Girls Basketball All-Delco: Nihill, Sheehan were super sophomores for O’Hara
In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Alyssa Monaghan of Bonner-Prendergast, the rest of the All-Delco girls basketball team includes:
Shalina Miller, Bonner-Prendergast: The senior center was a major factor in helping Bonner-Prendergast to a trip to the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class AAA tournament. One of her best outings came late in the season against Cardinal O’Hara when she scored 20 points and hauled in 17 rebounds. Bound for La Salle University, Miller played some of her best basketball after she missed five games in the middle of the season due to injury. She ranked ninth in the county with 14.5 points, and posted 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. She was a second-team Philadelphia Catholic League selection. Bonner-Prendie coach Tom Stewart said of Miller: “She’s worked on improving a lot of things about (her game). She’s been big for us.’
Hannah Nihill, Cardinal O’Hara: The sophomore guard was incredible in her first full season as a full-time starting player under coach Linus McGinty. Nihill averaged 12.1 points as O’Hara won 21 games, captured the District 12 championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs. Nihill, who plays travel ball with the AAU Comets, has been compared to Alyssa Monaghan for her ability to dribble, drive and distribute the ball. Nihill is also one of the premier defensive guards in the county, as she paced the Lions in steals and turnovers forced. She is a true pest. In a state second-round playoff win over Central Dauphin East, Nihill had five steals … in the first quarter.
Mary Sheehan, Cardinal O’Hara: The sophomore forward-guard hybrid routinely played out of position, matched up against taller players, for the betterment of the team. Sheehan, though, excelled everywhere on the floor. She has a smooth touch when shooting the ball and can score from long distance when she has to, but her best work is from inside the paint, where she uses her athleticism and savvy to get to the basket in myriad ways. Sheehan was the team leader in rebounds and paced the Lions in scoring at 13.1 points per game. Sheehan, who will play all spring and summer on the same AAU Comets team as Nihill, also earned first-team All-Catholic League honors.
Jordan Ireland, Garnet Valley: The senior guard helped the Jaguars run the table in the Central League for the second straight year and qualify for the state tournament for the third consecutive season. The NJIT recruit earned All-Central League honors along with her sister, Maddie, and fellow senior Macy Goldbach after leading the team in points (12.4) while posting 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per contest. Ireland, who played AAU ball with the Comets, was the Jags’ top defensive player in terms of taking charges. “It’s another indicator of her fearless competitiveness and desire to win,’ GV coach Joe Woods. She was named MVP at the Philadelphia University Play-By-Play Classic and was selected to participate in the Hero Scholarship All-Star Game Saturday, April 11, as well as the All-Star Labor Classic last month.
Dahnye Redd, Penn Wood: The junior forward is one of the most exciting players to watch in Delaware County. Redd has been a dominating force in the Del Val League the last two years as the Patriots claimed back-to-back titles and qualified for the District One Class AAAA playoffs for the second straight year. Redd is a playmaker whose fearless approach on the floor earned respect from opposing coaches in Delco. Opposing teams found her nearly unstoppable to guard in transistion. Redd ranked second in the county with 18.6 points per game. Her signature moment came in the Del Val clincher at Academy Park, scoring 14 of her game-high 23 points in the third quarter of a come-from-behind victory. While the Del Val is not considered a true powerhouse in girls basketball, Redd is a legit talent who figures to be one of the top returning seniors in Southeastern Pa. next winter.
