ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Derek Bast Special to The Morning Call
The 2023-24girls basketball season in the Lehigh Valley produced many outstanding individual and team performances. Here are our choices for all-area selections.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR Talia Zurinskas, Parkland, Senior
Zurinskas is a big fan of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark, which comes as no surprise when you see her intensity and confidence in long-distance shooting. The Lafayette commit only grew stronger as the competition stiffened, raising her scoring average on the season against the state’s best competition.
Zurinskas averaged 24.5points in the final two rounds of the district playoffs, sending the Trojans back to the state playoffs, and helped eliminate the reigning state champions, Archbishop Carroll in the quarterfinal of the PIAA 6A playoffs. There couldn’t have been many players, if any, who were more difficult to stop over the final month of the season, making Zurinskas our girls basketball player of the year. Honorable mention: Evalyse Cole, Easton; Madi Siggins, Parkland
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Kayla Snyder, Emmaus
It took Snyder no time at all to introduce herself to the high school basketball scene and didn’t just sustain this success but also built upon it while leading Emmaus on a Cinderella run to the EPC championship game this winter. Few are as aggressive attacking the basket and even fewer can finish as acrobatically or from the ridiculous angles Snyder can. The Green Hornets will surely miss a group of talented seniors, namely Mya Cooper and Taylor Griffith, but the future is bright with Snyder and sophomore star Gabby DeVita.
Honorable mention: Teegan Simms, Northern Lehigh; Luna Lopez, Moravian Academy
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ed Ohlson, Parkland
Shortly after his team bowed out in the first round of both postseason tournaments last season, Ohlson instilled confidence in his players that they would be back for a state championship run in no time. He wasn’t exaggerating as he took the Trojans, with virtually the same roster, into the state semifinals with the belief that those dreams could become reality. Although the team fell just short, it’s clear his vote of confidence went a long way as an inspired group rallied to give the school one of the best seasons in its history.
Honorable mention: Arnold Alleyne, Bethlehem Catholic; Jeremy Coleman, Palmerton; Dave Lutz, Easton
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Parkland Trojans
The first EPC championship in school history, the first season with both a league and district championship and a trip to the PIAA final four for the first time since 2006was more than enough to earn Parkland the team of the year. Led by senior stars Zurinskas and Siggins, and a deep rotation of complementary pieces, the Trojans rolled to a pair of titles before falling to eventual state champion Cardinal O’Hara, just one game away from a trip to Hershey.
FIRST TEAM
(in alphabetical order)
Evalyse Cole, Easton, Senior
Easton has been a force to be reckoned with for the last four seasons and Cole is perhaps the biggest reason why. With the skillset of a guard and the size of a center, the Monmouth commit developed into one of the area’s best players with arguably the most well-rounded game.
The Red Rovers lost just one regular-season game in her last three seasons. This year’s EPC MVP will be impossible to replace and dearly missed in the Easton program.
Molly Driscoll, ACCHS, Senior
Injuries limited Driscoll’s senior season but not enough to keep her from another district championship and the 1,000-point milestone, which she achieved simultaneously against
Blue Mountain with 21points in the District 114A championship game.
Driscoll will continue her basketball career at American University where she will take her 3-point shooting and leadership skills to the Eagles. That shooting was on full display in the Lehigh Valley Senior All-Star Classic as she took home the 3-point contest championship to cap off an outstanding career in a Vikette uniform. Cici Hernandez, Bethlehem Catholic, Senior Hernandez captured a 3-point shooting championship of her own last summer and then led the area in triples for the second consecutive season with 69. What’s more impressive is that her court vision and passing might be even better.
As the orchestrator of Bethlehem Catholic’s high-powered offense, Hernandez took the Golden Hawks to a district championship and the final four of the state playoffs under firstyear coach Arnold Alleyne. Her intelligence and leadership certainly made the job a bit easier but both are worthy of tremendous recognition after another successful season in the EPC and beyond.
Hailey Jenkins, Catasauqua, Sophomor
To be the best at something in an area featuring as much talent as the Lehigh Valley is quite an accomplishment. To do so as a sophomore is even more impressive. When it comes to attacking the basket with aggression and finishing from impossible angles, no one in the area does it quite like Jenkins.
Even as injuries plagued the Rough Riders and forced her to play all 32minutes down the stretch, Jenkins never showed signs of fatigue and helped carry the school to its first district playoff win since 2008. Catasauqua’s new superstar will be a household name for her final two seasons and will be a favorite for Player of the Year in 2025.
Aubrey Pollard, Northern Lehigh, Senior Relentless is the only word that comes to mind when thinking about Northern Lehigh’s offense this year, and in particular, the player who was at the center of it all. Pollard’s goal in the paint always seemed to be to get her shot up as fast as possible, because she knew that even if she missed, she’d have the best chance to pull down the rebound and try again.
Finishing just one point shy of 500on the season, Pollard led all scorers in total points and finished a sensational career with well over 1,000points. She’ll look to do the same as she takes her talents to DeSales University in the fall.
