Hoop heroes: Presenting 2021 All-Main Line girls basketball teams

Although the COVID-19 pandemic limited the 2021 Main Line high school girls’ basketball season, several local teams had memorable seasons, particularly Sacred Heart Academy (10-5), which captured its fifth consecutive District 1 title, and Harriton (11-5), which reached the PIAA District 1 5A championship finals for the first time. Both Haverford High (10-6) and Radnor qualified for Districts, and Academy of Notre Dame posted an 8-1 record.
The All-Main Line high school girls’ basketball teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of sports available to first team, second team and honorable mention – but follows the priority of the coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2021 All-Main Line high school girls’ basketball teams:

FIRST TEAM

Maeve McErlane, Academy of Notre Dame – Junior 5-foot-9 guard had a stellar 2021 campaign, averaging 21.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.1 apg and 2.4 spg. The DePaul University commit was a scoring threat from all over the floor, hitting 35.8 percent from the 3-point circle and 75 percent from the free throw line.
Grace O’Neil, Archbishop Carroll – Junior guard, a repeat All-Main Line first team pick, was a 2021 first team All-CatholIc League Red Division selection and averaged 12.8 ppg this past winter. Was a first team All-Catholic League and All-Delco pick in 2020.
Anajah Brown, Baldwin School – Senior center, a Sienna College commit, was a dominant force underneath for the Polar Bears, scoring 17.4 points per game, grabbing 10.2 rebounds per contest and blocking more than three shots a game. Was first team All-Inter-Ac selection as a junior.
Madison Smith, Friends’ Central – Junior 5-foot-7 guard/forward, a repeat All-Main Line first team selection, was a powerful all-around performer for the Phoenix, scoring 14.6 points per game, pulling down eight rebounds per contest, and coming up with two steals a game.
Annie Aspesi, Harriton – Junior guard, a first team All-Central League selection, was a potent performer for the District 1 5A championship finalists, averaging 10.7 ppg, 2.5 spg and 2.0 apg. Was a fine shooter, converting 50 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line.
Caroline Dotsey, Haverford High – Sophomore 6-foot-1 forward, a first team All-Central League selection, was a strong presence underneath for the Fords, scoring 12.3 points per game, pulling down more than eight rebounds per contest, and blocking an average of one shot a game.
Kathryn Gallagher, Sacred Heart Academy – Junior guard was a key factor in the Lions’ District 1 2A championship, scoring more than a dozen points per game, averaging 3.3 steals per contest, and grabbing more than four rebounds a game.
Ainsley Davis, Sacred Heart Academy – Junior guard averaged 13.2 points per game and pulled down 4.3 rebounds per contest for the District 1 2A champions. Has made a habit of standing out in the district title games, scoring a game high 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the 2021 district championship contest.
Sanaa Redmond, Shipley – Senior point guard, a Samford University commit and three-time All-Friends Schools League selection, is the second-highest leading scorer for Shipley (1,493 points). Averaged 16.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.2 apg and 3.1 spg for the 2021 season.

SECOND TEAM

Academy of Notre Dame – Izzy Casale, senior guard; Julia Dever, junior point guard; Katie Halligan, sophomore forward.
Archbishop Carroll – Taylor Wilson, sophomore.
Conestoga – Kate Galica, sophomore forward.
Episcopal Academy – Riley Cassidy, junior guard.
Friends’ Central – Sanaa Garrett, sophomore guard.
Harriton – Mady Calhoun, junior forward; Lexi Calhoun, senior guard.
Haverford High – Chiara MacGillivray, senior guard.
Lower Merion – Bridget McCann, senior forward; Ellie O’Keefe, senior guard.
Merion Mercy Academy – Lucy Curry, junior forward; Mary Kate Gray, sophomore center.
Radnor – Cierra Hopson, senior forward; Ellie Rinehart, senior forward.
Sacred Heart Academy – ML Franz, senior guard.
Shipley – Lauryn Redcross, junior forward.
Villa Maria Academy – Faith Iacone, senior forward; Ally Trebelev, senior guard.

HONORABLE MENTION
Agnes Irwin – Paige Crowther, senior center; Caroline Vauclain, senior forward.
Archbishop Carroll – Maggie Grant, junior; Karli Dougherty, senior; Brooke Wilson, freshman.
Baldwin School – Kaya Weiser, junior point guard; Gabi Pritzker, junior guard/forward; Taylor Levinson, senior forward; Rani Bleznak, senior guard/forward.
Conestoga – Marisa Francione, freshman guard.
Episcopal Academy – Amanda Purcell, junior guard; Gaeli Keffer-Scharpf, sophomore forward.
Harriton – Maretta Smith, junior guard.
Haverford High – Mollie Carpenter, sophomore forward.
Radnor – Sally Austen, senior guard.
Shipley – Olivia Joseph, senior center.
Villa Maria Academy – Caroline Kirby, senior guard; Peyton Tague, senior guard.
– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.