City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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It’s time to finally put a bow on the 2022-23 Pennsylvania high school basketball season, at least as far as Southeast Pennsylvania is concerned, with the first-ever CoBL High School Postseason Awards.

For our inaugural high school basketball honors, we divided the area up into PIAA and non-PIAA categories, with boys’ and girls’ teams in each. We’ll start with PIAA boys, then PIAA girls, and then non-PIAA for each.

There is an absolute wealth of hoops talent in these five counties, and this was an incredibly difficult process. Anybody mentioned below, even the honorable mentions, all had fantastic seasons, and there are certainly countless more in the region who deserve to feel good about the years they had. But we had to pick the best of the best, and did our best in our attempt.

Without further ado, our All-Area Girls awards for the 2022-23 season:

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CoBL 2022-23 High School Awards

PIAA Boys (May 30)
Non-PIAA Boys (May 31)
PIAA Girls (June 1)
Non-PIAA Girls (June 2)

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Player of the Year

Gabby Casey, Sr., Lansdale Catholic
The PA Gatorade and Max Preps Player of the Year, Philadelphia Catholic League Player of the Year and PIAA Class 4A Player of the Year was an easy choice for the CoBL-Area PIAA Girls Player of the Year. Casey, a 5-10 guard committed to play at St. Joe’s, averaged 21.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.1 spg and 1.1 bpg as she helped the Crusaders to a 29-2 record and picked up the program’s first PCL and PIAA championships along the way. An elite scorer who finished as LC’s all-time leader (boys and girls) with 1,724 career points, Casey reached the 40-point mark twice this year. She also tallied the assist on Olivia Boccella’s title-game-winner at the Palestra.

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First Team

Caroline Dotsey, Sr., Haverford
A 6-2 forward committed to Maine, Dotsey averaged 16.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 apg and 1.0 bpg, shooting 55 percent from floor and 76.5 percent from line. She was a matchup nightmare for opponents with her polished post game, ability to drive and perimeter scoring ability. She was the best player on a Haverford team that started 27-0 (finished 27-2), won the Central League championship and finished as the District 1-6A runner-up.

Laine McGurk, Sr., West Chester Rustin
Despite being the focal point of opposing defense, McGurk averaged 22.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg for the Ches-Mont and District 1-5A champions and PIAA semifinalists. The first team All-Ches Mont guard, a 5-11 Drexel commit, broke the school’s career (1,793) and single-season (699) scoring mark and helped the program to its deepest run ever. Her pull-up game was up there with the area’s best — boys or girls.

Molly Rullo, Soph., Cardinal O’Hara
As only a sophomore, Rullo helped an O’Hara squad replacing four starters to the PCL semifinals, District 12-6A championship and PIAA semifinals. She averaged team-highs of 16.8 ppg and 6.5 rpg game for Lions, often guarding opponents’ top players as well, to earn first team All-PCL honors..

Abby Sharpe, Sr., Plymouth Whitemarsh
The Penn commit averaged 18.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 1.5 apg on 47 percent shooting as she earned back-to-back first team All-SOL Liberty and All-State Class 6A honors. Sharpe and the Colonials went 23-4, won a fourth straight division title, second straight SOL tournament title. Sharpe, a 6-foot guard, finished her career 1,250 points, 317 rebounds, and 154 steals.

Cire Worley, Sr., Abington
The greatest scorer in Abington girls history (1,777 points), Worley turned in a record senior season averaging 20.4 ppg on 50 percent shooting for a program single season record 630 points. The 6-foot UMass-Lowell recruit was third team all-state selection last year. Added 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.2 steals for an undersized Abington team that had four other starters 5-foot-4 or shorter. Hit 61 threes but also a dynamic player with the ball able to attack off the dribble and routinely drew contact, hitting 79% of free throws.Led team to state quarterfinals.

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Second Team

Quinn Boettinger, Soph., Perkiomen Valley
The 6-2 forward and Division I recruit was arguably the most dominant post scorer in the area this winter, leading the PAC in scoring at 16.4 ppg to go along with 6.5 rpg and 2.0 bpg. She was PV’s top free throw shooter at 74 percent, including a few clutch ones in the district title game. Boettinger helped the Vikings to a 28-2 mark as they won the PAC and District 1-6A titles before reaching the PIAA second round.

Grace Galbavy, Soph., Perkiomen Valley
The 5-11 versatile wing with quite a few high major offers lifted the Vikings to new heights after transferring from Upper Perkiomen, deferring to her teammates early before melting her game in with the rest of the talented sophomore-led bunch. Galbavy averaged 13.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg (team-high), 3.4 apg and 2.0 spg. She was a first team All-PAC selection and the Mercury-Area Player of the Year for the PAC and District 1-6A champions.