Madi Siggins, Parkland, Senior
Parkland coach Ed Ohlson referred to Talia Zurinskas as the heart of his team and Madi Siggins as the soul and the pair helped lead the Trojans to their first PIAA final four since 2006. Siggins’ passionate leadership, both by words and example, were pivotal to lifting the play of her teammates and herself.
The East Stroudsburg commit was the team’s leading scorer with 15.1points and finished fourth in school history with 1,206points despite limited playing time as a freshman after sitting behind current Holy Cross forward Lindsay Berger. Siggins always showed up when it mattered most, especially in the EPC championship game when she brought home the MVP award with her gold medal.
Layla Sweatte, Allen, Senior
Allen was on the cusp of a district playoff berth this season in large part because of the play from Layla Sweatte. She was one of only two players on her team to reach 100points and posted far more than that as the area’s leading scorer at 21.2points per game.
Sweatte wasn’t even playing basketball two years ago but a conversation with Randy Atiyeh, the school’s athletic director, changed everything and he encouraged her to try out for the team. It’s safe to say that decision paid off with the senior finishing her high school career as a first-team all-area player.
Cara Thomas, Northwestern Lehigh, Junior Reaching the 1,000-point milestone is an achievement typically reserved for the middle of a player’s senior season. Cara Thomas is not your typical player. Her outstanding play led her to reach nearly 500points on the season and rank in the top-three of the Colonial League in points per game.
Thomas is at her best attacking the basket but can also step out from beyond the arc. Like Jenkins, she will be a candidate for the area’s top player when she returns in 2025.
Ellie Wallbillich, Pen Argyl, Senior
It’s impressive enough to be a school’s all-time leading scorer in any sport but that clearly wasn’t enough for Pen Argyl star Ellie Wallbillich. Just months after becoming the all-time leading scorer in soccer, Wallbillich surpassed former teammate Jill Morro to take the top spot in basketball as well.
The senior standout also added Colonial League MVP to her resume this season and was the only player in the area to make 100two-pointers, 100free throws and 503-pointers throughout the season. Dynamic would be an understatement when describing Wallbillich, who has a chance to break more records in another sport this spring as a track and field star.
SECOND TEAM
Hannah Barry, Palmerton, sr.
Katelyn Barthold, Northern Lehigh, jr.
Kourin Carew, Easton, jr.
Tiana Carey, Executive Education, sr.
Delaney Chilcote, Parkland, jr.
Mya Cooper, Emmaus, sr.
Ava Kopetskie, Liberty, so.
Avery Nelson, Bangor, jr.
Anai’sah Malone, Pocono Mountain West, sr.
Akasha Santos, Bethlehem Catholic, sr.
Kayla Snyder, Emmaus, fr.
THIRD TEAM
Sam Baker, Nazareth, sr.
Aliyah Brame, Bethlehem Catholic, so.
Mallory Elias, Easton, sr.
Emma Pukszyn, Liberty, sr.
Jayla Rosario, Dieruff, so.
Olivia Schweitzer, Notre Dame-GP, sr.
Teegan Simms, Northern Lehigh, fr.
McKayla Strunk, Stroudsburg, jr.
Julia Vargo, Pen Argyl, jr.
Renee Wells, Nazareth, jr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Allen – Kaley Martin, jr
Allentown Central Catholic – Milly Wolf, jr.,
Armani Brickhouse, sr.; Sammy Roth, sr.;
Abbey Kofroth, sr.;
Bangor – Julia Pinter, sr.;
Bethlehem Catholic – Ella Bincarosky, sr.;
Catasauqua – Sophia Becker, sr., Delaney Troxell, sr.;
Dieruff – Marisa Price, jr., Aniya Holder, so.;
East Stroudsburg South – Layla Hernandez, sr.;
Easton – Megan Elias, sr.;
Emmaus – Gabby DeVita, so.,
Taylor Griffith, sr.,
Cassandra Doemling, jr.;
Freedom – Alexus McNeil, sr.,
Liberty – Ruby Miller, sr.;
Moravian Academy – Luna Lopez, fr.;
Nazareth – Peyton Long, jr.,
Alexa Davis, so.;
Northampton – Anne Beenders, jr.;
Northern Lehigh – Dekota Barthold, jr.;
Northwestern Lehigh – Brook Balliet, jr.,
Olivia Reinhart, so.,
Emma Freeman, so.;
Notre Dame GP – Carly Campbell, sr.,
Emily Lessig, jr.;
Palisades – Amelia Smith, sr.;
Palmerton – Sydney Frantz, sr.,
Megan Matsko, sr.,
Courtney Connell, so.;
Parkland – Aneri McGalla, so.,
Bella Hallal, so.;
Pen Argyl – Macy Kotulka, sr.,
Alex Marshall, sr.;
Pleasant Valley – Aryn Stivala, sr.;
Pocono Mountain West – Alyssa Ford, sr.,
Brianne Steidl, sr.;
Salisbury – Kendra Morgan, so., Desiree Nales, sr.;
Southern Lehigh – Tessa Seagreaves, sr.;
Stroudsburg – Zoe Brown, sr.,
Teagan Strunk, so.;
Whitehall – Morgan Dunbar, sr.
