The BIG "15" Girls Team
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THE CHOPS
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The BIG "15" Girls Team
BIG "15" GIRLS' TEAM....
The Patriot-News:
A holiday tradition for nearly three decades, The Patriot-News' Big 15 girls' basketball team has evolved into what some think is an early season all-star team. It's not.
For "28" years it simply has been a list of "15" players worthy of going to see. Usually the player pool before the final cut isn't more than 20-25 players, but this time it was a huge pond of players to narrow down to this list.
Only five of the "15" made the list last year, so paring the field to only "10" spots was tougher than any other time over the last half decade.
Players from the Mid-Penn Conference, Tri-Valley League, Lebanon County, York League and other areas are eligible. Individuals are nominated by coaches and sports writers, evaluated by a variety of sources and ultimately selected by The Patriot-News' girls' basketball writer. LAUREN BECKLEY Fairfield, 5-11 sr G
By the time her career is over, Beckley could join the elite list of 2,000-point scorers. A four-year starter for the Green Knights and two-time Big 15 pick, she already has a 50-point game this season. Can score from anywhere on the floor with a shot that gets out of her hand quickly. Plays on a team that requires her to score more than 20 points a night, so she's mentally tough. Hasn't finalized college plans. MEGHAN BRIGGS Palmyra, 5-6 sr G
A three-sport athlete, Briggs is a player most coaches would want on their team. Goes after every loose ball like it's late in the fourth quarter of a tight game in the district playoffs. Has the ability to make everybody around her better. Over the past year, has developed more of a scoring touch to go with the little intangibles. MEREDITH COX Delone Catholic, 5-11 sr G
All she's done is lead her team to three straight PIAA Class AA titles. Sure, Delone is much more than Cox. But she's the big gun on the floor who's looked upon to deliver in the clutch. A three-time Big 15 pick, Cox can play inside or outside and has serious range on her jumper. Quick release will definitely benefit her at Georgetown. MONET CUNNINGHAM Bishop McDevitt, 5-5 jr G
Look at the tools Division I schools require for a point guard and Cunningham possesses most of them. Started to pick up more minutes at the point late last year, and now she's running the show. Excellent handle and good court vision. Worked on a pull-up jumper, and it's the big reason her scoring average is up. Excellent student who could end up in the Ivy League. HEATHER EMPSON Boiling Springs, 5-11 sr C
When you have two big players on the floor, one has to step out and score away from the basket to soften the defense. Empson has become a more proficient scorer from the elbow and baseline and is on pace to crack 1,000 points and 800 rebounds. Runs the floor well and keeps up with the Bubblers' up-tempo game. CHRISSY FORSTER Trinity, 5-9 sr G
Some nights Forster is one of the scoring leaders and other games she gets only a few points. To judge her on those numbers alone is foolishness. Watch a game closely and you'll find Forster on the floor for a variety of reasons. Fundamentally sound, no real surprise, and often makes the difficult play look easy. Her physical toughness will show as the season drags on. Count on it. BREANN HILL Bishop McDevitt, 5-11 sr G
Talk about a player who can kill you in many ways. Hill is a three-time Big 15 pick and 1,000-point scorer who has the all-around game to inflict damage on either end of the court. Always seems to get her points, but it's those steals, rebounds and assists that put her over the top. Can run the point or play power forward in the same quarter. Headed to Division I Delaware State. Seems like a good fit on all fronts. CRISSA JACKSON Harrisburg, 5-5 jr G
Spent last season learning from one of the better point guards, Ashley Langford, in this area. Now the Cougars are her team to quarterback and she has filled the role nicely. Reads the game exceptionally well, especially when she drives the lane, and has the quickness and ball-handling skills to run the fast break Harrisburg thrives on. Excellent free-throw shooter who manages to crack double digits most nights. LOGAN LENTZ Chambersburg, 5-6 jr G
Forced to play a dual role because of limited options on offense. It's not easy being the point guard and also suiting up each night knowing you must score points to keep your team competitive. Nearly averages a double-double in points and assists each night, and when her 3-point shot is on you better get a hand in her face. Has all the tools of a top-notch point guard. SARAH McGOWAN Dallastown, 5-11 sr G
