The red carpet was rolled out for Pittsburgh’s best and brightest basketball players from the 2025-26 season as the area’s top players were honored at an awards ceremony fit for Hollywood at the Kamin Science Center.
The night began with the players and guests getting a chance to explore the Sports360 wing of the Science Center, which is filled with Pittsburgh sports history and over 25 interactive activities like hitting a home run at PNC Park or trying to score a goal at PPG Paints Arena. Players and guests also had a chance to snap some photos in front of the photo wall while people continued to explore the sports wing and mingle with other award recipients and their families.
The crowd of nearly 200 then made their way to the Rangos Giant Cinema at the Kamin Science Center, which features a 71x39 foot screen. The ceremony began with an introduction from the voice of high school sports on KDKA Radio, Josh Rowntree. The first awards of the night were the KDKA News Radio Super 7 Weekly Watchlist recipients. The host of KDKA Radio’s Countdown to Tipoff show, Colin Dunlap, came out to announce winners.
Each week had two boys and two girls from across the WPIAL and city and featured a highlight reel of the 4 players before Dunlap announced them and they came to the front of the theater to receive their award.
Josh Rowntree took back control of the MC duties to announce the KDKA News Radio Super 7 Players of the Year award winners for the WPIAL and City League as well as the 7 recipients for the inaugural T.J. McConnell Leadership Award.
The now 11 -year NBA veteran and Indiana Pacer wasn’t able to make it to the event in person, but he did send in a video message to all of the players explaining the importance of leadership and expressing how some of his greatest basketball memories include playing in the WPIAL at Chartiers Valley. T.J.’s father, Tim McConnell, who is one of the winningest coaches in WPIAL history, was there to hand out the awards.
Each of the winners had a highlight reel of their season playing on the big screen as they approached the podium to accept their award. The players then got the chance to speak at the
podium with most thanking their families, friends, and coaches for their support throughout the year. Each of the Players of the Year were interviewed by Mike White from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after accepting their award as well. White asked the players about their season and threw in some off the wall questions that got the guests laughing.
After the final awards winners were announced, players and families exited the theater and gathered outside for more photos, as it was a night these student athletes will want to remember forever.
Check out a complete list of the night’s award winners below.
Players of the Year
KDKA Radio
Award Recipients:
Super 7 Girls Players of the Year
City League - Bailey White, Allderdice
1A - Bella Dumbroski, Serra Catholic
2A - Payton Newman, Neshannock
3A - Mimi Thiero, Quaker Valley
4A - Aubrey Hupp, Seton LaSalle
5A - Haylie Lamonde, South Fayette
6A - Madison Clair, Canon-McMillan
Super 7 Boys Players of the Year
City League - Naron Jackson, Obama Academy
1A - Kedron Gilmore, The Neighborhood Academy
2A - Markus McGowan, Jeannette
3A - Drew Cook, South Allegheny
4A - Tyler Basic, Elizabeth Forward
5A - Aaron Webb, Indiana
6A - Ryan Robbins, Upper St. Clair
TJ McConnell Leadership Award Winners
KDKA Radio
TJ McConnell Leadership Award Winners
Qalil Goode, Aliquippa
Julian Semplice, Chartiers Valley
Natalie Hambly, Seneca Valley
Teegan Finucan, Knoch
Kymone Brown, Jeannette
Grant Spacciapolli, Pine Richland
Emma Larkin, Geibel Catholic
