Spring is in the air, which means it’s time to look back at the 2025-26 boys and girls high school basketball season. As always, there was a bevy of talent across the Times News area.

The Northwestern Lehigh High School boys and Lehighton Area High School girls both brought home gold medals, with each squad winning Colonial League championships. The Northwestern boys, Weatherly Area High School boys and girls, and Marian Catholic High School girls also performed well in the District 11 playoffs, with all of those teams advancing to their respective district championship games.

So, without further ado, we present this year’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Times News Area All-Star Basketball Team. Both the boys and girls teams feature six players apiece on the first and second teams. The honorable mention category has no player limit.

Boys First Team

Cole Dietz (Sr.), Lehighton

Stat Line: Dietz, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys Basketball Player of the Year, finished with an area-best 20.96 points per game. He ended his career with 1,470 points, and shattered the Indians’ school record for three-pointers with 272. On the season, Dietz hit 66 treys, which also led the area. The senior, who is headed to Lebanon Valley College to continue his basketball career, also improved his overall game. He shot an impressive 53.8% from two-point range while collecting 85 assists and 85 rebounds.

Coach speak: “Cole is the hardest worker I’ve ever coached. He dedicated himself each year to improving his overall game and became a complete player. This past year, he committed to getting stronger and faster, which in turn allowed him to score more efficiently inside the three-point line to go along with his three-point shooting and excellent passing abilities.” — Coach Trevor Miller.

Ian McKeegan (Sr.), Weatherly

Stat line: McKeegan was a scoring machine throughout his career for the Wreckers. He finished second in the area in scoring this season, averaging 20.2 points per game. The senior closed his career with more than 1,300 points, and helped Weatherly enjoy one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Wreckers advanced to the District 11 Class 1A championship game and the state tournament, finishing 16-9. McKeegan also totaled 37 three-pointers, averaged 5.2 assists, four rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game.

Coach speak: “Obviously, Ian is a great kid. The thing that sticks out to me — and it’s kind of a lesson for honestly everybody if they look at that kid — is he took what he was given and just got better. He came into the world with what God presented him with, which is a small frame. He’s no bigger than 5-7, and he said, ‘You know what? I’m not going to let that stop me. I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can on my game so that my size is not an issue.’ It’s a great testament to taking what you have and making the best of it, and being relentless with your work ethic.” — Weatherly coach Luke Medico.

Pierce Gothard (Sr.), Jim Thorpe

Stat line: Gothard was a pure slasher for the improved Olympians this season. His play was a big reason Jim Thorpe qualified for the District 11 playoffs for the first time in four seasons. The senior averaged 18.48 points per game, which ranked third in the Times News area, making nearly a five-point-per-game jump from his junior season. Gothard finished the year with 425 points, and scored an impressive 724 points over the past two seasons. He also totaled 22 three-pointers this year.

Coach speak: “Pierce took a huge step for us this year, and was one of the keys to getting us back to the district playoffs. Most of what we did on offense flowed through him. He saw a lot of denial and help side, and still managed about 18.5 ppg. We were in the gym a lot in the offseason working on scoring at all three levels, and I think that really paid off for Pierce this year. He was a great slasher, had a really good mid-range pull-up game, and shot well from three as well. Mix that in with his genuine desire to learn and get better every day, and that makes for a special player.” — Jim Thorpe coach Brian O’Donnell.

Kellen Bauer (Jr.), Northern Lehigh

Stat line: One of only two juniors on the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys All-Star Basketball Team, Bauer continued to build off the momentum from a sophomore season that saw him score 432 points. Bauer kept it rolling during his junior campaign, averaging 18.7 points per game and surpassing the 1,000-point plateau this season. With 1,108 career points, Bauer is just 391 shy of the Bulldogs’ all-time scoring record. Bauer also averaged 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and one steal per game.

Coach speak: “Kellen did a lot for us this past season on both ends of the court. He is known primarily as a scorer — he averaged just under 19 points per game — but he also came up big on the glass every night as well. At 6-4, and with great athleticism, he was a solid shot blocker, too. He will work hard this offseason to maximize his potential. I’m very proud of Kellen’s accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing him lead our team to a successful season in his senior year.” — Northern Lehigh coach Jake Waylen.

