Who did readers select as the spring's top playoff performers in the Bucks County area?

It was a memorable playoff season, culminating with six Phillyburbs teams playing for state championships in baseball, softball and boys lacrosse. With so many great teams and players, it was difficult to choose the top performances. So we asked our readers to do so by voting in our polls.

Here are the athletes who were voted as the spring's Top Playoff Performers.

Who were the Top Playoff Performers in the PIAA state playoffs*?

(*Polls included first and quarterfinal rounds.)

Top Girls PIAA Playoff Performer: Brianna Slack, Bristol, softball

There was no slacking off this year for Bristol sophomore Brianna Slack.

After a superb freshman campaign, the Warriors’ ace pitcher picked up right where she left out, leading the team to another district championship, and to the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals.

In the PIAA playoffs, Slack was at her best, giving up a lone hit and a single walk while striking out nine, facing two batters over the minimum, in a three-inning win over MaST Charter in the first round. She continued her impressive playoff pitching in the quarterfinals, giving up three earned runs to high-scoring South Williamsport.

Slack, one of the team’s top hitters, also excelled at the plate, going 3-for-6 with four RBIs, three runs scored, a home run and a walk in the two games.

“Brianna is one of the most valuable members to this team because of what she can do both offensively and defensively,” Warriors’ head coach Dave Chichilitti said. “Physically, she is a top offensive player and one of the top pitchers in Bucks County. She has now proved it for a second year in a row and even improved in many pitching statistical areas.”

After sporting a 2.05 ERA last year, Slack improved to a 1.40 ERA this season and reduced her walks allowed from 45 last year to 27 this season. At the plate, she hit .466 with 37 RBIs, 27 hits, five home runs and seven doubles.

“Mentally in this last playoff run, it clicked for her how to compete and lead at the same time,” Chichilitti said. “It’s my pleasure to coach her and I love seeing all their growth.”

Boys Top PIAA Playoff Performer: Grayson Weikel, Faith Christian, baseball

The Lions’ senior ace had a remarkable postseason, leading the way to Faith Christian’s first PIAA state championship. In the PIAA Class 1A opener, Weikel tossed a no-hitter through his six innings of work, striking out five and walking just two, to help the Lions edge Nativity BVM 1-0. In the quarterfinals, he hit a two-run home run and drove in six runs in the win,

In 13 innings on the mound in the PIAA playoffs, Weikel allowed five hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out 13. In four games, Weikel and teammate Reid Miller gave up a total of two runs.

For the season, Weikel hit .484 with six doubles, 10 home runs, 40 RBIs and 28 runs scored, and on the mound he was 9-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings.

"Grayson is excellent at what he does," Faith Christian head coach Nick Koffel said. "Whether it is pitching, hitting, fielding, communicating or leading, he is one of the best I have ever seen.”

Weikel, who will play collegiate baseball at Cedarville University, was named MVP of the Bicentennial Athletic League Presidents Division and the Courier/Intell 2024 Baseball Player of the Year.

“He is someone that'll be almost impossible to replace,” Koffel said. “He has been so dynamic all year. He is one of a kind and I know he will do great things at the next level."

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Who were the Top Playoff Performers in the district playoffs?

Boys Top Playoff Performer: Kieran Shaw, Pennsbury, volleyball

It’s been a magical season for Pennsbury boys volleyball, and junior Kieran Shaw has been right in the thick of things.

The 6-foot-4 setter has been aptly running the offense for the Falcons, and his importance to the team became apparent during Pennsbury’s district playoff run. The Falcons entered the District One Class 3A tournament as the No. 1 seed, and were matched up against ultimate rival Neshaminy in the quarterfinals. Shaw contributed 32 assists, four kills, four digs and one block to help the Falcons to a 3-0 sweep as Pennsbury advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2019.

In the District One 3A championship match against No. 2 Pennridge, Shaw handed out 30 assists to his teammates as the Falcons claimed the district title with a 3-1 win.

“Kieran has grown so much as a player from last year to this year,” said head coach Justin Fee. “He has become dominant at the net as a blocker and attacker, is a solid defender and server, and most importantly, has done an outstanding job of setting our offense.

“Kieran is really becoming a special player and a difference maker. The crazy thing is he still has a few things to work on so his upside is huge. I wouldn't trade him for any other setter I have watched this season.”

