Southern Lehigh looks to extend its winning streak
Spartans, led by guard Olivia Snyder, haven’t lost a league game in 3 years.
This season marks the 50th year most schools in the area will be playing fullcourt girls basketball. Southern Lehigh will attempt to do something that’s never been done before in the Colonial League, which is in its 44th year. That is, to be perfect, for four straight seasons, in the regular and postseason. The Spartans haven’t lost a league game since Northwestern came away with a 44-40 victory in the semifinals of the league tournament on Feb. 10, 2015. Senior guard Olivia Snyder, a 1,356point career scorer who is headed to Georgetown University on an athletic scholarship, and 6-foot-1 forward Ellie Cassel have played in every one of the 59 consecutive victories (regular season and postseason), with Snyder the high scorer all three seasons and Cassel the top rebounder. The Spartans’ regular-season streak stands at 66, with Notre Dame the last team to defeat Southern Lehigh, 50-45, on Dec. 18, 2014. Snyder and Cassel were eighth-graders at the time. Obviously, the loss of four-year starting point guard Amanda Mobley (Rider University), The Morning Call’s player of the year, will be a huge void to fill. Sophomores Kaya Mobley, Amanda’s sister, and Jeanne Rautureau will share the point after getting their feet wet on the varsity level a season ago. “We’ve been fortunate enough to reach our team goals recently, which like most teams is to win championships,” Southern Lehigh coach Matt Cooper said. “There are a lot of great programs in the league so we have to stay focused. It would be a testament to hard work and dedication if we can break more records this season.” The Spartans have won three straight District 11 championships — the first three in school history — with the last two coming in the four-team Class 5A bracket. They also reached the PIAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2017 and the semifinals last season. Fellow West Division member Northwestern nearly ended Southern Lehigh’s league-winning streak last season. Junior point guard Sydney Sevrain will lead a young Tiger team with plenty of weapons. Coach Chris Deutsch (194-83) will become the first Colonial League coach to win 200 career regular and postseason games this season. Northern Lehigh features one of the best offensive players in the league in senior guard Jada Saeger, who can create her own shot off the dribble from anywhere on the court. The East Division race will have many contenders, but look for Bangor to be on top at season’s end. Coach Bill Bisci is nine victories away from 300 in his career, which includes two seasons coaching in New Jersey. Moravian Academy will look to 6foot-4 junior Maya Ettle, who has verbally committed to a full scholarship to the University of Richmond, and classmate Quinn O’Connor, another three-year starter, to make some noise. Notre Dame features Cassie Murphy, a 6-foot junior forward, and 5-11 freshman guard Antonia Bates, who is creating excitement among rival coaches with her potential. Palisades brings back five sophomores who saw playing time as freshmen including starters Trinity Williams and Sydney Odle, both forwards who will be complemented underneath by senior Claire Olmstead. Wilson had an impressive late-season run under coach Sondrine Gutierrez but must replace its leading scoring and best ballhandler in order to repeat that success this season.
East
BANGOR
Coach: Bill Bisci (89-60, 7th season at Bangor; 291-209, 20th season overall).
Last year: 16-9 overall; 11-6 CL. Postseason: Beat Palisades, lost to Southern Lehigh in CL semifinals. Lost to
Pottsville in District 11 5A semifinals. Modern era titles (since 1969-70): 8 league, 1 district.
Letter winners: 5-7 Sr. G Emily Labar (6.2 ppg), 5-9 Jr. G Casey Walsh (6.0 ppg), 5-6 Jr. G Morgan Karasek (5.2 ppg), 5-8 Jr. G Madeline Minner, 5-8 Jr. G Jordan Hendricks, 5-9 So. G Brooke Baker, 5-4 Sr. G Jenna Learn. Newcomers: 5-6 Jr. G Danielle Hess, 5-6
So. G Madison Kluska, 5-7 Jr. Avery Schiavone, 5-8 So. Emma Stoudt, 5-7 So. Nicole Smith, 5-7 Fr. McCormick Karner.
Outlook: There’s a lot of experience returning led by seniors Learn and Labar, a returning starter along with Karasek. Scoring will be by committee, which has become a staple at Bangor. The Slaters play almost a
third of their regular-season games in December so practice and preparation time will be precious early on. MORAVIAN ACADEMY
Coach: Steve Terpening (1st season)
Last year: 9-13 overall, 7-11 CL.
Postseason: Did not qualify.