Mason Bollinger (Sr.), Northwestern

Stat line: Bollinger led the Colonial League champion Tigers with 13.6 points per game, which ranked among the top 10 in the Times News area this season. Bollinger was as versatile a player as they came, as he could guard every position on the floor defensively, and played both inside and outside on the offensive end. He also averaged 5.9 rebounds per game, leading the team with 61 offensive boards. Bollinger also added two assists per game to go along with one block per game.

Coach speak: “Mason is the kind of kid who exemplifies what being a student-athlete at Northwestern Lehigh stands for. He’s a multi-sport athlete who has experienced athletic success throughout his high school career while also performing at a high level in the classroom. Mason has helped lead his team to back-to-back Colonial League championships and District XI 4A finals appearances. He is the kind of kid who does whatever is asked of him to the best of his ability. Having had the opportunity to coach Mason for the last three years has truly been a pleasure.” — Northwestern coach Pat Wanamaker.

Sebastian Sacci (Jr.), Pleasant Valley

Stat line: The second junior to make the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys All-Star Basketball Team, Sacci took a huge leap from his sophomore to junior campaign. After averaging 8.7 points per game as a sophomore, Sacci more than doubled that output by averaging 17.73 points per game this season, which ranked fifth in the Times News area. Sacci also averaged seven rebounds per night, two assists per game and 1.2 steals per contest. He can also step out and hit the 3-pointer, totaling 32 treys on the season.

Coach speak: “Bash has been a tremendous leader for us from day one. He genuinely enjoys seeing his teammates succeed, and leads by example both on and off the court. His passion for basketball, and the work he puts in year-round, are second to none. This honor is well earned, and I could not be prouder of him.” — Pleasant Valley coach Joey Berezwick.

Girls First Team

Natalie Conner (So.), Northwestern

Stat line: The super sophomore, Conner has been nothing short of a pure scorer since she first stepped onto the hardwood for the Tigers. This year’s Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Basketball Player of the Year led the area in scoring, averaging 20.8 points per game. Conner is a do-it-all type of player, but her ability to connect from the outside helped her score in bunches, as she knocked down 77 three-pointers. She needs just 25 more points to surpass the 1,000-point mark entering her junior season. Conner also led the team with 6.6 rebounds per game and 2.7 steals per contest.

Coach speak: “Natalie was our leading scorer and rebounder this season. She took that next step from her freshman season in having the confidence of her teammates to be our go-to player. She is 25 points short of 1,000 points, and will continue to improve her entire game. Natalie has worked very hard not just at basketball, but at everything she does. She is very driven.” — Northwestern coach Chris Deutsch.

Tegan Simms (Jr.), Northern Lehigh

Stat line: Simms is another area player who has been scoring ever since she laced up her sneakers as a freshman. She continued that trend during her junior campaign, finishing second in the Times News area with 16.63 points per game. Simms scored 399 points on the season, surpassing the 1,000-point plateau on a 3-pointer against Bangor on Jan. 10. She led the Lady Bulldogs with 59 three-pointers, and also averaged around three assists per contest.

Coach speak: “Tegan is Tegan, an absolute coach’s dream. She is the first in the gym and the last to leave. She puts her team first, but we rely on her to carry the workload. She has worked her butt off to become as good as she is and will have an opportunity to play at the next level. She is a true basketball competitor and a joy to coach.” — Northern Lehigh coach Brandon Hibbler.

Olivia Serfass (Sr.), Lehighton

Stat line: Serfass was perhaps the most versatile player in the Times News area this season. The senior could play in the post and on the perimeter at both ends of the floor. Serfass led the Colonial League champion Indians in scoring, averaging 12.04 points per game. She also battled on the boards night in and night out, pulling down eight rebounds per game. She could also step out and hit the 3-pointer, knocking down 15 treys.

