Meet PennLive’s District 3 girls basketball All-Tournament team and MVP
By Eric Epler on 3/3/23
Following two memorable days of championship girls basketball at Hershey’s Giant Center, we’re taking one final look at some of the most valuable players over the last two weeks. It’s time to meet PennLive’s District 3 All-Tournament team.
The squad consists of 10 players, regardless of classification, and our pick for District 3 tournament MVP. We’ll begin with that top player.
Most Valuable Player
Olivia Jones, Cedar Cliff (6A)
Height: 5-11
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: Just a sophomore, Jones helped steer the undefeated Colts to their first District 3 title Thursday with a 47-37 victory over 6A No. 2 Central York. The versatile guard averaged 15.6 ppg. across three victories over York High, rival Central Dauphin and the Panthers. She missed banking three straight double-doubles by a single rebound vs. the Bearcats in the quarterfinal round. Jones went for 18 points and 12 boards
in the gold medal clash.
PennLive’s District 3 All-Tournament Team
Mary Bolesky, Lancaster Catholic (3A)
Height: 5-4
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: Frankly, we lost track on how many D3 championship banners the Crusaders have hung, but there is always room for one more, right? Bolesky was the lead architect in making it happen as LC decked league foe Columbia 49-34 Tuesday in the 3A ender. Bolesky pitched in 18 points in the final, which came a few days after she landed 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 62-35 victory over York Catholic. When you factor in Bolesky’s defensive push, it’s easy to see why Columbia’s 16-game winning streak was snapped.
Bella Chimienti, Central York (6A)
Height: 5-8
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: While Thursday’s 6A championship opponent was simply on a mission, the Panthers still managed to work into the final round for the third time in four seasons. Chimienti has that history in Hershey, and she worked through some added attention from opponents to keep the Panthers engaged throughout. She opened with a 20-point burst vs. Manheim Township and chipped in 8 points vs. Dallastown in the semis and eventually the Colts. She also created a lot of chances for her teammates.
Taylor Ferraro, Cedar Cliff (6A)
Height: 5-7
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: It’s been said before that defense wins championships. Well, Ferraro provides the Colts with a lot more than just locking in on the opposition’s biggest threat. Call it IQ, moxie or just grit, Ferraro provides it all, and she pieced together another frantic three-game stretch that went a long way in Cedar Cliff’s title run. Ferraro provided 12 points and a handful of steals in the Colts’ rowdy 42-33 semifinal win vs. Central Dauphin and helped slow down Central York’s talented Bella Chimienti in the championship round.
Olivia Green, Central Dauphin (6A)
Height: 5-11
Class: Freshman
Position: Forward
Tourney notes: The Rams ran smack into unbeaten Cedar Cliff in the semifinal round but did manage to bag third place in 6A with Wednesday’s 40-25 win over Dallastown. Green, just a freshman, was consistent throughout, providing clutch points at times and working hard around the rim. She posted 17 points in CD’s quarterfinal victory over Red Lion and combined for 14 rebounds against Cumberland Valley in the opener and vs. the Colts in the semis.
Rylee Henson, Greencastle-Antrim (5A)
Height: 5-8
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: Henson is another G-A catalyst that put her best stroke forward in Thursday’s 5A-clinching win over York Suburban. The senior stuck in 12 points, with 9 of those coming from long range, and chipped three rebounds and three assists to pull the Blue Devils to their second overall title. Before the finale, Henson posted 16 points and six rebounds on Susquehannock in the quarterfinal and went hit two more treys vs. Mechanicsburg in the semis.
Emma Miller, Millersburg (2A)
Height: 6-1
Class: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Tourney notes: The Indians collected the program’s second District 3 title, and first since 1991, by sacking Lancaster Mennonite 54-19 in Tuesday’s 2A championship. It was the second big performance by the rising sophomore, who punched in 13 points and secured eight rebounds against the Blazers. Earlier, Miller’s long reach caused major trouble for Fairfield in the semifinals, where the forward hit for 14 points.
Haley Noblit, Greencastle-Antrim (5A)
Height: 5-2
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Tourney notes: For the duration of the Blue Devils’ season, Noblit has provided, well, whatever was needed on that particular night. Thursday was no exception as Greencastle-Antrim pocketed the program’s second overall title with a 44-30 victory over York Suburban. Noblit paved the way, posting points and provided a trio of steals and assists. It was her best statistic performance over three district wins, but Noblit’s overall effort – she hit 5 3-pointers and was clutch at the stripe – kept the Devils in motion.
Gracen Nutt, Mechanicsburg (5A)
Height: 5-10
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Tourney notes: The Wildcats are the district’s 3 seed heading into states after edging Northern 39-37 in overtime Thursday. As usual, Nutt was a vital component in shaking off a semifinal setback to eventual champ Greencastle-Antrim, ripping off 11 of her team-best 13 points in the third quarter vs. the Polar Bears. Nutt, hit three treys to keep the youthful Wildcats in the showdown and recorded her third double-digit performance of the tournament.
Amayah Stewart, Wyomissing (4A)
Height: 6-1
Class: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Tourney notes: The third-seeded Spartans took down the District 3 4A crown with Thursday’s 35-30 win over Delone Catholic. Working as a dominant force inside, Stewart provided 12 points in that finale, capping a terrific three-game sprint for the Berks County entry. The 6-1 forward opened the tourney with a 20-point effort vs. Middletown, and then shifted Wyomissing into the championship round with 13 points vs. semifinalist Berks Catholic. In a tense 24-23 decision, Stewart’s 3-pointer with under 10 seconds to play was the difference.
