Penn-Trafford senior basketball players Katy Abreu and Maria Palarino were major catalysts behind the Warriors successful season.

Their hard work was recognized last week as they played in the all-star game at the 20th annual Hoops for a Cure at Chartiers Valley, an event that features the top seniors from the WPIAL. The event raises funds for the Nathan S. Arenson Fund for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

“I was really excited to play in the game because it is a great opportunity and it is for a great cause,” Palarino said. “I got to play with some friends I don't get to play with during the high school season.”

The Penn-Trafford duo played on a team comprised of girls from Class AAAA and A. Other members of the team included Shaler's Andi Lydon, Canon-McMillan's Danielle Parker, Seton-La Salle's Cassidy Walsh and Nicolette Newman, and Upper St. Clair's Rachel Mazzie, Madison Serio and Diandra Conwell.

The AAA/AA team won the game over the AAAA/A all-stars, 91-69. Palarino finished with seven points while Abreu finished with three. Each team would mass substitute all five players every five minutes, giving each player 20 minutes on the court.

“It was definitely different than high school ball,” Abreu said. “I was familiar with some of the girls from AAU. This kind of game really shows the talent in the area. It sometimes gets overlooked so this is a good game to show it off.”

The seniors helped Penn-Trafford finish with a 23-3 record. The Warriors went 12-0 in Section 1-AAAA and finished the regular season on a 20-game winning streak.

“Our defense was really good this season,” Abreu said. “We were also really quick. We played at a high speed. Winning the section with an undefeated record was great. And spending time with my teammates was a lot of fun.”

For Abreu, Hoops for a Cure will be one of her final games on the hardwood. She said she will not pursue athletics in college but will instead attend Kent State where she will study fashion merchandising or marketing.

Palarino, meanwhile, is heading to St. Francis (Brooklyn). The senior said she is excited to get on a campus and start her time with the Terriers, a member of the Northeast Conference.

“I am so excited,” Palarino said. “I know college ball is a lot different. They play at such a different pace. I am excited to get started.”

The senior trio of Abreu, Palarino and Casey Aunkst will play in the Roundball Classic at Geneva College Saturday.

The team of AAAA girls will play Class AAA at 4 p.m.

Nathan Smith is a staff writer at Trib Total Media. He can be reached at nsmith@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NSmith_Trib.

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