2011-2012 WPIAL Girls Basketball Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, December 9, 2011 | 2:56 PM

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The 2011-2012 WPIAL girls basketball season tips off on Friday, December 9th as Shaler, Blackhawk, Seton-LaSalle and North Catholic prepare to defend their championships won back in March, while Mount Lebanon vies for a third consecutive PIAA state girls Class AAAA championship. Here is a look at some of the teams and players to watch for this season in each section in all four classifications.

CLASS AAAA

SECTION 1

Favorite: Penn-Trafford. The Warriors were undefeated in section play last year and will be hard to beat again. Three starters return, including guard Taylor Cortazzo, who averaged 10 points last season. The other returning starters are Nicole Hyland and Brittany Chiodo.

SECTION 2

Favorite: Gateway. Destiny could play a big role in this team’s destiny. Destiny Brown is a 5-11 senior guard who already has signed with Baylore University, the No. 1-ranked team in the country. But the Gators are more than Brown. Three other starters return – senior forward Anna Coyugsoumbis, junior guard Chelsea Richardson and sophomore guard-forward Katey Wilson.

SECTION 3

Favorite: Oakland Catholic. The Eagles could fly high with 5-6 senior Bobbi Baker, who scored 15 a game last year. Maria Fitzgerald is another top retunee. Oakland Catholic’s main competition in the section will come from North Allegheny, which also is expected to be strong.

SECTION 4

Favorite: Mount Lebanon. Madison Cable is now at Notre Dame and Anna Kestler at William & Mary. They were the standouts on last year’s team that won its third consecutive state championship. Cable and Kestler will be tough to replace, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Senior forward Emma Pellicano averaged 10 points last season and senior guard Kelly Johnson 9.9. How well Johnson plays could be a key to the season.

CLASS AAAA PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexis Aiken, North Allegheny, 5-9, Sr., G

Maddie Antone, Kiski Area, 5-10, Jr., F

Bobbi Baker, Oakland Catholic, 5-6, Sr., G

Caitlin Baxter, Butler, 5-8, Jr., G

Destiny Brown, Gateway, 5-11, Sr., G

Anna Coutsoumbis, Gateway, 5-11, Sr., F

Kelly Johnson, Mt. Lebanon, 5-8, Sr., G

Alex Karika, Seneca Valley, 5-9, Sr., F

Megan Marecic, Bethel Park, 5-11, So., F

Erin Mathias, Fox Chapel, 6-3, So., C

Emma Pellicano Mt. Lebanon, 5-10 Sr., F

 

CLASS AAA

SECTION 1

Favorite: Hampton. The Talbots are far from a prohibitive favorite to win the section, but with four returning starters, it’s hard to go against them. Molly Luther, a 6-1 senior forward, gives Hampton an inside presence. Sara Pilarski and Danya Lazzaro are other top returnees.

SECTION 2

Favorite: Hopewell. This section is one of the most competitive in the WPIAL and it’s hard to pick between Hopewell and New Castle. But Hopewell seems primed for a big season. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough a junior guard-forward already has Division I scholarship offers after averaging 20.9 points as a sophomore. Also back is senior guard Jharrin Gill (10 ppg).

SECTION 3

Favorite: Indiana. Even though the top three scorers graduated, the Little Indians have a winning tradition going and it should continue. The Indians have a 51-game section winning streak.

SECTION 4

Favorite: West Mifflin. The coaching merry-go-round continues as Phil Shar is back out as coach. Bob Yeschenko has taken over. One of his top players is only a sophomore – guard Ciara Patterson. Senior forward Jayle Letwich also returns.

SECTION 5

Favorite: Chartiers Valley. Montour will be a big challenger, but the Colts have a strong backcourt with Alex Coyne and Mariah Wells.

CLASS AAA PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marissa Erminio, Laurel Highlands, 5-11, Jr. F

Alexis Graham,Blackhawk,5-10,Jr. F

Shelby Lindsay,South Park,5-9,Jr.,G

Molly Luther ,Hampton,6-1,Sr.,F

Ciara Patterson,West Mifflin,5-6,So.,G

Christina Talbert,New Castle,5-8, Sr., G

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough,Hopewell, 6-1,Jr., G-F

Carley Weiss,Trinity,5-11,Sr.,F

Mariah Wells,Chartiers Valley,5-8,Jr.,G

 

CLASS AA

SECTION 1

Favorite: Elderton. With four returning starters, there is reason for optimism. One of the four starters is junior guard-forward Jill Glover, the MVP of the section last year. Deer Lakes and Ford City should give Elderton plenty of competition.