FINAL RANKINGS
1. Parkland 29-3
2. Easton 24-4
3. Bethlehem Catholic 23-6
4. ACCHS 18-10
5. Palmerton 23-2
6. Emmaus 17-12
7. Notre Dame-GP 21-6
8. Pen Argyl 19-6
9. Liberty 14-13
10. Northern Lehigh 17-11
Just missed: Nazareth (14-10),
Pocono Mountain West (15-9),
Northwestern Lehigh (19-8),
Stroudsburg (14-9)
TOP 30 SCORERS
Layla Sweatte; Allen; 21.2
Ellie Wallbillich; Pen Argyl; 18.2
Aubrey Pollard; Northern Lehigh; 17.8
Cara Thomas; NW Lehigh; 16.9
Evalyse Cole; Easton; 16.6
Molly Driscoll; ACCHS; 16.5
Hailey Jenkins; Catasauqua; 16.5
Anai’sah Malone; PMW; 16.1
Tiana Carey; Executive Education; 15.8
Aryn Stivala; Pleasant Valley; 15.7
Avery Nelson; Bangor; 15.3
Madi Siggins; Parkland; 15.1
McKayla Strunk; Stroudsburg; 14.9
Katelynn Barthold; Northern Lehigh; 14.5
Talia Zurinskas; Parkland; 14.4
Hannah Barry; Palmerton; 14.4
Tessa Seagreaves; Southern Lehigh; 13.7
Alyssa Ford; PM West; 12.7
Layla Hernandez; ESS; 12.4
Cici Hernandez; Bethlehem Catholic; 12.2
Ava Kopetskie; Liberty; 11.7
Renee Wells; Nazareth; 11.6
Alexus McNeil; Freedom; 11.1
Kendra Morgan; Salisbury; 11.1
Luna Lopez; Moravian Academy; 10.7
Anne Beenders; Northampton; 10.5
Sophia Becker; Catasauqua; 10.4
Kourin Carew; Easton; 10.1
Julia Pinter; Bangor; 10.1
Teegan Simms; Northern Lehigh; 10.1
TOP 15 3-POINT FIELD GOALS
Cici Hernandez, Becahi, 69
Talia Zurinskas, Parkland, 64
Mallory Elias, Easton, 62
Avery Nelson, Bangor, 62
Emma Freeman, NW Lehigh, 54
McKayla Strunk, Stroudsburg 51
Ellie Wallbillich, Pen Argyl, 50
Megan Elias, Easton, 50
Ella Bincarosky, Becahi, 49
Anai’sah Malone, PM West, 46
Teegan Simms, Northern Lehigh 44
Hannah Barry, Palmerton 43
Macy Kotulka, Pen Argyl, 42
Alyssa Ford, PM West, 40
Renee Wells, Nazareth, 40
FINAL STANDINGS
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (overall and division record)
East Division y –Bethlehem Catholic; 23-6;
9-1 Easton; 24-4; 9-1
Liberty; 14-13; 5-5
Nazareth; 14-10; 4-6
Dieruff; 12-11; 3-7
Freedom; 5-17; 0-10
West Division x, y – Parkland; 29-3; 10-0 y – ACCHS; 18-10; 7-3
Emmaus; 17-12; 7-3
William Allen; 9-12; 2-8
Whitehall; 7-18; 2-8
Northampton; 6-16; 2-8
North Division
Pocono Mountain West; 15-9; 10-0 Stroudsburg; 14-9; 8-2
East Stroudsburg South; 6-17; 6-4 Pocono Mountain East; 3-18; 2-8 East Stroudsburg North; 3-19; 2-8 Pleasant Valley; 2-20; 2-8
Colonial League
(overall and division record)
East Division y – Notre Dame-Green Pond; 21-6; 11-1 Pen Argyl; 19-6; 10-2
Bangor; 13-10; 8-4
Palisades; 7-14; 5-7
Moravian Academy; 7-14; 3-9
Wilson Area; 6-15; 3-9
Saucon Valley; 4-17; 2-10
West Division x – Palmerton; 23-2; 10-0 Northwestern Lehigh; 19-8; 7-3 Northern Lehigh; 17-11; 6-4 Catasauqua; 16-11; 5-5
Southern Lehigh; 6-16; 2-8
Salisbury; 3-19; 0-10
Others y – Minersville; 24-5 x – Blue Mountain; 22-6
Marian Catholic; 22-6
North Schuylkill; 21-6
Schuylkill Haven; 20-6
Lincoln Leadership; 17-6
Tamaqua; 17-9
Executive Education; 13-10
Lehighton; 12-11
x – won a league/conference championship y – won a District 11 championship
Derek Bast is a freelance reporter who can be found on Twitter/X at @derek_bast or reached by email at derekbast11@gmail.com.