Hanover-Adams area girls’ basketball power rankings
As we approach a new calendar year, we take a look at the pre-New Years Hanover-Adams power rankings. There is a battle at the top between Delone and New Oxford and then a log jam from spots 4-10. Take a look!
1. Delone Catholic (7-0) - As if Delone Catholic needed any more motivation last week
when they played rival York Catholic in what many believe to be a matchup of the top two teams in Division III. The contest was also going to be the first time that we were going to see what Delone was really all about. The Squirettes did not disappoint as they defeated the Fighting Irish 54-47. Everyone knows about Farleigh Dickinson-commit Maddie Comly, but junior Ally Shipley has stepped up her game and is averaging 11.1 ppg and Jill Novak is averaging 12.2 ppg. The Squirettes have proven, at least early in the season, that they are the class of Division III. But they need to continue their steady play if they want to make a late postseason run.
2. New Oxford (6-1) - The Colonials won possibly the most impressive game so far this season when they defeated Dallastown, 36-22. It was a huge win that put the Colonials alone in first place, but their position at the top did not last long. In their very next contest, New Oxford fell to Central York, 45-32. The Colonials play stingy D and run eight deep. They have emerged as a legitimate contender in Division I.
3. Biglerville (6-2) - The Canners currently sit in third place in Division III at 6-2. The start of the season has gone pretty much true to form. They have beaten the teams we thought they would and lost to Delone Catholic and York Catholic, as expected. Biglerville's biggest win of the season is probably their 56-52 win over Hanover in the season opener. The Canners have a good one-two punch with Rebecca Isaac (18.6 ppg) and Liz Burke (10.5 ppg). If the Canners' steady play continues, they could be looking at a postseason appearance.
4. South Western (2-4) - The Mustangs have had three games decided by five points or fewer and are 1-2 in those contests. The Mustangs have had a brutal last three games as they faced New Oxford, Red Lion and Dallastown. They have gotten strong performances from Jacey Shipley (10.0 ppg) and Kayleigh Thomas (10.3 ppg) and hope to receive a reversal of fortunes to start the new year.
5. Hanover (2-5) - All the concern over the health of Soukaina Tracy is gone. The junior
has shown no ill effects from her recovery from an ACL injury as she is averaging 22 ppg. Unfortunately, the Hawkettes have struggled to put W's in the win column. Hanover is one of the youngest teams in the league and took it's lumps early in the year. They can get things started next week as they host the Hanover Holiday Tournament. They play the opening game against Susquehanna Township at 4 p.m.
6. Bermudian Springs (2-6) - The good news is that the Eagles picked up a win right before leaving for the holiday break. The bad news is that they scored 19 points in the victory. The Eagles hope to get senior Shannon Kuhn back in January after recovering from ACL surgery. They aren't getting blown out of games and their defense is only allowing 38.8 points per game.
7. Gettysburg (1-7) - The Warriors are finding it to be tough sledding in the YAIAA Division II this year. Not all of that can be attributed to their departure from the Mid-Penn. Gettysburg did lose do-it-all Cami Boehner from last year's squad and are trying to rebound with a young group. Devetche Johnson has been a bright spot. With such a young squad, it could make for a bright future, but that doesn't make things easier this year.
8. Littlestown (2-7) - Despite averaging just 20.1 ppg, the Lady Bolts have found a way to win two ball games. Defensively they are only allowing 32.5 ppg. Head coach Chris Myers entered the season with a lot of expectations for his squad. If they can pick things up on the offensive end, they may be able to get to .500.
9. Spring Grove (1-5) - The Rockets started off the season with an impressive win in
their tip-off tournament opener but since then, it has all been down hill. Teams are zeroing in on the Rockets lone,experienced starter in Ashley Caster and the Rockets need other players to step up. They have shown flashes of righting the ship but need to be more consistent.
10. Fairfield (0-6) - Talk about a hard luck team. Of their six games, three have been three decided by three or less. Abby Herring has been a bright spot for Fairfield, averaging 14.6 ppg. Fortunately for Fairfield, aside from York Catholic and Delone Catholic, Division III is very balanced so the should be in every game.