There is no official MVP of Mid-Penn girls' basketball award.
But, for a moment, let's imagine.
If such an award were being handed out for the 2012-2013 season, there would be several players who would have a legitimate case for it.
Malia Tate-DeFreitas of Steel-High is one obvious possibility. Since the MVP would be a yearly award, her contributions to two state championship teams probably should not count, but her scoring average of 35.0 points per game for a the first-place team in the Mid-Penn Capital Division certainly should be considered.
Cami Boehner may not be scoring that many points every night, but she is Gettysburg's top scorer with 21.4 points per game, and it is unlikely that the Warriors would be in first in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division without her.
But it's not all about scoring. Briana Betz-White helped provide leadership for Trinity, especially early in the season, when the Shamrocks started the year with only one starter back. She is a player who can handle the ball, rebound, play defense and score 13.9 points per game.
Palmyra is the only unbeaten team left in the Mid-Penn, with a 20-0 record overall and 14-0 in the Keystone Division. While the Cougars do have balance throughout their lineup, Carly Richardson does lead them with 15.8 points per game.
Victoria Blackburn is a big reason why Hershey is hanging within one game of Palmyra in the Keystone. Her 14.4 scoring average and big game experience from Trinity has helped the Trojans move well up the standings from a year ago.
That's already a solid list of candidates, and only now do we turn our attention to the talent-packed Mid-Penn Commonwealth.
Jackie Falconer, like Tate-DeFreitas, Boehner and Richardson is the top scorer on a first place team. She averages 17.2 points per game. But her value may have been most obvious when her minutes were cut in half due to bronchitis in a January 5 game at Wilson. Without her consistently on the court, the Eagles had their most lopsided loss of the year.
CaLee Gelbaugh is averaging 19.8 points per game for CD East, and has scored when the team has needed her most. She had the go-ahead points in the fourth quarter of two 52-50 win over Cumberland Valley, the Eagles' only two division losses this season.
State College has made a solid debut in the Commonwealth this year, and Kyla Irwin is a big reason why, scoring at an 18.7 clip.
Shatara Parsons has helped keep Central Dauphin in the Commonwealth race all season. Her 15.3 points per night has helped the Rams jump past the Panthers and Little Lions and get within a game of the Eagles.
And a few others, perhaps a touch less renowned than the players above but who still could be worth your vote...
Dalida Camdzic of Big Spring is averaging 14.4 points per game and can be a monster on the boards. She had 17 rebounds in a loss to Gettysburg on Tuesday night.
Megan Smith of West Perry is averaging 16.5 points per game, and had a the assist on the game-winning hoop for the Mustangs in their 53-52 win over Steel-High on Jan. 18.