Tyrone graduate Alanna Daniels is continuing her education and basketball at Seton Hill.
Daniels has made quite an impact on her teammates, coaches and opponents. Her play earned the Tyrone freshman honorable mention on the American Mideast Conference All-Star team and first team status on the All-AMC Northern Division Freshmen Team. The squad was chosen by the vote of AMC North Division coaches
After scoring more than 1,000 points and leading Tyrone to an 18-8 season and a place in the District VI semifinals as a senior during her senior year at Tyrone Area High School, Daniels stepped right in at the college level and performed well enough to attract the attention of opposing coaches.
Daniels started 17 of 27 games as a true freshman, playing in all but one of Seton Hill’s 28 games in her first year for the Lady Griffins, averaging 24.2 minutes per game. Alanna grabbed 56 rebounds for 2.1 rebounds per game, had 41 steals, two blocks, 52 assists and scored 209 points for an average of 7.7 points per game.
“Alanna worked very hard and matured quickly,” explained Seton Hill head coach Rich Rosensteel. “She met our expectations for this year. She is a real credit to the Tyrone coaching staff. She got better each game, played with heart. We are expecting great things out of her next season.”
To be eligible for the all-freshmen team, an athlete must be in her first year of academic and athletic eligibility.
“It was very nice that I was able to have a successful season,” Daniels said. “It took a while to adjust personally at the beginning of the season. The coaches started me out at shooting guard, which was an unfamiliar position I was not used to playing, and I also spent some time as backup point guard. I didn’t think it would be personally satisfying for me. I was trying to adjust and learn a new program, to figure out what my role was, where I would fit in on the team. You never know until you get there. Then the point guard got hurt and I was switched over to play that position.”
Alanna did so well that by the time the regular point guard recovered, the coaches stayed with Daniels as the starter on the point for the rest of the season.
Seton Hill finished 12-16 overall and 8-10 in the American Mideast Conference.
Next season Alanna will have some local company. Current Tyrone senior Marie DelBaggio, who finished her high school career with nearly 1,000 points, will join Daniels next fall at Seton Hill and play for the Lady Griffins.
And the coaching staff is looking forward to it.
“Marie could play a wing for us next year,” said Rosensteel. “We think she will be an impact player. Marie has the size, speed and passing and scoring ability that we are looking for. She is in the same mode as Alanna. We are expecting great things of her, she will definitely see lots of playing time.”
Daniels is delighted her former teammate is joining the Seton Hill family.
“It’s kind of exciting,” said Daniels. “Not only is Marie a former teammate at Tyrone, but she is also my best friend. We didn’t have a lot of major successes in high school, but we enjoyed playing together and now I am glad we will get the opportunity to play together again and hopefully share some more successes.”
