Girls Basketball: Top 10 Breakthrough Players

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

A month ago these were not the names expected to carry their team this winter. A month ago, outside of their home gym, they were looked upon as good players, but not expected to steal the headlines in the papers of Journal Register Company's Philadelphia cluster (Reporter, Times Herald, Mercury, Montgomery).

Whether it is because of extended playing time or exponential improvement over the off-season, these are my TOP 10 BREAKTHROUGH PLAYERS OF THE FIRST HALF.

10. Jill Bolton (Christopher Dock) - The freshman has become a force for the Pioneers and helped them run out of the gate to a 6-2 record. The forward leads the team in points per game (13.8) and rebounds (8.1). Bolton looks to have a big future ahead of her.

Kayla McAneney (UD)

9. Kayla McAneney (Upper Dublin) - A role player on very successful teams over the last few season the seniors have become one of the go-to players on the Flying Cardinals club that is currently undefeated. She is one of the leading scores in Suburban One and alongside Regan Gallagher the duo have been dynamic every night they hit the floor.

8. Laura Killion (Lower Moreland) - She has not needed to be the go-to scorer every night for the Lions, but the sophomore sees her team struggling she has not been afraid to answer the call. The Lions sit at 11-1 overall and Killion's emergence is a big reason they have league and district aspirations.

7. Taylor Herd (Lansdale Catholic) - Herd has the ability to go off any night for the Lady Crusaders. The sophomore in her first season in Lansdale is averaging over 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Crusaders offense can come from all five spots in the floor, but Herd has been a hero on several occasions this season.

6. Asia Baker (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) - The 5-10 senior forward has flourished for the Colonials this season. Baker does her damage on both sides of the court, scoring well over 16 a night and pulling down time rebounds left and right. The inside-combo with her and Alynna Williams have made the Colonials of tall task for opponents.

Vicky Tumasz (NP)

5. Vicky Tumasz (North Penn) - We should have seen it coming with Tumasz. In years past she was good for the occasional three-pointer, yet it always seemed to me at a clutch time in the ball game. For her senior season she has been clutch all game. She has emerged as the Maidens main scorer and vocal leader. Losing Lauren Crisler (American University) is a lot easier with Tumasz shooting lights out this season.

4. Jana Goodman (Phil-Mont Christian) - Goodman has always been a great rebounder and defensive player in the post. But now the senior, who is headed to Kutztown, is dominating the Bicentennial League from all areas on the floor. She is a four year starter, but now is truly showing why she received a scholarship to play for the Bears.

3. Michael Harris (Abington) - The potential has always been there for Harris and college coaches saw it. Before Harris ever averaged double-doubles she was having calls coming her way. But this senior season Harris is having a breakout season, leading the Ghosts to another strong season.

Allison Gallagher (SOUD)

2. Allison Gallagher (Souderton) -  Her partner in crime Bianca Picard gets a lot of the attention, rightfully so with her Division-One abilities, but Gallagher has grabbed the headlines through the midway point. She has been the leading scorer on most nights and giving the Indians the extra effort needed to win the close games. Gallagher will be a difference maker down the stretch for Big Red.

1. Ashley Jones (Cheltenham) - She may be a freshman, but she is already the most prolific scorer in the Suburban One League. Averaging well over 20 points per game she has put the Panthers back on the map after a down year. She's already receiving extra-attention, something she will certainly have to get used to over the next four seasons.


10. Plymouth-Whitemarsh Colonials (9-2) (quarter rank: otw)
9. Souderton Indians (9-3) (quarter rank: otw)
8. Methacton (9-4) (quarter rank: 8)
7. Germantown Academy Patriots (8-0) (quarter rank: 7)
6. Central Bucks West Bucks (9-3) (quarter rank: 4)
5. North Penn Maidens (9-2) (quarter rank: 6)
4. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (11-0) (quarter rank: 9)
3. Archbishop Wood Vikings (8-1) (quarter rank: 3)
2. Mount Saint Joseph's Magic (12-1) (quarter rank: 2)
1. Spring-Ford Rams (11-2) (quarter rank: 1)

Others to watch: Norristown (6-5), Jenkintown (9-4), Lansdale Catholic (6-5), Lower Moreland (11-1), Cheltenham (8-3), Abington (7-5), Saint Basil (8-1), Pope John Paul II (12-1)