Courting success comes easy for McGuffey’s Weiss
McGuffey’s Sammie Weiss is the only girls basketball player in Washington County history to score more than 2,000 career points. The Observer-Reporter Female Athlete of the Year finished her scholastic career with 2,390 points.
McGuffey’s Sammie Weiss, shooting, led the Highlanders to their first PIAA playoff victory in the 2015-16 season.
Sammie Weiss is the first Observer-Reporter Female Athlete of the Year from McGuffey.
Sammie Weiss is quiet and unassuming when talking about her athletic accomplishments, but her actions speak louder than words on the basketball court and the softball field.
The McGuffey senior led the Highlanders’ girls basketball team to its first state playoff win in program history by averaging 25.9 points per game, broke the school record for career points with 2,390 and became the first Washington County girls player to surpass 2,000 career points.
Her quick first step, improved jump shot and ability to split a double team gained her notoriety across the state. Weiss was named the Observer-Reporter Player of the Year and was an all-state selection three consecutive years.
A shortstop in softball, Weiss helped McGuffey reach the WPIAL playoffs for three consecutive seasons, batting .426 this spring with 14 RBI, 32 total bases and 13 stolen bases.
The memorable finish to a stellar high school career earned Weiss the title of Observer-Reporter Female Athlete of the Year.
“I know a lot of athletes didn’t get to experience what I experienced. I’m thankful and it’s really cool,” Weiss said. “I’m glad I got to grow up around the people I did, get coached by the people I did and I had opportunities. It’s great.”
The two-sport standout is a rarity in a day of specialization. Despite receiving a basketball scholarship to California University, the defending NCAA Division II national champion, Weiss decided to finish her softball playing career.
Batting leadoff, Weiss built on a strong junior season and helped McGuffey reach the postseason under first-year head coach Jason Kern, who quickly realized how the 5-11 standout basketball player was able to succeed in both sports – dedication
Though many eyes were on Weiss and people whispered about the 2,000-point scorer and future Vulcan, she thrived under the pressure.
“She was fantastic. She’s such a great teammate and she just works,” Kern said. “She’ll be the last one out of the gymnasium just shooting hoops until the janitors or something forces her to leave.”
Kern was impressed with Weiss’ composure, but he was not surprised she was a stellar defender or she went 5-for-6 with a run and two RBI in two games against section rival Carmichaels.
He once saw Weiss dominate on the mound as one of the only girls on her mustang league baseball team.
“I used to strike everyone out,” Weiss said. “(The boys) don’t remember, but it happened and it was cool. I was one of the only girls and everyone said, ‘Oh, she’s just a girl. She’s not going to be good.’ I made the all-star team.”
Weiss played baseball from tee ball through mustang before switching to softball, but once fifth grade arrived, she noticed basketball becoming easier and easier.
At least she made it look that way.
Seven years later, nothing had changed. Weiss controlled the pace of the game as a senior and saved her best when it mattered most. She averaged almost 25 points in seven playoff games, and scored 39 points in the Highlanders’ 68-44 victory over Deer Lakes in a WPIAL Class AAA preliminary round game.
“(McGuffey has) a 2,000-point scorer who can put her team on her back,” Deer Lakes head coach Dana Petruska said after the game. “When you have a player like that, the rest of the team can play relaxed.”
The head basketball coach at her parents’ alma mater took notice. California’s Jess Strom, who was once a standout player at Steel Valley High School and Penn State, offered Weiss a spot on the Vulcans.
Weiss signed her letter of intent last November, deciding to stay close to home.
“Sammie has a very unique knack for scoring and she can do it from multiple spots on the floor,” Strom said. “Defensively, she is long and can be extremely disruptive. She obviously had a tremendous high school career and I’m really excited to see her on the college level.”
The countless hours spent in the gym and in her family’s driveway, perfecting her jump shot earned her the opportunity. After balancing two sports with school and several extracurricular clubs, including McFriends, where she worked with special needs students, Weiss is eager to prove she belongs at the next level.