JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Defending state champion Berlin Brothers Valley features an experienced returning roster that includes two-time all-state player and NCAA Division I recruit Coral Prosser as the Mountaineers seek to maintain their top spot in the PIAA Class 2A girls basketball standings.
Bishop McCourt Catholic brings in veteran newcomers as the Red-Red Crushers try to take another step forward after losing to Berlin Brothers Valley in the state championship game in Hershey in March.
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With the season well underway, last season’s gold and silver medal winners are one of the compelling storylines.
“This team is special and will face the challenge of a very tough non-conference schedule this year,” said ’20 coach Rachel Prosser, who led the Mountaineers to a 28-2 record in 2025 and earned her second All-State Coach of the Year honors.
Berlin Brothersvalley opened the season with a pair of wins at the Play 4 Mae tournament last weekend at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers defeated 5A Penn Trafford (62-45) and 4A Oakland Catholic (57-47).
“I look forward to seeing this team play with passion and energy every game,” Coach Prosser said.
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“They also look forward to the support of all the community.”
The Mountaineers return three starters and five honorees from the 2025 state championship squad. Coral Prosser averaged 21.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.1 steals per game, earning first-team all-state honors for the District 5-2A champions.
The talented guard totaled 620 points, 229 rebounds, 158 assists and 119 steals. On March 27, in the PIAA 2A championship game, she defeated Bishop McCort 62-50, scoring a game-high 35 points, 15 rebounds and 8 steals.
The 5-foot-8 junior has 34 NCAA Division I offers, including Texas A&M, Air Force, Boston University, Bowling Green State, Dayton, Duquesne and Robert Morris University.
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“She’s the real deal,” Bishop McCourt coach John Hahn said of Coral Prosser after the state title game. “I can see why she got an offer from a Division I university.”
Crimson Crusher “Remember That Feeling”
Hahn’s Crimson Crushers return three starters from a 26-5 team.
Bishop McCort fell 15-0 to Berlin Brothersvalley in the state championship game in Hershey.
But the run to the title was filled with highlights, including a 6-2A title win over Penns Manor (59-49) and a dramatic 55-53 victory over the Comets in the PIAA semifinal rematch.
“We learned a lot,” said Crimson Crushers senior guard Emma Preuss, who scored 27 points in the state semifinals. “We know what we have to do this year. We know what we have to accomplish.
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“We all remember that feeling (after the state championship loss). A lot of us keep rewatching that game to get us excited for the season.”
Looking back and moving forward is a common theme.
“It didn’t feel good last year, and I thought we all had a lot of fire,” senior forward Ava Zuko said. “I think we’re ready and we know exactly what we need to do.”
Hahn noticed that determination throughout the offseason.
“From day one, when we started working together in the summer, I could tell they were unhappy, they were dissatisfied,” the 25-year-old head coach said. “I tell them, ‘Keep this feeling inside. This is what we’re going to build on.’
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“We’re in the weight room at 6 in the morning. We’re in the gym. I have four really good seniors. The team is a lot closer this year.”
Bishop Carroll returns five starters
First-year Carroll Catholic head coach Nick Smith welcomes five returning starters to a 21-8 record that advanced to the PIAA Class 1A semifinals.
“The returning players bring valuable experience and chemistry,” Smith said.
The Huskies opened with wins over DuBois (74-24) and St. Joseph Catholic Academy (62-51). Bishop Carroll hosts the Bellwood-Antis game on Friday.
“We really had a really good season last year, so I think it’s going to give us some good momentum this year,” junior Ava Pablic said. “Our team is very tight-knit. We have a great relationship. It’s like family.”
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Bishop Carroll won three straight PIAA playoff games before losing to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic (49-42) in the state semifinals. The Marauders also defeated the Huskies (61-44) in the District 6-1A final.
“I think the way we played last season really showed that we could go that far in the playoffs,” junior Adeline Myers said. “Just getting to where we are and how close we are is really fun.”
“We’ve been working hard in practice and keeping all of our motivation and energy going,” added senior Madison Draut.
Forest Hills’ ‘expectations are high’
Forest Hills and Portage, two perennial region contenders, had to replace their entire starting lineups for the 2024-25 season.
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The District 6-4A Rangers and 6-2A Mustangs both return four starters after a year and will be among the teams to watch in the Laurel Highlands and Heritage Conference, respectively.
“Now, there are expectations, and they’re high,” said Forest Hills coach Carol Cecere, who enters her 31st season with a 505-222 career record. “Expectations are a blessing and a burden.
“(Assistant) coach (Scott) Lashinski was just talking about how quickly you transitioned from a young, inexperienced team to now having a target on your back because you did some unexpected things last year.
“All of a sudden, we’re not inexperienced anymore. We’re an experienced team. It changes quickly.”
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The 17-9 Rangers went 6-4 last season and advanced to the second round of the PIAA playoffs with a win over Penn Cambria (65-51).
“Last year, we had a whole new starting lineup, so we had to adjust to each other,” Forest Hills senior Morgan Gedula said. “We have four returning starters and backups who are going to do a really good job. They’re tough and tough.”
“We have four returning starters and it’s going to be a good start for us because we know what each other can do,” senior guard Ava Moore said.
“We know where to pass the ball and when to shoot, and the coach has prepared us for it.”
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Portage has numbers and returns experience
Portage head coach Lance Hudak, in his 24th season, will be without the only starter from the 2024-25 13-11 team that lost in the first round of the District 6-2A playoffs.
“We’re optimistic,” Hudak said. “We have the biggest roster (on the roster) since I’ve been coaching. Last year at this time, we replaced five senior starters. This year, it’s the complete opposite. We were successful last year — 13-11, making the conference semifinals and regional playoffs.
“A year older, more people – the freshmen stepped up and helped us. We’re excited.”
Hudak said he has a group of experienced defenders and forwards. The team finished just two games above .500 but was tested throughout the traditional conference schedule.
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“We built a lot of chemistry last year and that carried over into this year,” junior Brynn Burkett said. “I think it’s worked out well for us.”
“Last year, a lot of us had to step up and avoid losing five seniors,” added junior Kendall Bednarski. “I think it helps. These freshmen are pretty good, too.”
Westmont Hilltop ‘has grown a lot’
Westmont Hilltop is nearly two years removed from a state runner-up finish. Coach Brittany Eisenhuth returns four starters from a 12-9 lineup and welcomes seven freshmen to the mix.
“They’ve grown a lot,” Eisenhut said. “Not only are they growing as players, but they’re growing as teammates. They’re becoming leaders. They’re really taking these young girls under their wing.
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“There’s responsibility. If someone’s driving half-speed, they let them know.”
Central Cumbria’s ‘young potential’
Central Cambria replaces four starters from the 2024-25 District 6-3A championship team that defeated previously undefeated Riverdale 54-53 in overtime in the title game.
“We lost six seniors, but we have a lot of young potential on the team and we’re looking forward to growing this year,” Central Cambria junior guard Rowyn Ruddek said.
“It’s a little hard to rebuild,” senior guard Alaina Long added, “but we’re looking forward to it. New team, we all have young potential. It’s new life.”
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The Red Devils won their first conference title since 1998 and advanced to the PIAA tournament.
“We’re definitely going to miss the seniors we lost (to graduation), but I’m very confident in our team moving forward,” Central Cambria coach Brittany Bracken said.
“They got a little taste of success last season and I feel like that just pushes them to work even harder so they can feel that feeling again.”
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for the Tribune-Democrat. You can contact him at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.