Coach speak: “Olivia has just been outstanding for us this season. She was really able to showcase her versatility as a player, and she was able to be a threat from the outside as well as the inside. But more than points, rebounds and steals, it’s her leadership we will miss the most. She was able to raise everyone’s game around her. Her positivity, work ethic and love of the game will forever be remembered in this championship season.” — Lehighton coach Nadia Gauronsky.

Addy Marek (So.), Marian

Stat line: Just a sophomore, Marek had a strong season for the Fillies, helping them advance to the second round of the PIAA Class 2A state tournament. Marek is another area player with a versatile skill set. With nice size in the 5-11 to 6-0 range, she put together a double-double average for Marian, posting 15.7 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per contest. Marek led the team in 3-pointers with 43 trifectas. She also averaged 2.9 blocks, 2.6 steals, and 2.2 assists per contest.

Coach speak: “Addy had a very good year for us, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds as a sophomore. She was a captain and, along with our other captains, really helped our freshmen during the season. Addy works hard on her game and really deserves this honor.” — Marian coach Jeff Onuscho.

Morgan Orsulak (Sr.), Panther Valley

Stat line: Orsulak, a two-time Times News Volleyball Player of the Year, was also a force on the hardwood throughout her career for the Panthers. She produced a double-double on most nights for Panther Valley, averaging 15.8 points per game and nine rebounds per contest. Orsulak became the 11th girl in school history to surpass the 1,000-point mark, doing so in a game against Dieruff on Jan. 7. She also averaged 1.9 blocks per game and 1.9 steals per contest.

Coach speak: “This is a great honor to cap off a great career. She’s been near a double-double average since her freshman season, but more important than that, she really blossomed into a leader for us, especially this season. Everyone knows the tragedy our school suffered off the court this season with the loss of a great young man. Morgan was steadfast in her leadership during that time when a lot of our girls were hurting. People are always going to remember her for her accolades in sports, and her jersey is going to hang in the rafters here forever, but getting to know her and work with her over the years, she’s overall just a really special kid.” — Panther Valley coach Rob Kovac.

Millie Black (So.), Tamaqua

Stat line: Another young standout on the All-Star team, Black, a sophomore, led the 16-8 Raiders in scoring, averaging 13.5 points per game. Black’s motor and toughness around the basket made her a matchup problem on a nightly basis. She also averaged eight rebounds per game, and was strong on the defensive end, posting 2.4 steals per contest.

Coach speak: “Millie is a dynamic player and a mismatch for most teams because of her athleticism, size and ability to finish around the basket. She’s a great competitor, and has what it takes to be elite. We are excited to get to work this offseason on the things that will make her game grow and improve even more entering her junior season.” — Tamaqua coach Erika Davis.

Second Team

Blake Roberts, Lehighton

Corbin Wagner, Weatherly

Malachi Coleman, Northwestern

Danny Wehr, Panther Valley

Jake Loch, Pleasant Valley

Niko Saldukas, Weatherly

Honorable Mention

Brady Krimmel, Northwestern

Cannon Fitch, Northwestern

Brady Zimmerman, Northwestern

Greg Tirpak, Marian

Jacob De La Cruz, Marian

Dominick Kokinda, Weatherly

Gavin Edmonds, Tamaqua

Brody Breiner, Panther Valley

Gaige McGowan, Palmerton

Talin Fairchild, Lehighton

Brody Schrantz, Jim Thorpe

Cole Lazorick, Jim Thorpe

Second Team

DeAnna Pugh, Marian

Lauren Ligenza, Tamaqua

Ryleigh Trotman, Lehighton

Leah Uyvari, Lehighton

Cate Morgan, Palmerton

Hailey Barry, Palmerton

Honorable Mention

Brielle Parliman, Lehighton

Ava Serfass, Lehighton

Hannah Gober, Northwestern

Olivia Reinhart, Northwestern

Emma Freeman, Northwestern

Emma Rex, Palmerton

Courtney Connell, Palmerton

Caroline Breslin, Panther Valley

Aliciana Aponte, Panther Valley

Lucy Kocha, Panther Valley

Amaya Fuentes, Pleasant Valley

Kendle Miller, Tamaqua

Kelly Reiner, Weatherly