Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Capsules for each Daily Local News team
Girls Basketball Preview Capsules National Division Avon Grove
HEAD COACH >> Harry Loeffler KEY PLAYERS >> Cyndie Martin, Sr.; Nina Conner, Sr.; Regan Cook, Jr. OUTLOOK >> Red Devils appear to be much improved over last season, which was Loeffler’s first year as head coach. Avon Grove has seven seniors returning along with Cook. Loeffler mentioned the major difference this year compared to last is his team knows the system and playbook. “We can teach them shooting and defense now,” Loeffler said. “I expect my girls to be a lot better. Last year was a learning exxperience for them and they’ve taken some big strides. We don’t have a superstar, but our girls share the ball. They’re a very cohesive group.” PREDICTION >> Improved over last season and will be more competitive in games. Expect a few more wins.
Bishop Shanahan
HEAD COACH >> bidge
Fran Bur- KEY PLAYERS >> Ciara Forde, Jr.; Grace Phillips, Jr.; Devon Adams, Fr.; Rachel Parker, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Eagles return plenty of talent from a team that won three games in the District 1 Class AAAA tournament and reached the PIAA playoffs for the first time in school history. Despite losing five seniors, Burbidge has Forde returning at guard while Phillips will be inserted into a starting role this year. Adams, a 6’3” freshman, will start at center along with Parker and Jamie Powers. A Ches-Mont National first team selection, Forde will play both guard positions. Phillips was a ChesMont National second team selection coming off the bench last season. “We lost a lot of seniors that led the way last year,” Burbidge said. “We’re trying to find an identity with lots of bench players taking new roles and eight freshman on JV and varsity. We have an idea of what we’re going to be, but it’s a wait-andsee approach.” PREDICTION>> Forde and the juniors will have to take leadership roles this year, but the Eagles will compete for the Ches-Mont National and make a district playoff run once again.
Coatesville
HEAD COACH >> Rick Nelms KEYPLAYERS>> Nafisa Saunders, Sr.; Zada Bookman, Jr. OUTLOOK>> Nelms takes over for Fred Ellzy, who took the Unionville head coaching job. Red Raiders have two of division’s most talented players in Saunders and Bookman. Saunders was a Ches-Mont National first team selection last season, averaging 10.8 points and 5.9 rebounds. Bookman and Brianna White, a sophomore who averaged 7.5 points last year, should contribute. This is Nelms’ first year coaching girls basketball after winning over 200 games coaching boys basketball. “We’re playing a tough schedule,” Nelms said. “The Ches-Mont is a tough league with excellent coaches. We hope to finish over .500 and qualify for districts.” PREDICTION >> Have the talent to compete for ChesMont playoff spot. Expect Red Raiders to qualify for districts.
HEAD COACH >> Bob Schnure
KEYPLAYERS>> Paige Warfel,
Downingtown East
Jr.; Lindsay Kent, Jr.; Kaely n Johns, Sr; Aryah Aungst, Jr. PREDICTION>> Slight favorite to win Ches-Mont National. Expect the Cougars to make deep district playoff run and qualify for states. HEAD COACH >> son OUTLOOK >> Schnure returns to Downingtown East for a 36th season after a brief retirement at the conclusion of last year. He has four starters returning on the Ches-Mont National Division champions, including Warfel, who was a Ches-Mont National first team selection. The Cougars only lost one player to graduation in Kennedi Van Eyken. Johns and Aungst return to play the guard positions while Kent is back at forward after earning ChesMont National second team honors. Laura Ochsner, a junior, will join the starting lineup. “Last year was a growing year, but the kids have a lot of talent,” Schnure said. “I always found over the years it’s a new year no matter what starters you have back. League has a lot of good teams.”
Downingtown West
Dave John- KEY PLAYERS >> Maddie Dew, Sr.; Hannah Supplee, Jr.; Meg Camden, Sr; Holly Schnack, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Plenty of players return to the Whippets this season, including Dew who is one of the area’s top scoring threats. Dew was a first team selection in the Ches-Mont National last season. Supplee, Schnack and Camden will provide some offense to compliment Dew. West only lost two seniors from last year’s squad. “We’re a veteran team and just by being that we should be better,” Johnson said. “The kids know what it takes. We’ll work hard, play hard and get good results. It will be a battle to get to the top two in the division, but we can play with anybody. If we don’t play smart, we’ll be on the outside looking in.” PREDICTION >> Whippets are as talented as any team in the division and will be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Also, should compete in district playoffs.