SECTION 2

Favorite: Riverside. The Panthers have a strong one-two punch with senior forward Sam Weir and junior guard Alex Deep. Both were all-section picks a year ago. Weir averaged 17 points and Deep 12. But Beaver Falls isn’t far behind Riverside. Junior guard Ayana Vaughn averaged 14 points for Beaver Falls last year.

SECTION 3

Favorite: Jeannette. The Jayhawks feature on of the best guards in Class AA in Ciara Gregory, who has been a starter since her freshman year and averaged 19 points last season. Senior center Dominique Hall also could have a big season. Jeannette is trying to make the championship game for the third year in a row.

SECTION 4

Favorite: This is an easy pick. Washington. You can’t go wrong picking the Little Prexies to win the section. After all, they have won or tied for the section 10 of the past 11 seasons.

SECTION 5

Favorite: For the favorite, there should be a 1 and 1A for this section. Bishop Canevin and Seton-LaSalle are both strong and it’s tough to pick between them. Bishop Canevin’s Erin Waskowiak is one of the top guards in the entire WPIAL. Junior forward Carly Forse also returns. Seton-LaSalle features sophomore center Naje Gibson, who averaged 14.5 points last year as a freshman. Angela Heintz returns at guard.

SECTION 6

Favorite: Avonworth. The Antelopes will rely heavily on senior forward Lauren Mayernik, who averaged 19 points a game last season. Her sister, Mackenzie, a sophomore, will be the center.

WPIAL CLASS AA PLAYERS TO WATCH

Becca Babincak,Deer Lakes,5-5,Jr.,G

C.C. Dixon,Steel Valley,5-10,Jr.,F

Alex Deep,Riverside,5-9,Jr.,G

Naje Gibson, Seton-LaSalle, 6-0, Soph., F-C

Jill Glover,Elderton,6-0,Jr.,F

Heather Davis,Ford City,5-7,Sr.,G

Ciara Gregory, Jeannette,5-7, Jr., G

Lauren Mayernik,Avonworth,5-9,Sr.,F

Natalya Smarra,Sto-Rox,5-7,Sr.,G

Erin Waskowiak, Bishop Canevin,5-10,Jr., G

Sam Weir,Riverside,6-0,Sr.,F

Alexa Xenakis,Keystone Oaks,5-4,Sr.,G

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CLASS A

SECTION 1

Favorite: The Quips were 20-2 last season and should be strong again because of a nice one-two punch. Nakira Emerson averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds last season while senior forward Jaclyn Watkins averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds.

SECTION 2

Favorite: North Catholic. The Trojanettes are the defending WPIAL champion. Te section title will probably come down to North Catholic and Vincentian. North Catholic has two talented guards in Lynzi Myeller and Lauren Wolosik. Ashlee Darby also is a talented guard for Vincentian.

SECTION 3

Favorite: Fort Cherry. After the best season in school history, the Rangers want more. They played in the WPIAL title game last year for the first time in school history. The three top scorers are back from last season. Bekka Bellhy is one of Class A’s best players. She averaged 14 points a game last season. The other returning starters are Jessica Merckle and Carolena Gasbarra.

SECTION 4

Favorite: Monessen. The Greyhounds are a perennial Class A power and have enough to win the WPIAL this year. Geena Shrader returns after averaging 18 points a game last season. Maria Ward and Chelsea Szakal averaged 12.

WPIAL CLASS A PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mary Andrejko,Riverview,5-8,Sr.,G

Bekah Bellhy,Fort Cherry,5-8,Sr.,F

Ashlee Darby,Vincentian,5-7,Jr.,G

Nakira Emerson,Aliquippa,5-11,Sr.,G

Drew Meeker,Quigley,5-6,Sr.,G

Jessie Merckle,Fort Cherry,5-5,Sr.,G

Savannah Partridge,Union,5-6,Sr.G

Geena Schrader,Monessen,5-7,Sr.,G

Chelsea Szakal,Monessen,5-8,Jr.,G

Lauren Wolosik,North Catholic,5-10,Jr.,G