Two-time Big "15" selection has seen her game evolve over the past 12 months, which included deep runs in the district and state playoffs last year. A more complete player capable of taking over a game on either end. Surpassed the 1,000-point plateau this season and can score from anywhere with a much-improved shot. Her attitude and character will benefit Division I Quinnipiac next season. KRISTEN MURRAY Trinity, 5-11 jr F
Certainly has the right last name for this team. Third straight year a member of the Murray clan has graced this group. But that alone isn't good enough. Has asserted herself as Trinity's go-to player by aggressively looking to score on a team with many weapons. Very quick off the dribble and elevates nicely to get clean looks in the 8-12-foot range. Not afraid to mix it up in the paint, either. She'll only get better. MEGGAN QUINN Red Lion, 5-10 sr G
Burst onto the scene as a sophomore and has stayed in the spotlight. A two-time Big 15 pick, Quinn is the purest shooter in this group. Like all great shooters, has an occasional off night. But more often than not she lights it up from anywhere. Sometimes it seems like there isn't a shot she won't take. That attitude is what earned her a scholarship to Penn State. Plays with a hard edge you can't help but love. SHAKA RITTER Harrisburg, 5-9 sr G
The first thing that pops into most people's minds when you mention Harrisburg is the in-your-face pressure defense. And Ritter is the ringleader. Quick hands and feet. You better make sure your pass is a good one. Otherwise it's a layup going the other way. Thrives in the open floor. Shoots only with her right hand but is finding it easy to average double digits. MEGAN SOLLENBERGER Cumberland Valley, 5-3 sr G
Each year we try to find someone who fits the bill of a Big 15 player but probably wasn't on the radar late last season or at the start of this year. Sollenberger falls under that umbrella. Exploded out of the gate this year. Extremely quick off the dribble and loves to get inside with the trees and make them whiff on the way to the hole. A two-sport athlete who did the dirty work to improve enough to make it. MAHALA THOMAS Cumberland Valley, 5-9 sr F
When you put in the hard time over the summer, and have the athletic tools already, the result shows and is rewarded with a Division I scholarship. Thomas is a dynamic leaper who plays much taller than her height. Loves to get the ball on the elbow and use her lightning first step to blow by defenders. Can be a streaky shooter but almost always gets a clean look.
"THE CHOPS".
The Patriot-News:
A holiday tradition for nearly three decades, The Patriot-News' Big 15 girls' basketball team has evolved into what some think is an early season all-star team. It's not.
For "28" years it simply has been a list of "15" players worthy of going to see. Usually the player pool before the final cut isn't more than 20-25 players, but this time it was a huge pond of players to narrow down to this list.
Only five of the "15" made the list last year, so paring the field to only "10" spots was tougher than any other time over the last half decade.
Players from the Mid-Penn Conference, Tri-Valley League, Lebanon County, York League and other areas are eligible. Individuals are nominated by coaches and sports writers, evaluated by a variety of sources and ultimately selected by The Patriot-News' girls' basketball writer. LAUREN BECKLEY Fairfield, 5-11 sr G
By the time her career is over, Beckley could join the elite list of 2,000-point scorers. A four-year starter for the Green Knights and two-time Big 15 pick, she already has a 50-point game this season. Can score from anywhere on the floor with a shot that gets out of her hand quickly. Plays on a team that requires her to score more than 20 points a night, so she's mentally tough. Hasn't finalized college plans. MEGHAN BRIGGS Palmyra, 5-6 sr G
A three-sport athlete, Briggs is a player most coaches would want on their team. Goes after every loose ball like it's late in the fourth quarter of a tight game in the district playoffs. Has the ability to make everybody around her better. Over the past year, has developed more of a scoring touch to go with the little intangibles. MEREDITH COX Delone Catholic, 5-11 sr G
All she's done is lead her team to three straight PIAA Class AA titles. Sure, Delone is much more than Cox. But she's the big gun on the floor who's looked upon to deliver in the clutch. A three-time Big 15 pick, Cox can play inside or outside and has serious range on her jumper. Quick release will definitely benefit her at Georgetown. MONET CUNNINGHAM Bishop McDevitt, 5-5 jr G
Look at the tools Division I schools require for a point guard and Cunningham possesses most of them. Started to pick up more minutes at the point late last year, and now she's running the show. Excellent handle and good court vision. Worked on a pull-up jumper, and it's the big reason her scoring average is up. Excellent student who could end up in the Ivy League. HEATHER EMPSON Boiling Springs, 5-11 sr C
