Norwin’s Lauren Palangio tops list of TribLive Westmoreland girls basketball all-stars

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, March 30, 2024 | 5:04 PM

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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