Lehigh Valley Conference girls basketball team capsules

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

MUGAVERO'S PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

EAST DIVISION

1. Liberty

2. Bethlehem Catholic

3. Easton

4. Freedom

NORTH DIVISION

1. Northampton

2. Parkland

3. Nazareth

4. Whitehall

WEST DIVISION

1. Central Catholic

2. Emmaus

3. Allen

4. Dieruff

WILD CARD

Parkland

OVERALL CHAMPION

Central Catholic
View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoLiberty's Jody Chickey, left, and Central Catholic's Kerry Kinek will both look to lead their respective teams to the top of the Lehigh Valley Conference.
EAST DIVISION

Bethlehem Catholic

Record: 13-11, 9-5. Won East Division. Lost to Central Catholic 46-28 in LVC semifinals. Lost to Palmerton 59-53 in District 11-AAA quarterfinals.

Coach: Bill Lanscek (84-85, 8th season).

Returning starters: 5-6 Sr. G Rana Plesko (10.4 ppg), 5-4 Sr. PG Brianna Morales,

Key returnees: 5-11 Jr. F Bridget Smith (8.0), 5-6 Sr. G Gabby Lacherza, 5-5 Sr. G Jaime Deisher, 5-10 Jr. F Cecilia Perez.

Promising newcomers: 5-3 So. G Janelle Robinson (Allen transfer), 5-10 Jr. Ashley Brader, 5-8 So. F Julia Madison, 6-0 Fr. F Kalista Walters, 5-6 Fr. G Nicole Lacherza.

Coach's quote: "We're working on chemistry and with the work ethic in place it's producing a good environment, a very competitive environment. We're looking forward to a successful season."

Outlook: Can Bethlehem Catholic jump over programs like Northampton, Nazareth, Liberty and Parkland in one fell swoop to be Central Catholic's strongest challenger? Some think yes. We think it might be a year away. Either way, the Golden Hawks figure to be a major factor the next few seasons.

Easton

Record: 7-16, 7-7. Lost to Bangor 45-39 in District 11-AAAA first round.

Coach: Heather Gaumer (7-16, second season).

Key returnees: 5-6 Sr, G Courtney Schaffer, 5-5 Jr. F Cat Nemeth, 5-5 So. G Savannah Fehnel, 5-10 So. F Mia Carroll, 5-11 Sr. C Felicia Shaner.

Promising newcomers: 5-4 Fr. PG Domanique Moser.

Coach's quote: "We're young but fast and have athletes that can run up and down the court. We'll make some mistakes and go through some early growing pains but we'll improve as the season progresses."

Outlook: It's hard to remember the last time Easton didn't return at least one starter. And there are only two seniors on roster. This is definitely a work in progress.

Freedom

Record: 1-21, 0-14.

Coach: DeAnna Rayam (first season).

Returning starters: 5-7 Sr. G Leana Gonzalez (7.0 ppg), 5-5 Jr. G Ashley Gordon, 5-11 Sr. Ada Marquez, Sr. G Sydney Brown.

Key returnees: Sr. F Alexa Alpaugh, Jr. G Rebecca Herman, Jr. G Monique Latourette, 5-7 So. G Caralyn Reese, 5-4 So. G Kelley Rosete.

Promising newcomer: 5-10 So. C Ashley Husser.

Coach's quote: "We're looking solid. The girls are working hard every day and I think by the end of the season it will show."

Outlook: The Patriots have nowhere to go but up. How high remains to be seen. Gonzalez and Reese, who showed plenty of promise as a freshman, will be asked to lead.

Liberty

Record: 14-13, 6-8. Beat Parkland 24-22 in District 11-AAAA consolation game. Lost to Lower Merion 38-24 in PIAA first round.

Coach: Amy Yencho (14-13, second season).

Returning starters: 5-5 Sr.. G Jody Chickey (12.0 ppg, 25 3s), 5-7 Sr. G Ciaha. Hilliard (7.2, 31 3s), 5-7 Sr. G Jahara. Hilliard (9.1, 18 3s), 5-5 Sr. G Shi Lewis.

Key returnees: 5-9 So. G Kali Shumock, 5-10 Jr. F Maggie Zerbe, 5-5 Jr. G Paige Gross.

Outlook: A disappointing regular season ended in a trip to the state playoffs. Consistency, or a lack there of, could land the smallish Hurricanes anywhere from being the second best team in the LVC to the seventh best this season.