When you have two big players on the floor, one has to step out and score away from the basket to soften the defense. Empson has become a more proficient scorer from the elbow and baseline and is on pace to crack 1,000 points and 800 rebounds. Runs the floor well and keeps up with the Bubblers' up-tempo game. CHRISSY FORSTER Trinity, 5-9 sr G
Some nights Forster is one of the scoring leaders and other games she gets only a few points. To judge her on those numbers alone is foolishness. Watch a game closely and you'll find Forster on the floor for a variety of reasons. Fundamentally sound, no real surprise, and often makes the difficult play look easy. Her physical toughness will show as the season drags on. Count on it. BREANN HILL Bishop McDevitt, 5-11 sr G
Talk about a player who can kill you in many ways. Hill is a three-time Big 15 pick and 1,000-point scorer who has the all-around game to inflict damage on either end of the court. Always seems to get her points, but it's those steals, rebounds and assists that put her over the top. Can run the point or play power forward in the same quarter. Headed to Division I Delaware State. Seems like a good fit on all fronts. CRISSA JACKSON Harrisburg, 5-5 jr G
Spent last season learning from one of the better point guards, Ashley Langford, in this area. Now the Cougars are her team to quarterback and she has filled the role nicely. Reads the game exceptionally well, especially when she drives the lane, and has the quickness and ball-handling skills to run the fast break Harrisburg thrives on. Excellent free-throw shooter who manages to crack double digits most nights. LOGAN LENTZ Chambersburg, 5-6 jr G
Forced to play a dual role because of limited options on offense. It's not easy being the point guard and also suiting up each night knowing you must score points to keep your team competitive. Nearly averages a double-double in points and assists each night, and when her 3-point shot is on you better get a hand in her face. Has all the tools of a top-notch point guard. SARAH McGOWAN Dallastown, 5-11 sr G
Two-time Big "15" selection has seen her game evolve over the past 12 months, which included deep runs in the district and state playoffs last year. A more complete player capable of taking over a game on either end. Surpassed the 1,000-point plateau this season and can score from anywhere with a much-improved shot. Her attitude and character will benefit Division I Quinnipiac next season. KRISTEN MURRAY Trinity, 5-11 jr F
Certainly has the right last name for this team. Third straight year a member of the Murray clan has graced this group. But that alone isn't good enough. Has asserted herself as Trinity's go-to player by aggressively looking to score on a team with many weapons. Very quick off the dribble and elevates nicely to get clean looks in the 8-12-foot range. Not afraid to mix it up in the paint, either. She'll only get better. MEGGAN QUINN Red Lion, 5-10 sr G
Burst onto the scene as a sophomore and has stayed in the spotlight. A two-time Big 15 pick, Quinn is the purest shooter in this group. Like all great shooters, has an occasional off night. But more often than not she lights it up from anywhere. Sometimes it seems like there isn't a shot she won't take. That attitude is what earned her a scholarship to Penn State. Plays with a hard edge you can't help but love. SHAKA RITTER Harrisburg, 5-9 sr G
The first thing that pops into most people's minds when you mention Harrisburg is the in-your-face pressure defense. And Ritter is the ringleader. Quick hands and feet. You better make sure your pass is a good one. Otherwise it's a layup going the other way. Thrives in the open floor. Shoots only with her right hand but is finding it easy to average double digits. MEGAN SOLLENBERGER Cumberland Valley, 5-3 sr G
Each year we try to find someone who fits the bill of a Big 15 player but probably wasn't on the radar late last season or at the start of this year. Sollenberger falls under that umbrella. Exploded out of the gate this year. Extremely quick off the dribble and loves to get inside with the trees and make them whiff on the way to the hole. A two-sport athlete who did the dirty work to improve enough to make it. MAHALA THOMAS Cumberland Valley, 5-9 sr F
When you put in the hard time over the summer, and have the athletic tools already, the result shows and is rewarded with a Division I scholarship. Thomas is a dynamic leaper who plays much taller than her height. Loves to get the ball on the elbow and use her lightning first step to blow by defenders. Can be a streaky shooter but almost always gets a clean look.
"THE CHOPS".