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Kennedy Catholic’s Fields Named PA Sports Writers Class 2A Player of the Year; Magestro COY; 7 D10, 2 D9 Players All-State

Kennedy Catholic's Layke Fields looks to score during the PIAA 2A championship game against Homer-Center in March. Photo by Paul Burdick
            

ALTOONA, Pa. – Layke Fields took Kennedy Catholic to the promised land in 2023, and that is why Fields is the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 2A Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year.

                  

Fields, who was also the YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com District 10 Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year, averaged 19.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game while leading the Golden Eagles to their first PIAA crown (Class 2A) since 2001.

Kennedy Catholic’s Layke Fields. Photo by Paul Burdick

The sophomore shot 66.5% from the field (252 of 379) on the season and saved her best for last.

In the final three games of the PIAA Tournament, Fields shot 35 of 43 (81.3%) from the field in wins over Bishop McCort, Greensburg Central Catholic, and Homer-Center. That included a 15 of 15 performance in the win over Bishop McCort in the quarterfinals, a game that saw her score 30 points. She added 22 points on 10 of 13 shooting in a semifinal win over GCC and then scored 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting in the PIAA title game against Homer-Center.

                                      

A first-team Class 2A all-state selection, as well, Fields is joined in being honored by the Sports Writers by her coach, Justin Magestro, who is the Class 2A Coach of the Year, and teammate Bella Magestro, only a freshman, who is second-team all-state.

Justin Magestro, the YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com Chuck Daly Foundation District 10 Coach of the Year, led Kennedy Catholic to its first PIAA crown in 22 years a season after helping the Golden Eagles to a PIAA Class 1A runner-up finish. The Golden Eagles finished the season 26-4, including winning 24 in a row to close out the year. This after KC started the season 0-3 and 2-4 against a tough schedule.

Kennedy Catholic’s Justin Magestro. Photo by Paul Burdick

Bella Magestro burst onto the scene this season averaging 12.3 points, 4.0 rebounds. 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while hitting 52 3-pointers. Magestro was a second-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com selection.

Kennedy Catholic’s Bella Magestro. Photo by Paul Burdick.

                          

The Kennedy Catholic trio were just the start of District 9 and District 10 players being honored by the PA Sports Writers.

Also in Class 2A, Redbank Valley sophomore Mylee Harmon earned third-team honors after averaging 21.0 points, 5.6 steals, 4.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game for the D9 2A champion Lady Bulldogs who advanced to the second round of the PIAA playoffs. Harmon shot 52.7% from the field going 232 of 438 and was a first-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com All-District 9 selection.

Mylee Harmon cuts to the basket during Friday's semifinal win for Redbank Valley. Photo by Noah DiTullio/JB GRaphics

Redbank Valley’s Mylee Harmon. Photo by Noah DiTullio/JB Graphics

In Class 5A, a pair of Cathedral Prep players earned All-state honors with Jayden McBride a first-team selection and Lena Walz a third-team choice. Both players were first-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com All-D10 selections.

Cathedral Prep’s Lena Walz

McBride, a junior, averaged 16.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for the Ramblers while shooting 49% from the field, while Walz, a junior, averaged 12.6 points, 4.1 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.7 rebounds per contest.

Cathedral Prep’s Jayden McBride. Photo by Andy Close

In Class 4A, Fairview senior Hope Garrity was a second-team selection after averaging 14.9 points per game and hitting 67 3-pointers. She was also a first-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com All-District 10 choice.

Fairview’s Hope Garrity

Wilmington sophomore Lia Krarup and Mercyhurst Prep junior Olivia Kulyk were third-team selections in Class 3A.

                                   

Mercyhurst Prep’s Olivia Kulyk

Krarup was a first-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com All-D10 selection who averaged 20.6 points and 4.1 steals per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range, while Kulyk was a first-team YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com All-D10 choice who averaged 19.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest.

Wilmington’s Lia Krarup

In Class 1A, Otto-Eldred’s Katie Sheeler earned second-team honors.

The YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com District 9 Player of the Year for the second straight season, Sheeler averaged a D9-leading 22.1 points per game along with 5.1 steals, 3.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per contest in leading the Lady Terrors to their first-ever D9 title.

Otto-Eldred’s Katie Sheeler. Photo by Paul Burdick

2023 PENNSYLVANIA SPORTS WRITERS ALL-STATE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
The 2023 Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Girls’ Basketball teams, including each player’s school, height, class and scoring average.

