Newsstand: Notre Dame signee Kate Koval makes Naismith Midseason Team

by:Tyler Horka•01/18/24•

tbhorka

At the midway point of the 2023-24 high school girls basketball season, one of the best players in the country is a Notre Dame Fighting Irish signee. Long Island Lutheran center Kate Koval made the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girl’s High School Player of the Year Midseason Team this week.

The reigning New York Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year is fresh off a dominant performance at the Hoophall Classic where she scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in an 82-62 victory for LuHi. She also recorded a triple-double a few days prior with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks.

Here’s a look at the entire Naismith Midseason Team.

Player	Class	Position	Hometown	High School	Future school
Sienna Betts	Junior	F	Aurora, CO	Grandview High School	UCLA
Mikayla Blakes	Senior	G	Somerset, NJ	Rutgers Prep	–
Jaloni Cambridge	Senior	PG	Nashville, TN	Montverde Academy	Ohio State
Aaliyah Chavez	Junior	PG	Lubbock, TX	Monterey High School	–
Morgan Cheli	Senior	G	San Jose, CA	Archbishop Mitty High School	UConn
Aaliyah Crump	Junior	G	Shakopee, MN	Minnetonka High School	–
Jasmine Davidson	Junior	G	Clackamas, OR	Clackamas High School	–
Addison Deal	Junior	G	Ladera Ranch, CA	Mater Dei High School	–
Kendall Dudley	Senior	W	Centreville, VA	Sidwell Friends School	UCLA
Joyce Edwards	Senior	F	Rembert, SC	Camden High School	South Carolina
Kayleigh Heckel	Senior	G	Port Chester, NY	Long Island Lutheran	USC
Avery Howell	Senior	G	Boise, ID	Boise High School	USC
Zamareya Jones	Senior	PG	Bethel, NC	North Pitt High School	NC State
Kateryna Koval	Senior	P	Brookville, NY	Long Island Lutheran	Notre Dame
Jordan Lee	Senior	G	Stockton, CA	St. Mary’s High School	Texas
Madisen McDaniel	Senior	PG	Upper Marlboro, MD	Bishop McNamara High School	South Carolina
Alivia “Liv” McGill	Senior	PG	Coon Rapids, MN	Hopkins High School	Florida
Olivia Olson	Senior	G	Saint Louis Park, MN	Benilde Saint Margaret High	Michigan
Britt Prince	Senior	PG	Elkhorn, NE	Elkhorn North High School	Nebraska
Mackenly Randolph	Senior	F	Chatsworth, CA	Sierra Canyon High School	–
Arianna Roberson	Senior	F	San Antonio, TX	Clark High School	Duke
Kennedy Smith	Senior	W	Etiwanda, CA	Etiwanda High School	USC
Sarah Strong	Senior	F	Fuquay-Varina, NC	Grace Christian School	–
Syla Swords	Senior	G	Sudbury, Ontario, CAN	Long Island Lutheran	Michigan
Allie Ziebell	Senior	G	Neenah, WI	Neenah High School	UConn

Notre Dame tweets of the day

Here are some of Koval’s highlights from her triple-double.

Kate Koval(‘24) dominated her way to a Triple-Double 🔴🏀 @kate_koval13

The @ndwbb bound senior for @LuHiGBasketball had herself another signature game during @RoseClassic Super Jam

Koval embraces playing in the painted area and gives teams fits on both ends. She finishes… pic.twitter.com/oaxl8c8BKY
— ripandgo (@ripandgo) January 16, 2024

It’s recruiting season!

Grateful to have been able to get some work in in front an audience like this! Go Panthers! 🤐🏁✊🏿 @DeMarcoMurray @Marcus_Freeman1 @CoachKCampbell @NPPanthersONE pic.twitter.com/PGIKCHzuqj
— Kayin Booker (@KayinBooker14) January 17, 2024

The Irish family sticks together.

Gotta love Notre Dame Head Coach Freeman and Coach Micken’s in California supporting one of their own football players, Jayden Mickey at his Mother, Nilka’s Funeral! Rest in Heaven Nilka. Keeping you all in our prayers🙏🏽💜🕊️ 💜🕊️Gotta love Notre Dame, #GOIRISH💚💙☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/DeMFH8QWxj
— Taliuta Viliamu-Asa (@AsaTaliuta) January 18, 2024

Notre Dame quote of the day

“A lot of people think about going through college, but football is not going to last that long. Coach Freeman went in depth about the opportunities Notre Dame has for a degree — whether you want to be CEO or whatever. That’s what I appreciated most from the talk with Coach Freeman.”

— Mater Dei linebacker Nasir Wyatt on his recruitment