Casey Harter, Sr, Souderton
The 5-10 Northwestern commit averaged 16.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.6 apg for the SOL Colonial champion. One of state's best perimeter defenders, an elite one-on-one stopper who routinely held her mark well under season average. Harter was a four-year starter named first team All-SOL each of the last three years, led the team to back to back division titles and state playoffs, and she finished third all-time in scoring with 1,211 points. 

Shayla Smith, Soph., Audenried
Smith, a 5-10 guard with high-major interest, was one of the breakout stars of the winter in the CoBL-Area, winning the Public League MVP and helping the Rockets claim the first PPL championship and first state playoff win  in program history. The Class 4A first team all-state selection averaged 24.8 ppg, 3.0 apg, 15.6 rpg and 4.6 spg for the Rockets, going off for 30-or-more points seven times, including a season-high 42. 

Brooke Wilson, Jr., Archbishop Carroll
The 5-9 guard recently committed to Army, where she’ll join her sister and fellow all-area selection next year. The first team All-PCL selection averaged 11.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 3.5 apg in leading the Patriots to the PIAA 6A title. She was one of the two lynchpins for a Carroll team that played its best basketball down the stretch.

Taylor Wilson, Sr., Archbishop Carroll
The elder Wilson sister averaged a team-high 14.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg as Carroll finished the season with the PIAA 6A title. The 6-foot forward/wing was leaned on to do quite a bit for the Patriots squad, doing the lions’ share of the scoring for her team along with matching up with different players on the floor on defense.

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Third Team

Anna Azzara, Jr., Spring-Ford
The 5-8 point guard led her team in scoring at 14.7 ppg to go along with 4.3 apg, 4.3 rpg and 2.8 spg. A factor on both ends of the floor, Azzara helped Spring-Ford finish as the Pioneer Athletic Conference runner-up and get back to the District 1 semifinals and PIAA second round.

Amber Bullard, Sr., The Christian Academy
The  6-1 forward committed to La Salle was the Bicentennial Athletic League Constitution Player of the Year. Bullard, who didn’t start playing organized hoops until her sophomore season, averaged 18.3 ppg, 14.7 rpg and 4.0 bpg this winter. She led TCA to the District 1-1A title and the second round of the PIAA tournament after totaling 30 points, 24 rebounds and four blocks in her first round game.

Deja Evans, Sr., Archbishop Wood
The 6-2 forward headed to Albany was the centerpiece of Wood’s third straight PIAA championship team. She averaged 8.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 2.0 apg on a balanced roster, also anchoring the defense with 3.3 bpg. The first team All-PCL forward saved one of her best games for last with a 17-point, 12-rebound performance in the Class 5A title game — one of nine double-doubles in 10 career state playoff games with Wood. 

Jaida Helm, Sr., Lansdale Catholic
Helm, a 5-10 wing, played an undersized forward role for the PIAA 4A and PCL champion Crusaders, averaging 12.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg. The first team All-PCL selection gave LC an athletic presence who wasn’t limited to the post, willing to give up shot attempts to screen and rebound for her team.

Sofia Vitucci, Jr., Pennsbury
A first team All-SOL Patriot Division selection, Vitucci is a tough player who is fearless on the court. She averaged 16 points, three rebounds and 1.5 assists per game despite being regularly double and triple teamed every game as the Falcons’ lone proven scoring threat. With Vitucci carrying the Falcons on her shoulders, Pennsbury advanced to the District 1 6A semifinals and the PIAA 6A Sweet 16 with a 21-9 record.

Reese Zemitis, Sr., Neshaminy
A three-time first team All-SOL Patriot selection, Zemitis averaged 13.8 points and 6.6 rebounds for a Neshaminy squad that captured the SOL Patriot Division title. Dangerous shooter from anywhere on the court, she is an 82.4 percent foul shooter. Zemitis also had 35 blocks and 54 assists this season and for her career has over 900 points and over 425 rebounds. Committed to Bucknell earlier this spring.

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Fourth Team

Reagan Chrencik, Sr., New Hope-Solebury
Chrencik, a three-year captain, guided a young New Hope squad to win a share of the SOL Freedom title and the District 1-3A championship in her final season. The Gettysburg commit averaged 16.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 4.0 apg and 2.0 spg, doing a little bit of everything to help her team reach the PIAA tournament for the first time in her career.

Erin Daley, Sr., Plymouth Whitemarsh
Daley, a 6-1 forward who recently committed to West Chester, posted 16.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.0 spg and 1.2 bpg average with 14 double-doubles as a true do-it all player. The four-year varsity player was named to first team All-SOL Liberty, helping PW to fourth straight SOL division title and back to back SOL tournament titles. She finished her career with 1,125 points 640 rebounds and 212 assists. 