Letter winners: 6-4 Jr. C Maya Ettle (15.5 ppg), 5-6 Jr. G Quinn O’Connor (11.6 ppg), 5-6 Sr. G Tori Spugnardi, 5-10 Sr. F Kalli Miller, 5-3 Sr. G Sally Hornik, 5-10 Sr. F Lizzie Stifel.
Newcomers: 5-7 Jr. G Grace Moser (transfer from Phillipsburg), 5-9 Fr. G Hailey Falzone, 5-10 Fr. G Marina Falzone
Outlook: Terpening, a longtime AAU coach who in 2004 founded In the Zone, a sports training facility in Bath that focuses on basketball, takes over for Rich Polgar, who went 9-13 in his only season as coach. The Lions were 18-6 the previous season and reached the league playoffs. There is a nice nucleus here with plenty of opportunity to grow. If the supporting players pan out a 15-win season shouldn’t be out of the question. NOTRE DAME
Coach: Josh Kopp (227-133, 15th season). Last year: 17-10 overall, 14-3 CL. Postseason: Won East Division. Lost to Wilson in CL semifinals. Beat Palisades, lost to St. Basil and Pine Grove in District 11 3A tournament. Lost to Mt. Carmel in PIAA first round.
Modern era titles (since 1969-70): 6 league, 7 district.
Letter winners: 6-0 Jr. F Cassie Murphy (12.7 ppg, 504 career points), 5-10 Sr. F Mary Kate Altmire, 5-2 Sr. G Abby Wachter, 5-11 Jr. F Grace Hezel, 5-5 So. G Grace Medei, 5-6 So. G Sydney DeFranco.
Newcomers: 5-11 Fr. G Antonia Bates, 5-5 Fr. G Raegan Cooper, 5-4 So. G Maya Santos, 5-10 Fr. F Brenna Hezel.
Outlook: Even with the loss of four starters, the Crusaders will be league and district contenders. As usual. They have a good mix of post players and guards among their top eight players, two in each class, who will offer the team balance on offense. Murphy, on pace to become the school’s first 1,000-point career scorer in the last 15 seasons, will be the focal point. How well the Crusaders mature defensively will define their season.
PALISADES
Coach: Brandon Hibbler (2nd season).
Last year: 15-9 overall, 11-6 CL.
Postseason: Lost to Bangor in CL quarterfinals. Lost to Notre Dame in District 11 3A quarterfinals.
Modern era titles (since 1969-70): 3 league, 1 district.
Letter winners: 6-1 So. C Trinity Williams (10.5 ppg), 5-10 Sr. F Claire Olmstead (5.0 ppg), 5-9 So. F Sydney Odle, 5-6 So. G Olivia Marton, 5-7 So. G Libby Stiansen, 5-7 So. G Lilia Meadows.
Newcomers: 5-10 Sr. F Anna Oschmann,
5-8 Jr. F Maura Campbell.
Outlook: The Pirates won’t surprise anyone this season after improving by six wins over the previous season. The overall numbers of players are down throughout the league, but none more so than at Palisades, which has eight in its entire program. Like a few other schools, they will not have a JV or freshman team so health will be the biggest key to their season.
PEN ARGYL
Coach: Kyle Eckley (2nd season).
Last year: 3-19 overall, 1-16 CL.
Postseason: Hasn’t qualified since 2013-14. Modern era titles (since 1969-70): 1 league.
Letter winners: 5-8 Jr. G Brooke LaBarre (7.5 ppg), 5-5 Jr. G Megan Lilly, 5-8 Jr. F Macie Weber, 5-8 Jr. G Noelle Vargo, 5-9 Sr. F Kelly O’Brien, 5-10 Sr. F Hannah Irwin, 5-11 Jr. F Rachel Sutton, 5-10 Sr. F Gabrielle Weaver. Newcomers: 5-2 Jr. G Kaitlyn DePalma, 5-7 Jr. G Kirstin Hendershot, 5-4 Jr. G Megan Guthrie, 5-7 Sr. G Kristen Freda.
Outlook: Eckley likes the way the team’s offensive and defensive systems improved last season. And they’re eager to learn. “The three wins just tell part of the story,” Eckley said. “The team had an unshakable drive and work ethic, which made them a threat to win several more games. We’re pleased with where we’re at compared to last season. We try to improve with every rep, every drill, every day.”
