Lady Pioneer trio tops All-GCM girls team
West Greene蘑菇视频 McKenna Lampe dribbles past Kennedy Catholic蘑菇视频 Leah Lombardi during last Saturday蘑菇视频 first-round game of the PIAA Class A basketball playoffs at Canon-McMillan High School. Lampe has been selected as the All-Greene County Messenger Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (Photo by Celeste Van Kirk)
West Greene蘑菇视频 Madison Lampe puts up a three pointer while being defended by Vincentian Academy蘑菇视频 Saige Smith during a WPIAL Class A semifinal playoff game at Peters Township High School on Feb. 26. (Photo by Holly Tonini)
West Greene蘑菇视频 Kaitlyn Rizor (10) makes a 3-pointer over the defense of Kennedy Catholic蘑菇视频 Addie Flanders during their PIAA Class A first round playoff game at Canon-McMillan High School on March 9. (Photo by Celeste Van Kirk)
Rob Burchianti | 蘑菇视频
Mapletown蘑菇视频 Abby Antill (32) shoots over California蘑菇视频 Charlee Petrucci (24) during their game at Mapletown High School on Jan. 17.
Waynesburg Central蘑菇视频 Clara Paige Miller sinks a free throw to complete a three-point play against Carmichaels during the King Coal Lions Christmas Tournament girls championship game at Carmichaels Area High School on Dec. 28. (Photo by Rob Burchianti)
Rob Burchianti | 蘑菇视频
Mapletown蘑菇视频 Kelsi Smith (2) grabs a rebound in front of California蘑菇视频 Camari Walden (21) during Jan. 17 game at Mapletown High School.
What a season for girls basketball in Greene County this year.
West Greene led the charge this winter, as the Lady Pioneers compiled a 22-4 record, won Section 2-A for the third straight season, extended their section unbeaten streak to 33 games and advanced to the WPIAL championship for the second year in a row.
Even though West Greene will lose five crucial seniors, the Lady Pioneers should be good for the coming years as they return a core group back to the hardwood.
Both Waynesburg Central and Carmichaels were young this year, and you can expect bigger and better things from those two squads next season.
Mapletown, which advanced to the postseason for the second straight year, and Jefferson-Morgan will lose some seniors and will need to replenish their rosters for next winter.
Just like the boys All-Greene County Messenger squads, I will pick a Player of the Year and then select three teams.
Once again this team is in no way associated with the Greene County Athletic Directors winter sports team and all of these picks were made by yours truly.
Player of the Year 鈥� McKenna Lampe, West Greene: Just like her previous three seasons, McKenna once again was a dynamic force for the Lady Pioneers. Whether it was her 3-point shot, her drives to the paint or her relentless defense in West Greene蘑菇视频 press, McKenna stood above all the rest and was the most consistent player in the county.
For the season, McKenna averaged 14.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She led West Greene in 3-pointers made with 39 and shot the ball at a 44 percent clip.
In West Greene蘑菇视频 four playoff games, McKenna averaged a team-high 17.5 points per game.
For her career, McKenna is second in scoring at West Greene with 1,631 points and she is one of five seniors on the team that has compiled an overall record of 79-21. Perhaps basketball isn鈥檛 her best sport, you can make the case for softball or cross country, but it doesn鈥檛 matter as she was able to take over games with her athleticism and her work ethic.
All-GCM First Team
Madison Lampe, West Greene: Just like her sister McKenna, Madison has had a stellar season and career with the Lady Pioneers. In 2018-19, the senior guard averaged 13.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She is third in scoring at WG with 1,429 points.
Abby Antill, Mapletown: Every year Antill saw more minutes and this season her play was a decisive factor that led Mapletown back to the playoffs. The senior guard averaged close to 12 points per game and has an excellent jump shot to go with being an underrated defender.
Kaitlyn Rizor, West Greene: Versatility was key for the 5-foot-9 guard/forward. She could guard and play at any position on the floor and added an offensive punch with 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She has 1,118 career points, fifth highest mark at West Greene.
Clara Paige Miller, Waynesburg Central: Not a lot of freshmen make the first team, but Miller蘑菇视频 play in her first year with the Lady Raiders could not be ignored. Miller led Waynesburg in scoring most nights and was very aggressive with her post moves all season long.
Kelsi Smith, Mapletown: The senior forward蘑菇视频 athleticism and size was on display this season, as she was usually on top of the Mapletown蘑菇视频 defense and disrupted passing lanes. She was a very smart defender to go along with a steady offensive game (13 ppg) and a strong rebounder.
All-GCM Second Team
Jersey Wise, West Greene: The 5-foot-3 sophomore guard has a constant motor when she plays and was able to improve her offensive game from the prior season. At times she plays likes she蘑菇视频 7-foot tall and you would always see her diving for balls. She has a bright future at West Greene.
Jules Fowler, Waynesburg Central: Fowler showed improved confidence on the floor for Waynesburg and was the primary ball-handler on the court. Her drives to the rim got better and she was not afraid of contact in the lane. She also has a very streaky shot as well.
Kylie Sinn, Carmichaels: The junior guard/forward is super athletic, forward on the soccer team and pitcher on the softball squad, and she was able to use those skills to have her best season yet for the Lady Mikes. She was a steady influence for a young team.
Taylor Dusenberry, Mapletown: This freshman guard was not afraid of the varsity stage and on some nights was the leading scorer for the Lady Maples. She was fearless going to the paint and added a nice mid-range jumper to go along with a consistent offense.
Brynn Boyd, Jefferson-Morgan: The five-foot-11 senior forward had her best year yet for the Lady Rockets and on most nights was the leading scorer. She has a lot of length and was able to work in some moves in the post. She scored a season-high 22 points versus Hundred on Jan. 4.
All-GCM Third Team
Elizabeth Brudnock, West Greene: The sophomore guard has one of the best 3-point shots in the county and her offensive game continued to develop this year.
Emma Mankey, Waynesburg Central: Mankey was a scrappy guard and improved throughout the season for Waynesburg. She has excellent poise on the court as well.
Autumn Gustovich, Jefferson-Morgan: The 5-foot-10 junior guard was able to use her height and her quickness to be a dependable scorer for the Lady Rockets this season.
Gina Ranieri, Carmichaels: After taking last year off, Ranieri made her senior season count and was a reliable scoring option for Carmichaels in the interior.
Kayla Smith, Mapletown: The 6-foot-2 senior center was once again a force on the inside for the Lady Maples, as she was the team蘑菇视频 top rebounder.
Brianna Goodwin, West Greene: Her name may not be in the stat sheet most nights, but this senior forward was a consistent presence in the lineup and on the boards for West Greene.