L-L Section Three girls' capsules
SECTION THREE
Cocalico Eagles
Coach: Tony DiMatteo (5th season, 58-38)
2014-15 record: 13-3 L-L, 17-8 overall
Returning starters: Emily White (5-11, SR, G/F), Megan Gingrich (5-11, SR, C), Jasa Lorah (5-1, SR, G)
Others to watch: Lyndsay Engle (5-8, JR, F), Emily Fassnacht (5-9, JR, G/F), Maddie Bock (5-8, JR, G/F), Samantha Klumpp (5-9, JR, G/F), Sophie Benson (5-5, SO, G)
The skinny: DiMatteo is emphasizing the word “team” this season after a talented core ran out of steam a year ago.
That said, the Eagles return plenty of size, skill, and leadership in White (16.1 ppg) and Gingrich (11.4), while Lorah will take over point guard duties after the graduation of all-time Cocalico assist leader Natalie Sukanick.
DiMatteo looks for an experienced bench and improving intangibles to help put the Eagles over the top, or at the very least, vie with Donegal for section supremacy once again.
Donegal Indians
Coach: Chadd Ward (sixth season, 38-71)
2014-15 record: 14-2 L-L, 19-6 overall
Returning starters: Kayla Walker (5-5, SR, G); Olivia Musser (5-5, SR, G); Meghan Diffenderfer (5-8, SR, F); Rachel Robinson (5-4, JR, F)
Others to watch: Carly Diffenderfer (5-5, SO, G); Allaura Bohan (SO, G); Rachael Overlander (SO, G)
The skinny: Coming off another extended post-season run on the field hockey pitch, three-year starters Walker (11.0 ppg, 20 3’s), Musser (4.9), and Robinson (13.7) return to the court as Ward’s Indians seek a three-peat in the section.
The graduation of rebound and put-back machine Kristen Stark may sting, but following consecutive first-round defeats in each of the last two district tourneys, Walker and co. should have little trouble taking this season to heart.
Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers
Coach: Tony Fink (4th season, 52-22)
2014-15 record: 11-5 L-L, 14-9 overall
Returning starters: Nevin Hoenninger (JR, G), Taylor Capoferri (SR, G)
Others to watch: Rachel Shortes (SR, G), Hanna Garber (SO, G/F), Taylor Arnst (SR, G)
The skinny: No Tori Shultz and her 18.0 points per game manning the post. No Hunter Bradley and her 7.8 points on the outside. Together, that duo combined for 43 of the Pioneers’ 49 points in a first-round, District 3 loss to Lancaster Catholic last winter.
But Hoenninger (12.1 ppg) burst onto the scene a year ago, and Capoferri (2.2) averaged 11.3 points per game between her freshman and sophomore seasons at Lancaster County Christian. Add in all-around athlete Garber (3.4), and L-S can still make a run in Section Three — no problem.
Manheim Central Barons
Coach: Amanda Burns (1st season)
2014-15 record: 4-12 L-L, 6-16 overall
Returning starters: Emma Beamesderfer (5-4, SR, G), Gabby Hahn (5-5, SR, F), Brooke Breinich (5-10, SO, F)
Others to watch: Emily Doerschuk (5-7, SR, F), Sarah Ober (5-6, SR, G), Kate Greene (5-6, JR, F), Serena Conde (6-0, SO, C), Lily Doerschuk (5-6, SO, G), Elli Weaver (5-5, SO, G), Jaya Pabon (5-4, SO, G), Taylor Enterline (5-4, SO, F)
The skinny: Burns was a three-year varsity assistant under previous head coach Dan Cotchen, so of course there’s familiarity there.
There’s also familiarity on a roster in which Burns lists ten returning players, joined by Ober and five underclassmen, providing a capable rotation to go along with last year’s standout Breinich (8.2 ppg). Hahn (5.5 ppg, 17 3’s) and Beamesderfer (4.2 ppg, 8 3’s) provide consistent pop from the outside for a team looking to assert themselves after last season’s 0-10 record inside Section Three.
MORE GIRLS' PREVIEWS
Section One | Section Two | Section Three | Section Four