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By Michael Boytim
mboytim@altoonamirror.com
Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic girls basketball coach Kristi Kaack has been named the Pennsylvania Sports Writers' Class 1A All State Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
Kaack, who led the Lady Marauders to a PIAA championship win over Mountain View in March, earned state-wide coach of the year honors for the third time in her six years at the helm of BG (2020, 2021, 2024).
"It's extremely rewarding," Kaack said. "It might say my name, but it's definitely a team effort. I am surrounded by a really great coaching staff and have a lot of support, so this award is definitely shared with multiple people."
Bishop Guilfoyle edged District 6 rival Williamsburg in both the district final and the PIAA semifinals before beating Mountain View, 35-17, for the championship in Hershey.
Kaack took over for Blair County Hall of Fame coach Mark Moschella after she left her job coaching college women's basketball at Mount Aloysius.
"The thing I was most excited about was that I was going to get to work with the kids more," Kaack said. "At the Division III level, you only get the month that you're in season, and then we weren't allowed to work with them at all out of season when I coached there. Being around the kids more excited me about being at the high school level, but I don't think I could have ever envisioned my first six years going as amazing as they have."
BG freshman Morgan Ruggery was also honored with a third-team selection.
"For a freshman, I thought she had an incredible year," Kaack said. "She's a very dynamic player who did it on both ends of the floor. We certainly feel like she deserves this award."
Williamsburg had two players selected on the 1A team, both on the second team.
Senior Ayla Hileman landed on an all-state team for the third straight year after being first team as a junior before she suffered an offseason injury.
"I am so proud of Ayla working to make it back on the floor after her ACL injury and even with not being at 100 percent, she was able to make second-team all-state, which is such an honor," Williamsburg coach Amy Hileman said. "She has been such a competitor over the last four years and definitely has been a catalyst of our success. We are going to miss her, especially that deep and sometimes logo 3-pointer. To achieve all-state the last three years is an outstanding accomplishment."
Sophomore LeeAnna Royer made the all-state team for the first time after averaging 16.6 points per game.
"I have been very proud of LeeAnna for stepping up, especially when Ayla wasn't on the floor for half the season," Amy Hileman said. "She took that role on, and I thought really excelled in that. It's definitely a great honor for her and recognition. We're looking for great things to continue for her in the next two seasons."
Mountain View sophomore forward Addison Kilmer, who was held to just eight points in the state championship game by BG, was voted the Class 1A Player of the Year.
Berlin Brothersvalley freshman Coral Prosser and Saint Joseph's sophomore Naomi Crispin also made the second team in 1A.
In Class 2A, Portage senior Jenna Burkett made the third team after averaging 16.4 points per game.
"We are extremely excited and Portage proud of Jenna for this highest of high school basketball honors," Portage coach Lance Hudak said. "Sidetracked both her sophomore and junior seasons with injuries, her tireless work ethic brought her back to the dynamic player she is being recognized for today. A triple threat offensively, a lockdown defender and a rebounding terror, Jenna was our positive and encouraging leader who made her teammates and our team better."
Marion Center coach Amy Trimble was voted 2A Coach of the Year after the Lady Stingers lost a heartbreaker to Kennedy Catholic in the state final to 2A Player of the Year Layke Fields of Kennedy Catholic.
Marion Center's Lydia Miller and Bishop McCort's Gianna Gallucci made the second team, and Everett's Cloe Price joined Burkett on the third team in 2A.
The 3A Coach of the Year also came from District 6 in Westmont Hilltop's Brittany Eisenhuth. Lady Hilltopper Christiana Gordon was picked first-team all state along with River Valley's Ava Persichetti.
No District 5 or 6 players were recognized on the Class 4A, 5A or 6A team.