Spring sports season is in full swing, and that also means it’s the time of year for the Times News Sports Department to release its annual basketball all-star team.

This year’s team will consist of six players on both the first and second team for both the boys and girls. There is also an honorable mention category that has no player limits.

Once again, this year’s team is well represented by players that were a part of teams that performed well in the postseason.

The Northwestern Lehigh boys put two players on the first team by putting together a historic season, tying a school record with 24 wins, and coming away with a Colonial League title and a District 11 4A silver.

Lehighton also put two players on the first team by winning 17 games and advancing to the 4A consolation game. Other TN teams in Marian, Panther Valley, Weatherly and Pleasant Valley finished at or above .500 to qualify for the district playoffs, with the Colts taking home the District 11 2A gold in an upset victory over Tri-Valley.

Two Colonial League teams in girls basketball — Northwestern and Northern Lehigh — each put two players on the first team.

The Tigers again put together a 20-win plus season with 24, advanced to the Colonial League championship and qualified for the state tournament after a consolation game win in the District 11 4A bracket.

The Bulldogs won 16 games this season and advanced to the District 11 3A quarterfinals.

Marian (23 wins), Palmerton (21 wins) and Tamaqua (18 wins) all had fantastic seasons. Marian advanced to the final eight in the state in 2A and took home District 11 2A silver, and Palmerton also qualified for the state tournament as the runner-up in 4A.

Boys First Team

Gavin Nelson (Sr.), Northwestern

Stat line: Nelson, the Times News Boys Basketball Player of the Year surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season and averaged 19.25 points per game, which led the Times News area. Nelson scored 20 or more points in 13 games. He shot 42 percent from three-point range (20 three-pointers) and 74 percent from the foul line (112 free throws made). Nelson’s season-high was 33 points against Catasauqua.

Coach speak: “Gavin had an amazing year for us this year, winning the Colonial League MVP. He led us in scoring throughout the year, while also playing at a high level defensively. I’m proud of the growth that Gavin has made as a basketball player the past two years. The growth Gavin has displayed as both a basketball player and young man since his career began is second to none. It has been a pleasure to coach him since my arrival at Northwestern.” — Northwestern head coach Pat Wanamaker.

Joe Roth (Sr.), Lehighton

Stat line: Roth surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season, averaging 17.8 points per game. The senior was also tough on the boards, pulling down 8.7 rebounds per game. Roth was one of the top players in the Colonial League getting to the foul line, hitting 123 free throws. Roth scored in double figures in every game this season and his high of 29 came against Tamaqua.

Coach speak: “Joe is one of the most gifted athletes that I’ve coached. We asked him to increase both his scoring and his rebounding numbers this year and he did both extremely well.” — Lehighton head coach Trevor Miller.

Zach Prator (Sr.), Pleasant Vy.

Stat line: Prator put together an impressive scoring season for the Bears, averaging 18.87 points per game. Prator scored 20-plus points in eight games and scored in double figures in all of his 23 games this seasons. Prator’s high of 28 came against East Stroudsburg South.

Coach speak: “Zach Prator wasn’t just a fantastic basketball player. He was the kind of athlete who elevated everyone around him. On the court, he possessed a rare blend of skill and tenacity, never shying away from the crucial moments. Teammates and coaches alike admired his humility, his unwavering support, and the genuine care he showed for others, making him not only a great player but an even better person.” — Pleasant Valley head coach Bobby Hahn.

Cole Dietz (Jr.), Lehighton

Stat line: Dietz once again had a terrific shooting season for the Indians, hitting 82 three-pointers and averaging 16.24 points per game. Dietz owns the Lehighton career three-point mark with 163. He scored 20-plus points in seven games and his high of 33 came against Northern Lehigh. Dietz needs just 33 points to surpass the 1,000-point mark.

Coach speak: “Cole is a true student of the game and is always in the gym working on his game. He increased his athleticism and his shooting range to become a true threat to score whenever and wherever he had the basketball.” — Lehighton head coach Trevor Miller.

Noah Mateyak (Sr.), Tamaqua

Stat line: Mateyak averaged 16.8 points per game for the Raiders this season, doing a lot of damage from beyond the arc, hitting 68 three-pointers. He scored 20-plus points in seven games and scored in double figures in all but three games. He scored a season high of 27 against Nativity and North Schuylkill.

Coach speak: “Noah is a fantastic player. One of the best shooters to ever play at Tamaqua, and he really stepped his game up this year. His numbers didn’t take a hit even though he faced a tougher task being our No. 1 scorer. I’m so proud of everything he accomplished in his career.” — Tamaqua head coach Jim Barron.

