Taliyah Medina takes home State Player of the Year honors

The Pennsylvania Sports Writers released their Girls Basketball All-State list this week and District XI was well represented. Leading the way, was Bethlehem Catholic Senior Taliyah Medina, who not only received first team accolades in the 4A class but also was named 4A Player of the year.

The Villanova bound senior said, “This award really means a lot to me. Being able to represent my family, school, team and surrounding community in such a positive way, I could not be happier. This brings joy to others who were part of this journey. Being state player of the year for class 4A was a goal of mine coming into the season. It stinks that our season was cut short but being able to receive this honor is greatly appreciated.”

Medina won four East Penn Conference and District XI titles during her four-year career to go along with being a part of two State Championships. Bethlehem Catholic was looking for back to back state titles, but their undefeated season was cut short because of Covid-19. The Golden Hawks reached the PIAA 4A quarterfinals before the season was cancelled.

Her father and Bethlehem Catholic Head Coach Jose Medina very excited for his daughters’ latest honor. He said, “I am so proud of Taliyah receiving this state recognition. It says so much about her teammates, coaches and her team of trainers who have all poured into her over the years. It also sends a great message within our Lehigh Valley community, especially many younger girls basketball players to keep training hard and dream big. I truly believe the best is still to come from Taliyah.”

Other players receiving all-state honors in the 4A class for the second year in a row included Emma Kuczynski of Tamaqua (2^nd team) and Skyler Searfoss of Jim Thorpe (3^rd team).

The 3A class featured Notre Dame Green Pond teammates Antonia Bates and Cassie Murphy (both second team), and Erika Dubosky from Panther Valley (3^rd team).

Notre Dame Head Coach Josh Kopp said, “I could not be happier for Antonia and Cassie. To be recognized and named to the All-State Team is truly an honor. It is a well-earned and a well-deserved distinction.  Both Antonia and Cassie are very skilled and talented basketball players. They are both very hard workers and have dedicated much time and effort in improving their respective games. They have a true passion for the game that was evident in their performances on the court over the past season. Obviously, their performances were integral to our program’s success over the last two seasons. I am very proud of both Cassie and Antonia. To have the opportunity to coach two All-State caliber players on the same team during the same season was an honor and a lot fun to say the least.”

The lone District XI representative in the 6A class was Talya Brugler of Nazareth (2^nd team). The East Penn Conference MVP has already surpassed 1000 career points, after scoring a school record 586 points during her junior season.

Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State Girls Basketball

**PLAYER OF THE YEAR

6A Class

Talya Brugler                  Nazareth JR                            19.1         2^nd Team

4A CLASS

**Taliyah Medina                        Bethlehem Catholic SR                        14.6            1^st team

Emma Kuczynski                        Tamaqua SR                                                23.4            2^nd team

Skyler Searfoss                        Jim Thorpe SO                                    15.3            3^rd team

3A CLASS

Antonia Bates                        Notre Dame-GP SO                        10.8            2^nd team

Cassie Murphy                        Notre Dame-GP SR                                    16.5            2^nd team

Erika Dubosky                        Panther Valley JR                                    19.4            3^rd team