WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball breakdown
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Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | 6:42 PM
WPIAL Class 2A
Preseason Player of the Year
Shamyjha Price
Bishop Canevin
5-9, Sr., guard
14.4 ppg last season
Players to watch
Dymond Crawford
Jeannette
5-9, Sr., G, 20.4 ppg
Gigi Mele-Madigan
Serra Catholic
5-7, Sr., G, 11.5 ppg
Natalie Murrio
Brentwood
5-6, Sr., G, 9.0 ppg
Ashley Norling
OLSH
5-11, Sr., G/F, 14.5 ppg
Brooke Poling
Frazier
5-7, Sr., G, 23.0 ppg
Preseason Top 5
1. Bishop Canevin (24-5)
Price, a UMass Lowell recruit, was a second-team all-state selection for the three-time defending champion Crusaders, who moved down from Class 3A this season. Bishop Canevin lost first-team all-state pick Bri Allen (15.6 ppg) to graduation. Point guard Diajha Allen, perimeter shooter Gillan Gustine and super-sub Danielle Deasy also return.
2. OLSH (19-3)
The Chargers rolled to the Section 1-2A title last season with a 13-1 record before bowing out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals. They return four starters, though Kennede Mickle is out with a knee injury. They feature experience at guard with Norling, Maddie Hoff and Haley Hamilton.
3. Serra Catholic (16-9)
The Eagles will rely on a senior trio of guards in Mele-Madigan, Rayna Andrews and Grace Navarro. Mele Madigan and Andrews (10 ppg) were all-section selections last season.
4. Frazier (13-10)
Poling leads a talented Commodores roster that returns all five starters. In addition to Poling’s 23 points per game, forward Sierra Twigg averaged a double-double.
5. Laurel (14-12)
Laurel dropped down from Class 3A and returns all but one player lost to graduation. Guard Caroline Gibson is a two-time all-section performer. Guard Faith Gibson was a second-team all-section selection.
Notable
• WPIAL Class 2A girls basketball was realigned from 24 teams to 22 in three sections.
• Bishop Canevin, Laurel and South Side dropped down from Class 3A.
• Winchester Thurston moved up from Class A.
• Beth-Center and Washington moved up to Class 3A.
• California, Leechburg, Greensburg Central Catholic and Vincentian Academy dropped down to Class A.
• Serra Catholic coach Bill Cleary has a career record of 606-186 over 30 years.
Alignment
Section 1: Aliquippa, Laurel, New Brighton, Northgate, OLSH, Shenango, South Side, Sto-Rox
Section 2: Brentwood, Ellis School, Jeannette, Riverview, Serra Catholic, Springdale, Winchester Thurston
Section 3: Bentworth, Bishop Canevin, Burgettstown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston, Frazier, Fort Cherry
— Bill Hartlep
Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bhartlep@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribHSInsider.
Tags: Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, Frazier, Jeannette, Laurel, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
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