Evans is state's finest

Norwich Free Academy's Kastine Evans, who is two wins away from helping lead the Wildcats to consecutive Class LL state championships, was named Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year in girls' basketball on Thursday.

Evans, a 5-foot-8 guard who has accepted a scholarship offer from Kentucky and is now eligible for the national honor, is the fourth player from NFA to win the award as the state's best player.

Marci Glenney was the first recipient (1997) before teammates Saona Chapman and Krista Rappahahn won it back to back in 2001 and 2002.

And like Evans, the other three players accepted offers from Division I schools - Glenney (UConn and Clemson), Chapman (Rutgers and Richmond) and Rappahahn (Stanford).

Evans was averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game prior to Wednesday night's 63-23 victory over Ridgefield in the Class LL quarterfinals (Evans scored 26 points in that game).

NFA, the reigning Class LL champion (Evans was MVP of the 2009 championship game), will play Manchester in Saturday's semifinals at Bacon Academy at 5 p.m.

Mohegan Sun Arena will host the state championship games the second straight year, this time either March 19 or 20.

Evans, a two-time All-State selection, has been part of state championship teams in basketball, volleyball and outdoor track and field for the Wildcats.

She was The Day's All-Area Player of the Year in basketball as a junior and earned similar honors in volleyball this season. She also carries a 3.60 grade point average.

"Her all-around game is phenomenal, and the bigger the competition, the bigger she plays," Glastonbury coach Brian Fleming said in a statement released by Gatorade. "She's tremendously skilled fundamentally. The best way to describe her is that she makes everything look easy."

NFA beat Glastonbury twice this season, 67-39 and 62-37.

The last local player to win the award was Stonington's Heather Buck, who was honored back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.

c.banning@theday.com