By PAUL CIFONELLI
Webster Schroeder junior Anya Watkins helped lead Webster Schroeder to a six-win improvement in the 2019-20 season, leading to her earning a spot on the Monroe County Division I first team. Watkins averaged 12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks during her junior campaign.
Watkins improved from 8.8 points per game to 12.5, but her efficiency remained the same despite playing a larger role in the offense. She made 34.1 percent (96-for-266) of her shots from the field and 28 percent (36-for-129) of her threes. Last season, Watkins shot 32 percent (64-for-200) overall and 28.6 percent (2-for-7) from distance. The junior’s most noticable improvement was from the free throw line, where she went from 45.5 percent (46-for-101) to 50 percent (45-for-90).
The 6-foot forward also improved as a distributor, upping her assist average to 2.0 from 1.3. Also, her assist-to-turnover ratio this past season sat at 0.76. Defensively she also became much more active, getting 2.5 deflections per game to go with her 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks. As a sophomore, Watkins averaged 1.3 deflections, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks.
The rising senior scored a season-high 20 points agains Canandaigua. She made three three pointers six separate times, had 10 deflections on two different occasions and had four steals in three contests. Watkins had a season-high 16 rebounds against Rush Henrietta and three blocked shots against Brockport.
Watkins has been in contact with SUNY Oswego and Alfred University, but will first have a chance to up her stock when she plays AAU for the WNY Lady Lakers. Watkins has a 98 GPA and is a three-year team captain for Webster Schroeder.
I am so proud of Anya’s excellent academics and basketball abilities!