SAUCON VALLEY
Coach: Natalie Woodward (1st season). Last year: 6-16 overall, 3-14 CL. Postseason: Hasn’t qualified since 2014-15. Modern era titles (since 1969-70): 1 league.
Letter winners: 5-6 Sr. G Kiele Riefenstahl, 5-11 Sr. F Katelyn Kramer (6.0 ppg), 5-8 Sr. F Olivia Williams (19 3s), 5-6 Sr. G Katherine Naiburg, 5-8 So. G Ally Frace, 5-7 Jr. G Abbey Soltysiak, 5-7 Sr. G Isabella Medei.
Newcomers: 5-9 So. G Grace Albano, 5-10 Jr. F Haley Lebo, 5-10 So. F Leah Kramer, 5-7 Jr. G Colleen Williams.
Outlook: Woodward, a teacher at Whitehall who was born in Quakertown but raised in California, takes over for Jerry Calabrese, who went 39-75 in five seasons. Team- and guard-oriented, the Panthers feature five experienced seniors along with some rising talent who should be able to surpass last year’s win total.
WILSON
Coach: Sondrine Gutierrez (37-34, 4th season).
Last year: 17-9 overall, 10-7 CL. Postseason: Beat Northwestern and Notre Dame, lost to Southern Lehigh in CL championship game. Lost to Central Catholic in District 11 4A quarterfinals.
Modern era titles (since 196970): 2 league.
Letter winners: Jr. G Ashley Errico (10.3 ppg, 37 3s), Sr. PG Sydney Gillen, 5-10 Jr. F Almond Goodman, 5-10 Jr. F Teresa Miller, 6-0 Jr. F Aaliyah Crozier, So. G. Makayla Grant.
Newcomers: Fr. F Brielle Reidinger, So. G Janaya Grant, Fr. G Joci Heinemann, Jr. G Marissa Febbo, So. G Tess Patterson, Jr. G Aly Pribzick. Outlook: The Warriors are coming off one of their best seasons ever, they finished ranked 10th in the area, while recording the programs 12th winning season in 49 years. They lose their two best players to graduation, however, in four-year point guard Gaby Vega and 1,000point scorer Ally Quinn. Five players return with experience led by Errico, Goodman and Gillen, the lone senior on the team who will man the point on offense.
West Division
CATASAUQUA
Coach: Mark Sememula (1st season).
Last year: 4-18 overall, 2-16 CL. Postseason: Hasn’t qualified since 2007-08.
Modern era titles (since 1970-71): 6 league, 1 district, 1 PIAA.
Letter winners: 5-0 So. G Alexis Rushatz, 5-6 Sr. F Amy Huber, 5-6
Sr. G Julia Lacey, 5-7 Jr. F Madison Hicks, 5-9 Sr. F Taylor Richards, 5-7 Sr. F Allanah George, 5-0 So. G Emma Hawk, 5-5 Sr. F Cassie Barna. Newcomers: 5-7 So. F Olivia Emery, 5-3 Fr. G Aiden Gerhard, 5-1 Fr. G Bronwyn Pacchioli.
Sememula takes over for Ed Seidick, who went 20-68 in four seasons, after serving three seasons as his assistant. The Rough Riders were one of the best teams in the state in their classification at the turn of the century. It’s been a bumpy road since with more than five wins in a season just once in the last decade. Talent is in the ranks, though, so a turnaround could be near.
NORTHERN LEHIGH
Coach: Ken Schankweiler (11-33, 3rd season).
Last year: 7-15 overall, 7-11 CL. Postseason: Hasn’t qualified since 2011-12.
Modern era titles (since 1970-71): 1 league.
Letter winners: 5-5 Sr. G Jada Saeger (18.5 ppg, 931 career points, 76 career 3s), 5-7 Jr. F Lauren Hoffman (7.0 rpg), 5-4 Sr. G Kate Guelcher, 5-6 So. F Madison Seier. Newcomers: 5-6 Fr. G Emma Niebell, 5-2 Fr. G Sophie Lear. Outlook: Saeger, who played her freshman season at Wilson, is 267 points shy of becoming the Bulldogs’ 11th 1,000-point scoring girl in school history. Nolehi’s win total last season was its most in six years. Only one other starter returns in Hoffman, the Bulldogs’ tallest player at 5-7, while Guelcher was the first off the bench. Depth is an issue.
NORTHWESTERN
Coach: Chris Deutsch (245-139, 16th season).
