CALIFORNIA, Pa.– The third annual Blue Star / California University Holliday Hoop Fest saw California University of Pennsylvania play host to 11 Varsity and junior varsity teams the last weekend of 2015. Like last year’s event with eventual national champion Neumann- Goretti, this year’s edition of the Hoop Fest hosted another highly regarded powerhouse, western PA’s Bishop Canevin Lady Crusaders.

Located just outside the city of Pittsburgh, Bishop Canevin is a AA perennial powerhouse with a rich tradition in western Pennsylvania basketball circles. Under the tutelage of coach Tim Joyce, they won both the WPIAL and PIAA crowns in 2013. Canevin is a well-coached and seasoned group,  They’re deep with talent in every class and that combination should keep the Crusaders a viable contender for some time to come.

The undisputed leader of the team is 5-9 senior, guard Gina Vallecorsa (California University of PA). Vallecorsa is a coach’s dream player; strong, smart, handles the ball well and shoots lights out from all distances. She has an incredible desire to win and has zero confidence issues. Another senior leader is 5-7 senior, guard, Erin Joyce (Waynesburg). She handles the ball well, understands the game and is maybe the best three-point specialist on a roster full of them.

The Crusaders won two games in the Hoop Fest, taking down a solid AAA Ringgold team 63-45 on day one. The entertaining day two matchup between top ranked AA Canevin and AAAA Canon McMillian was a slugfest, and while Canevin kept jabbing at Canon Mac, the Big Macs never went down. They used tough defense and various runs including an 11-4 in the third, to keep the game close.  Canon McMillian forced the game to come down to just a couple of possessions. But all that seasoning and made free throws enabled the Crusaders to hang on to a 5-point 40-35 win.

QUICK HITTERS

Bishop Canevin Crusaders

Sarah Green (5’9” – 2017 – Guard) – Can shoot the three…Gets through the lane quickly and has a scoring touch…Coming off an early summer knee injury and was recently cleared to play…If she can continue to get stronger and stay healthy, she should return to form quickly

Kacy Kaczorowski (5-7 – 2018 – Guard) – Another Canevin player that can shoot the three…Handles the ball well…Runs the offense…Smart defensively…Runs the floor well

Brionna Allen (5-7 – 2018 – Guard/Forward) – Quick feet and hands…Great first step…Strong at the basket…Strength and athletic ability make her a versatile option

Shamyjha Price (5-8 – 2019 – Guard/Forward) – Incredible first step…Finishes strong anywhere near the basket…Once in the lane she becomes real dangerous…Tools and potential

Canon McMillian Big Macs

Becca Turney (6-3 – 2016 – Forward) – Eastern Michigan – Size and stature…Keeps it high…Moves well for size

Cheyenne Trest (5-7 – 2017 – Guard) – Quick hands…Deadly on the ball defender…Turns defense to offense…Can shoot the three…Competitor

Tamara Mathis (5-7 – 2019 – Guard) – Fast…Quick to the lane…Sees the open player in the paint…Scores in many ways around the hoop…Good first step…Huge upside

Connellsville Falcons

Abbey Davis (6-0 – 2017 – Forward) – Shooter with three-point range…Good ball handler…Takes big shots

Elizabeth Forward Warriors

Alexis Korenoski (5-5 – 2018 – Guard) – Scrappy…Always in attack mode…Good defender…Anticipates well

Brianna Spirnak (5-11 – 2019 – Forward) – Long and lean build…Athletic…Good hands and touch inside…Finds the ball down low

Hollidaysburg Tigers

Theresa Gildea (5-9 – 2019 – Guard) – Good range on jump shot…Can hit the three consistently…Runs the floor…Makes good decisions in the half court

Laurel Highlands Fillies

Sarah Proud (5-10 – 2016 – Forward) – Good, soft hands…Strong around the rim…Scoring touch with range to the foul line area…Scraps for loose balls…Runs the floor

Ringgold Rams

Bailey Cooper (5-10 – 2016 – Forward) – California University of PA – Athletic…Very fast up and down the court…Leaps out the gym…Good first step…Can score at the hoop

Ashley Briscoe (6-1 – 2018 – Forward) – Strong and physical…Can score around the hoop…Can run the floor…Needs to develop a mid-range game for the next level.