Girls Basketball Preview: Chi, AP trying to shake off the pandemic rust in Del Val
Last season the Del Val League operated with three schools in a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Academy Park was the only public school in the county that didn’t play sports during the 2020-21 school year. And Chichester didn’t garner enough student interest to support having a varsity team.
“This year feels like my first year coaching with us being off so long,” said AP coach Ron Bright, who begins his fifth season. “The chemistry with this team is better than any of my past teams, so I am excited to see how it all comes together.”
Senior forward Jada Kinlaw and junior guard Semaj Young are technically returning players on varsity. Senior guard Jade Wilson, senior forward Halayjah Solis-Morgan and senior center Akirah Hill are among the newcomers that Bright is hoping will grow into solid varsity players.
“We will have four seniors and two juniors in the rotation but only two players have varsity experience. One sophomore and four freshmen will also see varsity minutes,” he said. “This will be a young team that will have to win with defense and athleticism. Not having a season last year really hurt getting players varsity experience.”
Chichester is under the direction of first-year head coach Kimberly Wood. The Eagles will rely on a solid core of seniors including guards Maiah Madison, Marisa Taylor and Armoni Ballard.
Rory Lewis takes over head coaching duties at Penn Wood, replacing Monique Boykins who is the new boss of the PSU-Abington women’s program. The Patriots won the Del Val title last year and posted a 6-5 overall record.
Senior forward Xenia Gillis has been an impact player for the Patriots since freshman year. She is one of several returning players including senior forward E’nya Hughes and senior guards Joshelyn Carter and Michelle Togba.
Team information on Chester and Interboro wasn’t made available to the Daily Times. Marvin Dukes returns for his second stint as head coach of the Clippers.
Ches-Mont League
Sun Valley coach Anthony Zambino is thrilled to have senior point guard Aliceia Whitfield back on the team. After averaging 12 points per game as a sophomore, she opted out of the pandemic shortened season.
Junior guard Jaina Preuhs is the Vanguards’ best outside shooting threat. Senior center Melana Timmes came on strong during the second half of last season and sophomore guard Olivia Hoy returns as the leading scorer. Senior forward Emily Kauffeld and freshman guard Brielle Wright will play big roles on the team, too.
The Vanguards will try to replace the production of junior guard Rory Tiedeman, who will miss the season due to a knee injury.
“The team will feel the loss of Rory Tiedeman but the new players and the return of Aliceia Whitfield will provide a much-needed boost,” Zambino said. “With the return of Whitfield and incoming freshman Brielle Wright, the returning guards will play more natural roles for the team while Aliceia and Brielle handle the point duties as well as provide a scoring punch for the team.”
Catholic Academies League
Sacred Heart Academy has the pieces in place to win a sixth straight District 1 Class 5A title.
Longtime coach Zach Shuler has seven players back on a team that went 10-5 last winter and advanced to the second round of the PIAA tournament.
Seniors Ainsley Davis, Kathryn Gallagher, Kyra Santora and Bella O’Toole all know what it takes to compete as one of the smallest schools in a traditionally competitive conference.
Sophomores Annie Corcoran, Avery Schultz and Makenzie Fisher will see their playing time increase.
“We have great senior leadership mixed with some really good young talent,” Shuler said. “Team chemistry should be a strength.”
