Maria McIlwain

Born in The Inquirer’s newsroom, the AP women’s basketball poll ‘has stood the test of time’

From Immaculata dominating the AIAW days of the '70s to the Norristown-raised Geno Auriemma's dynasty at UConn, the AP women's basketball poll has chronicled it all.

Kahleah Copper shares North Philly with Unrivaled teammates: ‘I really made it because of y’all’ Copper took her Unrivaled teammates on a tour of "Norf" — including the corner of 32nd and Berks, where it all started.

Kahleah Copper took her Unrivaled teammates on a walk to 32nd and Berks, where a backboard is still attached to a light pole.

She wanted to show them where her basketball journey began. And why she got emotional when talking about those who helped her get here.

www.inquirer.com/wnba/kahleah...

🐐 level team. Every story, image, video, and post was just incredible, and I hope y'all keep reading, liking, sharing and subscribing 🖤

Looking forward to this piece.

For the record, we had Gina, me, @gablcarroll.bsky.social, Ariel Simpson, ace photographer Yong Kim, and videographer Jaison Nieves here tonight.

There was demand for content, and we wanted to supply it.

We hope you’ll subscribe so we can keep doing it.

Miracle is an understatement

‘It’s just an incredible tradition’: How Philly hoops shaped this WNBA coaching staff It hasn't been the easiest year for the Dallas Wings, with injuries to key players like Paige Bueckers, but first-year coach Chris Koclanes has his sister by his side — and a shared Big 5 background.

From @mkmcilwain.bsky.social, hitting the bulls-eye on the Koclanes family:

‘It’s just an incredible tradition’: How Philly hoops shaped the Dallas Wings' coaching staff

www.inquirer.com/wnba/dallas-... via @phillysport.bsky.social @inquirer.com

Lucy Olsen is carving out a role in the WNBA. Former Villanova teammate Maddy Siegrist showed her how. A smattering of former Big 5 players have faced each other in WNBA history, but Sunday's game between the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics pitted Villanova players head-to-head for the first time.

@mkmcilwain.bsky.social was in Dallas yesterday for Maddy Siegrist vs. Lucy Olsen, the first time two former Villanova players have played against each other in a WNBA game:

www.inquirer.com/wnba/philly-...

Maddy Siegrist set to return for Dallas Wings on Friday The former Villanova star missed 17 games with a knee injury. She is averaging 9.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.

From @mkmcilwain.bsky.social:

(Yes, she's here, which means I need to be on good behavior)

Maddy Siegrist set to return for Dallas Wings on Friday
www.inquirer.com/sports/maddy...

Excuse me, what??? I’m so sorry to hear this, Sarah.

Meet the La Salle coaches bringing a ‘sisterhood’ to three new sports programs While all three coaches are new to the area and have never met, they share the common bond of pioneering brand-new sports programs at the university.

What does it take to build a program from the ground up? Let these La Salle coaches tell you.

www.inquirer.com/college-spor...

How former Spring-Ford and Villanova star Lucy Olsen built a family joke into a brand at Iowa To Olsen, the former Villanova star, "basketball is fun." If you ask her family and high school coaches, it's always been that way.

The Big 5 may have been shut out of the NCAA Tournament, but Philly-area players are starring across the country. That includes Iowa, where Lucy Olsen built "basketball is fun" into a brand:

www.inquirer.com/college-spor...

He’s ready to cover some Temple hoops!

A Temple gymnast went viral for her Kendrick Lamar and GloRilla-inspired floor routine. Here’s the story behind it. Kyrstin Johnson was inspired by other viral NCAA gymnasts, including Katelyn Ohashi: “She was just dancing her heart out. That’s the same thing that I wanted to do when it came to my routine."

Remember the Temple gymnast whose floor routine went viral? @gablcarroll.bsky.social has the story behind it:

www.inquirer.com/college-spor...

Baby’s first Wawa

So this is where the cool kids are