Former Dunmore standout leads Penn State Lady Lions

Posted on December 4, 2024 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Former Dunmore standout Moriah Murray has seen her minutes increase to the point she is playing a key role for the Penn State Lady Lions this season.

Moriah, a sophomore, has quickly become one of the leaders on a team that won its first five games at press time.

Daughter of Joe Murray and Lynn Tugend, she scored 23 points in Penn State’s 100-55 win over Monmouth University on Sunday, November 17. She hit on 7-of-14 of her 3-point shots and added three steals and two assists in the win.

She scored 28 points in Penn State’s 90-68 opening night win over Bucknell Monday, November 4. Moriah hit on 8-of-16 of her 3-pointers and added four rebounds, three steals and an assist.

She scored 26 points in Penn State’s third win of the season at the hands of Duquesne University, 92-83, Sunday, November 10. She hit 6-of-10 of her 3-point shots and added four rebounds in 35 minutes.

Moriah scored 17 points in the Lady Lions 104-45 win over Niagara University Thursday, November 14. She hit on 5-of-10 of her 3-point shots and added two rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The sophomore stalwart is averaging close to 20 points per game for the season, with a 47.1 field goal percentage.

Even more important, Moriah is improving with every game.

“I really grinded in the off season,” Moriah said after pouring in 26 points in the win over Monmouth. “It’s a credit to my coach Carolyn Kieger. She worked with me. She prepped me for the season. She helped build my confidence and that’s what changed from last year.

“Coach Kieger is a great person. She has given me the confidence to feel comfortable on the court. She wants me to take 15 total 3-pointers a game. She’s given me the green light and my 3-point shot is on now.”

The hard-working sophomore guard is not surprised by Penn State’s fast start. “There are a lot of freshman players on the team this year. There are only four returning players. It’s like a new team. My teammate Alli Campbell and I have taken on leadership roles. We came into the season very prepared and are playing very well as a team.”

The former Dunmore standout said the goals are high at Penn State. “We take things day-by -day, but want to improve every game. Our goal is to win the Big 10 title and go as far as possible in the tournament that follows. We want to win it all.”

Moriah said she stays in constant touch with Ben O’Brien, her former coach at Dunmore who now coaches the University of Scranton Lady Royals. “He just texted me,” she said. “He texts me after every game. He was a big part in my development as a basketball player. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for him.”

Moriah is studying Elementary Education at Penn State. Her goal is to become a teacher and she doesn’t rule out coaching or even continuing a basketball career at some level after her collegiate career is over. “I will consider those things later,” she said. “But right now I still have two years after this one to,play basketball at Penn State. I want to concentrate on this now and in the next couple years.”

And the scholar-athlete loves Penn State. “It’s close to home,” she said. “It’s like family here. I have so many more friends here, even outside of basketball. It’s going great.”

Moriah enrolled at Drexel University during the summer semester of 2022, but did not play for the Dragons.

She sat out the 2022-23 season after joining the Penn State program following the fall semester due to NCAA mid-season transfer regulations.

She played at Dunmore under coach O’Brien, a 2004 Penn State graduate.,

Moriah was named to the All PIAA AAAA team, All-Region First-Team and All-League Three First-Team every season. She was selected Times-Tribune Player of the Year as a freshman and senior.

She helped lead Dunmore to a 95-5 record, including three District 2 titles, four Lackawanna League Division 3 titles and an appearance in the 2019 state championship game.

She finished as Dunmore’s record holder for 3-pointers in a season with 87 and career with 279. She shot 52 percent from 3-point range and 89 percent from the foul line in four years.

She averaged 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game as a senior and 20.2 points in 10 career state playoff games.

Moriah was also a standout pitcher and shortstop as a softball player at Dunmore.,

Her two older sisters, Ashley and Courtney, played basketball at Marywood University.

Moriah played in all 35 games for Penn State last season. She averaged 4.3 points per game in 12.5 minutes per contest, but this year is playing a much more significant role as her minutes have more than doubled. She has quickly become one of the standout members of the team. And it’s only getting better.

