Tom Silknitter – For MediaNews Group Unionville's Elle Johnson drives to the basket while Westchester Rustin's Kylie Barry defends during Tuesday's Chesmont League American Division girls basketball contest.
First army
Ryan Jennings, Sophia, Conestoga – Jennings followed up his breakout freshman season as a key contributor for the Pioneers. She averaged 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals per game. She shot 42 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the free throw line. Jennings, 5-11, helped the Pioneers advance to the Central League Championship Game for the second straight year and advance to the second round of the PIAA Class 6A Tournament.
“Ryan has been great for us all season. She was our leading scorer and rebounder while guarding the other team's best shooters,” Conestoga coach AJ Thompson said. “Ryan is a relentless competitor, but we have just scratched the surface of her abilities. She is a great teammate and will do whatever is asked of her to help her team win.”
Elle Johnson Jr., Unionville – This junior was a do-it-all cog for the American District Chesmont champion Longhorns. A first-team All-Chez Mont selection, Johnson averaged 14.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.7 assists per game. “Elle Johnson had a very good year. She was a first-team All-Chesmont player in the American Region and she pretty much led the Longhorns in every category,” said her coach, Fred. Elsie said. “Her offense and defense this year were excellent and she was one of two players who never left the game. We look forward to having her back for her senior year. Masu.”
Whitney Evans, Sr., WC Henderson – Evans was an exciting player on both ends of the court. She confidently accepted her role as the main scorer and defender. She averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game. She scored 559 points this season and amassed 1,318 career points with the Warriors. She was named to the first team All-Chesmont team.
“Whitney Evans is a great kid and a basketball player who is respected by her coaches and teammates,” coach Greta Neff said. “She carried the team on her back this year and did so many things on the court, from big threes to clutch free throws, that contributed to the team's success. But her leadership on and off the court… It separated her and our team from other teams in the area.
“Whitney's smile and success are contagious. Her legacy in the Henderson community will live on for years as her name remains in the record books.”
Carly Catania Sr., Villa Maria – Catania was the glue for the Hurricanes. She was an equally adept scorer inside and from beyond the 3-point arc. She averaged about 17 points and over 7 rebounds per game. Her defense was almost as impressive as her offensive play. The 5-8 guard was a first-team All-AACA selection and will attend the University of New Hampshire as a priority reject.
Riley Stackhouse Sr., Westchester Rustin – The coach's daughter, Stackhouse finished her senior season averaging 16 points per game as the centerpiece of the offense. She also had six rebounds and four steals per game. “Riley has been a senior leader for us this season and helped lead this team to the end of the postseason,” coach Laura Stackhouse said. “Her hard work in the offseason definitely reflected on the court and she really stepped up her senior year. She will do great things at Widener University.”
Father Jesse Moses, West Town – Moses was another talented freshman for the Moose along with Player of the Year Jesse Palmer. Moses averaged 14 points, four steals, four rebounds, and four assists per game. She already has offers from top women's schools such as LSU, Michigan State University and Ohio State University.
second team
Marisa Francione Sr., Conestoga
Sam Blumenthal Sr., Bishop Shanahan
Serenity Burgess Sr., Coatesville
Sophia Trey, Thor, Villa Maria
Savannah Curry Sr., Westtown
olivia jones jr, westtown
Mary Carroll, Sr., Kennett
Jackie Hsieh Sr., WC Henderson
Honorable mention
Janie Preston Jr., Conestoga; Milana Amos Sr., Unionville; Kennett. Julia Curran Sr., Great Valley; Mia Matthews Sr., Kennett; Kate Klein Jr., Oxford. Sarah Becchik Jr., WC Rustin. Shannon Megill Jr., Unionville. Faith Ambrose Sr., Bishop Shanahan; Ellie Dexter, Sophos, Downingtown West, Naiya Murphy, Sophos, Avon Grove. Abby Wolf Sr., Bishop Shanahan; Sophia Keith Jr., WC East. Grace Hodges, Sophia, Downingtown East. Annie Kearns Sr., WC East; Annalize Kvaszko Jr., WC East;
Coach of the Year
Erin Listrani, Westchester East
Westchester East had its best season in years, advancing to the semifinals of the District 1 5A Tournament and the second round of the PIAA Championship as co-champions of the Chesmont League National Division. For this feat, East coach Erin Ristrani was named the Daily Local News Girls Basketball All-Area Coach of the Year. The Vikings finished 9-3 against Chesmont National, tied for first place with neighborhood rival Henderson.
“It's hard to explain in words to people outside of the program,” Listrani said. “These kids are tough and had a why not us attitude all season. I'm so proud of them.”
The Vikings went through some difficult times during the season and at times lost some key pieces due to injuries.
Ristrani, who finished his 10th season, praised his assistants Nina Mazzarelli and Vicki Kunis.
“Nina and Vicki have been instrumental in our success,” she said. “They're important to our development to take the next step. They're a lot of fun to be around.”