By Ben Destefan

 

Posted 12/6/16

 

 

GREENCASTLE - Having one of the best players in the state goes quite a long way.

 

How the supporting cast develops around her will largely determine if the Greencastle-Antrim girls' basketball program can remain a perennial contender.

 

Signed to continue her career at Division-I Holy Cross, Jenay Faulkner returns for her senior season as the Blue Devils' solidified leader, certain to headline G-A's production.

 

A two-time All-State selection, Faulkner enters the year with 1,364 career points, sitting just 56 shy of Kylene Helman's girls' school record (1,420). As a junior, Faulkner averaged 19.1 points per game while netting 99 3-pointers to lead the Blue Devils to a second consecutive appearance in the PIAA tournament.

 

"Every team has questions and concerns prior to the season, but we have one of the best players in the state, so we're happy to start there," G-A head coach Mike Rhine said. "Jenay affects the game in every aspect for us. She'll make 3's, get to the line, guard the other team's best player, single-handedly beat the press. The key for us is going to be how the other girls step up to the challenge."

 

The graduation of Hannah Crist and Meghan Hirneisen means the Blue Devils must replace their second and third leading scorers from last winter's 24-4 campaign, which included a third-place finish in District 3. A four-year starter, Crist finished with 1,244 career points, serving as a staple during G-A's rise to prominence. Hirneisen was also a key contributor, averaging 8.4 PPG a season ago.

 

Now, those roles will be turned over to Morgan Wagaman and Lydia Crist, Hannah's younger sister. Both bring varsity experience - Wagaman was a routine starter as a junior - and will be asked to become much more assertive on the offensive end.

 

"Morgan and Lydia have looked terrific so far," Rhine said. "We're expecting them to really be factors in scoring with both being full-time starters playing significant minutes."

 

Coming off a promising freshman debut, Madison Sweitzer returns as G-A's post presence while Heidi Schanzenbacher is projected to be the Blue Devils' third sophomore starter.

 

"Heidi has been putting the time in and focusing on the details," Rhine said. "She's accepting the responsibilities of being a starter and what that role brings. With Sweitzer, we want her to be more involved in the low post and build on what she learned last year."

 

Regarding depth, Rhine likes what he's seen from several girls capable of contributing. Lauren Cole joined the team as a senior with Jordan Yeager, Ashley Noblit and Katie Moats all being considered for varsity minutes. Of note, Ashley True and McKenna Rakaczewski will miss extended time with injuries but could factor into the equation later in the season.

 

"We like the girls we have, we just don't exactly know how much time each girl is going to get until we start playing," Rhine said. "It's going to be a play-by-play, night-by-night kind of thing. But, we're excited to see what they bring to the table."

 

Despite where the bar has been set in recent years, Rhine continues to keep things in perspective.

 

"We're honestly not even focusing on postseason goals or anything like that this time," Rhine said. "We're focused on getting better every practice and every game. If we do that, then we'll see where it sorts out in the end."

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Public Opinion Season Preview

 

By Lindsey Smith

 

 

Coach: Mike Rhine, sixth season, 95-34 (.736)

 

Last year: 24-4 (11-1 MPC); lost in PIAA second round to Gwynedd-Mercy.

 

Starters lost: Hannah Crist (P.O. first team), Meghan Hirneisen (P.O. second team)

 

Returning starters: Jenay Faulkner (sr., 5-11, 19.1 ppg, P.O. first team), Morgan Wagaman (sr., 5-3, 4.6 ppg, P.O. HM), Madison Sweitzer (so.), Lydia Crist (so.)

 

Other top players: Ashley True (so., 5-7, injured), Heidi Schanzenbacher (so., 5-7), Jordan Yeager (so., 5-9)

 

Outlook: Despite losing two of the team’s “Big Three,” coach Mike Rhyne said the team’s pace and dominating nature will likely remain the same. “It doesn’t look like we will change as much as I thought,” Rhyne said. “Morgan (Wagaman) looks like an absolute beast, and is determined to be a star. Lydia is shooting as well as her sister (Hannah Crist) and she’s only in 10th grade. We prefer to play really fast and it might be possible from what we’ve seen.”

 

Notes: Faulkner has dominated the court as one of the area’s top players for the last three seasons; but this year Faulkner is taking on a new role as the team’s point guard. With arguably the best ball skills on the team, Faulkner will now be the Blue Devils’ offensive and defensive specialist, and Rhine does not expect Faulkner to miss a beat.

“She’s super efficient. If she only gets 10 shots a game, she can turn those into 18 points really quick.” Faulkner is 56 points away from the G-A girls scoring record, and is 248 points from the school’s all-time scoring record.

 

Season opener: Friday, in Franklin County Tip-Off Tournament at Waynesboro vs. Chambersburg, 3:30.