By Steve Svetovich
She is a state champion and the world is her oyster.
The future is most certainly bright for North Carolina-bound Dunmore senior Ciera Toomey who was named Miss Pennsylvania Basketball late last month.
The 6-foot-4 three-time first-team all-state basketball standout was honored and received her award during ceremonies Saturday, May 27, at The Country Club in Harrisburg.
Ciera is the first female District 2 recipient of the award.
Daughter of Patrick and Carrie (Bowen) Toomey, Dunmore, Ciera returned from a torn ACL to lead the Dunmore Lady Bucks basketball team to its first state title, a 42-30 win over River Valley in the Class 3A championship game. She led her team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots throughout the playoff run. She and teammates Sophia Talutto and Cadie Lewis provided the leadership of a champion playing under Dunmore Lady Bucks first-year coach Carrie Bowen Toomey, her mom.
Ciera earned the Miss Pennsylvania Basketball Basketball award over a highly impressive field of five other players who totaled 13 first team berths, including Gatorade state Player of the Year Gabby Casey of Lansdale Catholic.
This marks the 10th year the award was presented. Ciera joins Abington Heights graduate J.T. Show, who was Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball in 2014, as the only District 2 recipient.
“It was such an honor to receive an award like this after having to face such adversity over the past year,” Ciera said. “I am so proud to now be part of the small group of women who have won this award.”
Also a standout member of the Dunmore golf team, Ciera was one of 300 candidates at the start of the Miss Pennslvania Basketball process, and when the field was trimmed to semi finalists and finally six finalists, was still in contention for the prestigious award presented by Sportsrecruiters.com.
“It is all thanks to my amazing teammates and the coaches who have helped me over the past year. They are all the ones who make me look good.
“This is definitely at the top of the list because winning the player of the year in 3A, that’s only for one class. To get something like this where all the girls in the state are nominated, it just means a lot.
“It’s been really cool. Every award means something. It just makes me so happy I chose to play this year and for the season we had, winning a state championship.
“It’s cool to have these awards to remember the season we had.”
Other finalists for the award were Casey, a St. John’s University commit who led her team to a state title, including a 4A semifinal win over Scranton Prep; University of Pennsylvania commit Abby Sharpe of Plymouth-Whitemarsh, who led her team to a. 2022 state title in 6A; Kansas State recruit Alexis Hess of Fleetwood; Cumberland Valley junior Jill Jekot and Cedar Cliff sophomore Olivia Jones.
Ciera’s mom and sister Victoria were also Dunmore basketball standouts who went on to outstanding collegiate careers. Victoria will play her final collegiate basketball season next year at the University of Scranton while pursuing graduate studies. She previously played at Rider University. Her mom was a college All-American basketball player at Franklin and Marshall.
Ciera received a scholarship to pursue her collegiate studies and basketball career in the fall at the University of North Carolina. She graduates from Dunmore High School this month culminating a memorable four years.