Lookahead to 2015-16 girls' basketball season
In light of this week's release of the all-state basketball teams and GameTimePA.com all-stars, let's look ahead to next season. Below is a list of 15 potential preseason all-stars for the YAIAA, broken into three sections (and listed alphabetically), plus an early top five for teams.
FAB FIVEKate Bauhof, York Catholic: As a freshman guard among four starting seniors, Bauhof turned heads early on for the Fighting Irish. Next year ought to be an interesting transition for coach Kevin Bankos' club, but having Bauhof helps. She averaged 10.6 points, good for second on the team.
Courtney Dimoff, Red Lion: She will be a four-year starter, and the Lions look poised for a strong run. Dimoff and Jordyn Kloster will be two returning All-YAIAA first-team selections by GameTimePA.com.
Jordyn Kloster, Northeastern: After scoring a team-leading 16.1 points per game and hitting more than 30 3-pointers, Kloster can play outside or inside. A question to be answered is who will coach the Bobcats?
Chyna Steele, William Penn: Steele averaged better than 20 points per game and reached 1,000 career points. With another year left, this could be a season to remember for the Bearcats.
Ashley Stone, Susquehannock: The lone returning starter from Susquehannock's district finalist of 2014, Stone averaged 11.9 points as a junior.
NEXT FIVE
Kaelyn Long, New Oxford: She led the Colonials in scoring (10.8 points) as a sophomore.
Amy Maciejewski, Red Lion: As a sophomore guard, Maciejewski exhibited the defensive tenacity on the perimeter that makes the Lions tough to handle.
Ally Shipley, Delone Catholic: Plenty of times Shipley served in a scoring tandem with YAIAA Player of the Year Maddie Comly.
Soukaina Tracy, Hanover: One of the league's premier scorers (19.8 points), Tracy could be a player of the year contender.
Nikson Valencik, Central York: As a freshman, Valencik impressed in coach Scott Wisner's lineup. Her 9.6-point scoring average was second on the Panthers.
DON'T FORGET THEM
Rajah Fink, Dover: Along with older sister, Rayah Fink, they led the Eagles in scoring as first-year varsity players.
Emily Freese, Kennard-Dale: The Rams will bring back their leading scorer, which is good news for coach Josh Clark's club.
Jill Novak, Delone Catholic: There were times the 6-foot Novak could not be contained in the post. Delone should be one of the area's toughest interior teams because of her presence.
Jacey Shipley, South Western: Along with Taylor and Lauren Gough, the Mustangs have reason for optimism. Shipley averaged a team-best 13.0 points.
Olivia Sollberger, West York: Along with Elle Stine, could this be West York's new one-two punch?
EARLY PRESEASON TOP FIVE
1. Red Lion: A state tournament qualifier in Class AAAA, the Lions will undergo the fewest changes -- and losses to graduation -- among the YAIAA's usual suspects of standout programs.
2. Central York: The Panthers seem to be ascending and should challenge in Division I.
3. Delone Catholic: Delone brings back some depth, which should serve it well. Of course, replacing the scoring from Maddie Comly will be difficult.
4. West York: Yes, the Bulldogs graduate two 1,000-point scorers. However, this program has stood the test of those kinds of losses.
5. New Oxford: The Colonials had some promising sophomores. With Kaelyn Long, will that be enough to offset the loss of three dependable seniors?
Most-improved candidates: Dover, Hanover, Susquehannock, South Western, William Penn.