CLASS 6A
First team
Jillian Jekot, Cumberland Valley, 6-0, Jr., 22.9
Olivia Jones, Cedar Cliff, 5-10, So., 15.3
Abby Sharpe, Plymouth-Whitemarsh 6-0, Sr., 18.7
Jasmine Timmerson, North Allegheny, 5-7, Sr., 16.4
Natalie Wetzel, Peters Township, 6-3, So., 18.6
Second team
Kailah Correa, Lebanon, 5-4, So., 18.1
Grace Galbavy, Perkiomen Valley, 5-11, So., 13.5
Marissa Gingrich, Mifflin County, 5-8, Sr., 22.0
Molly Rullo, Cardinal O’Hara, 6-0, So., 16.8
Brooke Wilson, Archbishop Carroll, 5-9, Jr.. 11.3
Taylor Wilson, Archbishop Carroll, 6-0, Sr., 14.8
Cire Worley, Abington, 6-0, Sr., 20.4
Third team
Anna Azzara, Spring-Ford, 5-8, Jr., 14.7
Kendall Berger, Norwin, 5-9, So., 13.2
Erin Daley, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, 6-0, Sr., 16.5
Caroline Dotsey, Haverford, 6-2, Sr., 16.9
Casey Harter, Souderton, 5-10, Sr., 16.1
Lauren Palangio, Norwin, 6-1, Jr., 11.9
Rylee Kalocay, Upper St. Clair, 5-9, So., 20.0
Reese Zemitis, Neshaminy, F, 6-1, Jr., 13.8
Player of the year — Olivia Jones, Cedar Cliff
Coach of the year — Renie Shields, Archbishop Carroll

CLASS 5A
First team
Deja Evans, Archbishop Wood, 6-2, Sr., 8.7
Maddie Knier, Manheim Central, 6-0, Sr., 23.5
Jayden McBride, Cathedral Prep, 5-11, Jr., 16.7
Laine McGurk, West Chester Rustin, 5-11, Sr., 22.5
Maddie Webber, South Fayette, 5-11, Sr., 17.3
Second team
Hannah Griffin, Gwynedd Mercy, 5-9, Sr., 10.5
Alison Hatajik, Hollidaysburg, 6-0, Sr., 15.2
Cici Hernandez, Bethlehem Catholic, 5-6, Jr., 14.1
Gianna Johnson, George School, 6-5, Jr., 12.0
Senaya Parker, Samuel Fels, 5-6, So., 5-6, 43.1
Ava Renninger, Archbishop Wood, 5-6, Jr., 8.0
Alexa Washington, Oakland Catholic, 5-7, Sr., 16.3
Third team
Eve Fiala, Indiana, 6-5, Sr., 14.4
Haley Noblit, Greencastle-Antrim, 5-3, Jr., 13.0
Priyanka Ponnam, George School, 6-3, So., 12.0
Daniella Ranieli, Pittston, 5-3, So. 16.3
Janay Rissmiller, York Suburban, 5-6, Jr., 14.0
Lena Walz, Cathedral Prep, 5-10, Jr., 12.8
Player of the year — Maddie Weber, South Fayette
Coach of the year — Mike McDonald, Archbishop Wood, and Lauren Stackhouse, West Chester Rustin

CLASS 4A
First team
Gabby Casey, Lansdale Catholic, 5-10, Sr., 21.5
Alexis Hess, Fleetwood, 6-1, Sr., 17.6
Alena Fusetti, Blackhawk, 5-10, Jr., 17.4
Peyton Dincher, Jersey Shore, 6-0, So., 20.8
Alayna Rocco, North Catholic, 5-11, Jr., 17.6
Shayla Smith, Audenried, So., 5-10, 24.8
Amaya Stewart, Wyomissing, 6-1, Sr., 15.3
Second team
Kendall Bennett, Germantown Academy, 6-3, Sr., 12.0
Hope Garrity, Fairview, 5-8, Sr., 14.9
Maya Jenkins, Scranton Prep, 5-8, So., 13.4
Dacia Lewandowski, North Catholic, 5-11, Sr., 12.0
Maddy Wetzel, North Schuylkill, 5-8, Sr., 20.1
Third team
Quinn Borroni, Blackhawk, 5-10, Sr., 11.0
Schuyler Coles, Susquehanna Township, 5-8, Jr., 20.2
Molly Driscoll, Allentown Central Catholic, 5-8, Jr., 14.7
Carryn Easley, Neumann-Goretti, 5-4, So., 13.5
Jaida Helm, Lansdale Catholic, 5-10, Sr., 12.0
Amya Scott, Neumann-Goretti, 5-4, So., 15.7
Paige Sevrain, Northwestern Lehigh, Sr., 6-0, 12.4
Player of the year — Gabby Casey, Lansdale Catholic
Coach of the year — Eric Gidney, Lansdale Catholic

