Five Mercer County girls named all-state

The best of the best!
The basketball gods smiled on Mercer County girls basketball this season when five of the area's outstanding players were named to the Associated Press all-state team. Two of the girls were first-team selections -- Slippery Rock's Jence Rhoads and Lakeview's Sheena Aden.
Rhoads, who was also named the player of the year, was a first-team selection in Class AAA, while Aden, who is now a three-time first-team selection, is Mercer County's all-time leading scorer with 2,392 points. She was selected in Class AA. The Sailors were eliminated by Greensburg Central Catholic in the second-round of the PIAA playoffs.
Aden closed out her prep career with 812 rebounds, 491 assists and 475 steals. She will continue to play at Pitt-Johnstown.
Rounding out this star-studded cast of Mercer County all-state selections were Sharon's Brittany Csatlos, a 5-foot-6 senior who led Coach Gene Sarazen's Tigers to a tremendous season in Class AAA, while 5-7 sharp-shooter Kasey Gardner, the all-time leading scorer at Sharpsville, was a third-team selection in Class AA. Farrell's Chloe Stewart, was a third team pick in Class A.
Csatlos averaged 16.7 points per game while Gardner averaged 16.5. Stewart, a 5-3 junior, averaged 15.2. Rhoads, a 5-11 senior, carried a 22.3 average, while Aden, a 5-8 senior, averaged 18.3 ppg.
In father's footsteps
Rhoads, the daughter of former Mercer High standout Bob "Posie" Rhoads, has been the talk of Western Pennsylvania basketball since she was old enough to shoot. Her father was a standout on those great Mercer High teams that made runs at state titles for coach John Swogger.
Rhoads was also a strong rebounder (7.6 rpg), with 4.7 assists and 4.7 steals. She led the Rockets to the PIAA quarterfinals where they were eliminated by Hopewell.
She is headed for Vanderbilt where she will continue both her career. She closed out her prep career with 2,170 points and is the all-time leading scorer in Butler County history. That, in itself, is quite an achievement.
Csatlos was a four-year starter at Sharon. She led the Tigers to the second round of he PIAA playoffs before they were turned back by Moon. During her career, she scored 1,697 points, finishing second to Wanda Holloway (2,106) in school history.
Busin is buzzin'
Westminster College's Mike Busin is swinging a big bat these days for the Titans baseball team.
A 5-10, 180 sophomore third baseman, Busin was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference hitter of the week, batting .600 (6-for-10) with four RBIs. He helped the Titans win two out of three games in a weekend series against Waynesburg. Five of his six hits were for extra bases, including four doubles and a home run.
Busin leads the PAC with 12 doubles, his .423 batting average is sixth-best and his 22 hits ranked third. He is a graduate of Neshannock High.