Jenna Hillebrand scored like never before and, in doing so, helped Scranton Prep go to a level of success it had never previously attained in girls basketball.
With Hillebrand posting the two highest-scoring games of her career, the Classics advanced all the way to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 4A state championship game in Hershey.
That performance resulted in the 5-foot-9 junior guard/forward from Clarks Summit landing a spot as a second-team selection in Class 4A when Pennsylvania Sports Writers announced their all-state team April 26.
Hillebrand hit career-highs of six 3-pointers and 30 points in an 83-50 semifinal rout of Universal Audenried to earn the team its first trip to Hershey. That topped her 28-point game from early in the tournament.
During the state tournament, Hillebrand led the team in scoring in every game, averaging 22.2 points and hitting 88.2 percent of her free throws.
Although she poured in the 3-pointers in the playoffs, Hillebrand’s scoring throughout the season often came from other parts of her game.
“Most of it would probably be attacking the rim,” she said. “I think I did have some games where I had more 3s than others, but I think my number-one skillset is probably getting to the rim, by coming off screens or finding more ways to create my shots.”
Hillebrand went from rotating in and out of the starting lineup a year ago to being the leading scorer on a team that repeated as Lackawanna League Division 1 and District 2 Class 4A champions before going on its state tournament run. She averaged 15.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2.0 assists on the season while making 50 shots from 3-point range and converting 82.4 percent of her free throw opportunities.
“I really had no idea that would be my role,” Hillebrand said of the increased scoring. “My mindset was still on last season. But, it really just showed me that work in the offseason paid off.
“That was nice to see.”
The Classics made it to the state final with an all-junior starting lineup and just one senior on the roster.
Teammate Maya Jenkins was a third-team, all-state choice after making the second team last season.
“I think anyone on our team could have been on that list,” Jenkins said. “We got to that game because we have six main cohesive players who worked hard every day. None of us cared about the awards.
“Obviously, it’s great, but any one of us could have gotten them because we are one team and we play like that every single game.”
Bringing the five starters back gives the Classics high hopes going into next season.
“I think we just need to keep the same goal and mindset we had this season,” Hillebrand said.
The Scranton Prep players were two of five to receive all-state honors from around the Lackawanna League.
Mountain View’s Addison Kilmer was named Class A Player of the Year after making the first team last season as a freshman. The Lady Eagles also made the state final.
Scranton freshman Zya Small was a first-teamer in Class 5A where Pittston Area’s Daniella Ranieli made the third team for the second straight season.
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