Here are the Carroll County girls basketball All-County team for the 2024-2025 season:
Coach of the Year: Mitchell Walther
When Mitchell Walther took over the Francis Scott Key girls basketball program two years ago, like all coaches, he aimed to shaped the program into his own image. While there were growing pains and an adjustment period, Walther and his players stayed the course. It paid off with two trips to the Class 2A state championship game.
This year, the Eagles finished the job, bringing the 2024-25 state championship home. Even after a two-game losing streak to end the regular season, Walther guided the Eagles on a historic playoff run.
For his efforts, Francis Scott Key’s Mitchell Walther has been named the Carroll County Times girls basketball Coach of the Year.
“I am so proud of Coach Walther. He inherited a very talented roster as our head coach two years ago, but the work he’s put in to elevate this program has been amazing,” FSK athletic director Ryan Kimble said. “Coach Walther embodies everything educationally based athletics should be. He cares about every kid in the program, always striving to help them be their best.
“He understands the tactics of basketball and puts players in great positions to make plays. He’s taken a good program and made it great. We’re lucky to have him leading our girls basketball program at FSK.”
All-County First Team
Summer Brooks, Francis Scott Key, senior, guard
A Player of the Year finalist, Brooks earns the third all-county selection of her career and her second consecutive first-team nod after averaging 16.6 points (tied for first in the county), 6.6 rebounds (sixth) and 3.1 assists per game.
She scored a game-high 14 points in the Class 2A state championship, just days after a 21-point effort in the state semifinal. Brooks consistently shined against county opponents, including a 20-point, 10-rebound, six-assist performance against South Carroll.
She was also named to The Baltimore Sun All-Metro second team.
Kiara Hardy, Gerstell, senior, forward
As the lone returning starter from Gerstell’s conference championship team, Hardy came into the season with high expectations – and delivered. She scored 20 points against Liberty and disrupted opponents with her elite defensive presence all season.
Hardy averaged 14.6 points (third in the county), 7.4 rebounds (fifth) and 3.7 steals (fifth), leaving Gerstell as the program’s all-time leader in all three categories, as well as second in rebounds.
Caroline Kohr, Francis Scott Key, senior, forward
Kohr anchored a championship-winning frontcourt for Walther, averaging 9.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game—both ranking among the county’s top 10.
In a defining moment of the season, Kohr stepped outside her typical role and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the Class 2A state championship game.
Leah Miller, South Carroll, senior, guard
After a teammate suffered a major early-season injury, Miller stepped up as one of the county’s most versatile players. She showcased her all-around game for coach Ryan Hutchinson’s team, scoring 12 points against Mount de Sales and pulling down double-digit rebounds against both Winters Mill and Westminster.
Miller finished the season averaging 9.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, both top-10 marks in the county.
Emma Penczek, Manchester Valley, senior, guard
Another do-it-all guard, Penczek returned to the hardwood after an injury kept her out last season and made her presence felt from the first game. She averaged 10.3 points (sixth in the county), 2.2 assists, and 5.0 steals per game—second-best in the county.
Behind her leadership, Manchester Valley posted impressive defensive numbers, including holding Harford Tech to just nine points in one game. In that contest, the future Clemson Tiger tallied 10 points, four assists and three steals.
All-County second team
Brinley Boag, Westminster, sophomore
Charlotte Harrington, South Carroll, senior
Mackenzie Mowder, Century, senior
Hannah Neske, Winters Mill, senior
Abby Reiger, Francis Scott Key, senior
All-County third team
Allison Bald, Liberty, senior
Kensi Bancroft, Francis Scott Key, senior
Xaviah Burgee, Westminster, freshman
Taylor Fique, Manchester Valley, senior
Jenna Todd, South Carroll, sophomore
Honorable mentions
Raegan Edwards (Century), Maggie Mesceda (Liberty), Lilah Kresslien and Emma Shaffer (Manchester Valley), Kendall Curtin and Caden Curtin (South Carroll), Emma Jones (Westminster), Riley Haskins and Alexis Imbraguglio (Winters Mill)
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