Mid-Penn Colonial Division girls basketball: Predicted order of finish
By Eric Eppler on 12/04/24
Thanksgiving Day leftovers have been depleted, and all that chaos surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping is over.
As the calendar turns to December, it’s time to look ahead to the hardwood. The girls basketball season is now open for business, meaning a closer look at Mid-Penn Conference programs is in order.
Below is a closer look at the MPC Colonial Division. PennLive polled coaches heading into the season and asked them to predict the final order of finish and preseason MVP. Their selections are below in descending order.
8. WEST PERRY
Head coach: Shannon Dyer
Last year: 9-13
Key players: G Shay Dyer, 5-3, SR; G Taylor Lupfer, 5-9, SR; F Austin Wolf, 5-10, JR; F Haley Powell, SO; G Haley Page, 5-6, SO.
Buzz: The Mustangs were very close to making the postseason a year ago. While an eight-game as the calendar hit January didn’t help, consider a couple of losses to Big Spring were by a combined 10 points. Same for a pair of games vs. rival Waynesboro. If the Indians want to alter that ending, Dyer and Lupfer will lead the way. The former is a four-year starter who popped in 10 points per game last season. Lupfer, a versatile swing guard, totaled six points a game.
7. GETTYSBURG
Head coach: Rick Keller
Last year: 5-16
Key players: G Madeline Delaney, 5-7, SR; G Megha Makkenchery, 5-8, SR; G Addison Caywood, 5-9, SR; G/F Liberty Picarelli, 5-8, SR; C Charlotte Brandaeur, 5-11, SR; G Isabelle Sites, 5-6, SO; G Emma Rohrbach, 5-6, SO.
Buzz: Look, a seven-game skid early in the 2023-24 season derailed Gettysburg, which couldn’t counter in a tough division. That said, Keller’s bunch should be better prepared to weather a few storms and compete on a nightly basis. Delaney and Makkenchery each bettered 7 points per game while Caywood and Picarelli bolster a senior class on solid footing. If a couple of new starters hit the ground running, a better overall finish is coming.
6. EAST PENNSBORO
Head coach: Paula Shermeyer
Last year: 8-14
Key players: G Sofia Morrill, SR; G Lilly Estright, SR; F Irys Kline, SR; G Liz Wilson, SR; F Macie Hammaker, SR.
Buzz: How will the Panthers respond in a new division? Good question, one that Shermeyer is hoping her squad has an easy answer for. What we know is EP will stand on a pretty heady senior class, one that includes longtime starter and top scorer Kline and Morrill. Estright and Wilson went through an up and down season a year ago, as well. For the outside, it feels like the Panthers need a few more newcomers to immediately check in for the team to bump that win total.
5. SHIPPENSBURG
Head coach: Eric Minor
Last year: 7-15
Key players: G Lily Weller, JR; F Cora Chamberlin, JR; G Peyton Coy, SO; G Ajla Dzananovic, JR; C Azula Navaro, SO.
Buzz: We dislike the word rebuilding, although Shippensburg is effectively starting from scratch after waving goodbye to a big and productive senior class. The good news is Coy and Dzananovic, each denied a chance to compete last season due to injuries, return healthy and ready to expedite the Greyhounds’ trek through the division. Weller and Chamberlin were key assets last season, too.
4. GREENCASTLE-ANTRIM
Head coach: Bill Monn
Last year: 15-7
Key players: G Eva Martin, 5-3, SO; F Callie Izer, 5-8, JR; G Lexi Nelson, 5-3, SR; G Meadow Gambacurta, 5-6, SR; F Shaina Overcash, 5-8, SR; G Ellie Bilger, 5-7, SO.
Buzz: Monn, a longtime assistant, takes over the top spot for veteran coach Mike Rhine, who chalked up 224 wins. Yes, expectations remain high following a 15-win season that ended inside the District 3 5A Tournament. And the combination of Martin, captain Overcash and more should ease the graduation of reigning Colonial POY Haley Noblit.
3. WAYNESBORO
Head coach: Tyler Stoner
Last year: 11-11
Key players: G Breanna McIlquham, 5-10, JR; F Marissa Hedin, 5-9, SR; F Genesis Alvarez, 5-10, SR; G Alysayeah Shockey, 5-5, JR; F Addie Shaull, 5-8, SR; F Braelynn Pearson-Moore, 5-10, SO.
Buzz: More than a few Colonial Division coaches have pegged Waynesboro as a division contender after Stoner’s crew ripped off 11 wins a season ago and just missed the postseason. We do know tough-minded guard Davis, a returning second-team all-star pick, and third-teamer McIlquham will lead the way for the reigning division coach of the yeaer.
2. MIDDLETOWN
Head coach: LaSonda Dixon
Last year: 15-10
Key players: G Emma Cleland, 5-6, JR; G/F Jayla Koser, 5-11, JR; F Destiney Gassert, 5-11, JR; G Journee Stover, 5-4, JR; G Ja’Liyah Stover, 5-4, JR; G Aja Rossum, 5-4, SO; G Rylee Cavrich, 5-4, SO.
Buzz: We’re not sure how thrilled the rest of the Colonial Division is with Middletown walking in. Koser, now a three-year starter, leads the way after posting 16.9 points and 173 rebounds as a sophomore. It’s no picnic dealing with Cleland’s overall game, either, or trying to slow down swift guards Journee and Ja’Liyah Stover. Gassert, of course, will continue to work hard underneath. The Blue Raiders will continue to play with desire and pace, which can be a handful.
1. NORTHERN YORK
Head coach: Luke Zampelli
Last year: 25-3
Key players: G Anna Lehman, SR; G Delaney Moyer, SR; F Liz Montgomery, JR; G Bella Westrick, JR; G Tae Townsend, JR.
Buzz: Few will forget the Polar Bear’s impressive 21-1 regular season, it’s runner-up finish in District 3 5A and sprint to the state’s second round. There was turnover, of course, but have productive leaders like Lehman (8 ppg.), Wilkes-recruit Moyer and more back in action is huge. Montgomery gives the P-Bears loads of versatility. Defensive guru Westrick is back after missing a season with an ACL injury, and Townsend causes plenty of chaos on both sides of the court. That’s a lot to defend.
PREASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Anna Lehman, Northern York
Buzz: Lehman has secured her future as a member of the James Madison track and field squad, but that competitive drive translates to the court, as well. Lehman’s versatility on both sides of the court is her strength, which helped push the Polar Bears into the PIAA 5A Tournament. Lehman is a double-digit scorer and among the league’s top rebounders.
Anna Lehman, Northern York
