Greensburg Salem’s Megan Kallock named Westmoreland Trib Girls Basketball Player of the Year
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Saturday, April 6, 2019 | 5:14 PM
Greensburg Salem’s Megan Kallock scores over Indiana’s Laken Dills during their game Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at Greensburg Salem High School.
Greensburg Salem’s Megan Kallock drives past Knoch’s Abbey Shearer during their game Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Greensburg.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Anna Eisaman attempts to get a layup shot on net as Jeannette’s Dymond Crawford attempts to block on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 in girls’ basketball at Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
Norwin’s Olivia Gribble drives past North Allegheny’s Brooke Barcia during their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal at Fox Chapel High School.
Franklin Regional’s Cali Konek drives past Mars’ Tai Johnson during their game Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at Franklin Regional High School.
Hempfield’s Sarah Liberatore looks for an opening as Upper St. Clair’s Margaret McClintock defends in girls’ basketball on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019 at Hempfield Area High School.
Penn-Trafford’s Bella Long battles Latrobe’s Kayla White for a loose ball during their game Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Melina Maietta (left) works on layups with teammates Bella Skatell (middle) and Anna Eisaman (right) during girls’ basketball practice Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 at Greensburg Central Catholic.
Southmoreland’s Maggie Moore shoots over Apollo-Ridge’s Madison Marks during their WPIAL Class 4A playoff game Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, at Norwin High School.
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Bella Skatell looks for an opening as Jeannette’s defender Hannah Streussnig tries to block on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 in girls’ basketball at Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
Norwin’s Jayla Wehner drives past North Allegheny’s Taylor Rowls during their WPIAL Class 6A semifinal at Fox Chapel High School.
Here’s a look at the Westmoreland Tribune-Review girls basketball all-stars and player of the year.
Megan Kallock
Sr., G, Greensburg Salem
When Greensburg Salem needed a basket, it looked to Megan Kallock.
The senior consistently provided instant offense for the Golden Lions, be it from the perimeter, driving the lane and initiating contact or scoring in transition.
She got it done.
“Any time she has the ball in her hands, we feel good about it,” Greensburg Salem coach Rick Klimchock said.
An energetic guard, Kallock scored 569 points this season and led the WPIAL in scoring with 24.7 points per game. For her efforts, she is the Tribune-Review Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Two other seniors, Southmoreland’s Maggie Moore and Cali Konek of Franklin Regional, also were considered.
Kallock made 55 3-pointers and also contributed 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals. Greensburg Salem’s No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 1,868 points is headed to Saint Vincent to continue her playing career.
Kallock took some time for a year-end Q&A:
What made you such a good scorer over the years?
My teammates and coaches helped me score some points. I tried to spark my offense by playing hard defense and creating turnovers. I’ve always been determined to get to the rim and to the foul line.
From a personal standpoint, what did you find was the best way to score?
I did my best to score from all three levels. Getting to the rim, hitting some jumpers and runners from mid-range, and hitting some 3s.
How do you want Greensburg Salem fans to remember you?
As a competitor and a player that had a lot of energy and a lot of heart.
What is your favorite memory from this season and your career?
For this season, it was defeating Apollo-Ridge on the road and clinching a playoff spot. A career highlight was when I became the second all-time scorer in GS history.
What kept the team from making a playoff run?
We did a poor job in the first quarter against McKeesport’s pressure. We dug a hole that we couldn’t recover from.
Do you feel the program is better now than when you first started playing?
Yes. There are a lot of young kids that seem excited about playing, and we have a lot of athletes in the younger grades.
What can you bring to the Saint Vincent program?
First, I am going to bring an open mind and learn from the coaches and the veteran players. They have a great program. I hope to contribute.
What is a sport nobody knows you’re good at?
I am undefeated at Myrtle Beach in Kan Jam (flying disc game).
Best pregame meal?
That’s easy, Chick-fil-A.
Favorite kind of Gatorade?
Glacier Frost.
Who do you have in your Final Four?
Duke, North Carolina, Gonzaga and Texas Tech.
Who is winning the NBA title this year?
Nobody is beating Golden State.
First team
Anna Eisaman
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Senior leader averaged 13.2 points, team-best 7.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals as GCC reached the WPIAL playoffs for 19th consecutive time. Made 43 3-pointers for long-bombing Centurions.
Olivia Gribble
Jr., G, Norwin
One of area’s top 3-point shooters played a key role in Norwin’s run to the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals. Averaged 13.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals, while shooting nearly 90 percent from the foul line.
Cali Konek
Sr., G, Franklin Regional
Led Panthers to first playoff win since 2013. Charlotte recruit was more than just a scorer in first year with Franklin Regional, also providing 2.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game. Made 63 3-pointers. Finished career with 1,858 points at four schools.
Sarah Liberatore
Jr., G, Hempfield
Third-year varsity player led Spartans in scoring at 17.3 points per game. All-around backcourt leader demonstrated additional skills by adding 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals.
Bella Long
Jr., G, Penn-Trafford
One of area’s top perimeter shooters, she averaged 14.6 points and made 62 3-pointers, making 40 percent of her shots from the arc. Also pulled down seven rebounds per game. Has made a school-record 124 3s. Has 788 career points.
Melina Maietta
Jr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Led Centurions with 19.6 points per game to go with 4.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.1 steals. One of top perimeter-shooting threats in Class A, she made 45 3-pointers. Receiving Division I interest.
Maggie Moore
Sr., C, Southmoreland
A game-changing post presence for the Scotties, who returned to the WPIAL playoffs and reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007. Navy recruit averaged 13.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.3 blocks, while shooting 42 percent. Had 785 career points and 770 rebounds.
Bella Skatell
Sr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Centurions’ lefty floor general scored 15.6 points, handed out 5.4 assists, grabbed 4.6 rebounds and added 3.3 steals. Mansfield recruit led team in assists and steals and made 69 3-pointers.
Jayla Wehner
Jr., G, Norwin
Fast-rising backcourt player helped lead the Knights to the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals, and a 23-3 record. Averaged 7.7 points, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals.
Second team
Emily Brozeski, Sr., G, Norwin
Dymond Crawford, Sr., G, Jeannette
Chloe Jaworski, Sr., G, Mt. Pleasant
Jessica Kolesar, Sr., G, Norwin
Nikki Mellinger, Sr., G, Greensburg Salem
Rachel Ridilla, So., G, Latrobe
Destiny Roberts, Sr., F, Derry
Destiny Sheriff, Sr., G, Ligonier Valley
Lindsay Steeber, Sr., G, Belle Vernon
Jordan Yaniga, Sr., F, Franklin Regional
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland
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