LebCo Girls Basketball Season Update: December 24

Records are current as of the time of publication, but power rankings may be slightly lagged.  We will fix these as they become available.

To see the rosters of any of the teams mention below, please visit the Season Outlook section and visit any of the teams from there.

     Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4

Current Record: 5-2 overall, 1-0 in Section 4

District Power Ranking: #8 AAA (top 6 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/2: Annville-Cleona 30, Hamburg 28

12/3: Brandywine Heights 31, Annville-Cleona 26

12/6: Upper Dauphin 46, Annville-Cleona 37

12/8: Annville-Cleona 45, Millersburg 27

12/13: Annville-Cleona 45, Oley Valley 41

12/19: Annville-Cleona 56, York Tech 29

12/20: Annville-Cleona 58, Lancaster Mennonite 23

Update:  The season started out a little sideways for this Annville-Cleona team, losing two of their first three games.  Since then, they have reeled off four straight victories, including a dominant win over Lancaster Mennonite this past week.  In doing so, they are beginning to find their identity, with the chemistry of Coach Sanchez’s team improving with each passing day.  Offensively, the Dutchmen have been led by sophomores Ava Hoover and Kendall Cooper, with several other players, including senior Josie Clay, contributing on a regular basis.  If Annville can find their way to a consistent level of quality play, they will be tough to beat as they continue their Section 4 schedule.  Their next test will be a non-league holiday tournament tilt against Schuylkill Valley on December 28^th.

     Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 9-1 overall, 3-0 in Section 1

District Power Ranking: #5 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/3: Cedar Crest 37, Manheim Central 32

12/6: Cedar Crest 40, Wilson 30

12/9: Cedar Crest 52, Harrisburg 36

12/10: Mechanicsburg 32, Cedar Crest 23

12/13: Cedar Crest 50, Twin Valley 24

12/14: Cedar Crest 43, Warwick 36

12/16: Cedar Crest 30, Hempfield 23

12/19: Cedar Crest 36, Conrad Weiser 19

12/21: Cedar Crest 40, Penn Manor 20

12/22: Cedar Crest 45, Palmyra 33

Update:  On Thursday night, Cedar Crest became the first team in District 3 to get their ninth win, getting close to equaling their win total from last year (11).  This included a grueling three-win week this past week. They have found early season success by controlling the pace of games through strong defense, with the most points allowed to any team being 36 (twice).  On the offensive end, Coach Wenninger’s group does not rely on just one scorer on a nightly basis.  In fact, there are four scorers who have consistently shown that they could potentially lead the team in points each night.  Among this group are juniors Lizzie Lowe and Allision Metzger, along with senior Brooke Shutter and newcomer Kaila Francis.  Having the flexibility to adjust to the schemes of their opponents will serve them well.  Not to get too far ahead on the calendar, but there is gaining interest in the Section 1 battle that is brewing with Lebanon, with the two meeting at Crest on January 6^th.  Before that can happen, Cedar Crest will continue to build their chemistry as they will play in Lower Dauphin’s holiday tourney on December 28^th and 29^th.

    ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 2-5 overall, 0-1 in Section 3

District Power Ranking: #14 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/6: ELCO 50, Pottsville 32

12/9: Mechanicsburg 64, ELCO 44

12/10: Harrisburg 38, ELCO 31

12/13: ELCO 55, Hamburg 23

12/16: Lampeter Strasburg 52, ELCO 43

12/19: Wyomissing 50, ELCO 38

12/22: Middletown 38, ELCO 31

Update: As ELCO prepared for the season, they knew that it would be different this year.  So far this year, they have not yet found their footing.  However, this group has some very strong leaders who are determined to get the team rolling in the right direction.  While they are in a hole, it is not a crater and there is plenty of time to turn things around.  Their next step in the process will begin on December 28^th as they take on Blue Mountain holiday tournament action.

     Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 7-0 overall, 2-0 in Section 1

District Power Ranking: #1 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/6: Lebanon 43, Manheim Central 40

12/9: Lebanon 55, Bethlehem Catholic 53

12/10: Lebanon 59, Fleetwood 24

12/13: Lebanon 51, Governor Mifflin 45

12/16: Lebanon 53, Manheim Township 50 (OT)

