Meet PennLive’s 2022 Big 15 Girls Basketball All-Star team

By Eric Eppler on 4/15/2022

 

PennLive has selected its All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams following another sensational season of girls basketball. It’s now time to unveil our 2022 All-Star team. Below are PL’s first, second and third teams, followed by honorable mention.

 

The Mid-Penn Conference earned three state semifinal bids, so there were plenty of top-level players to choose from. We start with our player of the year.

 

FIRST TEAM

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Caroline Shiery, Central Dauphin

 

Position: Center

Class: Senior

 

All-Star profile: After suffering a devastating knee injury in the 2021 District 3 postseason, Shiery’s chance to participate in her final season was doubtful. But, her dedication to an aggressive rehabilitation timeline got her cleared to play just two weeks before the season. The Rams embarked on another successful run because of the 6-foot-3 Liberty recruit. Shiery led the Rams with 14.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. She also chipped in nearly two blocks per outing as CD (23-5) chased down a District 3 title before falling in the PIAA 6A semifinals.

 

Olivia Jones, Cedar Cliff

 

Position: Guard/Forward

Class: Freshman

 

All-Star profile: The 717 has been lucky to witness a handful of newcomers break onto the scene as freshman over the past half-decade. Jones might turn out to be the best of the bunch. Simply stated, the wait for “O” to reach the high school ranks was equal parts joy and awe. All the Colts did was win their first 25 games and eventually reach the state semifinals for the first time in program history. Jones’ all-around game fronted the march. The combo guard struck for 13.6 ppg. by shooting 43% from the field. She also dished out a team-best 105 assists, secured 294 rebounds -- 123 offensive -- in 31 games and made 75 steals. Jones is already drawing high-Division I interest.

 

Jillian Jekot, Cumberland Valley

 

 

Position: Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

All-Star profile: Jekot was in the same position as Jones a season ago, but there would be no sophomore dip for the future Division I hoopster. In what could be described as a challenging campaign for the Eagles (21-6), the guard remained consistent as one of the Mid-Penn’s top all-around performers. Jekot led the Eagles with 17.3 points per game but also ripped down 6 rebounds per night. The aggressive 6-footer chipped in 52 assists and paced CV with 41 steals. Bill Wolf’s squad worked all the way to the 6A semifinal round, where the Eagles lost to Easton 59-53 to cap the season.

 

Marissa Gingrich, Mifflin County

 

Position: Guard

Class: Junior

 

All-Star profile: Because those road trips south to Keystone Division rivals happen occasionally, Gingrich might not be the most well-known player to MPC fans. Well, sit back and keep reading because the reigning Keystone POY has one more year to cement her mark. The Huskies nailed down the District 6 title, thanks in large part to Gingrich’s shifty work from the perimeter. The 1,000-point scorer pumped in 20.1 points per game and added 7 boards per contest. Plus, the 5-foot-7 southpaw showed her versatility with nearly 6 assists and 4 steals per game. Gingrich made 73 triples and shot better than 50% overall. That’s tough to deal with. Mifflin County’s 18-7 run ended in the state tournament with a loss to WPIAL-power Bethel Park.

 

Haley Noblit, Greencastle-Antrim

 

 

Position: Guard

Class: Sophomore

 

All-Star profile: It’s been some time since the Blue Devils made a charge into the PIAA bracket, but there was Noblit and the troops bouncing past District 11 champ Bethlehem Catholic in the 5A opening round. Noblit poured in 18 points in that one, no surprise since the 5-foot-2 sophomore led Mike Rhine’s crew from start to finish. Noblit’s strength was clear on both sides of the court, from pressuring opposing guards to slashing down the lane in tight minutes, the fierce guard fueled G-A’s impressive 21-5 campaign. Noblit posted 14.8 points per game, with 4 assists and 4 steals every time out.

 

SECOND TEAM

 

Marlie Dickerson, Central Dauphin

Position: Guard

Class: Senior

All-Star profile: Dickerson fronted the Rams’ offense and was most dangerous knifing down the lane or disrupting the opposition with max pressure. The Niagara signee chipped in 8.7 points and 4 assists per game during the Rams’ trek to the PIAA 6A semifinals. Plus, she added 2.5 steals per game, which generated plenty of bonus points in CD’s memorable 23-5 run.

 

Ah’nae Robinson, Harrisburg

Position: Guard

Class: Junior

All-Star profile: The Cougars had to scratch and claw to try and keep pace in the brutish MPC Commonwealth Division, although Robinson was the one reliable source for points. Robinson’s quickness caused a few ankle sprains and the often-dynamic junior paced the conference with 21.4 points per game. She also racked up 95 rebounds and 61 steals.

