2017-2018 Girls basketball previews

Girls basketball preview capsules for each area team.

CHES-MONT NATIONAL

AVON GROVE RED DEVILS Head coach: Harry Loffler Last season: 1-11 division Key players: Amanda Smida, Jr., Kaelin Salley, Jr., Jamie Perkins, Jr.

Outlook: Avon Grove looks to improve from a tough season. Smida is one of the more unheralded talents in the Ches-Mont. She is the main scorer for the Red Devils. Scoring help will be provided mainly by Perkins and Salley. Overall depth may be a problen, but they should prove to be a nuisance to play against. BISHOP SHANAHAN EAGLES Head coach: Zach Ray Last season: 9-3 division Key players: Kathryn Greenhut, Sr., Abby Bailey, Sr., Sammi McCarter, Jr.,

Outlook: The Eagles, after a trip to the second round of states last year, have two key components they must replace: All-Area Player of the Year Courtney Warley and coach of the year Fran Burbidge. Zach Ray comes in from the college ranks to take over on the sidelines. He will not only have to replace Warley, but fellow starters Jen Sendi and Kelly Basile. But, he will have one of the most experienced starting lineups, with five seniors set to hit the floor. Greenhut is expected to be the target scorer at forward.

COATESVILLE RED RAIDERS Head coach: Tem Mack Last season: 10-2 division, 20-9 overall

Key players: Sarah Huston, Jr. Neveyah Chester, Fr.

Outlook: It will be a different look for the Red Raiders this year, who return just one starter — junior guard Huston. Coatesville may be young, but they still could be formidable. Chester is expected to provide a major lift right away. The Red Raiders may stumble early, but they could be dangerous by the end of the season and district playoff time.

DOWNINGTOWN EAST COUGARS Head coach: Tom Schurtz Last season: 8-4 division, 14-9 overall

Key players: Bella Smuda, Soph., Dani Tyrell, Sr., Olivia Williams, Sr., Erin Phelan, Jr.

Outlook: The Cougars may contend not only for a ChesMont crown, but could also be in the conersation as one of the best teams in the district. They may have one of the best centers around in Smuda. The 6-5 sophomore should see a great improvement following her freshman season. Phelan, the team’s leading scorer, also returns. They will also benefit by having a senior point guard in Tyrell. Youngsters Caroline Brennan, Mary McFillin and Nicole Campbell are also expected to contribute. DOWNINGTOWN WEST WHIPPETS Head coach: David Johnson Last season: 4-8 division Key players: Sammie Sipes, Soph., Sage Hurley, Sr., Grace Werner, Jr.

Outlook: The Whippets try to rebound from graduation and transfer losses. They will be young and undersized. Three of the starters will be sophomores and none are over 5-foot-7. Sipes should be a revelation at the point. They may take their lumps early, but Johnson should have them playing their best by the end of the season. WEST CHESTER EAST VIKINGS Head coach: Erin Listrani Last season: 1-11 division Key players: Marissa McDonald, Jr., Soph., Mackenzie Richardson, Jr., Kayla Yoegel, Sr.

Outlook: The Vikings return leading scorer McDonald as the main weapon for a team looking to improve in the National. Yoegel and Richardson provide some backcourt help. East’s depth will be tested.

WEST CHESTER HENDERSON WARRIORS Head coach: Greta Neff Last season: 9-3 division, 19-8 overall

Key players: Abby Shea Sr., Grace Ferguson, Sr., Erin Thompson, Jr., Maddie De Prisco, Sr.

Outlook: The Warriors will be a veteran team this year, led by forwards Shea and Ferguson. They will have height, the trick is to come up with enough scoring to replace graduated Emma Bertrando. Maddie De Prisco returns to provide leadership in the backcourt. Henderson should be involved in another expected scramble for the ChesMont National title.

CHES-MONT AMERICAN DIVISION

GREAT VALLEY PATRIOTS Head coach: Alex Vernarchik Last season: 2-10 division Key players: Sadie Buzan, Sr., Annaliese Porreca, Sr., Katie Peduto, Jr.

