Local awards and all-state teams have yet to be announced, but Fox Chapel girls basketball player Erin Mathias already has picked up a big honor.
Mathias was named today as the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Gatorade says the award is for not only athletic excellence, but also academic achievement and character on and off the court.
Mathias is the third WPIAL player to win the award in the past four seasons. Hopewell's Shatori Walker-Kimbrough won it last year and Mt. Lebanon's Madison Cable in 2011. Walker-Kimbrough is now playing at the University of Maryland and Cable for undefeated Notre Dame.
Mathias has signed with Duke. One of the best post players in the WPIAL in recent years, the 6-foot-4 Mathias averaged 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots a game and helped Fox Chapel reach the WPIAL Class AAAA semifinals and a spot in the PIAA playoffs. She has a 3.8 grade-point average.
The Post-Gazette Fabulous 5, player of the year and all-section teams will be announced after the season. The all-state teams also will be announced after the season.