It’s not for us — members of the Pittsburgh Union Progress sports staff — to label our basketball all-star teams as prestigious. That declaration falls to our loyal readership.
But looking back at some of our selections to the first all-star basketball team after last season and what they’ve gone on to accomplish, it’s easy to see why landing a spot on the PUP all-star team could be a premonition of greater things to come at the collegiate level.
Among the athletes chosen last year, South Fayette’s Maddie Webber, who plays at Villanova, was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team. Oakland Catholic grad Alexa Washington, now at North Florida, was selected to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team and set a program single-game record with nine 3-pointers.
Also, North Allegheny’s Jasmine Timmerson started eight games as a freshman at Pitt, and Laurel Highlands’ Rodney Gallagher had 10 receptions for 74 yards and 15 carries for 87 yards as a freshman wide receiver at West Virginia.
With the PIAA basketball tournament winding down with its championship games this weekend in Hershey, Pa., it’s time for the Union Progress to announce the second edition of its boys and girls all-star basketball teams.
With input from high school coaches along with first-hand evaluations, the PUP sports staff has put together a first team, second team and third team of boys and girls all-stars, taking into consideration all of the top players from the WPIAL and City League.
This Sunday, the boys and girls teams will be announced, followed by the PUP boys and girls players of the year and coaches of the year on March 31.
So after rooting for your favorite team to bring home championship gold from Hershey this weekend, check back Sunday to see what individuals landed on the second edition of the PUP boys and girls all-star basketball teams.
Rick, an associate sports editor for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and working as sports editor for the Union Progress. Contact him at rdavis@unionprogress.com.