The frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping is finished, and the leftovers from Thanksgiving are gone.
As December approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the hardwood. With the start of the girls basketball season, a closer examination of Mid-Penn Conference programs is necessary.
A closer look into the MPC Commonwealth Division can be seen below. Before the season began, PennLive polled coaches to predict the preseason MVP and ultimate order of finish. Below is a list of their choices in descending order.
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8. HARRISBURG
Coach in charge: Jeffrey Chisholm
Last year: 2–20
Important players: G Kay Sweigart, 5-5, FR; G Faith Jones, 5-6, FR; G Kiki Colefield, 5-7, SO; F Sophia Harrison, 5-10, SO; G Britton Brown, 5-7, SO; F Kyky Williams, 5-9, SO.
Buzz: A year ago, Chisholm shared some observations regarding the Cougars’ extremely young and undeveloped team, which required some time to adjust to the Commonwealth levels. Additionally, some experience should help guide the Cougars in the right direction, even though the changes inside the division won’t get any simpler. Listen to Brown, Harrison, and Williams, a fellow sophomore. The agenda will be pushed by more rookies.
7. CHAMBERSBURG
Chambersburg on November 13, 2024, at PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Coach in charge: Jimiur King
Last year: June 16
Important players: G Selena Warren, 5-0, JR; G Marley White, 5-6, SO; C/F Riley Evans, 6-3, SR; F G/F Britney Miller, 5-6, SR; G Victoria Price, 5-10, JR Mills, Maddie, 5-8, FR.
Buzz: When all-star Emily Forrester took her game to Long Island Lutheran in New York, the Trojans undoubtedly suffered a significant offseason setback. It makes it more difficult to secure the program’s first winning season in sixteen years. Nevertheless, Evans averaged over 6 points and 6 rebounds a game, and Mills, a rookie, should speed up an already aggressive backcourt.
6. CD-EAST
CD East on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Terrall Seward is the head coach.
Last year: June 16
Important participants: C/F Molly Stuart, JR; G Samirah Mamadou, JR; G Mia Walker, JR; G Ava Barket, JR; F Zaria Spann, SR.
Buzz: After a wild first season, the Panthers intend to turn the page under head coach Seward. Starting with returning All-Star selection Spann is a smart move. Walker and Mamadou both return to support the Panthers backcourt, while Spann has a penchant for getting to the rim. CD East needs to improve on their lackluster performance from the previous season.
5. CARLISLE
Carlisle on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Coach in charge: Kelsey Stasyszyn
Last year: August 14
G/F Skyla Hancock, 5-6, SR; F Megan Posey, 5-10, SR; G Nylajah Hairston, 5-4, JR; F Isla Heckman, 5-11, SO; F Delaney Schmick, 6-0, SO; G Synclaire Ewell, 5-4, SO are important players.
Buzz: Expectations won’t drop as Stasyszyn begins her fifth season as head coach. Gaining a few more wins and returning to the postseason should be the top priorities. Carlisle has the expertise and knowledge to complete the task, which is fantastic news. Last season, Hairston led the team in assists and steals, and a few up-and-coming players like Hancock and Ewell should help the brand. Posey’s injury comeback is an additional plus.
4. VALLEY CUMBERLAND
Cumberland Valley on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Bill Wolf is the head coach.
Last year: July 15
Important participants: G/F Payton Basehore, Jr.; F. Sanai Hill, SR; G. Sienna Manns, SR; G. Nadia Seiders, SR; F. Bella McIntire, SR
Buzz: In order to prepare his Eagles for the demands of the Commonwealth Division, Wolf has always scheduled gifted and tough opponents early. Figure CV is already aiming for a more reliable season because the Eagles are off to a quick start with their victory over Susquehanna Township on the first day of play. During those difficult races in January, it will be difficult to contend with this strong season class.
3. The State College
State College on November 13, 2024, during PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Alli Mock is the head coach.
Last year: 16–7
G Jess Hawbaker, SR; C/F Lydia Tate, JR; G Sheree Wilson, SO; G Sienna Wilson, SO; G Annika Bechtel, SR; F Tori Risha, SR; F Sam Mikesic, SR; G/F Morgan Roan, SR; G Ceanna Irmak, SR; G/F McKenna Whitehurst, JR. are important players.
Buzz: There’s plenty to celebrate here, beginning with Tate, who helped lead the Lions to ten division victories the previous season, and court leader Hawbaker, a senior with outstanding credentials. As a freshman, Sienna Wilson scored 10.1 points per game, and her sister Sheree led the MPC in assists (70). Mock has a determined team hoping to surpass that 16-win record and a wealth of experience at every position. For D6 supremacy, the Lions will take on the Mountain Lions.
2. DAUPHIN CENTRAL
On November 13, 2024, Central Dauphin participated in PennLive’s girls basketball media day.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Randy Gambelunghe, head coach
24-3 last year
Important players: F. Olivia Green, 6-0, JR; G. Samantha Sembrot, 5-10, JR; F. Mikayla Matincheck, 6-3, SO; G. Kayanah Taylor, 6-0, FR; G. Maya Dickerson, 5-6, SR; G. Syncere Matthews, 5-3, freshman.
Buzz: Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about Gambelunghe-coached teams, including how to overcome setbacks with old-fashioned skill and perseverance. The Rams will be infamously stout on several levels, even without all-star guard Kayla Fletcher being sidelined to focus on her developing softball career. The early play of power forward Matincheck, tough-minded Matthews, and Sembrot, as well as Green’s 8.7 points per game and 10.1 rebounds, truly stand out. Taylor, on the other hand, might become one of the league’s best new players.
1. ALTOONA
Coach in charge: Chris Fleegle
Last year: 20–5
Key players:G Lanie Wilt, 5-5, SR; G Melana Eyer, 5-6, SR; G Zaelihn Nguyen-Moore, 5-7, JR; G Samantha Harpster, 5-7, JR; F Kendall Cogan, 5-10, JR; G Raylin Eyer, 5-7, SO; G Brionna Hudson, 5-10, FR.
Buzz: Despite the Mountain Lions’ impressive 23–24 record and numerous victories, the defending District 6 6A champions left once the state tournament arrived. It hurt to lose to Chartiers Valley by one point in the first round, and Fleegle’s roster is now complete. Wilt, headed to D Youville University, and Shippensburg-bound Eyer are returning double-digit scorers. Nguyen-Moore and Harpster bolster one of the top backcourts around.
Player of the Year during the Preseason
Olivia Green, Central Dauphin
Central Dauphin s Olivia Green during PennLive s girls basketball media day on Nov. 13, 2024.
Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)Simmers, Sean (pennlive.com)
Buzz:Green broke onto the scene as a freshman and has been accelerating ever since. Terrific inside the paint, Green has strengthened her overall game and is coming off a terrific sophomore season where the 6-0 forward posted 10.1 points per game and led the conference with 294 rebounds.
Eric Epler can be followed on Twitter and X at @threejacker.
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