Returning talent adds luster to girls hoops season
The time has come again to go inside to the hardwood as the scholastic girls basketball season tips off. As some teams retool, others get themselves primed for postseason runs.
The one team who has high expectations for the season is West Chester Rustin. The reason for that optimism is the return of Laine McGurk, a member of the Daily Local News All-Area first team and is one of the top returning players in the region. McGurk, who committed to Drexel, averaged over 21 points a game last season for the reigning Ches-Mont champions.
She is one of four returning starters for coach Lauren Stackhouse. Second team All-Ches-Mont Riley Stackhouse comes back along with guard Lola Flynn and forward Elizabeth McGurk.
“We are looking to capitalize on the leadership of our seniors and work hard each day at practice so that we can be ready for a tough 2022-23 schedule,” said Stackhouse.
Among the Golden Knights’ nonleague games is a rematch against Methacton, which knocked them out of the District 1 playoffs last year.
Great Valley will be an experienced team this season with seven seniors returning to a team that finished second to Rustin in the American.
They are led by first-team All-Ches-Mont returner Laura Lum and Honorable Mention menber Gio Sioutis. Forward Lauren Frederick will be the other main scoring option.
“The team will rely on its experience and know how to make a run in the very competitive American Division,” said Paul Girone, in his first year as girls’ coach.
Kennett returns six players from last year’s 12-7 team that qualified for the 6A playoffs. Returners include senior Makayla Kelly and junior Mia Matthews, both All-Ches-Mont selections last season. Other contributors include senior Lilli Lusvardi, junior Greta Burns and sophomores Sarah Mullin and Quinn Simmons.
“Our goals are to play hard and be good teammates,” said coach Vince Cattano. “If opponents overlook us, we may be able to pull off a couple upsets.”
One team that was coming on at the end of last season was Oxford. They hope to continue the upward trend with the senior core of Olivia Voss, Caroline Tipton and Mekenna Frank. Coach Paul Day hopes that youth is served for the Hornets as he expects sophomores Kaia Patterson, Kate Kline, Gianna Ferrario, Jasmine Johnson and Jordan Eshleman to be key members of the rotation.
Unionville was in a three-way tie for second in the American last season, and expects to be in the hunt this campaign, as well. Leading the way are guards junior Milana Amoss and sophomore Elle Johnson. The two combine to form one of the best backcourts in the Ches-Mont.
Over in the National Division, Bishop Shanahan definitely have the bonifides to be considered one of the favorites for the Ches-Mont crown and a district title. The Eagles return all five starters from the team’s run to the 5A championship game before falling to Villa Maria.
Senior guard Alexa Bojko leads the contingent coming back for coach Jim Powers. Sharp shooting Caydence Oswald and Alyssa Brown also comprise a formidable trio in the backcourt.
Samantha Blumenthal and junior Abbey Wolfe will provide the forward strength. Bench support comes from 6-0 senior center Kaitlyn Griffin and 5-4 junior guard Faith Ambrose.
You can’t say Shanahan won’t be battle tested come playoff time. They have nonleague games against Lancaster Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, Abington, Springfield (Delco), who they beat in the district semifinals, Conestoga, Villa Maria, Nazareth, Northampton, and Episcopal Academy.
“A lot of people didn’t lose a lot, so we have a lot of work to do to be better team,” said coach Jim Powers.
Avon Grove has improved each of tbe five years of coach Bart O’Connor’s tenure, The hope is that trend continues and puts them in district playoff contention.
The Red Devils lost just two seniors from last year’s team and bring three back this time around. Leading the way is junior forward Brooke Huver. Also expected to contribute are sophomore guards Leila Rubin and Gabby Beltran. O’Connor is excited about the potential of 6-0 freshman center Naiya Murphy, who has been a force offensively the first three games.
“We expect to be in the middle of the pack in the Ches-Mont and hope to surprise some people,” said O’Connor. “Things are going well offensively. We hope to make the districts and be competitive in the Ches-Mont.
Downingtown East will try to improve on last season’s 18-7 mark, but will need to replace three starters. They will have returners Ari Smuda and Eileen Hewitt as building blocks. The 6-3 Smuda will once again be a strong presence on both sides of the ball. Hewitt is a three-year starter who will provide leadership to a young backcourt.
Also expected to contribute are senior forward Lacy Ford, junior forward Lauren Bell and junior guards, Callie Ardoline and Mackenzie Comegys. Freshmen guards Grace Hodges, Charlotte Aldridge and Mya Johnson will have a chance to make instant impressions.