Last year: 18-6 overall, 16-2 CL. Postseason: Lost to Wilson CL quarterfinals. Lost to Tamaqua District 11 4A quarterfinals.
Modern era titles (since 196970): 4 league, 1 district.
Letter winners: 5-8 Jr. G Sydney Sevrain (8.2 ppg, 31s), 5-8 Sr. F Sage Christopher, 5-10 So. F Emily Sekerak, 5-8 So. G Alexandra Lister, 5-7 Jr. G Mackenzie Hess, 5-8 Jr. F Gabriella Giese.
Newcomers: So. G Kate Betz, So. G Emily Mack, 5-9 So. F Jess Ledeboer, So. G Kailyn Jones.
Outlook: This is a young program with one senior and 12 freshmen and sophomores among the 18 players on JV and varsity. Deutsch, who brought the Tigers back from oblivion after he took over, always gets the most out of his players. PALMERTON
Coach: Dan Beck (1st season).
Last year: 9-14 overall, 8-10 CL. Postseason: Lost to St. Basil in District 11 quarterfinals.
Modern era titles (since 1970-71): 10 league, 3 district.
Letter winners: 5-11 Sr. Baylee Guedes (6.5 ppg), 5-10 Jr. Kayla Cincilla (5.8 ppg), 5-5 Jr. Emily Recker, 5-6 Jr. Casi Papay, 5-8 Jr. Hollis Guedes, 5-9 Jr. Maddison Beahm.
Newcomers: 5-5 So. Molly Mihalko, 5-5 Fr. Raegan Nemeth, 5-8 Fr. Brianna Moore, 6-2 So. Kayla Nothstein.
Outlook: Beck was an assistant for one season under Ralph Andrews, who resigned with a 15-30 record in two seasons. Top rebounder Baylee Guedes returns but the Blue Bombers must replace the scoring of graduated 1,000-career scorer Linnaea Leister to get close to 10 wins again this season. A little confidence could go a long way with this group.
SALISBURY
Coach: Dan Reichenbach (1st season).
Last year: 8-15 overall, 7-11 CL. Postseason: Lost to North Schuylkill in District 11 3A quarterfinals.
Modern era titles (since 196970): 3 league.
Letter winners: 5-9 Jr. F Madison Bettuccio, 5-6 Jr. G Olivia Hoeing, 5-6 Sr. F Erica Holben.
Newcomers: 5-9 So. G Melena Koutch, 5-3 Fr. G Quinn Wittman, 5-3 Sr. G Kaitlin Rutt, 5-3 Sr. G Alison Mizgerd, 5-6 So. G Sierra Rauch, 5-8 So. F Krystal Aungst, 5-6 So. G Krystle Mohry, 5-6 So. G Arianna Young, 5-7 So. G Bryn Kubinsky, 6-0 Sr. F Taliah Martinez.
Outlook: Four of the five starters are also jumpers for Reichenbach on the track team. Reichenbach takes over for Joe Mladosich (81-66 in six seasons). The other starter will be Wittman, a freshman point guard, who has star potential. The Falcons don’t have much size, so they want to run up and down the court while applying full-court pressure to use their natural athletic abilities.
SOUTHERN LEHIGH
Coach: Matt Cooper (102-11, 5th season).
Last year: 27-3 overall, 18-0 CL. Postseason: Won West Division. Beat Bangor and Wilson to win league title. Beat East Stroudsburg North and Pottsville to win the District 11 5A championship. Lost to Archbishop Wood in PIAA semifinals.
Modern era titles (since 196970): 9 league, 3 district.
Letter winners: 6-1 Sr. F Ellie Cassel (7.7, ppg, 693 career points), 6-0 Sr. G Olivia Snyder (17.3 ppg, 1,356 career points), 5-8 Sr. F Alyssa Rice, 5-8 Jr. G Taylor Moncman, 5-5 So. G Kaya Mobley, 5-8 So. G Jeanne Rautureau, 5-9 So. F Keira Wilkins. Newcomers: 5-3 So. G Holly Walter, 5-7 So. G Caroline Bennett. Outlook: Plenty of historic things going on, including Cooper becoming the fastest area girls coach to 100 career wins in the last 49 seasons (110 games) last season. Although it’s usually the case from the outside, you can’t overlook the important role players who have helped the Spartans to success. Moncman and Rice fit snugly into that category. Overall, the Spartans have gone 27-3, 27-2 and 27-2 the last three seasons.