Westmoreland County girls basketball all-stars: Mt. Pleasant’s Tiffany Zelmore an elite scorer
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Saturday, April 1, 2023 | 6:38 PM
Mt. Pleasant’s Tiffany Zelmore is fouled by OLSH’s Claudia Ierullo during WPIAL girls 3A first-round action Saturday, Feb.18, 2023 at Peters Twp. High School.
Norwin’s Kendall Berger (2) hits a layup as Cedar Cliff’s Taylor Ferraro (5) trails the play on March 20, 2023.
Latrobe’s Camille Dominick smiles as time winds down against Woodland Hills on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Yough senior Laney Gerdich
Greensburg Central Catholic’s Erica Gribble drives against Kennedy Catholic’s Cassie Dancak during their PIAA Class 2A state semifinal on Monday, March 20, 2023, at North Allegheny.
Greensburg Salem’s Kaitlyn Mankins brings the ball upcourt against North Catholic on Jan. 5, 2023, at Greensburg Salem High School.
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review
Norwin’s Lauren Palangio scores over North Allegheny’s Eva Prenatt Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 at North Allegheny High School.
Franklin Regional’s Sarah Penrod eyes her shot past Plum’s Camryn Rogers during their game on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, in Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford’s Olivia Pepple scores against Norwin on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Harrison City.
Tiffany Zelmore
Sr., F, Mt. Pleasant
The ball goes up, hits the backboard with force and rims out. But Tiffany Zelmore is not discouraged.
In one motion, she cleans up her own miss, grunting as she pulls down the rebound, and goes back up for two points. She is fouled in the process and makes the free throw.
The next time down the floor, she does it again — then, again.
The board-crashing senior forward from Mt. Pleasant was one of the WPIAL’s most productive scorers the last few years, and it was her determined play around the rim that allowed her to clean up.
It also earned her the distinction of Tribune-Review Westmoreland Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Greensburg Central Catholic junior Mya Morgan, GCC freshman Erica Gribble, Norwin junior Lauren Palangio and Penn-Trafford junior Olivia Pepple also were considered.
Zelmore averaged 28.8 points and scored 1,629 for her career — 663 this season — as Mt. Pleasant made a run to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
“When I set my mind to something,” she said, “not a lot can stop me.”
Zelmore was a true volume scorer, rarely disappointing, even against better teams. She showed touch around the rim but also developed a perimeter game and cashed in on increased free-throw attempts.
“I didn’t think I would have as many points,” she said. “I originally was guessing I would average around 20 points per game. Teamwise, it was nice for my senior year to be able to have a winning record and make playoffs, but it’s disappointing that we couldn’t get a playoff win. Overall, I think personally, and as a team, we had a successful season.”
Mt. Pleasant coach Scott Giacobbi knows he is fortunate to have coached the program’s second all-time scorer.
“Tiffany has made a lasting impact on our program,” Giacobbi said. “She has been a key contributor and the go-to scorer in our offense since she was a freshman. She’s the type of player opponents must plan for, and her talents influence every part of the game. She’s a special player whom we’ll certainly miss.”
Zelmore also made lasting memories in her final prep season. “TAZ” had her own cheering section as she molded her legacy.
“A lot of my family and friends were there to support the team and myself,” she said. “I think I will be remembered for my determination and my name being in the gym on a banner for scoring 1,000 points.”
Plus, a few more than that.
First team
Kendall Berger
So., G, Norwin
Emerged as key scorer for the Lady Knights, who reached the WPIAL and PIAA 6A semifnals. … Averaged team-best 13.2 points and pulled down 4.7 rebounds.
Camille Dominick
Sr., G-F, Latrobe
Pitt-Johnstown commit was one of area’s top combo forwards. … Averaged 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Wildcats
Laney Gerdich
Sr., F, Yough
Helped lead Yough to WPIAL playoffs for first time in 13 years. … Juniata commit averaged 11.6 points and 10.5 rebounds and finished with 775 career points and 808 rebounds.
Erica Gribble
Fr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Fast-rising freshman led GCC in scoring at 16.9 points. Also averaged 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 steals and made 47 3-pointers. … Division I prospect for PIAA semifinalists.
Kaitlyn Mankins
Jr., F, Greensburg Salem
One of top post players in the county, the 6-foot-1 forward averaged 14.7 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 51% from the field.
Mya Morgan
Jr., G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Helped lead GCC to WPIAL quarterfinals and PIAA semifinals, averaging 16.8 points and 2.1 steals. … Made a team-high 55 3-pointers.
Lauren Palangio
Jr., F, Norwin
A talented, 6-1 post player, she helped Norwin to the WPIAL and PIAA Class 6A semifinals. … Averaged 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Sarah Penrod
Sr., G, Franklin Regional
Led Panthers with 13.1 points per game. … Pitt-Greensburg recruit also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals a game.
Olivia Pepple
Jr., G, Penn-Trafford
One of top all-around players in Class 5A led Warriors with 16.5-point average to go with 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals. … Shot nearly 50% from two-point range.
Second team
Avery Davis, Jr.,G, Greensburg Central Catholic
Jenna Dawson, Sr., G, Belle Vernon
Hailey Johnson, Jr., F, Monessen
Ava Kobus, Jr., G, Norwin
Lauren Marton, So., F, Penn-Trafford
Autumn Matthews, Jr., F, Yough
Brooke McCoy, Sr., G-F, Hempfield
Maddie Moore, Sr., F, Southmoreland
Sarah Podkul, Jr., G, Hempfield
Elle Snyder, Jr., G, Latrobe
Third team
Mikalah Chewning, Sr., G, Yough
Ashley Hosni, Jr., G, Hempfield
Madison Marinchak, Jr., G, Ligonier Valley
Rachelle Marinchek, Jr., G, Derry
Myasia Majors, Jr., F, Monessen
Avery Musto, So., F, Franklin Regional
Lilly Palladino, Sr., F, Penn-Trafford
Ashlan Price, Jr., G, Greensburg Salem
Farrah Reader, Sr., F, Belle Vernon
Josie Straigis, Sr., G, Latrobe
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Southmoreland, Yough
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