City Six women’s basketball: Breaking down the top rookies making impact on their teams

A couple of weeks ago, we took a look at the midseason contenders for City Six Women’s Basketball Player of the Year. Now let’s see who might garner Rookie of the Year honors.

For this, a rookie qualifies as a freshman or redshirt freshman playing her first season at the collegiate level. Transfer students who played at other schools before coming to a city school do not qualify.

The players are listed in alphabetical order.

MARISSA MACKINS, Temple – During a season in which youth and development are the key themes on North Broad Street, Mackin, a 5-8 guard from Southern Durham (N.C.) High School is progressing like a player who next season might be able to fill the void left by graduate student Alliya Butts.

Mackins is third on the team in minutes (25.4) and scoring (7.4 ppg). She leads the team with 27 three-pointers. She is second with 25 steals.

KATIE MAYOCK, St. Joseph’s – Following in the footsteps of her mother, Alix Burns, Mayock looks like a legacy player who is off to a great start on Hawk Hill. The 6-2 forward from Conestoga High has made 14 starts and averages 22.9 minutes.

Mayock, whose mother helped St. Joe’s make four NCAA tournaments, leads the team with 5.5 rebounds per game and 27 blocked shots. She is second in scoring at 6.5 ppg.

SHAYLAY SWEENEY, La Salle – For a player who was not added to the roster until the middle of September, Sweeney is making an impact in the rebuilding program at 20th and Olney.

Sweeney, who scored more points than any other girl or boy at Pennsauken High School, has played in all 20 games, with nine starts. She averages 22.3 minutes and 5.6 points.

KEISHANA WASHINGTON, Drexel – As the first player from Canada to play for coach Denise Dillon, Washington will send the Dragons staff back over the northern border to look for more talent.

It’s not easy to get into the swing of Drexel’s offense early, but the combo guard from Durham Prep (Whitby, Ontario) has started all 14 of the games she has participated in.

Washington is averaging 24.6 minutes and is third on the team in scoring with 6.8 points per game.

She played for Canada at the 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Women’s championships in Mexico City.