WEST FARGO — Miriley Simon's strong season for the West Fargo Packers earned her a spot among the state's best.
Simon was named to the 2023 Class A girls 1st-team, all-state roster and also the Eastern Dakota Conference "Senior Athlete of the Year." She earned her first selection to the 1st-team in 2022 as a junior, and she was a 2nd-teamer in 2021 as a sophomore.
"Getting the recognition and knowing I'm one of the top players in the state just feels good," Simon said. "For it being my second straight year getting all-state makes it even more special knowing that my hard work has paid off."
The 6-foot-2 senior averaged 22.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks-per-game. She shot 52 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free-throw line. Simon committed to North Dakota State University for basketball in December 2021 and was drawn into the "incredible culture and what Jory (Collins) is building there."
"They had an incredible season this year, and it made me even more excited to go there with the season they had," Simon said.
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One thing that both underclassmen and young hoopers alike kept saying was, "I want to be like (Simon)," West Fargo head coach Mike Benson said.
Simon embraces that responsibility.
"It means a lot knowing that people look up to me," Simon said. "And that's what I want to do. I want to be the role model for the younger ones around me."
Her teammate, Chloe Pfau, was named to the 2nd-team, all-state roster. Pfau made 31 3-pointers, shooting 43% shooting from beyond the arch. Pfau, a senior, tallied 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
"We've been friends for a really long time," Simon said. "She just came back from injury, so for her to earn second-team all-state, I'm really proud of her."
With both Pfau and Simon on the team, Benson said his job is a cake walk.
"It makes it a easier as a coach when you've got good players," Benson said. "At this point in West Fargo history, you could make a case that those two are the best players to come through. Really just two special kids that made a lot of things happen."
Grand Forks Red River junior Jocelyn Schiller, Minot freshman Leelee Ball, and Bismarck Century seniors Bergan Kinnebrew and Logan Nissley, the 2023 Miss Basketball winner, also received 1st team honors.
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The 2nd-team roster included:
- Chloe Pfau, West Fargo
- Maggie Fricke, Minot
- Ashton Safranski, Fargo Davies
- Brenna Dick, West Fargo Sheyenne
- Ella Falk, Jamestown
- Brooklyn Felchle, Bismarck Legacy
- Amaya Gourneau, Turtle Mountain
- Scout Woods, Wahpeton
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