RACHEL, W.Va. -- Mariah Byard has come a long way since being a ball girl for the North Marion Huskies during her elementary school years.

She joined the Huskies as a freshman and led the team to a state tournament appearance. Her sophomore year she led North Marion to the school's first girls' basketball state title.

And now she is the 2009-10 West Virginia girl's basketball state player of the year.

"Wow, I really didn't expect this," said Byard, who thought it was a joke when first informed of the award. "I mean, I'm a junior, I thought there was a chance, but I didn't expect to win."

Not only did she win, but soundly.

Summers County's Hallie Gunnoe was second, followed by Huntington High's Erin Bailes, Kelsea Fickleson from St. Marys, Scott's Mackenzie White and Martinsburg's Jackie Brewer. A total of 43 players received votes.

"There were a lot of good players in the state this year," Byard said. "It's nice to be recognized by others around the state."

But excited as Byard is, she's the consummate team player, and has bigger things on her mind.

"I want to win another state title," Byard said. "We've still got games to play. We still have our title to defend. This is great, I'm really excited to win it, but I think I'm going to wait to celebrate until after the state tournament. I'd rather have another championship."

Byard's team-first attitude is what her coach Mike Parrish thinks put her over the top.

She averaged 17 points per game, but added nine assists, five rebounds, four steals and nearly a block per contest as well.

"She's not the pure-scorer who averages 30 points per game," he said. "But it's those nine assists. The rebounds and the steals. There are also a lot of things you don't have stats for -- the hustle plays, diving on the floor after loose balls, taking a charge, forcing a turnover. It's nice that all her skills were recognized and not just if she scored a lot of points every game."

Byard deferred credit to her teammates, as well.

"It's all about my team," she said. "I wouldn't be here without them. This is a team award as much as it is an individual award. Those assists have to go to someone, right?"

Byard becomes the first sole girls' player of the year from North Marion.

The Huskies' Jessica Sell shared the award with Alexis Hornbuckle in 2002.

"I just want to thank God, my family, my teammates, my coaches, Jon Parsons, and my friends," Byard said. "Like I said before, I wouldn't be where I am now without any of them."

Next up for Byard and the Huskies will be Ripley in the opening round of the girls' state tournament in Charleston.

"That's what we're focused on right now," she said. "They'll be plenty of time to celebrate after the tournament. This will be just icing on cake if we can win another team title."

National Video