Bella Forker, Sr., Faith Christian Academy
Forker, a 5-9 guard, is a Merrimack College recruit and 1,000-point scorer. The first team All-Bicentennial Athletic League selection averaged 16.5 ppg, 6.7 apg, 8.2 rpg, 3.7 spg and 2.8 bpg, leading the team in all five categories (numbers that would have been a lot higher if not for several lopsided scores during an 11-0 run through the BAL). Forker led the Crusaders to the BAL Tournament title, District 1-2A championship and the PIAA 2A quarterfinals as she averaged more than 20 ppg over her team’s last 12 games.

Marisa Francione, Jr., Conestoga
The 5-7 point guard was the team MVP of a Pioneers squad that continued to ascend this season, finishing 22-8 (14-2 Central) and reaching the Central League title game and state playoffs for the first time in a long time. She averaged 11.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg and 2.0 spg, while shooting 51 percent from the floor.

Marah McHugh, Sr., Villa Maria
McHugh, a 5-11 forward, is headed to Gettysburg next season. She was the co-MVP of the Catholic Academies Association, helping the Hurricanes to the AACA regular season and tournament titles as well as a District 1-5A runner-up finish and the PIAA 5A second round. She averaged 12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.5 spg.

Ava Renninger, Jr., Archbishop Wood
Renninger’s numbers won’t jump off the page, but she was the offensive energizer for PIAA 5A state champions and PCL runner-up. An All-PCL second team selection, Renninger averaged 8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.2 spg as a first-year starter. She poured in a game-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the PIAA title game. 

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Fifth Team

Alyssa Brown, Sr., Bishop Shanahan
Brown averaged close to 14 ppg for the Eagles, who won the Ches-Mont National Division and advanced to the league and District 1-5A semifinals and PIAA tournament. The 5-7 guard was a first team all-league selection for the second year in a row and was voted the Ches-Mont National Division Player of the Year by the league’s coaches.

Carryn Easley, Soph., Neumann-Goretti
The 5-4 guard was one of two first team All-PCL guards in Neumann-Goretti’s backcourt, averaging 13.5 ppg, 3.7 apg, 3.8 rpg and 2.0 spg as her team finished fifth in the Catholic League and advanced to the second round of states.

Hannah Griffin, Sr., Gwynedd Mercy
The AACA co-MVP averaged 10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4.5 apg for a methodical Gwynedd team, which was one of the youngest in District 1. The 5-9 guard, who is committed to Holy Cross was also a standout on defense for the Monarchs with 4.5 combined steals/deflections per game. 

Joanie Quinn, Jr., Cardinal O’Hara
Quinn, a recent La Salle commit, put together a breakout season with 11.8 ppg, 2.8 apg and 3.0 spg. A clutch shooter, she earned first team All-PCL honors for two-way play and made any play needed to win while embracing a leadership role on a relatively young team playing its first year in 6A. She and the Lions reached the PCL and PIAA semifinals.

Mac Pettinelli, Jr., Spring-Ford
In her third varsity season, Pettinelli averaged 9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.9 apg and 1.6 spg for the Rams. The 5-10 pass-first guard, who recently just received her first Division I offer, helped the Rams to the PAC championship game, District 1-6A semis and PIAA quarters.

Amya Scott, Soph., Neumann-Goretti
The other half of the Saints’ dynamic backcourt, Scott, a 5-4 guard, averaged 15.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, 4.8 rpg and 1.8 spg to earn first team All-PCL honors and help her team reach the second round of the PIAA tournament.

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Sixth Team

Haylie Adamski, Soph., Garnet Valley
A versatile 6-foot forward/wing already with Division I offers, Adamski averaged 15.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 2.3 spg for the Jaguars to earn first team All-Central League honors as she helped her team to the District 1-6A quarters and PIAA 6A playoffs.

Cassidy Kropp, Sr., Methacton
Kropp led the Warriors in scoring (15.3 ppg), assists (3.3 apg) and steals (2.1 spg), earning first team All-PAC Liberty Division honors as her team reached the PAC semifinals and second round of the District 1-6A playoffs.

Sanyiah Littlejohn, Soph., Lansdale Catholic
The 5-foot-7 sophomore ran point for the Crusaders, averaging 7.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.3 apg and 3.0 spg to earn first team All-PCL honors for the Catholic League and PIAA Class 4A champions, playing a vital role for inarguably the best team in school history.

Dejah Morris, Sr., Coatesvile
Morris transferred from Collegium Charter and finished her career with Raiders, helping them to the Ches-Mont Semifinals and reach the District 1 tournament. The 6-foot wing averaged 15 ppg and popped off for some big outings throughout the year, including a 32-point outing in a win over Avon Grove.

