Apr 10, 2016 6 min read

A few weeks have gone by since another memorable WPIAL girls basketball season passed and it’s hard to pinpoint what the best storyline was. South Fayette’s run toward a championship and giving Villa Maria a fight despite dealing with injury and illness might top the list. You could also point to Trinity’s run through the postseason to earn a rematch with the Lions.

What about Canon-McMillan, which earned a share of a section title and came close to a PIAA playoff berth? Chartiers-Houston also deserves credit for reaching the state playoffs again, but this time, the Bucs did it without Alexa Williamson.

The winter was a testament to the strength of girls basketball in the area. It isn’t one or two teams that are having success. Year in and year out, the area is producing quality talent and teams that are having success at a high level.

Will it continue in 2016-17? I don’t see why not, especially with the players returning. But how will six classifications affect local teams? Well, let’s take a look at the top local team in each classification.

Class 6A

Canon-McMillan

There are a few local teams that will have to play a different style next season and Canon-McMillan tops the list. The Big Macs relied on Becca Turney in the post and she gave opponents fits at times, but she’s off to Eastern Michigan.

The focal point of the offense, Cheyenne Trest, will be a senior after averaging 17 points per game. You could argue that she’s the top returning player in Section 3. Izzy Allen, Kierra King and Taylor Waller will also be back, and you can expect this team to be very sound defensively.

One x-factor for this team could be Tamara Mathis, who started to really progress as the season went on. She could be a very nice complement to Trest, but the Big Macs’ other players will need to take on new roles to make up for the loss of Turney.

The second year undera head coach always shows marked improvement, so look for this program to continue to take the next step.

Class 5A

South Fayette

Here’s another team that could look a little differently in 2016-17. Emily Anderson is gone, so teams won’t have to account for a 6-4 post player, but Jordan Caputo should be ready to step in as a rebounder and defender in the Lions’ zone.

The offense can continue to excel with point guard Carlee Kilgus returning, plus Maddie Gutierrez, Skylar Aitken, Maddie Burnside and Jordan Head will fill definitely contribute.

South Fayette will be a smaller, quicker team that will definitely score. The new section with Chartiers Valley, Lincoln Park, Montour, Moon and West Allegheny will pose new challenges, but this program is built to handle it.

Trinity, meanwhile, will also be a smaller, quicker team led by a returning point guard. Sierra Kotchman, an all-state selection, will lead the Hillers in Section 3 against Albert Gallatin, Connellsville, Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold and Uniontown .

Abbey O’Connor is back in the post, plus Alayna Cappelli is a starting guard that’s back, and I hear great things about the Hillers’ incoming freshmen class. Trinity will be a sneaky team in 2016 that could be overlooked because of the loss of two post players, including Youngstown State recruit Mary Dunn.

Class 4A

Belle Vernon

This is a sort of a no-brainer here because Belle Vernon is the only local team in 4A, but the Leopards are a team to watch regardless. They only lost two seniors from a playoff season and Kelsey Greene, Belle Vernon’s leading scorer, returns.

There is size, speed and all the components there to return to make another run toward the postseason, but the section is far from easy.

Belle Vernon is in Section 3 with Derry, Elizabeth Forward, Keystone Oaks, Mount Pleasant, South Park, Southmoreland and Yough. If it wasn’t for that brutal schedule, I’d say the Leopards are a lock for a playoff berth.

Either way, they certainly have the talent to get it done.

Class 3A

Charleroi

Surprisingly, the Cougars moved up to 3A after competing in Class AA, but luckily for them, they are built to compete for a section title.

Charleroi, which defeated Freedom in a preliminary-round playoff game in 2016, only loses two seniors and returns its top two leading scorers. This is a smaller team, but the Cougars rely on quickness and toughness on defense.

Maria Claybaugh, Aislyn Lee, Adrianna Gottheld, Kaitlyn Riley and Larissa Usher are back. Oh, and don’t forget about Sierra Short, who led Charleroi in scoring as a freshman but missed this season with a torn ACL. She gives the Cougars the presence inside they were missing.

Class 2A

Chartiers-Houston

This one was a no-brainer and it was not because of a lack of options. Washington should thrive with speed and athleticism; Fort Cherry will take a step forward; and California could make some noise in section three.

But none has the playoff experience or talent returning like Chartiers-Houston. Jala Walker, who quickly became one of the area’s top players as a junior, will be back with one full season as a point guard under her belt.

Oh, and incase you forgot, Alexa Williamson will only be a junior next season for C-H. I’m not sure when she’ll return from knee surgery, but either way, adding her to a lineup that also includes Walker, Jules Vulcano, Madison Simpson and Keaira Walker makes the Bucs a threat to make the biggest leap from last season.

The road won’t be easy. Section 1 also includes OLSH, Shenango and Wash High, but this could be another special year in Houston.

Class 2A

West Greene

Class 1A has depth in Sections 1 and 3, but I don’t see any team in Section 2 being able to stop the Pioneers. McKenna and Madison Lampe will only be sophomores, plus all but one player are back from a 16-win season.

West Greene is fast, excels with a press defense and causes so many issues for opponents. I’d like to see the Pioneers improve in half-court sets, but I’m sure that will happen.

A playoff run definitely possible, but Class 1A is very strong with teams like Cornell, Quigley Catholic, Sewickley Academy, Imani Christian and Winchester Thurston.

Regardless, watch out for West Greene.