West Chester East
HEADCOACH>> Erin Listrani KEYPLAYERS>> Holly Hager, Sr.; Maura McCloskey, Sr.; Maddy Stiebritz, Sr.; Caitlin Culbertson, Jr.; Kaitlyn Boyle, So.; Olivia Rogers, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Vikings will have to replace Nina Mazzarelli’s production on offense, but Hager, a ChesMont National second team selection last season, should fill the void. McCloskey and Rogers, who joined the team this season, should replace Melanie Hartman’s presence in the paint. Stiebritz is thrust into a starting role while Boyle should see significant minutes. Hager one of the top all-around players in league. Listrani is in her first year leading the Vikings after 10 years as an assistant. “I’m looking for the girls to play with a lot of energy, starting with defense,” Listrani said. “I think we’re going to surprise some teams and we’re looking to compete every night. We’re looking to take things one game at a time.”
HEAD COACH >> Greta Neff KEYPLAYERS>> Morgan Maturani, Sr.; Maddie DePrisco, Fr.; Julie Gawrylowicz, Jr. PREDICTION >> Talented group despite loss of Mazzarelli and Hartman. Not an easy out and will fight for Ches-Mont and district playoff berth.
West Chester Henderson
OUTLOOK >> Warriors are one of the youngest teams in the Ches-Mont as Neff, in her first year as head coach after 10 years as an assistant at Downingtown West, will look to rebuild the program. She’ll receive immediate help with Maturani, who missed all of last season with a back injury. Henderson has 11 underclassman on varsity, six of which are freshman and sophomores. DePrisco will see plenty of varsity minutes as a freshman. “At the end of the day, if we come off the court and work hard, we’ll come out on a positive note,” Neff said. “The biggest thing is getting the kids to buy in, work hard and play some defense. That will be the best thing.” PREDICTION >> Warriors will have some growing pains, but Maturani and Gawrylowicz will help this team go in the right direction. Should be better as season goes on.
American Division Great Valley
HEAD COACH >> chik
Alex Venar- KEY PLAYERS >> Ashlyn Smith, Jr.; Steph Aker, Jr.; Emilee Kirk, Sr.; Megan Buettner, Sr.; Kodi Campetti, Jr. OUTLOOK >> Patriots return seven players from last year’s Ches-Mont playoff team, including Smith, who was the team’s leading scorer. A second-team Ches-Mont American Division selection, Smith will be relied on to lead a team that will see the majority of its production rom sophomores and juniors. Aker and Buettner will compliment Smith on offense in the starting lineup. “We’re looking for more balance,” Venarchik said. “We lost 5-of-6 to close the year last season. With the experience these girls got, they realize we have to finish games. It will pay dividends for us.” PREDICTION >> Will compete for second playoff spot in Ches-Mont American and should return to districts. Could make a run once they enter district tournament as well.”
Kennett
HEAD COACH >> tano
Vince Cat- KEY PLAYERS >> Jess Hussey, Jr.; Miranda Hill, Jr.; Aimee Armitage, Sr.; Caroline Hertz, Fr. OUTLOOK >> Blue Demons only lost two seniors from last year’s team, but have plenty of talent back. Hussey will be the goto player as she averaged 16.5 points in her sophomore year while earning All Ches-Mont American Division first team honors. Kennett is expected to have a high-scoring offense with Hussey, Hill (a transfer), Armitage and Hertz (a freshman). “We’ll have scoring to go with Jess this year,” Cattano said. “The offense might be more balanced than last season, so there will be less pressure on Jess. Still depending on her to lead a young team. The league will be fun this year with such a tight division.” PREDICTION >> Will compete with Great Valley for second playoff spot in American. Have a good shot at a district berth.
Octorara
HEAD COACH >> Mark Pedersen KEY PLAYERS >> Brielle Kirk, Sr.; Brianna Walter, Sr.; Brooke Balady, Sr.; Jayce Degney, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Pederson takes over for the Braves and looks to improve upon last year’s mark. Kirk was a Ches-Mont American honorable mention selection last season and was the team’s leading scorer. Walter, Balady and Dengey are the other seniors that will see significant playing time. Braves expected to be a perimeter team. “A lot of the girls don’t have too much experience,” Pedersen said. “I like the way the girls are working in practice. They work well with each other.” PREDICTION >> Shoud improve in Pedersen’s first year, but very young team in Atglen.
