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Lancaster-Lebanon League girls' basketball Section 4 preview capsules ...
ANNVILLE-CLEONA LITTLE DUTCHMEN
COACH: Fred Siebecker (3rd season; 6-41 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Double-A.
LAST SEASON: 3-13 Section 4; 4-19 overall (Lost to Newport 34-19 in the first round of the District 3 Double-A playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: F Becky Smith.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: F Megan Mailen (Sr.), G Victoria Siebecker (So., 16 3-pointers last season).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Cassie Conlin (Jr.), G Alicia Corle (Sr.), G Amalia Hartman (Fr.), G Barbara Inman (Fr.), G Abigail Mailen (So.), G Elaina Wanamaker (Fr.), G Alisha Wengert (Fr.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: Sophomore sniper Victoria Siebecker, who lit it up from beyond the arc in her freshman season. And she will be called upon to shoot and score early and often this season for the Little Dutchmen, who have a grand total of nine players on their roster — a roster that will be strictly varsity; Annville-Cleona will not play a JV schedule — for now. Siebecker, the coach's daughter, chipped in with 8.4 points per game in her first season with the varsity, and with a smallish roster — minus underclassmen sharpshooters Kaylynn McKinney (23 3-pointers last season) and Tricia Light (11 3-pointers last season), who do not appear on the preseason roster — expect her numbers to go up - way up.
OUTLOOK: With just nine players — total, and just two are seniors — on the roster, there could be some major growing pains in Annville. And Section 4 (plus the Section 3 crossover games) is a total grinder, so the Dutchmen could spend a lot of nights trying to play spoiler.
REINHART SAYS: Scratching my head over the lack of numbers here. It's going to be awfully tough for the Dutchmen to get much accomplished with just nine players on board. Heck, that's even an odd number for practice purposes. Siebecker should keep defenses guessing with her shooting prowess. But practically everyone else on board — including four freshmen — will be playing major varsity minutes for the first time. Ever.
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COLUMBIA CRIMSON TIDE
COACH: Gary Sutton (1st season).
CLASSIFICATION: Double-A.
LAST SEASON: 1-15 Section 4; 2-21 overall (Lost to eventual state runner-up York Catholic 47-37 in the first round of the District 3 Double-A playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: F Gen Afari, G Laura Gambler, G Erica Gilbert, F Meredith Wagner, G Adrienne Zercher.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Becca Kuhn (Jr.), G Emily Nobile (Sr.).
KEY NEWCOMERS: F Jenna Geesey (Jr.), G Destynee Graver (Jr.), F Paige Herchelroath (So.), G Lei'Neal Howard (So.), F Cammie Kronenwetter (Sr.), F Shacura Matague (Jr.), G Ashlyn Phillips (Fr.), G Jenna Phillips (Fr.), G Corieanna Wakefield (Jr.), F Jordan White (Sr.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: Senior shooting guard Emily Nobile, Columbia's top returning scorer and 3-point sniper. Nobile splashed 14 treys last season, and she'll very likely be called upon to step it up in the scoring department after the departure of top guns Gilbert, Gambler, Wagner and Afari. While you're at it, also keep an eye on Columbia's bench, where former Crimson Tide boys' coach Gary Sutton returns, this time as the girls' skipper. I'm sure he'll be looking to recapture some magic from his run as boys' coach, which included winning the 1987 PIAA Double-A state title.
OUTLOOK: It's been a rough patch for the Tide as of late, with just a 15-56 mark over the last three seasons, including a 1-15 record in league games and a 2-21 overall finish last season. Exit Lisa Tomsheck, who stepped down after last season, and enter Sutton, the former Tide boys' coach and a real basketball guru around these parts. His goal? Inject some adrenaline into the program, and get his new team back on track and back into the L-L League and District 3 hunt. He will inherit a team with just one returning starter — Nobile, a steady shooter who should provide a lot of buckets - but practically everyone else will be brand spanking new to the varsity. And did I mention Section 4 is loaded, with Lancaster Mennonite, Lancaster Catholic and Lebanon Catholic all looming? Rebuilding and retooling ahead on the hill. But in Sutton, Columbia might have landed the guy that can pull it off. Be patient, Tide Country.
