The Little Dutchmen looking to make a bid for a postseason berth are, front row from left, Taylor Winters, Hannah Fischer, Addie Hayes, Barb Inman, Mindy Reigle and Bryanna Flaherty. Back row are Kayla Parks, Elaina Wanamaker, Gabby Battle, Alex Siebecker, Steph Inman and Meredith Bachman. Missing from photo is Rachel Brown. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS ASHLEY WALTER)
While the Annville-Cleona boys' basketball program has tradition to rely on, the girls' program doesn't exactly have that luxury. That won't stop third-year coach Jaime (Podjed) Walborn from putting out a competitive team in search of another district playoff berth.

"We want to build each year," Walborn said of the expectations within the program after a 13-9 season. "We always want to compete within the section, and this year we have a tough schedule to hopefully prepare us for a postseason trip."

Among the tasks this year for Walborn is replacing 1,000-point scorer Victoria Siebecker as well as a top defensive player in Abby Mailen. Also on the docket is getting more depth on the roster that started with just 11 girls last year and dwindled even more when some players quit.

"It's tough to lose good players, especially 1,000-point scorers, and she was just fantastic for us," said Walborn. "We have players that are able to step up and they are certainly able to score."

This year's roster has a mix of youth as well as key leadership from seniors Barbara Inman and Elaina Wanamaker, who returns her 10.3-point-per-game average. Rounding out the starting lineup with Inman and Wanamaker are juniors Gabby Battle, Alex Siebecker and Kayla Parks. Parks and the younger Siebecker both averaged about 10 points per game.

"We have four starters that returned, and our five starters are very talented," Walborn said of the team she plans to put on the floor. "Kayla, Alex

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and Elaina can all average double figures, and even Battle has that potential."

On top of the five starters, Walborn added a total of eight freshmen and sophomores to the program, bringing the number up to 13, which will certainly help the team down the stretch. Freshmen Meredith Bachman, Hannah Fisher and Taylor Winters all are expected to see crucial minutes for the Little Dutchmen.

"We have some promising freshmen and sophomores," Walborn said of the potential of the young team. "They

Elaina Wanamaker practices her free throws during a recent workout in Annville. Wanamaker averaged over 10 points per game last season. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS ASHLEY WALTER)
will have to step up right away and help. They've been playing together for a while now and they are a great team for the starters to practice against."

They'll certainly need those young players to step up right away as Walborn assembled a tough schedule for the Little Dutchmen that includes two-time defending Class A state champion Steel-High and Division I recruit Malia Tate-DeFrietas, perennial District 11 rival Pine Grove as well as a very good Northern Lebanon team.

"We should be competitive, even with losing Tori Siebecker," said Walborn. "Most of our team has played varsity since they were freshmen, but I'm hoping the tough schedule will pay off for us.

"I'm not too worried," added Walborn, continuing on the subject of the schedule and outlook on the season. "We know we have the players, they just need to step up."



The Little Dutchmen hope Alex Siebecker will be able to find her scoring touch this season after nearly averaging double digits last season. (LEBANON DAILY NEWS ASHLEY WALTER)