The early part of the PIAA girls basketball season has already produced some interesting storylines.
Scroll down for an overview of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and Colonial League teams. Click here for a list of the area’s top returning scorers and All-Area honorees.
EPC
Bethlehem Catholic and Parkland both got off to 5-0 starts this season.
Bethlehem Catholic’s Leah Ault (11) cuts inside with the ball against Gwynedd Mercy during the second round of the PIAA Class 5A girls basketball tournament on March 12, 2025.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
The Golden Hawks posted victories over Liberty, Allen, South Bronx Prep (NY), Pocono Mountain West and Nazareth. Seniors Aliyah Brame, Leah Ault and Kendall Nickischer are key returnees for the Golden Hawks. Freshman Kamryn Gallis, the daughter of former Bethlehem Catholic and Lafayette College star Tiffany Bedics, scored 25 points in her first varsity game. Sophomore Tess Tryanski is out for the season with an injury and Palin Coleman, who was an EPC all-star as a freshman, has transferred to the Perkiomen School.
Parkland’s Aneri McGalla (30) drives to the basket against Emmaus in the 2025 EPC girls’ basketball semifinals.
Chris Shipley l lehighvalleylive.com contributor
The Trojans have recorded wins over Allen, Freedom, Whitehall, Pocono Mountain West and Wyomissing. They have 12 players returning from last season’s District 11 Class 6A championship team. Senior forward Isabella Hallal, senior guard/forward Aneri McGalla, senior guard/forward Addison Fritzinger and senior guard Savannah Gonzalez are expected to lead the way for Parkland. Hallal has committed to play soccer at East Stroudsburg University and McGalla will continue her basketball career at the University of Rochester.
Emmaus’ Gabby DeVita (4) eyes her shot against Parkland on Jan. 7, 2025.Chris Shipley l lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Emmaus, which won the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championship last season for the program’s first league title in 18 years, has won four games in a row after a season-opening loss to Wilson West Lawn. Senior guard Gabby DeVita, who was an EPC Tri-MVP last season, is back after averaging 15.1 points per game as a junior. Senior Olive Whitney, sophomore Eva Glover and sophomore Gracie Ervin should also make an impact for the Green Hornets this year. Kayla Snyder, who was a second-team EPC all-star as a sophomore for Emmaus, has transferred to Friends’ Central School.
Easton’s Melina Cole follows through on her 3-point shot against Liberty during the District 11 Class 6A girls basketball semifinals on Feb. 25, 2025.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
Easton started the season 4-0 in the EPC with wins over Northampton, Allentown Central Catholic, Stroudsburg and Freedom. The Red Rovers have dropped to non-conference contests with losses to Central Bucks East and Red Lion. Senior guard Nat Amato, who averaged 10 points per game last season, will be crucial for the Red Rovers this winter. Junior Gabrielle Wismer, sophomore Melina Cole, senior Ava Muhammad, senior Lianna Cole and junior Elena Brunetti are also key players for Easton.
Dieruff’s Jayla Rosario (24) races up the court with the ball against Nazareth on Jan. 4, 2024.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
Dieruff opened the season with victories over Tamaqua, Whitehall, Northampton and East Stroudsburg North. The Huskies’ winning streak was ended with a four-point loss to Allentown Central Catholic. Senior guard Jayla Rosario is back for Dieruff after averaging 11 points per game last season.
Liberty’s Ava Kopetskie (30) calls a play from the top of the key on Dec. 16, 2024.Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Liberty, which has two lopsided losses to Bethlehem Catholic and Scranton Prep this season, has posted wins over Whitehall, Pleasant Valley and Northampton. Hurricanes senior guard Ava Kopetskie, the 2025 lehighvalleylive.com Girls Basketball Player of the Year, is nearing the program’s all-time scoring record set by Dana Wieller (1,334 points) and the school’s all-time mark established by Warren West (1,487 points). Kopetskie will continue her basketball career at Loyola University Maryland. Liberty will also rely on returnees senior Chloe Rumelhart and senior Emma Miller this season.
Nazareth’s Alexa Davis (13) takes a shot in the District 11 Class 6A girls basketball quarterfinal against Liberty on Feb 21, 2025.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Nazareth had some tough losses against tough competition early this season with its defeats coming against Hazleton, Emmaus and Bethlehem Catholic. The Blue Eagles have convincing victories over Lake-Lehman, Freedom and East Stroudsburg South. Senior Alexa Davis, who has committed to play at Wilkes University, tallied 30 points in the Blue Eagles’ 60-29 home win over Freedom on Dec. 1. Nazareth sophomore Karly Leszcynski scored 16 points against Lake-Lehman on Nov. 28 and 14 points versus Freedom.
Allentown Central Catholic’s Annika Spinosa (14) shoots during the PIAA Class 4A second round on March 12, 2025.Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
After an 0-4 start to the season, Allentown Central Catholic has won two out of three games with victories over Dieruff and Pleasant Valley. The Vikettes are relying on their three returning senior starters Morgan Seagreaves, Annika Spinosa and Shamiya Roberts.
Pocono Mountain West is off to a 3-3 start to the season. The Panthers have wins over East Stroudsburg South, East Stroudsburg North and Pleasant Valley. Senior guard Emma Campusano tallied 16 points in Pocono Mountain West’s win over the Cavaliers on Dec. 1.