DHS grads participate in Penn State’s 2024 THON

Posted on April 3, 2024 by The Dunmorean

Former Dunmore students who attend Penn State in State College and work on THON committees are shown in front row, from left: Chloe Ondek, Jacklyn Marichak, Molly Zimmer and Gemma Longo.

Back row, same order: Colby Murray, Aden King, Hope Blasko and Jeffrey Walsh.

THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raised nearly 17 million dollars to enhance the lives of children and families impacted with childhood cancer. Proceeds from the 46-hour dance marathon provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research in the pursuit of a cure.

Dunmorean of the Month: Alyssa Bielinski

Posted on March 2, 2022 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore’s Alyssa Bielinski helps raise $13.7 million as director for Penn State’s THON

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore graduate Alyssa Bielinski served as director of Pennsylvania State University’s THON that raised $13.7 million last month for Four Diamonds Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey.

“The money was raised so families of children in this hospital do not have to worry about a bill,” the 2018 Dunmore graduate said. “The money will also be used for funds and research.”

Alyssa, 22, put in countless hours of time and effort to help raise money over the past year.

THON was held Feb. 18 to 20 at Penn State at State College. The event was held for 46 consecutive hours with students standing or dancing the entire time to raise money for the cause.

THON 2022 marked its return to the Bryce Jordan Center with its highest fund-raising total to date.

Last year’s THON was forced to go virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving behind a filled Bryce Jordan Center for a Zoom live stream where dancers participated from home.

THON 2022: Spark Endless Light celebrated its 50th anniversary and a return to the Bryce Jordan Center. THON 2022 shattered the 2014 record by raising $13,756,374.50 to combat childhood cancer.

There were some changes this year due to the pandemic. Children with active cancer treatment were not able to attend. All attendees had to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

In 1973, 78 dancers stood for 30 hours in the first Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon at the HUB-Robeson Center, raising about $2,000 for charity.

Since then, it has evolved into the world’s largest student-run philanthropy and has raised more than $200 million to combat pediatric cancer.

The Penn State IFC/Penhellenic Dance Marathon or THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by cancer. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research – all in pursuit of a cure.

Students, volunteers and Four Diamonds families joined together at the Bryce Jordan Center for 46 hours. The volunteers gave children and their families the opportunity to forget their cancer diagnosis. Close to 700 students were recognized as dancers for THON Weekend, a feat that entails standing on their feet for the entirety of the weekend.

Daughter of AnnMarie Bielinski, Alyssa has volunteered for THON since her freshman year at Penn State. She was named Special Events Director this year as a senior. She was previously on the rules and regulation committee.

Well-spoken and articulate, Alyssa is a senior Rehab and Human Services major. She has a 3.7 grade point average at Penn State.

Alyssa graduated seventh in her class at Dunmore High School where she attained a 97 academic average. She was a member of TACT, SADD, Spanish Club, Earth Club and National Honor Society. She played four years of softball and was captain as a first baseman in her senior year.

Her plan after college graduation is to work in the non-profit development field of human services. She would like to add an internship before she enters the work world.

She said her experience with THON has been fulfilling. “It has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “You really grow as a person and it prepares you for life after college. You meet so many people and it is very rewarding. You get to hear and share so many stories. It is an awesome experience.

“I go to a lot of weekly meetings and lead a committee of 18 captains. There are 109 committee members. Special Events Director is a full year effort.”

This year’s event started at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, and concluded at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20.

Alyssa said emergency medical staff and athletic trainers were on standby for the dancers.

“This is a year-round effort for me,” she said. “We are involved in events to raise money throughout the entire year.”

Mature beyond her young years, Alyssa said THON partners with the Penn State football team, holds a 5K run with over 3,000 runners in October, and runs a family carnival in December, among other charitable functions.

“The THON Weekend is our visible event, but my job is to continue with events year-round.

“This was a record-breaking year. It was so humbling to see all of this emotional support coming back. We contacted a lot of organizations and raised so much money through our fund-raising efforts.

“This has been such an amazing experience. I have built so many wonderful relationships through this over the past four years.

“It is such an experience that I can not even measure its worth. It will certainly help prepare me for life beyond college.”