REINHART SAYS: Simply too many horses in front of the Tide for Columbia to make any kind of serious run in the Section 4 derby. But I fully expect this bunch to make some serious baby steps under Sutton, and at least start to get things turned around. Must win the games they 'should' win, and pull off an upset or two, in order to make the District 3 Double-A playoffs — which they did last year with just two wins. So a postseason trip isn't out of the question. But expect some growing pains — with an eye toward getting out of the basement and back on the path to respectability.
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LANCASTER CATHOLIC CRUSADERS
COACH: Lamar Kauffman (28th season; 637-159 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 11-5 Section 4; 14-11 overall (Lost to eventual runner-up Manheim Township 47-38 in the L-L League quarterfinals; Lost to eventual state runner-up Lampeter-Strasburg 44-28 in the first round of the District 3 Triple-A playoffs - after beating East Pennsboro 59-55 in a District 3 Triple-A pigtail play-in game).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Bridget Gibbons, G Marissa Uylingco, F Emily Weaver (11.8 points per game and 20 3-pointers last season).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: F Amy Balasavage (So.), F Reina Hill (Sr.), F Ariana Nazario (Jr.), G Jen Roehm (Jr., 10.6 points per game last season), F Madeline Sloan (Sr.).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Alyssa Aichele (So.), G Veronica Brito (Jr.), G Victoria Brito (Jr.), F Ashley Bukeavich (Jr.), G Martyne Fischer (Jr.), F Lisa Foose (So.), F Morgan Heinbach (So.), F Prudence Jarvie (Fr.), F Kayla Kubala (So.), F Emily Martin (Fr.), F Tyler Oleskowitz (Jr.), G Ashley Sargent (Fr.), F Elizabeth Slenker (Jr.), F Kirsten Werner (Fr.), F Molly Westwood (Jr.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: Senior crasher and rebounder Reina Hill, who is a jumping jack with good board skills and scoring touch. Hill is part of a solid troika of returning paint players — along with Madeline Sloan and Ariana Nazario — that should give the Crusaders a tough inside presence and size advantage on most nights. Hill loves to scrap and battle, and she'll crash with authority and get plenty of follow-up buckets and start many patented Lancaster Catholic fastbreaks with quick outlet passes. The Crusaders will need all of their post players to play big in crunch time, and in Hill, Sloan and Nazario, Lancaster Catholic has a talented threesome of experienced low-post warriors.
OUTLOOK: Two concerns off the top are point-guard play (Bridget Gibbons, who handled that chore last season, graduated) and replacing a reliable 3-point sniper (Emily Weaver, who took her scoring prowess to Alvernia). If the Crusaders can find a steady point guard — a must in their up-tempo, push it, play-crazy-in-your-face-defense scheme — and if Jen Roehm can continue to mature and become a reliable perimeter scoring threat, then Lancaster Catholic should be just fine and dandy. Struggled a tad to get everyone on the same page last season, when the Crusaders finished second in Section 4, but never really challenged Lancaster Mennonite for the title, and then lost in the first round of the L-L League playoffs before being unceremoniously bounced in the first round of the District 3 Triple-A playoffs, which is almost unheard of, considering coach Lamar Kauffman and his teams have won a staggering 11 district titles.
REINHART SAYS: Some nice size here with Hill, Sloan and Nazario patrolling the post — so pick your poison with those three. The Crusaders should have a decided advantage on the boards in most games, and they must take advantage of that as the season goes on and the games get bigger and bigger. Roehm showed a penchant for scoring last season, and she can beat you from the wing and on the dribble-drive. She should step into Weaver's role as go-to perimeter scorer and jump shooter. The one big area Kauffman has to clear up early is point guard. If he can find a flat-out, rock-solid leader in that department, the Crusaders could be going places — a year after they were shown the door much earlier than accustomed to. And you know that hasn't set well with Kauffman and this bunch the last 10 months.
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LANCASTER MENNONITE BLAZERS
COACH: Sherri Gorman (5th season; 86-28 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Double-A.
