Norwin’s Lauren Palangio tops list of TribLive Westmoreland girls basketball all-stars
By:
Saturday, March 30, 2024 | 5:04 PM
Norwin’s Kendall Berger beats Spring-Ford’s Kareena Preuss (2) to the basket for two during a PIAA 6A playoff game March 15, 2025 at State College.
Norwin’s Lauren Palangio hoists the WPIAL championship trophy with teammates after defeating North Allegheny in the Class 6A final on Friday, Mar. 1, 2024, at Petersen Events Center.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s AVery Davis scores against Serra Catholic during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble drives past Serra Catholic’s Caitlyn Cooley during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
Monessen’s Hailey Johnson shoots against Riverview’s Chiara Brun and Katerina Tsamis (right) during the WPIAL playoffs Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.
Greensburg Salem’s Kaitlyn Mankins battles North Catholic’s Anna Waskiewicz for a rebound during their game on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at Greensburg Salem High School.
Yough’s Autumn Matthews drives past Charleroi’s Bella Carroto in the first quarter Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Mya Morgan shoots a 3-pointer against Serra Catholic during the WPIAL Class 2A championship game on Thurday, Feb. 29, 2024, at Pitt.
Penn-Trafford’s Olivia Pepple drives to the basket past Latrobe’s Emry Bridge on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Harrison City.
Latrobe’s Elle Snyder works against Penn-Trafford’s Kamryn Pieper on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Harrison City.
Player of the Year
Lauren Palangio, Sr., F, Norwin
For teams to play the type of jagged-edged schedule that the Norwin girls played this season, they must have talented players to compete accordingly.
Lauren Palangio was one of those players for Norwin, bringing multiple threats to the floor, including old-school post play, big-game experience and smothering defense.
The 6-foot-1 senior forward played a key role for Norwin in a run to the WPIAL Class 6A championship and PIAA quarterfinals.
Her value to the team’s success earned her TribLive Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Greensburg Central Catholic sophomore standout Erica Gribble also was considered.
A Holy Family commit, Palangio averaged 13.7 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Knights (23-4).
Palangio, who shot 56.4% from the field, had 12 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a 56-41 victory over North Allegheny in the WPIAL championship.
“Lauren may not be the flashest player in high school basketball, and the common eye may not notice her,” Norwin coach Brian Brozeski said, “but for people who understand the game of basketball and people who know there is more to the game than points, Lauren is hands down the most dominant all-around high school basketball player in our area. Her career stats are indicative of her dominance against the top-end talent.”
Brozeski pointed out Palangio had a plus-minus of plus-16 per game for the season.
Norwin’s four losses came against Spring-Ford (twice), Wheeling Park and Kennedy Catholic.
Spring-Ford was the PIAA 6A runner-up.
Wheeling was a state champion in West Virginia, while Kennedy Catholic won the PIAA 2A title.
“This season was definitely my most memorable here at Norwin, and I think all of my teammates would say the same thing,” Palangio said. “We exceeded expectations of many by winning the WPIAL and making a good state run again. Obviously, we always have bigger goals, but I would say we accomplished most of our team goals.
“Everyone, including myself, fit into our roles really well this year and accomplished many personal goals.”
Palangio finished her career with 932 points, 716 rebounds and 282 blocks.
First team
Kendall Berger
Jr., G, Norwin
Rising two-guard provided scoring punch for WPIAL 6A champions. … Averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals for the Knights (23-4).
Avery Davis
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Part of talented backcourt that led GCC to a WPIAL 2A championship and PIAA semifinals. … Wheeling commit averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals, and made 58 3-pointers.
Erica Gribble
So., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
One of WPIAL’s top 2026 guards and a 1,000-point career scorer, she powered GCC to a WPIAL 2A championship and run to the PIAA semifinals. … Averaged 19.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.1 steals and made 74 3-pointers.
Hailey Johnson
Sr., F, Monessen
A rebounding force for the Greyhounds, a Class A playoff team, she averaged 9.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, plus 2.2 assists and 2.6 steals. … Finished career with 1,003 rebounds and 783 points.
Kaitlyn Mankins
Sr., F, Greensburg Salem
One of top true post players in 4A, she averaged 13.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals for the Golden Lions, who reached the WPIAL 4A quarterfinals. … D’Youville (N.Y.) commit shot 50% from the floor and had 889 career points.
Autumn Matthews
Sr., G, Yough
Had career season after moving to point guard for the Cougars. … Averaged 17.5 points, 10 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game playing in 3A.
Mya Morgan
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Key guard for WPIAL 2A champions and PIAA semifinalists, she averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks a game. … Cal (Pa.) commit made 45 3-pointers.
Olivia Pepple
Sr., G, Penn-Trafford
One of better all-around players in the WPIAL, she averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 turnover a game. … Gannon commit finished fifth in program scoring and third in 3s (99).
Elle Snyder
Sr., G/F, Latrobe
A guard who became a force around the basket this season, she averaged 19.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals for a 5A playoff team. … Evansville commit had 18 double-doubles and finished with 1,097 career points.
Second team
Ava Christopher
So., G, Norwin
Riley Gesinski
Sr., G, Mt. Pleasant
Ashley Hosni
Sr., F, Hempfield
Ava Kobus
Sr., G, Norwin
My’Asia Majors
Sr., F, Monessen
Lauren Marton
Jr., F, Penn-Trafford
Addison Musto
Jr., G, Franklin Regional
Sarah Podkul
Sr., G, Hempfield
Ashlan Price
Sr., G, Greensburg Salem
Bailey Snowberger
Sr., G, Norwin
Third team
Grace Arrigo
So., F, Mt. Pleasant
Carley Berk
Jr., G, Latrobe
Madison DeRiggi
Jr., G, Franklin Regional
Cara Dupilka
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Jane Huss
Jr., G, Derry
Marlee Miller
Sr., G, Ligonier Valley
Olivia Orndoff
Sr., G, Franklin Regional
Kamryn Pieper
Jr., G, Penn-Trafford
Kenzi Seliga
Sr., G, Belle Vernon
Venicia Vignoli
Sr., G, Jeannette
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Jeannette, Latrobe, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Yough
More High School Basketball
• Westmoreland high school notebook: Puck drops for area’s PIHL teams• Penn Hills notebook: Basketball grad to play professionally in Ireland
• New coach Gabby Baldasare excited to fill big shoes with North Allegheny girls basketball
• Dana Petruska comes out of retirement to take over as girls basketball coach at Deer Lakes
• Imani Christian basketball player among 3 transfers ruled ineligible by WPIAL
