — the other was Lake County scoring leader Riley Goff at 15.9 points a game.
Rounding out the first team were senior Jamie Mertle of Fort Bragg and junior Angel Bernardi of Cloverdale.
Second-team honors went to a pair of Clear Lake players, guards Aliza Atkins, a senior, and Taylor Helms, a junior. Kelseyville sophomore guard Alma Perez and Lower Lake junior guard Ashlynn Mock also made it, joining Willits sophomore Chanel Alexander.
Each team received one honorable mention. Middletown’s fourth All-Leaguer, sophomore post Abby Aden, was honored along with Kelseyville junior Heidy Cano, Lower Lake freshman Aleia Milano, Clear Lake sophomore Jasmine Rice, Cloverdale junior Bailey Stewart, Fort Bragg junior Madison Pyorre, St. Helena sophomore Alicia Gomes, and Willits sophomore Vanessa Camp.
Bazzano has a 39-15 record with two playoff appearances in his two seasons as Middletown’s varsity coach.