LAST SEASON: 15-1 Section 4 (outright champs); 27-4 overall (Defeated Manheim Township 50-33 in the L-L League championship game; lost to eventual state runner-up York Catholic 57-51 in OT in the District 3 Double-A championship game; lost to Delone Catholic 57-56 in OT in the PIAA Double-A state quarterfinals).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Sarah Mentzer, F Kami Skoloda, G Katelyn Vanderhoff (L-L All-League Team, Lancaster Newspapers Player of the Year, Associated Press Second-Team Double-A All-State pick, 20.9 points per game last season).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Val Heisey (Jr.), F Erin LaVenice (Sr., 12.1 points per game last season), G Jess Rheinheimer (So.), G Steph Rheinheimer (Sr., 31 3-pointers last season).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Katie Andrews (Jr., transfer from Lampeter-Strasburg), F Colleen Andrews (Fr., transfer from Lampeter-Strasburg), F Eileen Barker (So.), G Madison Brubaker (Fr.), G Danielle Campbell (So.), G Francesca Genoese (Fr.), G Elizabeth Keener (Jr.), G Ketura Landis (Fr.), F Tasha Landis (Jr.), F Chloe Mattilio (Fr.), G Beza Mulugeta (Sr.), G Lydia Peachey (Fr.), G Sara Schlosser (Fr.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: Senior 5-11 low-post terror Erin LaVenice. Sure seems like she's been around forever, blocking shots, altering shots, scoring on the blocks and — my personal favorite — dunking Nerf balls at practice. LaVenice is a real treat — and she's a heck of a player. Many times during Lancaster Mennonite's playoff runs the last two seasons, she's simply taken over games in the post with her shot-blocking prowess and rebounding ability. In nine postseason games last season, she averaged 13.0 points per game, second-best on the team behind the departed Katelyn Vanderhoff, who is off to a flying start playing for the University of Maine. LaVenice, who spent her freshman season playing for Hempfield, will open her senior campaign with 699 career points, so she should join the 1,000-point club later this season for the Blazers, who will be gunning to make a District 3 championship game for the third season in a row (won Triple-A in 2008; runner-up in Double-A in 2009).
OUTLOOK: Peachy. Plenty to like here, with LaVenice — one of the top post players in the L-L League and District 3 — back in the middle; rock-steady Steph Rheinheimer back to run the point and shoot the 3; little sister Jess Rheinheimer ready to explode and become a household name around the league; Val Heisey, the sixth-man last season, back as a quick, defensive pest; and perhaps the best news of all for Lancaster Mennonite: Katie Andrews, a sparkplug defender and sniper who helped Lampeter-Strasburg go 29-4 and reach the PIAA Triple-A state championship game last March, transferred in, giving the Blazers one heck of a scary starting five. Once Lancaster Mennonite develops some depth and a bench rotation, look out.
REINHART SAYS: Will very likely draw the bull's-eye as Section 4 favorite with so many major players back in tow. And should make a run at defending their league title. And don't be surprised if Lancaster Mennonite gets back to the Giant Center when the District 3 playoffs unfold. Although, with top guns Delone Catholic and Trinity lurking, that could be one heck of a bracket. But that's February and March. For now, Lancaster Mennonite is thinking repeat in the section race.
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LEBANON CATHOLIC BEAVERS
COACH: Patti Hower (32nd season; 583-283 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Single-A.
LAST SEASON: 10-6 Section 4; 17-9 overall (Defeated Greenwood 40-30 in the District 3 Single-A championship game; lost to Bishop Carroll 39-30 in the first round of PIAA Single-A state playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Kelsey Boehmer (11.8 points per game last season), G Rachel Shirk (19 3-pointers last season).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Hailey Carangelo (Sr., L-L All-League Team, Associated Press Second-Team Single-A All-State pick, 17.3 points per game and 24 3-pointers last season, St. Francis recruit), G Stevie Fortna (So.), G Nicole Groh (Jr.), G Rachel Kleinfelter (Jr.), G Erin Walker (Jr.).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Taylor Ford (So.), F Jessica Glover (So.), F Catherine Gross (Fr.), F Erika Jackson (So.), G Holly Marinkov (Fr.), G Kate Pastal (So.), F Elizabeth Rakow (Jr.), G Katelynn Reist (Jr.), G Abby Schrum (So.), F Abby Shay (Fr.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: The Beavers' lone senior, Division I recruit Hailey Carangelo, who will begin her final season with an L-L League-active-best 1,092 career points — and some mighty big expectations. Big expectations because she's a D-I recruit, and big expectations because she has a lot of returning firepower around her, from a team that won the program's 15th District 3 Single-A championship, but flamed out in the first round of States last winter. Carangelo does it all for the Beavers: Scores in the paint, can step back and hit the 3, rebound, block shots. And at 5-8 (maybe 5-9 in high-tops), she's usually Lebanon Catholic's tallest player on the court. Special player who is the early favorite to win the L-L League scoring championship. But Carangelo is about way more than points. She makes everyone around her better. And if the four-year contributor can do that this season, the Beavers will do some pretty special things.