12/19: Lebanon 82, Garden Spot 30

12/21: Lebanon 59, JP McCaskey 40

Update:  The Cedars are off to an impressive 7-0 start, putting them at the top of the District 3 power rankings through the first leg of the season.  The team is led by sophomore phenom Kailah Correa, who has shown great leadership skills at point guard, while also scoring 19.1 points per game.  In the first game of the season, Correa showed off her leadership abilities as Manheim Central held her scoreless and she figured out how to rely on her teammates for the points needed to win.  Other teams have not been as lucky in stopping her from scoring, while Correa still continues to terrorize opponents in a variety of ways.  In terms of leadership, senior Aaliyah Ferrer has stepped up to become a well-rounded player in this starting unit, including her 31% shooting percentage from three-point range, a skill she used in hitting three of them in their win over McCaskey.  The addition of freshman Olive Brandt and her shooting has given Lebanon an additional scoring option from the outside (9.4 points per game).  Down low, sophomore Lilliana Harrison continues to dominate, averaging 11 points and 9.6 rebounds.  Junior Zariyah Whigham has been a strong x-factor, providing strong defense and working hard to clean up around the rim on her way to averaging 5.6 points and 8.3 rebounds.  Lebanon is also lucky to have a solid first-off-the-bench player in Jae Burrus whenever a spark is needed.  As a whole, this squad has strong chemistry that has served them well so far.  If they can continue on their current path, they will be tough to beat.  The January 6^th match-up against Section 1 and cross-town rival Cedar Crest will be a test of two different styles of play, during which the Cedars should learn a lot about themselves.  Before they get to that game, they will host the Holiday Tournament, with Northern Lebanon being another interesting game (December 28).

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Current Record: 2-3

District Power Ranking: #12 A (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/5: Veritas Academy 29, New Covenant 25

12/13: New Covenant 30, Lancaster County Christian 22

12/16: Harrisburg Christian 34, New Covenant 33 (OT)

12/19: New Covenant 20, Harrisburg Academy 13

12/20: West Shore Christian 47, New Covenant 30

Update:  New Covenant has begun the season with a 2-3 record, leaving this young group of players hungry to improve.  One of the major areas where they will be working is reducing turnovers, which will in turn allow them to turn the tide in close games.  They have the right mentality and are willing to battle in each game until the final buzzer.  Among the leaders of the team so far has been sophomore Miracle Hershey, who recorded a 12 point, 14 rebound, 11 steal triple-double against Lancaster County Christian.  Beyond Hershey, there has been a very balanced offensive effort on a nightly basis, with different players stepping up.  If they continue believing in one another through unselfish play, while smoothing out some of the rough areas of their game, expect New Covenant to finish well above .500.

     Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 5-1 overall, 1-0 in Section 3

District Power Ranking: #5 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/5: Northern Lebanon 41, Kutztown 37

12/7: Northern Lebanon 46, Warwick 31

12/13: Northern Lebanon 32, Brandywine Heights 25

12/15: Northern Lebanon 29, Cocalico 27

12/19: Big Spring 43, Northern Lebanon 40

12/21: Northern Lebanon 37, Williams Valley 20

Update: Coming into the season, Northern Lebanon knew that there would be some possible bumps in the road, as they would be relying on a set of underclassmen to carry the team.  So far, the 5-1 record amassed by the Lady Vikings is showing that this crew was more ready than their varsity experience level would have suggested.  While sophomore Olivia Shutter has been a consistent source of offense, freshmen Hayley Sheroky and Casey Weimer have joined her in bringing exciting talent to the court.  Coach Battistelli is intent on continuing to work on the fundamentals that should translate into long-term success.  This is also a group that knows that strong defense will be the foundation for allowing them to continue a high level of offensive development from this young squad.  One can wonder, if they are winning games now, what will they look like once they get all of the pieces in place?  Time will tell, but for now the potential they have is an exciting prospect.  The next phase of their future begins when they enter back into action on December 28^th, when they will meet the undefeated Lebanon Cedars.

   Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Current Record: 2-5 overall, 1-2 in Keystone

District Power Ranking: #14 AAAAA (top 14 qualify)

Recent Results: 

12/6: Palmyra 44, Muhlenberg 37

12/9: Fleetwood 39, Palmyra 30

12/10: Bethlehem Catholic 64, Palmyra 31

12/13: Palmyra 49, Hershey 17

12/17: Mifflin County 56, Palmyra 38

12/20: Red Land 38, Palmyra 24

12/22: Cedar Crest 45, Palmyra 33

Update:  The Lady Cougars are struggling to find their identity through the early part of the season and are saddled with a 2-5 record.  While this may seem bad at first glance, there are many reasons to believe that Palmyra is going to be able to dig out of this early hole.  Beyond the individual talent of each of the girls, they are determined to figure out the best way it all fits together.  They are working hard daily in practice to get all of the pieces in place.  Right now, all of the starters have contributed in the scoring efforts, with junior Keely Bowers (8.4 ppg) and senior Maddie Henry (8.1 ppg) leading the charge.  Henry and fellow senior Maggie Webb also led the team in rebounds through the first six games, each averaging 5.6 per game.  If they can figure out a way to build on what so far has been a balanced, unselfish team effort, Palmyra should start to win regularly.  The next part of their journey begins with a December 28^th matchup with New Oxford at the Lebanon Holiday Tournament.

If you are looking to provide feedback or are a business or individual interested in providing sponsorship to aid our mission at LebCoSports, you are asked to contact Dan by emailing dan@lebcosports.com.