Allison Gannon of Shelburne has been named the 2009-2010 Gatorade Vermont Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She is the first Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) basketball player to win the award.

The award, which recognized not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes Gannon as Vermont's best high school girls basketball player.

The 5'9" senior forward led the Redhawks (17-5) to the Division I quarterfinals this past season, averaging 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Gannon was a member of the 2009 Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen team, a third Team All-State selection in 2009, and selected to the girls annual North-South Senior All-Star Classic in 2010. And that's all we know about.

"I am very proud of my accomplishments over the past four years at CVU. I have worked hard to be where I am today... it's nice to be recognized for your hard work," Gannon shares. "I am also very happy that a CVU girls basketball player finally received this award because there have been a lot of skilled and dedicated players at CVU. This is a great way for me to leave something with CVU my senior year," she added.

Gannon has maintained a 3.79 GPA in the classroom. A member of the student council, she has volunteered locally on behalf of the Shelburne Art Center and as a youth basketball camp counselor.

"I am so proud of all that Allison has done and am thrilled that her hard work and dedication were recognized," said CVU coach Stan Williams. "During her four years at CVU, Allison has been the quintessential student-athlete. She has been a leader and a positive example on and off the court and in the classroom. We look forward to following her next year at Oberlin as she takes on her next challenge."

She is equally enthusiastic about her coach, "I would like to thank Stan Williams for all he has done for me the last four years," Gannon said. "He has been a great coach, teacher and friend."

Gannon joins recent Gatorade Vermont Girls Basketball Players of the Year Tiffany Johnson (2008-09, Bellows Free Academy), Alyssa Herrington (2007-08, Mt. Anthony Union), and Kelli Hier (2006-97, Rice Memorial) among the state's list of former award winners.

For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.