Most teams have been Greene with envy
A loaded backcourt and relentless full-court defense that has earned them the nickname “Press Greene” has helped the West Greene Pioneers become one of the best teams in WPIAL Class 1A.
Making their opponents see double has unquestionably played a big part in it, too.
Teams playing West Greene have been afflicted with double vision this season. That’s due to the presence of sophomore guards McKenna and Madison Lampe, identical twins and the team’s top two scorers. Coming into the week, McKenna was averaging 18.4 points per game and Madison was averaging 15.9 a game. To put that in perspective, only two other teams in the WPIAL had multiple players averaging better than 15 points a game.
McKenna and Madison may look alike, but there are some differences. McKenna is left-handed and Madison right-handed. McKenna has a more versatile offensive game, while Madison is the team’s top defender.
“I think with Madison it’s her defense. She’s had games with 10 or 12 steals. We press the whole game,” West Greene coach Jordan Watson said. “McKenna is so fast. Most teams play a zone because of our speed. Once she makes a couple shots, they start to guard her tight. When that happens, she blows by people.”
The Lampe twins — hitting 1-2 in the lineup — helped West Greene win its first WPIAL softball championship last spring. They’ll now try to bring the school its first basketball title. West Greene entered the week 112 overall and 4-0 in Section 2. The second-ranked Pioneers host No. 1 Winchester Thurston in a non-section showdown tonight. A big game at West Greene? That probably sounded unfathomable two seasons ago when the team finished 0-22.
But youth is being served at West Greene. The Pioneers have only one senior — starting forward Marissa Rode — and no juniors. Sophomore point guard Kaitlyn Rizor is averaging 14.8 points per game. At 5 feet 10, Rizor is also the team’s tallest player. The Pioneers should be very good for the foreseeable future. The school’s junior high team went 23-0 this fall.
Oakland Catholic
For years one of the WPIAL’s most successful programs, Oakland Catholic wasn’t quite itself in recent seasons. After reaching the WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A championship games in 2012, the Eagles went a combined 22-66 the following four seasons (9-14, 5-16, 2-20 and 6-16).
This winter, Oakland Catholic has returned to its winning ways. The Eagles entered the week 11-2 overall and tied for first place in Class 5A Section 2 with a 4-1 record.
“They haven’t let the losses defeat their spirit,” Oakland Catholic coach Shannon Kearney said. “Finally after a few years of some tougher seasons, we’re seeing the hard work we put in pay off.”
Oakland Catholic is doing it with a young lineup that includes three sophomore starters and another who sees a lot of time. One of those sophomores, 6-foot forward Sierra DeAngelo, leads the team with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Kearney said the Eagles have really picked up their play defensively, and the numbers prove it. They allowed 52.8 points per game last season. They’re giving up only 33.3 this season.
Obama Academy
Michaela Porter is a four-year starter and has helped Obama win three City League titles. Her continued strong play has the Eagles looking like a good bet to win a fourth consecutive championship.
Porter is a 5-11 senior guard-forward who has signed with Cincinnati. The reigning City League player of the year is averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds a game for Obama, which sits in first place with a 4-0 record and is 8-5 overall.
“I would say her discipline and her work ethic [makes her stand out],” Obama coach Monique McCoy said. “She knows the whole floor. She does not just know the post or the small forward position. She knows all positions. I think that’s what sets her apart from many players.”
Last month, Porter became the third member of her family to surpass 1,000 career points in high school, joining brother, D.J. (Obama), and father, Darelle (Brashear and Perry).