“Ari Smuda and Eileen Hewitt, two- and three-year senior starters respectfully, hope to provide some stability while the team searches for its new identity with a number of new faces,” said coach Darren Domsohn. “If the Cougars are to continue to be competitive and build on last season’s successes, the team will need to rely on the experience of the returning players and the energy of the newest Cougars.
“Downingtown East hopes to be competitive in the Ches-Mont National Division. The team would like to continue building on last year’s efforts and intensity by competing on the defensive end of the floor.”
Downingtown West finished 15-8 before being bounce in the first round of districts. Three seniors will be back to guide the Whippets, headed by first-team All-Ches-Mont National selection Lizzie Grant. She will be joined by Kaitlin Meenan and Kierston Arrowsmith. One bit of bad news for West, they will be without sophomore Sami Schurtz, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
“Along with the three returning starting seniors there are a few of other girls who played varsity last year as well as some others who will look for playing time,” said West coach Mike Young. “We hope to learn from our scrimmages and come together as a team as quickly as possible to be able to compete in a very competitive Ches-Mont League National Division and a difficult nonleague schedule.”
With everyone returning from last season, West Chester East is primed to be one of the surprising teams this campaign. First-team All-Ches-Mont pick Annie Kerns leads the way along with sophomores Annalise Kubasko and Sofia Keith. The Vikings will benefit from the return of Mikayla Kushner, who missed her junior year due to a knee injury.
Coach Erin Listrani also expect a sizable contribution from freshman Lauren Horan.
“This is a tight-knit, dedicated and gritty group who has worked really hard in the off-season to improve,” said Listrani. “We expect to be more competitive than last season and return to qualifying for postseason play.
“They are a tremendous group of girls who are a pleasure to coach every day. It’s awesome to watch them progress”
West Chester Henderson has two solid building blocks coming back. Inside force Jackie Shea, who averaged nine points and nine rebounds a game, and one of the breakout players from a season ago: Whitney Evans. The point guard averaged 15 points a game last year and can be electric in the open floor.
“We are hoping to excel at the basics of basketball,” said coach Greta Neff. “I am looking for leadership from Jackie Shea and Whitney Evans on both ends of the court, as well as some key contributions from seniors Fancie Alcaraz and Lilly Person, as well as junior Gabrielle Nanni. A good, athletic young core of guards will help us to be a strong defensive team.”
Conestoga brings back almost everyone from a team that went 13-9, contended for the Central League crown for a time and made the District 1 playoffs, falling to Great Valley in a close contest.
The Pioneers will look to pressure teams and try to force teams into turnovers. The tip of the defensive spear will be junior guard Marisa Francione. Katrina Valencia and Bella Valencia are a talented complement to Francione.
Freshman Ryan Jennings may make a significant contributions. Coach AJ Thompson is excited about the development of 6-1 forward Janie Preston. She will provide inside scoring and an interior defensive presence.
So, you win a district championship, what do you do for an encore? If you’re coach Kathy McCartney and Villa Maria, you bring back six of the top seven players from that team and seem prime to defend your crown.
She will have an experienced group with six of her core being seniors. In the backcourt, Seniors Elaina Guerzon (4.5 ppg, 2.3 apg), Ella Iacone (7.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Ava Irvine (2.7 ppg, 2.1 spg) and Liv Broadhurst will make a talented rotation along with junior Carly Catania. Guerzon can be force from beyond the three-point line.
Up front, they are led by Mara McHugh (7.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Clare Cronley (5.6 rpg). Bench contribution will from Alice Nash, Emma O’Hare and Liz Sharp.
“We return an experienced group this year with tons of potential,” said McCartney. “If we can continue to grow our team chemistry and fit in some new kids, I think we can have a very successful year. We learned a lot about what it takes to be successful at this level and I hope those lessons pay benefits this year. Our league is highly competitive so our AACA schedule will be fun and we play a tough nonleague schedule that should position us for a deep playoff run.”
Westtown had a historic season last year, winning the program’s first state title and they lost a boatload of talent, including All-Area Player of the Year Kaylene Smikie, who is playing her college ball at Rutgers. Junior Keana Fox will miss the year due to a knee injury suffered in the summer.
But, the cupboard is far from empty for coach Fran Burbidge. Grace Sundback is the leading returner, a scorer who is also very good defensively, she will take most of the spotlight this season. Junior guard Zahra King, who owns multiple D-1 offers, is expected to pick up the slack offensively.
Also expected to contribute are senior Joniah Bland-Fitzpatrick, a Seton Hall commit, juniors Savannah Curry and Michelle Olak and sophomores Vianna Kanyamiheto-Watson and Aidan Langley, a Coatesville transfer.
