Trib HSSN 2024-25 WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball preseason breakdown

By: Jonathan Bombulie
Wednesday, November 27, 2024 | 8:42 PM

On both a team and individual basis, the spotlight has been vacated in WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball.

Greensburg Central Catholic defeated Serra Catholic in last year’s WPIAL finals, but the Centurions moved up to Class 3A thanks to the PIAA’s competitive balance formula and the Eagles dropped down to A.

Also, Clairton returned to Class A, which means the WPIAL’s leading scorer, Iyanna Wade, has also moved out of Class 2A.

It all guarantees new teams and stars will step into starring roles over the next four months.

Here is a rundown of players to watch, top 5 teams and other notables in WPIAL 2A girls basketball this season.

Preseason player of the year

Aunesty Johnson, Aliquippa

5-9, senior, forward

18.0 ppg last season

Players to watch

Paige Klodowski, Burgettstown

5-5, So., guard, 9.6

Payton Newman, Neshannock

5-9, Jr., forward, 12.5

Bailey Strnisa, South Side

5-9, Sr., guard/forward, 18.8

Katerina Tsambis, Riverview

5-5, Sr., guard, 12.0

Tia Yellock, Rochester

5-7, Jr., guard, 11.6

Preseason Top 5

1. Aliquippa (22-5 last season)

When the realignment dust settled, no one was sitting prettier than the Quips. They went undefeated in Section 1 last season and bring back plenty of talent, led by 5-9 forward Aunesty Johnson, a threat with her back to the basket or running the floor. Carla Brown, a 5-6 senior point guard, and Yaree Carter, a 5-9 senior power forward, give Aliquippa a formidable core.

2. Neshannock (19-9)

A young Lancers team won a section title and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for coach Luann Grybowski in Class 3A last season. Now they’re in Double-A and bring back a long list of difference makers that probably starts with 5-9 junior Payton Newman but also includes juniors Rian Owens and Nina Medure and sophomore Sophia Bonner, among others.

3. South Side (16-12)

The Rams opened eyes with a run to the WPIAL semifinals last season that included upset wins over Chartiers-Houston and Fort Cherry. They bring back the classification’s top returning scorer in senior Bailey Strnisa, who averaged 18.8 points per game last season with the ability to score from both the perimeter and around the basket.

4. Burgettstown (13-10)

Burgettstown and Fort Cherry battled it out for the Section 2 title last year with each team going 9-1. Both graduated star players with the Blue Devils losing post player Kaitlyn Nease and the Rangers losing guard Raney Staub. They could easily fight it out, along with South Side, for the section title again this season. Dynamic sophomore guard Paige Klodowski gives Burgettstown an ace in the hole, however.

5. Chartiers-Houston (16-7)

The Bucs went 11-1 in Section 4 last season with a young team and should be hard to handle again this winter. They can throw waves of multi-sport athletes at opponents, such as seniors Ava Capozzoli and Ella Richey and juniors Amelia Brose and Allison Wingard, to name a few.

Notable

• It looks like the strength lies in Section 1 in Class 2A. In addition to Aliquippa and Neshannock, Rochester is a legitimate contender with double-digit scorer Tia Yallock and Kamryn Newman leading the way.

• It goes without saying that replacing star Shaye Bailey, who averaged 23.4 points per game last season and is now at Seton Hill, will be difficult, but Freedom isn’t starting from scratch. The Bulldogs bring back three starters in Olivia Henderson, Mackenzie Mohrbacher and Brianne Casto.

• Fort Cherry looks to be young this season, but the Rangers will have a top-tier senior leader in guard Olivia Kemp, who averaged 9.0 points per game last season.

• Carlynton is in position to take a step forward with all five starters back, including leading scorer Lucy Vetter, leading rebounder Jocelyn Griffin and assists leader Cydney McClendon.

• Bentworth has to replace three graduated starters, including leading scorer Amber Sallee, so there might be growing pains, but the Bearcats have a solid senior core with Kayla O’Dell, Aubrie Logan and Willow Eckels and a sophomore to watch in Bella Moyer.

• California has to replace top scorer Rakiyah Porter and her 19 points per game but can lean on a trio of returning starters in point guard Leah Hartley, shooting guard Madyson Morton and small forward Hayley Gibson.

• Look out for Frazier in a Section 4 that could be wide open. The Commodores bring back four starters, including junior point guard Allie Yauch, who led the team with 14 points and 5 assists per game last season. Junior guard Chloe Harger and forward Malana Burton are potential double-digit scorers and guard/forward Taryn Bateman brings a senior presence to the starting lineup.

• Riverview and Winchester Thurston should be in the mix in Section 4 as well. The Raiders are making the climb from Class A, but Katerina Tsmabis is a dangerous scorer and Lily Bauer is a 6-foot post presence. The Bears have a top one-two punch with Skylar Still and DaShae Cochran.

Alignment

Section 1: Aliquippa, Freedom, Laurel, Neshannock, Rochester, Shenango

Section 2: Brentwood, Burgettstown, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Northgate, South Side

Section 3: Bentworth, Beth-Center, California, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Jefferson-Morgan

Section 4: Apollo-Ridge, Ellis School, Frazier, Jeannette, Riverview, Winchester Thurston

Jonathan Bombulie is the TribLive assistant sports editor. A Greensburg native, he was a hockey reporter for two decades, covering the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 17 seasons before joining the Trib in 2015 and covering the Penguins for four seasons, including Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. He can be reached at jbombulie@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Apollo-Ridge, Bentworth, Beth-Center, Brentwood, Burgettstown, California, Carlynton, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Ellis School, Fort Cherry, Frazier, Freedom, Jeannette, Jefferson-Morgan, Laurel, Neshannock, Northgate, Riverview, Rochester, Shenango, South Side, Winchester Thurston