Outlook: The Patriots hope to improve and make a run for the American title behind senior Buzan. She was an honorable mention DLN All-Area performer last season and will be the bulk of the offense. The question will be who can a consistent No. 2. Porreca may be able to fill that bill.

KENNETT BLUE DEMONS Head coach: Vince Cattano Last season: 7-5 division, 11-11 overall

Key players: Carolie Hertz, Sr., Andrea Prestianne, Jr.

Outlook: The Blue Demons will once again look to be a darkhorse contender in the Ches-Mont American. They will be powered by one of the better backcourts in the league in Hertz and Prestianne. The latter was a second team DLN All-Area performer last season, while Hertz was on Honorable Mention. If Kennett gets production from its forwards, it will be in the thick of the American race.

OXFORD HORNETS Head coach: Brian Urig Last season: 11-1 division, 16-8 overall

Key players: Madeline Williams, Sr., Hannah D’Aquanno, Sr., Miranda Porretta, Jr.

Outlook: The Hornets were one of the surprise teams last year, capturing the Ches-Mont League American Division crown. Porretta returns to build on a breakout season. Williams and D’Aquanno will be the main cogs up front. The Hornets are not very deep, but they are talented.

UNIONVILLE INDIANS Head coach: Fred Ellzy Last season: 5-1 division, 14-7 overall

Key players: Grace Schrof, Sr., Samantha Ciccarelli, Jr., Sarah Covert, Sr.

Outlook: The Indians need to compensate for the graduation of first-team DLN All-Area selection Maddie Shanahan. Schrof will go from complementary to primary scorer. How quickly they find a second and third scorer could determine if they could be a player in the American race again. Ciccarelli and Covert could be those scoring options. The Indians don’t have the largest number of players, but Ellzy makes it work. WEST CHESTER RUSTIN GOLDEN KNIGHTS Head coach: Jim Powers Last season: 7-5 division Key players: Maggie O’Hare, Sr., Erin Gallagher, Jr., Dikaya Daniels, Soph.

Outlook: The Golden Knights should once again vie for the American crown. O’Hare is one of the top players in the county and is expected to be the main scorer for the Golden Knights. Gallagher will provide scoring depth. Olivia Gatto should add quality minutes. Daniels is the defensive stopper.

OTHER TEAMS

CONESTOGA PIONEERS Head coach: Amy MacDonald Last season: 5-3 Central League, 12-8 overall

Key wrestlers: Katie Mayock, Sr., Sarah Mascioli, Jr.

Outlook: The Pioneers should be in the middle of the Central League race, thanks mostly to the return of forward Katie Mayock. The senior was second in the league MVP voting. She averaged a double-double last year, and needs to be around that mark again. Mascioli is expected to complement Mayock from the backcourt.

VILLA MARIA HURRICANES Head coach: Kathy McCartney Last season: 16-10 overall Key players: Morgan Warley, Soph., Abby Walheim, Jr., Paige Lauder, Soph., Julia Samar, Soph.

Outlook: The Hurricanes are primed for another run at the AACA and District 1 titles. McCartney, who is starting her 30th season, calls Walheim, “an excellent athlete and our go-to person.” The Hurrances will be tough inside, they go 6-1, 5-11 and 5-10 across the front line. Lauder and Samar are expected to improve from last season. Kiera Broadhurst and sophomore forward Maddie Ryan are expected to see significant time.

WESTTOWN QUAKERS Head coach: Carrie Timmins Last season: 12-11 overall Key players: JoJo Lacey, Soph., Halle Brown, Jr., Amaya Douglas, Jr., Emma Diaz, Jr., Maya Torpey, Jr.

Outlook: The Moose will look to compete for the Friends School League with a young lineup that features no seniors. The biggest returnee is sophomore forward Lacey, coming off an eyeopening freshman season. Maya Torpey, Emma Diaz and Ashley Ochefu are other returners. Two transfers expected to have major impacts are point guard Brown and forward Douglas. Ayanna Revnell and guard Emily Ellis are two other newcommers expected to contribute.