Trib HSSN 2024-25 WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball preseason breakdown

By: Jonathan Bombulie
Saturday, November 23, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Throughout the course of the next four months, contending teams will reach new heights and new stars will emerge.

But at the beginning of the WPIAL Class 6A girls basketball season, the story might be more about who’s missing.

For starters, seven-time WPIAL champion coach Spencer Stefko is no longer at North Allegheny, having stepped down in June to spend time with his new baby.

In addition to their coach, the Tigers will have to replace four starters from the lineup that tipped off the WPIAL championship game against Norwin in March.

Norwin won that game, 56-41, to return to the top of the Class 6A mountain for the first time in eight years. The Knights too have been hit by graduation, losing three starters.

WPIAL realignment provided a major shakeup as well, with strong programs in Peters Township, Chartiers Valley and Bethel Park dropping down to Class 5A.

Twelve teams remain in the quest for Class 6A gold.

Here is a rundown of players to watch, top 5 teams and other notables in WPIAL 6A girls basketball this season.

Preseason player of the year

Rylee Kalocay, Upper St. Clair

5-8, senior, guard

24.0 ppg last season

Players to watch

Kendall Berger, Norwin

5-10, Sr., guard, 11.5 ppg

Lauren Borella, Canon-McMillan

5-7, Jr.., guard, 11.6 ppg

Payton Collins, Mt. Lebanon

5-7, Sr., guard, 15.2 ppg

Natalie Hambly, Seneca Valley

5-8, Jr., guard, 15.5 ppg

Amelia McMichael, Butler

5-11, Sr., guard, 16.1 ppg

Preseason Top 5

1. Upper St. Clair (12-11 last season)

When star guard Rylee Kalocay went down with an ACL injury in January, the Panthers took some lumps. They went 6-6 in section play and lost in the first round of the playoffs. But players such as seniors Olivia Terlecki and Meredith Huzjak and junior point guard Ryan Prunzik took on bigger roles and learned important lessons. Now that Kalocay, a Kent State recruit, is returning, Upper St. Clair looks deep and dangerous.

2. Norwin (23-4)

Everything came together last season for the Knights, who went undefeated in section play and beat North Allegheny three times, including in the WPIAL finals. Lauren Palangio, who had a double-double in the championship game, heads a list of notable graduates, but the cupboard is nowhere near bare. Senior Kendall Berger, a Clarion recruit, and junior Ava Christopher should keep the Knights filling the nets.

3. North Allegheny (23-4)

Former Pine-Richland coach Gabby Baldasare, hired to replace the irreplaceable Stefko, will be breaking in a new-look lineup. Four starters from the WPIAL finals — Kellie McConnell, Caroline Henderson, Lydia Betz and Grace Heliger – graduated. The Tigers should have a size advantage, though, with 6-foot Cate Pinpack and Rae Shanahan on the post and 5-9 guards Vange Balouris and Leah Skweres among those returning.

4. Mt. Lebanon (12-11)

Thanks to senior guard Payton Collins, one of the WPIAL’s top 3-point shooters, the Blue Devils are never out of a game. Add twin sister Riley, top defender Shea McCarthy and Cincinnati lacrosse recruit Quinn Murdoch and opponents could struggle with Mt. Lebanon’s athleticism.

5. Canon-McMillan (12-10)

The Big Macs look like they’ll be a problem in Section 2 for the next two seasons. They’ll be led by a trio of talented juniors – 5-7 guard Lauren Borella, 5-6 guard Samantha Miller and 5-11 forward Madison Clair.

Notable

• With new coach Hailey Zeise on board, there is considerable excitement at Pine-Richland. Madison Zavasky is a tough graduation loss, but the Rams will be led by 6-1 junior post player Cate Gentile, who averaged 11.1 points per game last season. Sophomore point guard Zoe Cook and senior forward Maren Iska are back, and freshman Rebekah Shaffer and Oakland Catholic transfer Mia LeDonne are newcomers to watch.

• With Norwin moving to Section 2, there’s an opportunity for several teams to step up as the primary challenger to North Allegheny. How about Seneca Valley? The Raiders had a winning record last season (12-11) and bring back an outstanding backcourt with 5-8 junior Natalie Hambly, one of the WPIAL’s top returning scorers, and Gracie Cato, a 5-5 senior.

• Butler is a contender for that role too. The Golden Tornado have one of the classification’s top returning scorers in lefty Amelia McMichael, a West Chester recruit, and senior point guard Sydney Patterson, who will play soccer at Edinboro, and 5-9 forward Avery Maier among their top returners.

• North Hills lost a large group of seniors and moved up to Class 6A after a breakthrough season in 5A last year, but the Indians have plenty of young talent, including 5-10 sophomore guard Delaney Amato.

Alignment

Section 1: Butler, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Woodland Hills

Section 2: Canon-McMillan, Connellsville, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin, Upper St. Clair

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: Butler, Canon-McMillan, Connellsville, Hempfield, Mt. lebanon, North Allegheny, North Hills, Norwin, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, Upper St. Clair, Woodland Hills