MSA Sports 2017 Girls All-Netters

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 31, 2017 | 10:41 PM

There are more than 8,000 reasons to like the players on the first team of this year’s MSA All Netters girls all-star team.

That’s how many points the five players have scored in their careers.

The All Netters team is selected by the MSA Sports staff and takes into consideration all players in the WPIAL. This year’s first team consists of three seniors and two juniors, and the three seniors are all headed to Division I colleges. And all five were big scorers. One of the seniors is among the top 10 scorers in WPIAL history.

Here is a look at the first- and second-team selections on the All Netters team, as well as the Player of the Year.

FIRST TEAM:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

SAM BREEN
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, 6-1, Sr., F

Whether on the inside with post moves and rebounds, or on the outside with passes and shots, Breen dominated this year for Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic. It’s hard to believe there was anyone in Western Pennsylvania who was more versatile than Breen. She averaged a double double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. But she also averaged 4 assists, made 29 3-pointers and shot 48 percent from 3-point range. Breen helped North Catholic win the WPIAL Class 4A title as the Trojanettes finished with a 25-3 record.

Breen had a tremendous career at North Catholic, finishing as the 10^th-leading scorer in WPIAL history with 2,488 points. She passed her coach, Molly Rottmann, as the school’s all-time leading scorer this season. There aren’t a ton of WPIAL players who have 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, but that’s what Breen had as she finished with 1,175 rebounds. Breen also did a lot of winning in her career, being part of 75 wins the past three seasons.

Breen was recruited by several Division I colleges and has signed with the University of Dayton.

AMANI JOHNSON
East Allegheny, 5-5, Jr., G

There was a Wildcat strike this year at East Allegheny. It was Johnson scoring.

Johnson led the WPIAL in regular-season scoring and finished averaging 29.5 points a game, leading the Wildcats to the semifinals of the WPIAL 2A playoffs. She also averaged 5 assists and 5 rebounds a game. With one more season to go, Johnson already has 1,570 career points.

Some Division I colleges are recruiting Johnson, who is one of the WPIAL’s best athletes. She also plays soccer, volleyball and softball at East Allegheny.

AMANDA KALIN
Pine-Richland, 5-7, Sr., G

Kalin has signed with Duquesne University. The Dukes are getting a talented basketball player who also is an outstanding athlete. Kalin was one of the best soccer players in the WPIAL.

In basketball, Kalin did a little of everything for Pine-Richland this season, averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. She is an excellent shooter, but also played point guard often for the Rams. She finished her career as Pine-Richland’s leading scorer with 1,868 career points.

DESIREE OLIVER
Penn Hills, 5-8, Sr., G

Penn Hills has had a resurgence in girls basketball the past few years – and Oliver is one of the main reasons.

Oliver was a standout playmaker for Penn Hills and helped the Indians reach the WPIAL semifinals this season. She averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds a game. She could score on outside shots, as well as drives to the hoop. She finished her career with 1,725 career points.

Oliver was recruited by a number of Division I colleges. Duquesne offered her a scholarship before she was a freshman at Penn Hills. Oliver signed with Temple last November. Her other two finalists were LSU and George Washington.

ALEXA WILLIAMSON
Chartiers-Houston, 6-1, Jr., F

If there was a comeback player of the year in the WPIAL, Williamson would be a great choice. Williamson sustained a torn ACL in her knee in January of 2016. She missed the last half of last season. But she came back strong this year and led the Buccaneers to their first WPIAL championship.

Williamson was one of the leading scorers in the WPIAL at 23 points a game, but she also was a force on the boards. She scored her 1,000^th career point in January and still has one season left. Some Division I colleges are interested in her.

SECOND TEAM:

SIERRA KOTCHMAN
Trinity, 5-6, Sr., G

Trinity reached great heights this year and Kotchman helped take the Hillers there. Trinity made it to the PIAA championship game for the first time in school history. Kotchman averaged 19 points and made 68 3-pointers. She finished her career with 1,706 points. Kotchman will play next season at Division II Fairmont State.

BELLA POSSETT
Beaver, 5-7, Jr., G

Lexi Possett was a standout player at Beaver a few years ago and now plays at Rider. But Bella Possett (Lexi’s sister) is making a big name for herself. Possett had a big season, averaging 20.8 points a game. Some Division I colleges are interested.

MIKAYLA LOVELACE
Leechburg, 5-10, Jr., G-F

Lovelace brought notice to Leechburg’s program, as the Blue Devils won a WPIAL playoff game for the first time this year and also won a PIAA game for the first time. She averaged 23 points and 7 rebounds a game. IUP recently offered Lovelace a scholarship, but a few Division I schools are showing interest.

AYANNA TOWNSEND
Winchester Thurston, 6-2, Jr., C

Townsend was a big force for the Bears as they won their first WPIAL title. Townsend patrolled the inside, averaging 18 points a game. In the WPIAL championship victory against Cornell, Townsend had 22 points and 17 rebounds. She is expected to receive some Division I college interest.

DAEJA QUICK
Cornell, 5-5, Sr., G

Many times this season, Cornell benefitted from “Quick” hitters. Quick helped the Raiders reach a WPIAL title game for the first time in school history. She averaged 22 points and 7 steals a game and had a triple double in one game. She also averaged 7 assists a game. Quick began her career at Moon, but transferred to Cornell midway through her junior season. She had more than 1,000 career points.

Tags: Beaver, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Chartiers-Houston, Cornell, East Allegheny, Leechburg, North Catholic, Winchester Thurston