GIRLS BASKETBALL: Toomey heads Times-Tribune All-Region team
Apr. 9—Player of the year
Ciera Toomey, Dunmore, Sr.
North Carolina recruit is 2-time, first-team all-state center and McDonald's All-American nominee who, playing at about 70%, returned from ACL surgery to lift team to state title after playing just 69 minutes in 9 games before District 2 final win, 50-30, over Holy Redeemer. Averaged 26.2 minutes in state tournament, playing full 32 minutes for the first time in the season in state semifinal win over Lancaster Catholic, 43-37, and championship game victory over River Valley, 42-30, a game where she scored 13 and collected 21 rebounds. In PIAA tournament, shot 56% with 14.4 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game. Had a 2.9-to-1 assists-to-turnover ratio. Scored 1,258 career points. Fourth All-Region selection.
All-region team
Rita Collins, Scranton Prep, Sr.
Versatile post player and tough rebounder was Lackawanna League Division I player of the year. Led Classics to their sixth straight league title, a District 2 championship and the state semifinals in Class 4A. Career high 21 points vs. Scranton. Averaged 9.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.9 steals. First All-Region selection.
Maya Jenkins, Scranton Prep, So.
Team's leading scorer averaged 13.4 points, along with 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Posted career-high 25 points with school-record seven 3s vs. Wallenpaupack. Tough shooter in the clutch, was a first team Division I all-star. Hit 63 3s, shot 86% at the foul line and was key in run to state semifinals. Solid defender. First All-Region selection.
Sophia Talutto, Dunmore, So.
Shifty guard whose ballhandling and passing skills were key as Lady Bucks won state Class 3A title. Scrappy defender with quick hands, and deadly running floater. Scored season-high 21 vs. Holy Redeemer in District 2 title game. Led Dunmore in scoring at 11.0 ppg, with 5.1 reb., 4.5 assists and 4.2 steals. First All-Region selection.
Addison Kilmer, Mountain View, Fr.
Led team to state semifinals averaging 20.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 8.8 blocks and 3.5 steals in four PIAA playoff games, three of them triple-doubles. Posted 23 double-doubles including last 20 games. Had season high 26 rebounds. Scored 476 points. Division IV first team all-star. First All-Region selection.
Ella Smith, Wallenpaupack, So.
Paced Wallenpauipack's Division II title run with 14 points per game. Scored game-winner and season high 24 vs. Abington Heights, and 23 vs. North Pocono to force playoff for division crown. Division II player of the year also averaged 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals. First All-Region selection.
Coach of the year
Carrie Toomey, Dunmore
Diligent coaching of bigs by confidence-building, first-year head coach yielded huge benefits for the Lady Bucks in their postseason run to a first state championship in four tries.
Contact the writer:
570-348-9100, ext. 5437
@mmyersTT on Twitter
