For the second year in a row Powell High School junior Emery Hernandez earned an All-State basketball nod, increasing her output once again to earn another honor in her high school career.

“Being named All-State for the second year in a row is something that I’ve worked towards since the end of last season,” Hernandez said. “It means a lot knowing that coaches around the state see me as someone who deserves this award, especially for the second year in a row.”

During her junior season Hernandez once again improved her stats across the board, upping her scoring from 13.3 points per game a year ago up to 16 this season.

She also upped her assists per game from 3.2 up to 3.6 to be third in the state and second in the 3A West.

Hernandez attributed the improvement in her assists as well as reducing her turnovers to becoming one of the more experienced players in the state, but feels there are still things to work on heading into next season.

“I feel like my confidence improved with handling the ball and pressure in close games as one of the ‘veterans’ now,” Hernandez said. “I really want to continue working on my outside shooting for next season because that’s where I’m weakest right now.”

Hernandez finished fifth in the state and third in the west averaging 3.5 steals a game, while shooting 52% on 2-pointers and 25% from 3-point range.

This time around Hernandez was not the lone Panther named to the All-State team, as teammate and senior Coy Erickson earned her first All-State basketball this season.

Hernandez felt a year ago that Erickson deserved the award, and praised her teammate for earning the honor this season.

“Getting recognized alongside Coy is very exciting,” Hernandez said. “She’s a great leader and her presence on and off the court will be missed.

“I can’t wait to cheer her on in her future, whether it’s on the basketball court or just in life,” she added.

Hernandez said that one of the more enjoyable parts came from the bonding of the team, as the Panthers continued encouraging each other.

“This year the most enjoyable part of the season was for sure getting closer as a team,” she said. “All of my teammates are encouraging and never let you get down on yourself, which I really love.”

While Hernandez said the closeness of the team grew this season, she is hoping that will translate into the offseason as the Panthers attempt to return to the state tournament next year.

“Getting back to state next year is our goal, but right now I’m focused on the off-season and being the best leader I can be by getting the team into the gym this summer and on the weekends,” Hernandez said.

While she is hopeful to get as many teammates as she can in the gym, Hernandez noted one teammate especially inspired her this year after she suffered a season ending injury in January.

“Veronica [Kovach] had a hard injury this season that really affected the team, but I’m so excited to have her back on the court with us next season and work with her in the offseason,” Hernandez said. “She has had such an amazing mindset and that has made me strive to be a better leader.”

She said she wants to thank her coaches, especially coaches Troy Hildebrand and Chelsea Kistler, for helping her reach this point.

“Thank you to coach Hildy for always ‘keeping the train on the tracks,’” Hernandez said. “Thank you to coach Kistler for always challenging me to be better and never letting me be comfortable where I am. I love the relationship we have built.”

She added she wanted to thank her family for “not letting me go one game without them in the stands.”

Hernandez said she also wanted to thank the Powell community in general for continually showing their support.

“I appreciate the support that our community has brought to the PHS gym as well,” Hernandez said. “I love building relationships and getting pictures with the littler kids that come out and support the team every week.”