Shaw, who also plays basketball for Pennsbury, is part of a close-knit Falcons squad that emphasizes teamwork over individual glory.

“Like many of the guys on this team, he is a blessing,” said Fee. “I have been given such a talented group of guys to work with. It has been a special year so far and we hope to keep it going to the end.”

Shaw received 60 percent of the vote in a poll that included performances from May 20- 26.

Boys Top Playoff Performer: Nathan Knapp, Pennsbury, volleyball

The Pennsbury senior has been a key piece of a Falcons’ team that won the District One Class 3A championship, the team’s first district title since 2011. In Pennsbury’s quarterfinal match against archrival Neshaminy, Knapp tallied 18 kills, three digs, two blocks and two assists in the three-set sweep.

Knapp finished the match as Pennsbury’s second all-time kills leader, and his 321 kills were second-most in a single season.

In the championship match, Knapp recorded 18 kills, bringing his season total to 351 and surpassing 2011 grad Joe Yasolonis to break the program’s single-season kill record of 345.

“Nathan is truly one of the best players to come out of our program over my past 20 years as head coach,” said Falcons coach Justin Fee. “Not only is he a great player but he is one of the most humble players I have ever coached. He is constantly looking for things to improve his game and still remains as a very coachable player. I am thankful to be able to be a part of his historic season as a Pennsbury Falcon.”

Knapp received 31 percent of the vote in a poll which included performances from May 13- 19.

Girls Top Playoff Performers: Zoe Hardy, Council Rock North, softball

It was a special season for the Council Rock North softball team. The Indians accomplished their goal of hosting a district playoff game for the first time in recent memory. Not only did they host a first-round District One Class 6A playoff game, they won the game in spectacular fashion — and they couldn’t have done it without sophomore Zoe Hardy.

Hardy, who plays both third base and catcher, had gone hitless in her first three at-bats against Avon Grove. Her fourth at-bat would come in the bottom of the seventh inning, with two outs, and the game tied with a runner on base. Hardy stepped up and launched a hard-hit single into center field, scoring teammate Chelsea Seiler and giving CR North a thrilling 9-8 walk-off win in front of an elated home crowd.

“I'm beyond proud of Zoe,” said head coach Susan Yee. “She is one of the hardest-working, most humble players I’ve ever met. She’s the kind of kid who quietly does all of the little things and never looks for recognition but 1000% deserves it.”

No. 16 seed CR North’s season came to an end in the next round when it faced undefeated No. 1 Downingtown West, in a 2-1 game that was much closer than most expected. Hardy is one of several young players who have had significant impacts on the team the past two seasons.

“The true example of who Zoe is came right after her heroics,” said Yee. “Zoe hit that clutch game-winner to keep our season alive, and then was the first kid to go to the shed and get rakes to rake the field during the postgame.”

Hardy has also made an impact off the field, where she has become a team leader and role model despite her youth.

“She’s a special player, but an even more special person that we are so lucky to have within our program,” said Yee. “She’s a fantastic teammate, and a wonderful role model to the younger children in our community looking up to our team and wanting to be like them in the future.”

Hardy received 41 percent of the vote in a poll which included performances from May 20-26.

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Girls Top Playoff Performers: Alex Johnson, Germantown Academy, softball

The junior centerfielder’s huge game in the PAISSA playoffs helped the Patriots down Perkiomen School. Johnson hit a grand slam and finished with five RBIs in the opening-round win. In the quarterfinals, she was 1-for-2 with a triple, two walks, two runs scored, and one RBI to lead the No. 5 Patriots to a victory over No. 4 Academy of the New Church.

Her strong hitting continued in the semifinals, when she had two hits and scored two runs, though the Patriots were edged by Springside-Chestnut Hill 6-5 in a marathon 10-inning game.

“Alex is a dynamic and versatile softball player,” said Patriots coach Sarah Zimmerman. “She covers a remarkable amount of ground in center field and slides into playing shortstop smoothly when needed. At the plate, she consistently finds ways to get on base, put pressure on the defense, and come through for her team. She plays because she loves it, and that makes it fun to coach her.”

Johnson received 48 percent of the vote in a poll which included performances from May 13-19.