NORTH DIVISION


View full sizeExpress-Times PhotosLennon Kramer, left, and Jacki Hikes are returning starters for Nazareth Area High School.
Nazareth

Record: 21-6, 12-2. Won North Division. Lost to Central Catholic 26-25 in LVC final. Lost to Northampton 38-34 in District 11-AAAA final. Lost to Cardinal O'Hara 51-40 in PIAA first round.

Coach: Rich Bickert (88-44, 6th season).

Returning starters: 5-4 Sr. PG Jacki Hikes, 5-6 Jr. G Lennon Kramer.

Key returnees: 5-5 Jr. G Morgan Calabrese, 5-8 Sr. F Ariane Hilborn, 5-7 Sr. F Sarah Hutchinson, 5-11 Sr. C Ashley Paulik., 5-10 Sr. F Christine Flannery, 5-6 Jr. G Elizabeth Coyle.

Promising newcomers: 5-7 Jr. F Elizabeth Deutsch, 5-10 Jr. F Stephanie Madara, 6-0 So. F Chelsea Gary, 5-7 So. F Emily Meade, 5-5 So. G Hannah Oren, 5-6 Fr. G Kimberly Barr, 5-7 Fr. F Kassie Behler, 5-10 Fr. F Natalie Gold, 5-7 Fr. F Lauren Kresge, 5-6 Fr. G Taylor Umar.

Coach's quote: "We're not changing our goals. We have a tough schedule and play in a tough Christmas tournament but we still expect to be there at the end in leagues and districts and hopefully playing in states again."

Outlook: Lost The Express-Times player of the year and second team all-state pick in Erika Livermore so this team will be looking for someone to take over the scoring duties for one thing. Could still be a factor in both the conference and District 11-AAAA title races.


View full sizeExpress-Times File PhotoPoint guard Chelsea Deutsch is a key returnee for Northampton Area High School.
Northampton

Record: 21-5, 11-3. Beat Nazareth 38-34 in District 11-AAAA final. Lost to Boyertown 51-38 in PIAA first round.

Coach: Jeff Jacksits (122-67, eighth season).

Returning starters: 5-9 Sr. G-F Alesha Marcks (8.3 ppg), 5-7 Sr. G Steph Bragg (5.8, 23 3s).

Key returnees: 5-11 Sr.. F Chelsea Hall, 5-5 Jr. G Michelle Dally, 5-6 Sr. PG Chelsea Deutsch, 5-6 Sr. F Maggie Bradford, 5-7 Jr. G Christa Schroettner, 5-6 Sr. F Lauren Szerencsits, 5-5 So. G Leandra Sterner.

Coach's quote: "This will be a different year, we won't be as big, so we'll have to take advantage of our quickness. It's going to be a whole new ballgame."

Outlook: This will be the first time in seven seasons the Konkrete Kids won't rely on a Bonenberger or two. Deutsch's return, she missed last season with an ACL injury after a breakout sophomore campaign, is huge for what will now become a transition team.

Parkland

Record: 19-7, 11-3. LVC wild card. Lost to Nazareth 48-39 in LVC semifinal. Lost to Liberty 24-22 in District 11-AAAA consolation game.

Coach: Wes Spence (32-17, third season).

Returning starters: 5-7 Sr. G-F Olivia Hassler, 5-4 Sr. G Alissa Persichetti, 5-11 Jr. F Kelly Robertson.

Key returnees: 5-7 Sr. G Jackie Oertner, 5-4 Jr. G Allison Cressman.

Outlook: Like last season, the Trojans don't have a star player. And like last season, look for them to be in the thick of any conference and district discussions because they play good defense and as a team on offense.

Whitehall

Record: 5-16, 2-12.

Coach: Rick Worman (76-120, 9th season at Whitehall; 116-155 in 12th season overall).

Returning starters: 5-7 Sr. G Kayla Bet (11.2 ppg., 19 3s), Jr. Madison Kelly

Key returnees: 5-7 Sr. G-F Cara Basile, 5-5 Sr. G Olivia Brosky, 5-9 Sr. F Anel Moussa, 5-9 Sr. F Briana Jordan, Sr. F Emily Lubenetski, Jr. F Nicole Umbenhauer.

Promising newcomer: 5-9 Jr. F Brook Mellinger.

Coach's quote: "We have nine seniors so we have experience. We'd like to do better than last year. "

Outlook: Bet, with close to 700 career points, will be the best player on the court against several LVC teams. With some help, Whitehall could have a chance to finish over .500 for the first time in 12 seasons.

