Butler’s Amelia McMichael is the 2024-25 Butler Eagle Girls Basketball Player of the Year after she led the Tornado to the WPIAL playoffs and average 17 points and 8.5 rebounds. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

A number of girls basketball teams in Butler County met with success this season. While winning on the hardwood takes the efforts of every player on the court, leaders emerge to pave the way.

Six such players stood out this season and have been recognized with Butler Eagle First Team honors.

Heading that list is Butler’s Amelia McMichael. After averaging 17 points, 8.5 rebounds and two steals per game, the senior guard/forward has been named Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“Even though she was the focal point of defenses, she was pretty consistent with her scoring,” Butler coach Mark Maier said. “She really matured in that part of her game, staying mentally strong against a lot of pressure.

“The other players recognized the work she put in and she was a leader by example.”

McMichael took the attention from opposing teams in stride.

“They face-guarded me, double- and sometimes triple-teamed me,” she said. “I saw that as an opportunity to get my teammates involved.”

McMichael, who ended her varsity career with 1,072 points, over 500 rebounds and helped Butler reach the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs this winter, will play collegiately at West Chester University near Philadelphia.

“I played for Drill 4 Skill (AAU team based in Pittsburgh) last summer and that gave me the chance to get noticed by colleges,” McMichael said. “I spent three years on varsity, and I’m proud of what we accomplished. We grew as a team.”

Slippery Rock girls basketball coach Jeff Steele is Butler County’s coach of the year after his first season. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Slippery Rock’s girls experienced a positive domino effect this season.

A coaching change handed the reins of the program to Rocket alumnus Jeff Steele, who recognized the team, strictly a half-court squad in 2023-24, had the ability and talent to play at a fast pace.

The strategy led to more success on the court, which boosted the team’s confidence, and victories — 18 of them — followed. The Rockets won a District 10, Region 4 crown and made the state playoffs after winning 10 combined games the previous two years.

“They trusted me from the beginning, those first couple of practices, and that helped us get off and running,” said Steele, who has been named Butler Eagle Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.

“There were certain numbers we tracked, obviously points, but also number of possessions and free throws,” he added. “We showed the players what they were doing to make us successful, and that served as reinforcement.”

Meet the rest of the Butler County girls basketball all-stars of the 2024-25 season, listed alphabetically:

Seneca Valley's Gracie Cato more than doubled or scoring average this season, finishing with 16.5 points per game. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Averaged 16.5 points and four assists per game for a team that went undefeated in section play and finished 15-7 overall. Increased her scoring by nearly 10 points per game from a year ago.

“She was determined to be a better player this year and worked very hard in the offseason,” SV coach Dorothea Epps said. “She commanded the floor and put it all out there for us.”

North Catholic's Sarah Loughry (22) led the Trojanettes to the PIAA semifinals while averaging 7.6 points, five rebounds and six assists a game. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Was North’s Swiss Army knife, putting up 7.6 points, five rebounds, six assists and 3.4 steals per game. Was also the best defender on a team that went 25-5.

“She made us go on so many levels,” North coach Molly Rottmann said. “She went hard all the time, led us in rebounds as a point guard, and we will miss that.”

Slippery Rock’s Madison Romanovich (24) led the Rockets to a region championship and averaged 16.2 points and 7.9 rebounds a game. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Was a major factor in Slippery Rock’s return to prominence. Registered 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.8 steals per contest.

“She was our toughness, rarely came out of games,” Steele said. “She came into the season as a point guard, but was able to score more on the wing.”

Karns City's Naomi Venesky averaged a double-double of 11.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game to led the Gremlins to District 9 gold. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

Morgan Phillips

Was the leader of a team that won a District 9 Class 3A title, finishing with a record of 23-4. Averaged 11.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and three steals per game.

“She got off to a fast start to the season but ended the same way,” KC coach Steve Andreassi said. “It shows how dedicated she was to improving not just herself, but the team as well.”

North Catholic’s Brady Wehner, a recent Cedarville commit, averaged 14 points a game to lead the Trojanettes to the PIAA semifinals. Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle

Paced the Class 4A state semifinalists with 14 points per game, adding three rebounds and two steals.

“Brady had a great freshman season but was even better as a sophomore,” said Rottmann. “She took on more of a leadership role, and I’m excited to see where she can go from here.”

Karlee Buterbaugh, sr., G, Knoch; Alexis Cashdollar, jr., G, Mars; Maddy Dehart, jr., F, Union/A-C Valley; Neah Ewing, jr., G, Knoch; Sophia Fleeger, sr., G, Moniteau; Natalie Hambly, jr., G, Seneca Valley; Avery Maier, sr., G, Butler; Sydney Patterson, sr., G, Butler; Savanna Prescott, sr., F, Karns City; CJ Sabo, sr., G, Slippery Rock; Brooklynn Taylor, sr., G, Karns City; Vita Vargo, sr., G, Mars; Sam Weir, fr., G, North Catholic