Senaya Parker, Soph., Samuel Fels
Parker, a 5-6 guard, averaged 43.1 ppg, 1.4 apg and 8.0 spg for the Panthers, who went unbeaten in the PPL ‘E’ Division North. The 5-6 guard helped a team that didn’t win a game last season go 15-6 and qualify for the PIAA Class 5A tournament. She scored 50-or-more points seven times, including a season-high 59 points, and also reached 40 four more times.

Katie Yoder, Sr., Pennridge
Yoder, a repeat All-SOL Colonial first team selection, averaged a little more than 18 points and six rebounds per game for the Rams, who hosted their first district playoff game in more than a decade. The standout wing is headed to play at Goldey-Beacom next season.

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Honorable Mention

Faith Ambrose, Jr., BIshop Shanahan
Riley Angstadt, Sr., Unionville
Bella Bacani, Soph., Perkiomen Valley
Anna Barry, Jr., Central Bucks East
Colleen Besachio, Fr., Upper Dublin
Alexa Bojko, Sr., Bishop Shanahan
Leticia-Faith Bonds, Sr., Engineering & Sciences
Abril Bowser, Sr., Abington
Sam Blumenthal, Sr., Bishop Shanahan
Olivia Boccella, Jr., Lansdale Catholic
Mollie Carpenter, Sr., Haverford
Clare Cronely, Sr., Villa Maria
Anna Croyle, Jr., Pennridge
Gabby D’Agostino, Fr., New Hope-Solebury
Rian Dotsey, Soph., Haverford
Aniya Eberhart, Jr., Haverford
Whitney Evans, Jr., West Chester Henderson
Delaney Finn, Jr., Archbishop Ryan
Delaney Finnegan, Archbishop Wood
Lola Flynn, Sr., West Chester Rustin
Saraiah Franklin, Sr., Penn Treaty
Kylie Frey, Sr., Central
Calista Gaymon, So., Imhotep
Anise Geiger, So., Imhotep
Holly Gohl, Jr., Upper Moreland
Jocelyn Goldstein, So., Masterman
Elaina Guerzon, Sr., Villa Maria 
Taylor Gurysh, Sr., Neshaminy
Kylah Hargrove, Jr., Freire Charter
Ashanti Harris, Jr., Delco Christian
Tai Henkels, Sr., C.B. West
Mikayla Hissner, Sr., Faith Christian
Sara Hogan, Sr., Central
Amber Howard, Jr., Bensalem
Aniyah Howard, Jr., Audenried
Lola Ibarrondo, Jr., Neshaminy
Ryann Jennings, Fr., Conestoga
Elle Johnson, So., Unionville
Maya Johnson, So., Abington
Avery Kocur, Fr., William Tennent
Gabbi Koury, Sr., Owen J. Roberts
Emily Knouse, Soph., Archbishop Wood
Anabel Kreydt, Sr., Springfield-Delco
Laura Lum, Sr., Great Valley
Layla Matthias, Jr., Pennsbury
Keara McCaffrey, Soph., Sacred Heart
Kaitlyn McGeary, Sr., Wissahickon
Teya McConnaha, Sr., Souderton
Elizabeth McGurk, Sr., West Chester Rustin
Sofia Meer, So., Central
Kara Meredith, Sr., Archbishop Wood
Lily Milewski, Soph., Conwell-Egan
Kylie Mulholland, Soph., Garnet Valley
ZayAhni  Neurell, Sr., Audenried
Megan Ngo, Fr., Upper Dublin
Eva Noel-Studevan, Jr., Hardy-Williams
Mary O’Brien, Sr. G, Marple Newtown
Ava Panetta, Sr., West Chester Rustin
Janie Preston, Fr., Conestoga
Heaven Reese, Fr., Prep Charter
Amina Reid, Sr., West Catholic
Tasnim Sabil, Jr., Northeast
Yordana “YoYo” Samayoa, Jr., Central Bucks South
Mary Sareen, Sr. G, Radnor
Carolyn Sipprell, Sr., Quakertown
Karissa Smedley, Sr., Council Rock South
Mairi Smith, Sr., Methacton
Caleigh Sperling, Jr., North Penn
Riley Stackhouse, Jr., West Chester Rustin
Lena Stein, Soph., Perkiomen Valley
Samya Stevens, Sr., Imhotep
Katie Tiffan, Jr., Spring-Ford
Anye Washington, Sr., MaST
Saniyah Washington, So., MaST
EmmyFaith Wood, Sr., Upper Moreland
Nadia Yemola, Soph., Lansdale Catholic