WEST DIVISION

Allen

Record: 12-12, 7-7. Lost to Nazareth 51-31 in District 11-AAAA quarterfinals.

Coach: Tom Gallagher (98-56, 7th season).

Key returnees: 5-6 Jr. F Kameelah Church, 5-4 Jr. G Dashanae Hardy.

Promising newcomers: Sr. G Lauren Gonzalez, Jr. G Janelle Miller, Fr. G Kamila Talib, So. G Tahisha Jones, Sr. F Shalene Thompson, Sr. F Jenna Weiss.

Coach's quote: "No doubt we're rebuilding but I expect us to get better as the season progresses. Right now we're very inexperienced and we're not very big."

Outlook: Not one starter returns and just two players with any varsity experience. A 10-win season, which it has reached eight of last nine seasons, would be a big-time accomplishment for Allen this season.

Central Catholic

Record: 25-5, 13-1. Won West Division. Beat Nazareth 26-25 in LVC final. Lost to Tamaqua 46-42 in overtime in District 11-AAA final. Lost to Archbishop Wood 44-27 in PIAA first round.

Coach: Mike Kopp (771-166, 32nd season at Central; 845-190 in 36th season overall).

Returning starters: 6-0 Sr. F Kerry Kinek (18.9 ppg, 887 career points, 5-5 Sr. G Abbey Guman, 5-11 Sr. F Jenna Kocsis (8.7, 26 3s), 5-8 Sr. F Casey Hollawell..

Key returnees: 5-4 Sr. G Katie Troyan, 5-9 Jr. F Summer Sullivan, 5-8 Jr. G Abby Sandherr, 5-11 Jr. F Jackie Fronheiser, 5-8, So. G Ashley Bross, 5-4 Sr. G Laura McCann, 5-7 Jr. G Tiara Middleton.

Promising newcomers: 5-11 So. F Emma Redding 5-11, 5-8 So. F Alyssa Medina.

Coach's quote: "The key to the team's success will be the use of the bench. Our goals are to jell at the end of the season and then be ready to compete for conference, district, and state championships."

Outlook: It's hard to phantom Central, 1169-290 in its 62-year history, losing against a region team this season. It'll start a new streak in district play after seeing its impressive run of victories (28) and titles (11) finally end last season in an overtime loss to Tamaqua in the Class AAA championship game. Then it'll play in the state playoffs, where it's won seven titles, for the 28th season in a row.

Dieruff

Record: 2-20, 1-13.

Coach: Steve Middleton (3-41, third season).

Returning starters: 5-6 Jr. G Victoria Ruvolis (5.9 ppg), 5-7 Jr. G Breanna Moore (5.0).

Key returnee: 5-6 So. F McKela Rivera.

Promising newcomers: 5-4 Fr. G Lexi Anderson, 5-4 Sr. G Nyasia Gomez, 5-2 Jr. G Tara Osley, 5-4 Fr. G Tatiana Goodwin, 5-4 So. G Lydia Rentas, 5-6 Fr. F Barbara Lever, 5-5 Fr. G Miranda Slater, 5-5 So. G Heidi Souid.

Coach's quote: "We're a very young team so we're working very hard on fundamentals."

Outlook: The Huskies, who broke a 38-game LVC losing streak last season by beating Freedom, will look toward Ruvolis and Moore to lead one of the youngest teams in the region.

Emmaus

Record: 10-12, 5-9

Coach: Billy Dunn (first season).

Returning players: 5-11 Sr. F Leah Horton (14.4 ppg), 6-0 Sr. G Sandra Gee (6.0), 5-10 Sr. G Shaniece Jackson, 5-7 So. G Beth Wisely, 5-6 Jr. G Kelsey Bacon, 5-9 Jr. F Anna Baer, 5-5 Sr. G Nyasia Gomez.

Promising newcomers: 5-8 So. F Drea Watkins, 5-8 Jr. F Carly Muller, 5-5 So. G Mandy McCarthy.

Coach's quote: "Any time a new coach comes in it takes time to adjust. We'll see how quick they can adapt to a new system. Obviously we have some talented players. If we work hard and create some chemistry, we could have a very successful season."

Outlook: Horton, who has a full scholarship to Temple University, is one of the best players in the LVC. A nucleus that includes veterans Gee and Jackson should be enough to finish with first winning record in five years and maybe even a lot more if everything clicks.

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