Oxford
HEADCOACH>> Matt Messick KEY PLAYERS >> Hannah Bahls, Jr.; Grace Hennessey, So. OUTLOOK >> The Hornets have a young squad this season, but have more depth on the roster. Bahls and Hennessey will be the main scoring threats and can create shot opportunities for their teammates. Will have a tough slate to open the year with Rustin and Great Valley in first two games. “We’ll be better this year,” Messick said. “Playing Rustin and Great Valley to open will be tough and we’ll experience growing pains, but should be better as the season goes on.” PREDICTION >> Young team headed in the right direction. Won’t be an easy out come second half of the year.
Unionville
HEAD COACH >> Fred Ellzy KEY PLAYERS >> Lexi Shanahan, Sr.; Maddie Shanahan, So.; Micayla Flores, Sr.; Casey Scheuer, Sr.; Emily Mason, Sr.; Adrianna Weber, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Indians have five returning seniors on the roster, but lost All ChesMont American first team selection Taylor Thames, who transferred to North Penn. Team has plenty of reliable scoring threats starting with Lexi and Maddie Shanahan. Flores returns after earning Ches-Mont American honorable mention honors last season and will provide depth along with Scheuer and Mason. Unionville expected to have high-powered offense in Ellzy’s first year with the program. “I got a good, hard-working team,” Ellzy said. “We have a few different threats with five seniors. Each of them can score and shott the basketball well. Our chances at a playoff berth are that much better with the good offseason we had and are ready to carry that forward.” PREDICTION >> Experience will help Unionville with Ellzy leading the way. Will fight with Kennett and Great Valley for second playoff spot in American and compete for district playoff berth. HEAD COACH >> gan KEY PLAYERS >> Noelle Powell, Sr.; Casey Warley, Sr.; Katie O’Hare, Sr.; Emily Walls, Sr.; Courtney Warley, So.; Annie Pitts, Sr. OUTLOOK >> The Golden Knights have one of the state’s best teams as they only lost one player from last year’s PIAA Class AAAA semifinal team, 1,000 point scorer Adashia Franklyn. Despite losing Franklyn, plenty of talent remains at Rustin, starting with Powell, who is a 1,000-point scorer and one of the area’s top players. Complimenting Powell is the Bloomsburg-bound Worley at point guard. Along with Warley, O’Hare, Pitts and Walls have become an all-around players in Colette Dugan’s up-tempo offense. Dugan is back leading the Golden Knights after stepping down from the position two years ago. “We have 12 players that will contribute,” Dugan said. “I’m coming into a team that’s doing remarkable things. This team has matured since I
West Chester Rustin
Colette Du- left them. They’ve improved tremendously over the last two years. They proven that they can advance pretty far (in the playoffs). We’ll work as a team to get to where we want to go. That’s what the key is going to be, teammwork.” PREDICTION >> Favorite to repeat as Ches-Mont champions and one of the top teams in District 1. In the mix for a state championship.
Central League Conestoga
HEADCOACH>> Chris Jeffries (1st season) KEY PLAYERS >> Jill Mascioli, Sr.; Ellie Mack, Jr.; Jess Monastero, Sr. OUTLOOK >> Pioneers lost seven seniors from last year’s team, but have strong leadership in this year’s senior class. Jeffries takes over for John Jones, who led Conestoga for 18 years. Pioneers’ Central Leaguetitle hopes took a huge hit with Mack, who is lost for the season with a knee injury. Mascioli and Monastero will be the top scoring threats with Mack sidelined. “With a new system, we’ll have some growing pains early in the season,” Jeffries said. “Mack will be missed, but a strong senior class will help to keep the team moving forward. We have a great mix of young talent with upperclassmen experience and look forward to an exciting year.” PREDICTION >> Even with Mack out, Pioneers will compete for Central League title along with a district playoff berth.
AACA Villa Maria
HEAD COACH >> Cartney
Kathy Mc- KEY PLAYERS >> Katie Mooney, Sr.; Danielle Knopp, Sr.; Claire O’Rourke, Sr.; Marielle Picinich, Jr.; Marissa Picinich, So.; Murrin Tague, So. OUTLOOK >> Plenty of seniors return to the Hurricanes this season, albeit in new roles. Despite some inexperience with key players, Villa Maria is one of the more-talented teams in the AACA. Marielle and Marissa Picinich will lead a balanced scoring attack with Mooney. “This group works unbelievably hard,” McCartney said. “We’ll be a scrappy bunch, but fun to watch play basketball. Our league has a lot of parity with every team graduating a lot of seniors, but I’m expecting some really good basketball. We’re just going to play one game at a time and see how it plays out.” PREDICTION >> Will compete for AACA title and expected to repeat as District 1 Class AAA champions.