 

Jordyn Steindl, State College

Position: Guard

Class: Freshman

All-Star profile: Steindl opened her prep career with a rockets soaring and bugles blaring. In other words, she put the MPC on notice right from the jump. Proving that she could manufacture points from anywhere on the court, Steindl posted 15.4 points per game against some stiff competition. She’s one to watch over the next few seasons.

 

Emma Castilla, Mechanicsburg

Position: Forward

Class: Senior

All-Star profile: Castilla wasn’t just the hardest working forward on the court each night, she exemplified the type of Wildcats’ program that made history with its deepest run in states. The forward popped in 12.3 points per game and collected 7.2 rebounds. In addition, Mechanicsburg’s leader chipped in 38 steals and 36 assists. The Wildcats collected 92 wins in Castilla’s tenure.

 

Taylor Ferraro, Cedar Cliff

Position: Guard

Class: Junior

All-Star profile: If you witnessed any part of Cedar Cliff’s drive to 25 and eventual sprint to the PIAA semifinals, then you watched Ferraro push the opposition with her defensive pressure and true grit. The Colts’ “engine” did supply 8.3 points per game -- she shot 52% from the floor -- but the junior excelled at creating turnovers into easy buckets. Ferraro, with 56 assists on the season, totaled a whopping 84 steals and an even mightier 107 deflections for Cliff’s 29-2 surge.

 

THIRD TEAM

 

Mandy Roman, Trinity

Position: Guard

Class: Junior

All-Star profile: With the injury loss of center Lauren Trumpy, Roman and the rest of the Shamrocks had to find another level. Roman hit a couple as a facilitator, scorer and defensive wall. The junior averaged 10 points a game to lead the ‘Rocks to the 3A second round.

 

Laney Noreika, Big Spring

Position: Forward

Class: Senior

All-Star profile: How’s this for perseverance. Noreika, a four-year starter headed to Flagler College in Florida, actually played through a torn meniscus, which happed in Big Spring’s opener. She still shoved the Bulldogs’ to a Colonial Division title behind 13 points and 8 rebounds per game.

 

Jayden Eager, Mechanicsburg

Position: Guard

Class: Sophomore

All-Star profile: The Wildcats had plenty of heroes in their history-making run to the PIAA 5A semifinals, but one young sharpshooter caught our attention. It may have been her 18 postseason 3-pointers -- some from the parking lot -- or those 86 steals and 76 assists on the year. She averaged 10.8 points in the playoffs and even contributed 23 blocks at 5-foot-7

 

Lauren Wahlers, Lower Dauphin

Position: Forward

Class: Junior

All-Star profile: One of the toughest inside the paint, Wahlers had a knack for stepping outside and using her strong mid-range game to bolster the Falcons’ offense. The 6-foot junior also got up and down the court in a flash. Wahlers posted more than 13 points per contest and topped 200 rebounds in helping the Falcons (16-11) press into the PIAA 5A bracket.

 

Kennedy O’Brien, Bishop McDevitt

Position: Guard

Class: Senior

All-Star profile: O’Brien certainly fueled the Crusaders’ run to the PIAA 4A bracket. The Red Land transfer dug right in with McD and stood among the MPC’s clutch scorers. O’Brien, who will continue her hoops career at Pitt-Johnstown, netted 11.4 points per game and was Top 15 in 3-pointers.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Elaina Beckett, sr. F, Trinity

Brianna Bodtorf, sr. G, Mifflin County

Alexis Buie, jr. F, Central Dauphin

Makayla Claggett, sr. G, Middletown

Schuyler Coles, so. G, Susquehanna Township

Anna Coulter, sr. F, Hershey

Carley Donnell, so. G, State College

Cassie Eager, sr. G, Mechanicsburg

Sophia Formica, so. G, Bishop McDevitt

Ella Goodling, sr. F, West Perry

Ellie Goodwin, sr. C, Camp Hill

Amelia Green, sr. F, Central Dauphin

Olivia Grella, so. G, Bishop McDevitt

Dejah Hill, sr. F, Cumberland Valley

Justyce Hollenbach, sr. G, Lower Dauphin

Addison Huber, fr. G, Middletown

Mia Libby, jr. G, Greencastle-Antrim

Siena Ondecko, so. F, Northern

Natalie Parsons, sr. G, Cumberland Valley

Zoe Smith, sr. G, Palmyra

Carly Sollenberger, sr. G, James Buchanan

Mackenzie Stoner, jr. F, James Buchanan

Adrianna Stricek, sr. F, Trinity

Emilee Sullivan, sr. G, Big Spring

Sydney Weyant, jr. G, Cedar Cliff