OUTLOOK: Fully expecting Lebanon Catholic to be a major threat in the Section 4 chase, but with Lancaster Mennonite and Lancaster Catholic out there — plus some tricky crossover games against Section 3 foes - it won't be easy for the undersized Beavers. Lebanon Catholic won't duck anyone, either, with non-league games against District 3 powers Reading Holy Name and Reading Central Catholic, and reigning state runner-up Pottsville Nativity on the docket. So the Beavers will be battle-tested for the postseason, where they should be in line to defend their district crown come late February. They want a deeper trip in States this season, too, and that's not a big secret. With Carangelo leading the way, that could happen. Stay tuned.
REINHART SAYS: The Beavers lost two solid backcourt players in Kelsey Boehmer (the team's sparkplug) and Rachel Shirk (a 3-point artist), but Carangelo is one of the top talents in the state, and Stevie Fortna and Rachel Kleinfelter both got major varsity minutes last season, and are poised for breakout seasons. And Nicole Groh and Erika Jackson will add some much needed size in the middle for the usually guard-oriented Beavers. A win — or two — against section heavyweights Lancaster Mennonite and Lancaster Catholic would do wonders for this bunch. And a trip to the L-L playoffs isn't out of the question. But Lebanon Catholic is thinking big picture, which means playing a rough-and-tumble schedule to beef up for a playoff run. Enjoy Carangelo's last ride. She's a treat.
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PEQUEA VALLEY BRAVES
COACH: John Trovato (1st season).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 3-13 Section 4; 3-19 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Rayna Carney, G Tessa Smucker.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Marissa Ferris (Jr.), F Alyssa Maxwell (So.), F Morgan Schroeder (Sr.), G Becca Stamper (Sr.), F Amber Stoltzfus (Sr.), G Bri Teijaro (So.).
KEY NEWCOMERS: F Alexis Angelucci (So.), G Alex Heidbreder (So.), G Steph Hoffmeier (So.), G Tara Hostetter (So.), G Emily Houck (Jr.), F Courtney Riehl (So.), G Kayla Wallace (So.), G Kasey Williams (So.).
KEEP AN EYE ON: Junior sniper Marissa Ferris, who had a breakout sophomore season (13.5 points per game, 33 3-pointers), and who could challenge in the league scoring race this winter. Deadly from distance (top 3-point shooter returning in the league from last season), and should team with low-post threat Amber Stoltzfus to form one of the best inside-outside combos in the league. Stoltzfus averaged 11.0 points per game last season, and now a year older and wiser — and battle-tested — she should be even tougher on the boards against rugged Section 4 and crossover Section 3 competition. Ferris and Stoltzfus — remember the names.
OUTLOOK: Good reason for optimism in Kinzers. John Trovato returns to the bench after having coached the Braves a few years back before giving way to Melissa Mabry, who resigned her post following last season. So Trovato, who helped get the program turned around a few years back, is back to spread more good vibes, and he has some players to build around, like Ferris and Stoltzfus, who should be a heck of a nice 1-2 punch. Morgan Schroeder showed some scoring prowess at the end of last season, and Bri Teijaro has some wheels and will need to defend out front. Tough road ahead with two games each against Lancaster Mennonite, Lancaster Catholic and Lebanon Catholic on the slate. But the Braves should keep everyone honest. And enjoy that bus ride to Kinzers, while you're at it.
REINHART SAYS: Should battle Annville-Cleona and Columbia for the fourth spot in the Section 4 race — and that's not necessarily a bad thing, considering the three heavyweights sitting up top. Don't forget: Lebanon Catholic won the district title, Lancaster Mennonite was a district finalist, and Lancaster Catholic is, well, Lancaster Catholic. Braves might take some lumps along the way, but should dole some out too, especially if Stoltzfus is crashing with authority and Ferris is burying 3-pointers. Going up to Triple-A crippled the Braves' shot for a postseason bid. But Pequea Valley will be gritty and will make you work. No off nights against the Braves, who won't be an easy out. That was Trovato's M.O. before. No reason to believe that will change.
Sports writer Jeffrey Reinhart can be reached at jreinhart@LNPnews.com or 291-8777.