CLASS 3A
First team
Brie Droege, Columbia, 5-10, Jr., 23.8
Zahra King, Westtown, Jr., 5-10, 13.3
Mairan Haggerty, Neshannock, 6-1, Sr., 22.5
Ava Perischetti, River Valley, 5-8, So., 19.8
Aleah Snead, Penn Charter, 5-11, Sr., 16.2
Ciera Toomey, Dunmore, 6-4, Sr., 10.2
Second team
Mary Bolesky, Lancaster Catholic, 5-4, Jr., 15.4
Savannah Curry, Westtown, 5-10, Jr., 5-10, 9.1
Madeline Evans, Bloomsburg, Sr., 6-1, 18.3
Logyn Greer, Friends’ Central, 6-3, So., 15.2
Grace Sundback, Westtown, Sr., 5-8, 13.2
Tiffany Zelmore, Mount Pleasant, 5-10, Sr., 28.8
Third team
Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick, Westtown, 5-11, Sr., 7.0
Belle Bosch, Chestnut Ridge, 5-11, Sr., 21.0
Mallory Daly, Seton LaSalle, 5-8, Jr., 21.7
Christiana Gordon, Westmont Hilltop, 5-11, So., 16.6
Lia Krarup, Wilmington, 5-6, So., 20.2
Olivia Kulyk, Mercyhurst Prep, 6-0, Jr., 19.7
Alyssa Reisinger, Mount Carmel, 6-0, Sr., 15.5
Bella Toomey, Penn Charter, 6-0, Sr., 10.6
Player of the year — Ciera Toomey, Dunmore
Coach of the year — Carrie Toomey, Dunmore

CLASS 2A
First team
Shaye Bailey, Freedom Area, 5-7, Jr., 21.6
Layke Fields, Kennedy Catholic, 6-0, So., 19.1
Bella Forker, Faith Christian, 5-8, Sr. 16.5
Genesis Meadows, Lancaster Country Day, 5-4, Sr., 25.2
Macy Sardone, Homer-Center, 5-7, Sr., 18.0
Iyanna Wade, Clairton, 5-5, So., 33.3
Second team
Bria Bair, Bishop McCort Catholic, 5-11, Sr., 16.2
Erica Gribble, Greensburg Central Catholic, 5-8, Fr., 16.9
Bella Magestro, Kennedy Catholic, 5-8, Fr., 12.1
Maddison Maynard, Panther Valley, 5-10, Jr., 22.6
Lauren Patnode, Perkiomen, 6-0, Jr., 17.0
Third team
Minyhah Easterling, Glendale, 6-3, Sr., 19.2
Saraiah Franklin, Penn Treaty, 5-7, Sr., 23.4
Mylee Harmon, Redbank Valley, 5-6, So., 21.0
Molly Kosmack, Homer-Center, 6-0, Sr., 13.6
Lacey Kriebel, South Williamsport, 6-0, So., 14.9
Lydia Worthing, Bellwood-Antis, 5-10, Sr., 17.0
Player of the year — Layke Fields, Kennedy Catholic
Coach of the year — Justin Magestro, Kennedy Catholic

CLASS 1A
First team
Amber Bullard, The Christian Academy, 6-1, Sr., 18.3
Kelly Cleaver, Union (New Castle), 6-0, Jr., 15.4
Ayla Hileman, Williamsburg, 5-8, Jr., 19.7
Addison Kilmer, Mountain View, 6-1, Fr., 20.5
Jenna Muha, Shade, 6-1, Sr., 31.6
Second team
Kailey Devlin, Meadowbrook Christian, 5-9, Jr., 20.7
Kylie Fruehstorfer, Union (New Castle), 5-5, So., 12.5
Grace Sechler, Berlin Brothersvalley, 5-9, Sr., 16.5
Katie Sheeler, Otto-Eldred, 5-7, Sr., 22.2
Sheiana Tutler, St. John Neumann, 6-0, Sr., 6-0, 13.0
Third team
Linda Brown, Christian School of York, Sr., 5-7, 14.0
Paityn Moyer, Lourdes Regional, 5-9, Jr., 7.6
Masie Reed, Lourdes Regional 5-8, Jr., 11.8
Julie Spinelli, St. Joseph, 5-11, Jr., 19.2
Jayla Woodruff, Williamsburg, 6-0, Sr., 12.7
Player of the year — Amber Bullard, The Christian Academy
Coach of the year — Rob Nogay, Union (New Castle)

                       

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