Colonial League
Lehighton won its first five games, including victories over some tough competition. The Indians have posted wins over Notre Dame-Green Pond, Wilson, Pen Argyl, Salisbury and Palmerton. Senior Ryleigh Trotman, senior Leah Uyvari and junior Cayley Reph are key returnees for Lehighton, which finished with a 10-13 last season.
Pen Argyl’s Gianna Martinni (2) grabs a rebound against Palmerton on Jan 11, 2025.
Chris Shipley l lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Pen Argyl’s only loss this year has come against Lehighton as the Green Knights started off with a 5-1 record. The Green Knights have victories over Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg, Moravian Academy, Jim Thorpe, Northern Lehigh and Palisades. Pen Argyl has a young group of players after losing four starters from last season. Sophomore Gianna Martini has performances of 13, 15 and 17 points so far this year. Freshman Leah Apostol scored 15 points against Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg in her first varsity game.
Northwestern Lehigh’s Natalie Conner (23) shoots on Feb. 3, 2025.Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Northwestern Lehigh hasn’t suffered a loss in league play this season. The Tigers have wins over Southern Columbia, Northern Lehigh, Bangor, Southern Lehigh and Catasauqua with their only loss coming against Eastern Lebanon County. Sophomore guard Natalie Conner, who averaged 18.1 points per game as a freshman, had 22 points against the Bulldogs on Dec. 4 and 18 points versus the Slaters on Dec. 8. Northwestern will also rely on senior guard Emma Freeman, senior guard Hannah Gober, senior forward Mallory Conner and senior center Olivia Reinhart this winter.
Palmerton’s Hailey Barry (21) looks to pass under pressure during the 2025 Colonial League girls basketball semifinals at Southern Lehigh High School on Feb. 10, 2025. Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Palmerton posted wins over Northern Lehigh, Moravian Academy, Bangor and Southern Lehigh to begin this season before falling to Lehighton. Senior forward Courtney Connell, who averaged 10.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game last season, tallied 17 points in the Blue Bombers’ season-opening win over the Bulldogs. Senior guards Hailey Barry and Cate Morgan will also be key for Palmerton this winter.
Catasauqua’s Hailey Jenkins (5) drives the baseline as the Rough Riders took on Notre Dame in the 2024 District 11 3A girls basketball finals.
Chris Shipley l lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Catasauqua started its schedule with wins over Bangor, Southern Lehigh and Saucon Valley before falling to Northwestern Lehigh. The Rough Riders have more experience this season after starting a junior and four freshmen much of last winter. Senior guard Hailey Jenkins, who scored 24.7 points per game in 2024-2025, tallied 15 points in the Rough Riders’ season-opening victory over the Slaters.
Wilson’s Juliana Bonham defends against Bangor on Jan. 22, 2025.Kyle Hanisak | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Wilson began the season with a 3-0 record with victories over Jim Thorpe, Moravian Academy and Notre Dame-East Stroudsburg. Since the unbeaten start, the Warriors have experienced losses to Lehighton and Northern Lehigh. Sophomore guard Juliana Bonham, who averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds per game as a freshman, tallied 24 points in the Warriors’ season-opening victory over the Olympians. Senior forward Kiera Hartzell-Ham is also back for the Warriors after tallying 5 points and 7 rebounds per game last season.
Notre Dame’s Brenna Hammerstone (3) runs onto the court during the 2025 Colonial League girls basketball semifinals at Southern Lehigh High School on Feb. 10, 2025. Alan Sylvestre | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
Following an 0-3 start to its schedule, Notre Dame-Green Pond won three consecutive games over Northern Lehigh, Bangor and Moravian Academy to even its record. The Crusaders have an experienced group of senior guards in Ava Shonk, Brenna Hammerstone and Ella Schweitzer. Hammerstone, who averaged 7.0 points per game last season, tallied 20 points in the win over the Lions on Monday night.
Salisbury won four of its five games on the season with wins against Lehigh Valley Academy, Palisades, Jim Thorpe and Bangor. The Falcons’ only loss was four-point defeat to unbeaten Lehighton. Senior forward Kendra Morgan, who scored 14.8 points per game this season, tallied 24 points in the Falcons’ victory over Palisades on Dec. 8.
Northern Lehigh’s Tegan Simms (43) battles Minersville’s Brooke Kopinetz (12) as she drives to the hoop for two points during the District 11 2A girls basketball final on March 1, 2024.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
Northern Lehigh started off the season with three losses, but has won two of its last three games with wins over Wilson and Jim Thorpe. The Bulldogs have three returning starters from last year’s 15-win team in junior guard Tegan Simms, senior guard Ariana Williams and senior forward Kylee Snyder.
Palisades bounced back from a three-game losing streak to begin the season by producing back-to-back wins over Moravian Academy and Jim Thorpe. Senior center Riley Alkhas will be key for the Pirates this winter.
Saucon Valley started the year with victories over Moravian Academy and Bangor before three consecutive losses. The Panthers have three returning starters in senior Marin Bowers, junior Magilyn Gorman and junior Brooke Davis. Gorman scored 21 points in Saucon Valley’s win over the Lions on Dec. 3.
Executive
The Raptors have won three of their first four games this season. They will rely on returnees Kamila Rios, Aiyana Riddick, Savanna Henry and Mariah Hargrove. Executive has a schedule this winter that includes more District 11 competition than in past seasons.