Hilgart, Place earn postseason honors

Grafton High School senior Lexi Hilgart is no stranger to the North Shore’s all-conference basketball teams, and this year is no exception.

Hilgart was named to the NSC second team for the second straight season. She earned honorable mention honors as a sophomore.

Her teammate, senior Julia Place, made the third team.

The pair led the team in most statistical categories.

Hilgart led the Black Hawks in scoring at 10 points per game. Place was second at 7.7 points per game.

 Place led the Hawks in rebounds with 4.4 per game. Hilgart, despite playing the wing, was second with 4.1.

Hilgart had the most blocks with 14. Place had 13.

Hilgart was the focus of opponents’ defenses, coach Matt D’Amato said — was a new role since Grafton’s all-time leading scorer Hannah Belanger had drawn most of the attention the past few years.

“Every single team we come across specifically game plans and scouts to stop Lexi,” he said. “The fact that she still performed the way that she did was exceptional.”

Hilgart also stepped up to another new role this season.

“As the season progressed she took ownership of being a leader on the team,” D’Amato said.

Regardless of the circumstance, Hilgart never got too high or too low, he said.

“She brought a level of calmness to the court. You would never see her get riled up. She was always pretty even keeled and good at supporting her teammates, whether it was on the floor or on the bench,” D’Amato said.

Place, D’Amato said, was mostly known for one thing.

“All year, the one word that comes to mind is consistent,” he said.

“She would always take smart shots, which is why her shooting percentage was so high.”

Place shot 42% from the field, 38% on three-pointers and 81% on free throws, going 21-for-26.

She used the fact that opponents keyed on Hilgart to her advantage, her coach said.

“She really grabbed that opportunity, and as the season went on she really believed in herself more,” D’Amato said.

Place led the team in minutes played at 24.3 per game and only committed 1.3 turnovers per game, second least among Hawks who averaged 13 minutes or more per game.

“It was a pleasure to know and coach them,” first-year coach D’Amato said, adding he’s saddened by the fact he only had them for one year.

D’Amato said he wished senior point guard Mya Masse would have been recognized as well, but that’s not how the votes went.

West Bend West’s Maddy Baker was the conference Player of the Year. The Hawks remember her well as Baker broke West’s school record for points at home in a 60-50 win over Grafton on Nov. 26.