The sports staff at the Journal selected to All-Star basketball teams based on there 2007-08 basketball regular season and postseason. The teams were divided down the middle of the coverage area of our three papers. Each team consists of five starters, two reserves and a coach.

North Team
(North Allegheny, Hampton and Pine-Richland)

Jodi Luther
Forward, Hampton

Luther was the driving force being the Lady Talbots WPIAL title run. A good all-around player, she can score, play defense, or lead the team in both categories. A team true leader and also a match-up nightmare.

Laurel Hansen
Forward, Hampton

Hansen emerged this season from a role player to a star. She seldom loses out on a rebound opportunity and her scoring production also increased all season. She is also very good from the charity stripe.

Carolyn Steger
Forward, Pine-Richland

Steger is a solid player who can bring balance to any team. Her versatility can create match-up problems. And when injuries began to rack the Lady Rams, Steger held the team together.

Kelly Brennan
Guard, North Allegheny

Brennan is a rising star. As a freshman, she cracked the starting lineup, and matured beyond her years. She can score and can distribute the ball well.

C.J. Graham
Guard, Hampton

Graham is the kind of guard a coach can plug into any system and get positive results. Graham distributed the ball well on a very deep team and kept her mates happy. She can also score quite a bit herself.

Reserves

Mallory Schaffer
Guard, Hampton

Schaffer does all the little things well. She is always good for 4 to 6 points, a handful of rebounds, and a few steals, and could be the most athletic player we selected.

Emily Karr
Guard/forward Pine-Richland

Karr was a solid leader on a very young team. A very good shooter, Karr is a threat to score from anywhere on the floor, and has the poise to knock down the final shot.

Mary Bukovac
Coach, Hampton

Sometimes it's harder to get a team to play to their potential than it is to get a group to overachieve. Bukovac did an outstanding job of coaching some very close playoff games, and winning them. That's what separates a good coach from a great one.

South Team(Vincentian, North Hills, Shaler)

Jacki Cortese
Forward, Vincentian

Cortese can fill a role within a team or carry it. She was a major player on two very successful Lady Royals teams. She can score and rebound, and is not afraid to dive on a loose ball or play tough defense.

Jacki Sauer
Forward, Shaler

Sauer is a good team leader who plays good defense and rebounds well. She has the ability to score, but she excels in taking the opposition out of their game.

Olivia DiNucci
Forward, Shaler

DiNucci is a very well-rounded player. She is a big-time scorer, and good at grabbing boards too. Her foul-shooting is a definite strength, and she is not easily rattled.

Gabby Marshall
Center, North Hills

Marshall is a little green, but has the physical tools necessary to be successful. She was progressing nicely until an injury sidelined her.

Lindsay Knapp
Guard/Forward, Vincentian

Knapp is a cool, calm player. She has good basketball knowledge and is a pretty good shooter as well. She was a key player in big games for the Lady Royals.

Reserves

Holly Knaus
Guard, Shaler

Knaus did a good job meshing with her forwards, and showed a lot of upside as the season wore on. She is a true team player and can fill many roles.

Lindsay Primyon
Guard/Forward, Vincentian

Primyon is proof that it's not how you start, it's how you finish. She saved her best performances for the playoffs, where she put on a scoring clinic. There is room for clutch playoff performers on any team.

Ron Moncrief
Coach, Vincentian

Moncrief has led his team to lengthy playoff runs in each of his seasons at Vincnetian. Unlike many coaches at the bigger area schools, he has the smallest pool to choose from, and always seems to put a winning team on the court.