Eli Zimmerman (Sr.) Northwestern

Stat line: Zimmerman had a strong senior season for the Tigers, averaging 12.1 points per game. Zimmerman picked up his shooting prowess from the outside this season, hitting 22 three-pointers at 35 percent. Zimmerman led Northwestern in steals at nearly three per game and averaged close to four rebounds per game. He scored in double figures in 21 games and his high of 23 came against Bangor.

Coach speak: “Eli was an integral part of our success this year and he was the heart and motor of our team. He always drew the toughest assignment defensively and really raised his scoring efficiency this season. He is the best athlete I have ever coached and it really showed this year, allowing us to play fast and physical throughout the year. Eli is a once in a career type of player for a coach, and our team and program are really going to miss him.” — Northwestern head coach Pat Wanamaker.

Girls First Team

Cara Thomas (Sr.), Northwestern

Stat line: Thomas, this season’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Basketball Player of the Year, finishes her career at Northwestern as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,537 points. Thomas led the Tigers, averaging 18.5 points per game. Thomas also averaged 5.1 rebounds per game, 4.3 steals per game and 3.4 assists per game. Her season high of 29 came against Pottsville.

Coach speak: “Cara was a four-year starter for us and a great player. She ended her career as the school’s all time leading scorer, which is an amazing accomplishment. What sets her apart from other players is that she is an extremely hard worker, and she is the ultimate competitor.” — Northwestern head coach Chris Deutsch.

Katelynn Barthold (Sr.) No. Lehigh

State line: Barthold led the Times News area in scoring, averaging 21.3 points per game, scoring an impressive 532 points this season. The senior improved her scoring average by seven points from a season ago. A two-time TN first team selection, Barthold surpassed the 1,000-point mark back on Jan. 3. She scored 20 or more points in 17 games and her season high of 29 came against Pen Argyl.

Coach speak: “Katelynn was obviously a great scorer for us, but she was also our point guard and was a really positive leader for us. She also led the team in steals and transition scoring, so she really is a complete player.” — Northern Lehigh head coach Chris Heery.

Addy Fritz (Jr.) Marian

Stat line: Fritz had a magnificent year shooting the ball for the Fillies. Fritz led Marian, averaging 14.2 points per game, and lit it up from beyond the arc, hitting 70 three-pointers. The junior already broke the program’s career three-point record with 120. Fritz also pulled down five rebounds per game. She needs 137 points to reach 1,000 in her career.

Coach speak: “Addy has worked extremely hard over the last few summers and was surrounded by really good players and teammates this year. They compliment each other very well. Her commitment in the gym to improve her overall game showed this entire season.” — Marian head coach Damian Fritz.

Tegan Simms (So.) No. Lehigh

Stat line: Simms was an absolute sharp shooter this season, knocking down 76 three-pointers, which led the Times News area. Simms finished second in the TN area in scoring, averaging 20.2 points per game, scoring 504 points. She scored 30 or more points twice this season — both against Lehighton — with her season-high being 32.

Coach speak: “Tegan is as tough as a competitor as you will come across. And she is the type of player that leads by example. Tegan is obviously a great shooter, but she was also tough on the defensive side of the ball, especially in the shot blocking department.” — Northern Lehigh head coach Chris Heery.

Natalie Conner (Fr.) Northwestern

Stat line: Conner put together one of the more impressive frosh campaigns in recent history, averaging 15.7 points per game. Conner was tough from deep this season, hitting 57 three-pointers at 36 percent. Conner also averaged 4.6 rebounds per game and three steals per game. Her season-high of 27 came against Lehighton.

Coach speak: “Natalie takes her craft very seriously and that shows. She works really hard and spends a lot of time on her basketball skills. She played well beyond her years this season and she is only going to continue to get better.” — Northwestern head coach Chris Deutsch.

Lauren Ligenza (So.), Tamaqua

Stat line: Ligenza was once again strong in the paint for the Raiders this season. The sophomore averaged 13.2 points per game, while also pulling down 8.3 rebounds per game. Ligenza was also good at protecting the rim, tallying nearly two blocks per contest. She scored a season-high of 23 twice against Catasauqua and Pine Grove.

Coach speak: Lauren had a great year for us. She drew a lot of attention from opposing teams, and she was an unselfish leader both on and off the court through it all. Her dedication in wanting to get better and continue to build on her game is unmatched. Lauren is an extremely hard worker year round.” — Tamaqua head coach Erika Davis.