High School Hoops: Boys & Girls All-Area Selections

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

Here is my annual all-league selections. You will not see Chester's Rondae Jefferson or Vaux's Rysheed Jordan on these teams.

The players on these teams displayed their skills in the suburbs of Philadelphia, on teams four JRC (Journal Register Company) papers covered. The papers are the Lansdale Reporter, Montgomery Media, Times Herald and the Mercury.

These are unofficial all-league selections, just one man's opinion based on what I have seen, read, or heard over the last three months.

Without further adieu...

BOYS
FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Anthony Durham (Abington): Anthony Durham's talent has never been dismissed, but there seems to be a player that is taller, a player that is faster and a player averaging more points per game. While those traits may be the truth, the fact remains the senior point guard orchestrated the best offense in the area. Durham scored when he needed to, passed when it was the right call and got the Galloping Ghosts a league title, consecutive District One final fours and another state playoff appearance. While people may say other players did with more with less around them, I say Durham made his teammates better and that is why he is my Player of the Year.

Brendan Casper (Methacton): When a 6-5 frame comes sliding up and around your biggest defender there is nothing left to do that put than hands up straight, hope he misses the drive or the ref is not whistle happy that day. Unfortunately neither was usually the case and the "And-One" King's ability to make foul shots and adjust in the air led to him scoring over 20 points per game. Casper led the Warriors to their first ever PIAA berth.

Amar Stukes (LaSalle): Not many can become consistent scorers in the challenging Philadelphia Catholic League, but the 6-2 point guard for the Explorers was just that. Stukes was a lock for double-digits every night for the last two plus seasons and it all culminated with over 1,000 points in his career. The current and future Explorer (committed to LaSalle University) is also one of the best facilitators around and his game should translate well to the Atlantic-10 next season.

Mike Brown (Hatboro-Horsham): Not everyone saw the Hatters league championship and win in districts coming, but not everyone has watched Mike Brown blossom over the last four seasons. Not to pat myself on the back too much, but I called the successful Hatter year in the preseason, but it was solely based on Brown's leadership and ability. The Navy commit averaged 20 points per game and returned excitement to The Hat-Box. Do you think he will be missed next year? Sir, yes sir.

Greg Dotson (Germantown Academy): While two of Dotson's senior teammates signed the dotted line for college heading into the season and could relax, the 6-foot-4 swing-man was still playing for more than the Independent School Title they did end up winning. He was playing for his future. Multiple players took turns staring, but Dotson's versatility and athleticism is the reason he gets a first-team nod from me. Whatever school he signs with is getting a flat-out winner.

SECOND TEAM

John Kanas (Souderton)

Tyrell Long (Bishop McDevitt)
Chase Wilson (Wissahickon)
Nick Lindner (Germantown Academy)
Anthony McKie (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)
John Kanas (Souderton)

Pat Smith (Archbishop Wood)

THIRD TEAM
Pat Smith (Archbishop Wood)
Julian Moore (Germantown Academy)
Jared Armstrong (Christopher Dock)
Zach Dolton (Phil-Mont Christian)
Purnell Wilson (Perkiomen Valley)

Aaron McGlawn (Cheltenham)

HONORABLE MENTION
Zach Quattro (Hatboro-Horsham)
Jordan Simmons (Abington)
Aaron McGlawn (Cheltenham)
Steve Smith (LaSalle)
Josh Johnson (Norristown)



GIRLS
FIRST TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Alex Louin (Mount Saint Joseph):  How is it that Mount Saint Joseph can lose a Division-One point guard (Pittsburgh's Bridget Higgins) and get better? Well yes, coach John Miller is very good, but also it also because junior Alex Louin gets better every time she takes the floor. You could see the raw talent as a freshman on a District One title team. Then she was their go-to scorer as a sophomore. Now its her team and they are making another deep postseason run. In order for Miller's system to work all five on the floor have to buy in on defense and Louin may be the best on that end as well. Her long arms make for a beautiful ballet plie to east buckets. She is nearly unstoppable when she wants to be and she does not even fully know it yet. Louin is unselfish and set up for a bright future.

Cutrena Goff (Upper Dublin): Be careful when you blink or the senior Cardinal may be Flying by you. She may have not been blessed with the most height, but she was blessed with some of the best instincts in the area. Losing long time coach and a 1,000 point scorer made many question what type of season the now perennial state playoff team would have. But quickly Goff took over and rolled through the league and districts. Her acrobatic passing and fancy finishers make her fun to watch, but she has decreased her turnovers and increased her leadership every step of the way through her brilliant high school career.

Lauren Crisler (North Penn): Crisler is no where near your typical Suburban One League six-footer, just standing under the basket for easy double-doubles. Crisler earns her points and her offensive game is so diverse, and while she could dominate all day in the post, Crisler seems to shoot effortless jumpers from all over the floor. Her range is what makes her special and American U is getting a quality team player who has shown the ability to take over a game.

Kiernan McCloskey (Germantown Academy): McCloskey is the reason people say talent can only get you so far. While other players at 6-1 can jump higher and sprint faster, not many have the intelligence and energy of the senior Patriot. The Lehigh recruit is physical and a immediate defensive presence at the next level. Her passion for the game will undoubtedly turn her into a collegiate captain in four years.

Sammy Stipa (Spring-Ford): Everything coach Jeff Reinhimer throws at Sammy Stipa the junior seems to excell with. The point guard plays beyond her years and while scoring over 10 points per game and dishing out her share of assists she also is typically guarding the other teams top guard. As long as Stipa is in the picture for the Lady Rams, the blue and gold will be title contenders.

SECOND TEAM

Deja Rawls (Abington)

Deja Rawls (Abington)
Lauren Gold (Abington Friends)
Kalee Fuegel (St. Basil Academy)
Kelsey Watson (Methacton)
Bailey Greenberg (Gwynedd Mercy Academy)

Bianca Picard (Souderton)

THIRD TEAM
Bianca Picard (Souderton)
Aubree Brown (Archbishop Wood)
Kristina O'Sullivan (Upper Merion)
Brianna Hedgepath (Norristown)
Mikki Guiton (Perkiomen Valley)

Nicole Munger (C.B. West)

HONORABLE MENTION
Emma Dorshimer (Jenkintown)
Sierra Guenst (Calvary Baptist)
Nicole Munger (Central Bucks West)
Margaret Anne Hubbell (Germantown Acadmey)
Shelby Mueller (Spring-Ford)