Meet PennLive’s 2023 Big 15 Girls Basketball All-Star team
By Eric Epler on 4/13/23
PennLive has selected its Off-the-Radar and All-Defensive teams following another thrilling season of girls basketball.
It’s now time to unveil our 2023 All-Star team. Below are PennLive’s first, second and third teams, known as the Big 15, followed by our honorable mention picks.
It was a banner season for the Mid-Penn Conference, with two programs claiming District 3 titles and even more making deep runs in the state tournament. We’ll begin with our player of the year.
FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Olivia Jones, Cedar Cliff
Position: Guard-Forward
Class: Sophomore
All-Star profile: Perhaps the most versatile player in the Mid-Penn, Jones excelled at four different positions at times to steer the Colts to new heights, the PIAA Class 6A championship round. This after an All-State second-team nod as a freshman, when Cedar Cliff bounced to the state semifinal round to finish 29-2. The District 3 champions were 30-1 on this latest voyage. Among the state’s top recruits in the Class of ‘25, Jones averaged 14.6 points per game and chipped in a team-best 109 assists, 69 steals and 304 rebounds.
Marissa Gingrich, Mifflin County
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Folks in Lewistown will be talking about Gingrich for quite some time. They should after the lethal 5-foot-8 guard exits the program as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,573 points), male or female. While the Huskies (12-10) ended short of their goal of claiming the District 6 6A crown, Gingrich turned in another terrific campaign, posting 22 points per game and leading Mifflin County with 6.3 rebounds per game. The New Jersey Institute of Technology recruit also led the Huskies in assists (5.5 apg.) and steals (4.4 spg.). She connected on 86 3-pointers over 22 games.
Alexis Ferguson, Central Dauphin
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
All-Star profile: Much like fellow first-teamer Coles, Ferguson was saddled with additional responsibilities as the Rams reloaded following a sterling 2021-22 season. The 5-foot-11 forward did more than her part during a 20-7 season that ended in the PIAA 6A tournament. Despite routinely giving up size in the paint, Ferguson still produced nearly 9 points per game and added 6.1 rebounds per contest. The Niagara pledge doubled as one of the MPC’s best defenders, swatting 3.5 shots per game and collecting 79 steals.
ill Jekot, Cumberland Valley
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
All-Star profile: It’s hard to overlook the overall value and grit Jekot brings to the Eagles’ lineup. And despite the most tumultuous of her three seasons on the court, The University of Pittsburgh recruit still managed to showcase an advanced skill set. One of the state’s top talents, the 6-foot shooting guard charged 22.9 points per game and contributed 7.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals per outing. And that value? The Eagles (12-11) went 1-5 to close the regular season as Jekot recovered from a knee sprain and bone bruise.
Schuyler Coles, Susquehanna Township
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
All-Star profile: For such a demanding start to the season, Coles persevered and took the lead for coach Terry Clark. Five players who were expected to return opted out, which meant Coles was forced to step up her versatile game even more. With a great feel for when to press and when to produce that timely bucket for her squad, Coles popped for 20.2 points per game from the point guard position. All season, Coles played much taller than her 5-foot-8 frame and was a constant force around the rim.
SECOND TEAM
Taylor Ferraro, Cedar Cliff
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Perhaps the toughest on-ball defender in the MPC, Ferraro played her role during Cedar Cliff’s ride to the 6A state final to near perfection. The University of Pennsylvania soccer recruit consistently turned momentum with 93 steals – she added 95 deflections – and 10 blocks. Scoring just under 6 points per game, Ferraro pitched in 88 assists for the 30-1 Colts.
Mandy Roman, Trinity
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Roman, who will continue her hoops career at Frostburg State, played a couple of vital roles for the Shamrocks. Controlling most of the action, on both sides of the court, Roman sparked Trinity’s trek to the PIAA 4A quarterfinals by posting 11.9 points per game. The gutsy 5-foot-7 guard also chipped in 3.8 boards and 3.7 steals per game, shooting 50% from the field.
Jayla Koser, Middletown
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
All-Star profile: Koser is just kickstarting her Middletown career, although it’s safe to say the Blue Raiders don’t reach the District 3 4A tournament without her. The 5-foot-10 guard contributed 12 double-doubles on the season and averaged 16 points a night. She also chipped in 249 rebounds, 40 assists, and made 66 steals for the 17-6 Blue Raiders.
Mia Libby, Greencastle-Antrim
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Libby was an exceptional on-court leader who guided the Blue Devils to the District 3 5A title. Toppling the 1,000-point mark in January, the 5-foot-3 senior and Liberty University soccer recruit used her speed to cut through defenses for a 15.1 points per game average. She kicked in 3.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 4 steals per game during G-A’s 23-3 season.
Lauren Wahlers, Lower Dauphin
Position: Forward
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Wahlers broke as the Falcons leading scorer and top defender during a splendid run to the PIAA 5A bracket. The Gettysburg College recruit pushed in 11.4 points per game for the 19-8 Falcons and contributed even more on the defensive side. The 6-foot forward secured more than 220 rebounds and led her squad in steals. She also blocked 30 shots and was among the team leaders in assists.
THIRD TEAM
Ahnae Robinson, Harrisburg
Position: Guard
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Despite a rough season for the Cougars in terms of wins and losses, Robinson capped her final Harrisburg run with an abundance of big performances. One of the MPC’s most consistent scorers, Robinson used her quickness and sharp basketball IQ to push the Cougars to 10 wins.
Cassidy Sadler, Northern
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
All-Star profile: Sadler was a high-output engine that chased the Polar Bears to their first District 3 playoff win since 1993 and first run inside the PIAA tournament. The 5-foot-7 point guard struck for just under 13 points per game and averaged 4.8 rebounds and a couple of steals per clash. The P-Bears shared the Colonial Division title with Greencastle-Antrim
Alexis Buie, Cedar Cliff
Position: Forward
Class: Senior
All-Star profile: Buie fit right in with the ultra-talented Colts, bringing a defiant and physical brand to the lineup. Registering a dozen double-doubles during Cedar Cliff’s sprint to the District 3 6A title, and spot in the state final, the 6-foot-2 Buie added a soft touch from the perimeter to post 10 points and nearly 8 boards per game.
Haley Noblit, jr. G, Greencastle-Antrim
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
All-Star profile: Not one but two dynamic guards provided the fuel for Greencastle-Antrim’s run to the District 3 5A title. Only teammate Libby averaged more minutes on the floor than Noblit, a quick, elusive guard who posted 13 points and added 3 assists per game during G-A’s impressive 23-3 season. Noblit added 3 steals a game
Jordyn Steindl, State College
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
All-Star profile: With two more campaigns to go, Steindl is a name to know for the Little Lions. The 5-foot-8 driveway shooter connected on 43% from the field and converted 51 of 135 shots from long range. Truly an on-court leader, the sophomore produced 18.5 points per game against a bullish schedule and even added 60 assists and 44 steals for the Lions.
