LebCo Girls Basketball Season Update: January 12

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.

 Home teams are in italics, Bolded games are wins

     Annville-Cleona Dutchmen 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 4

Current Record:  9-4 overall,  3-1 in Section 4 (T-2nd Place)

District Power Ranking: #4 AAA (top 6 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/28: Annville-Cleona 43, Schuylkill Valley 37   @Littlestown

12:29: Annville-Cleona 49, Littlestown 21 

1/3: Annville-Cleona 46, Octorara 4

1/5: Annville-Cleona 38, Lancaster Country Day School 30

1/7: Susquenita 45, Annville-Cleona 39

1/10: Pequea Valley 39, Annville-Cleona 25

Update: Since our last update, Annville-Cleona is 4-2, capping off an impressive eight-game win streak before dropping the last two.  The win streak included being crowned champions of the Littlestown Holiday Tournament.  While the losses to Susquenita and Pequea Valley are not ideal, the overall solid play of this team has landed them squarely in the District 3 Playoff hunt.  Prior to Tuesday’s game, sophomore Ava Hoover had registered a double-double over the course of the last eight games, collecting an average of 12.5 points and 11 rebounds.  Over the same period, fellow sophomore Kendall Cooper has stepped up to provide 9.3 points per game, along with 7 rebounds.  Junior Ainsley Sellers has grown into her role as the team’s point guard, distributing the ball effectively, scoring when needed, and providing strong defense.  With nine regular season games remaining, including two against 6-2 Columbia and a rematch against 11-1 Octorara, the Dutchmen are hoping to become even stronger ahead as they continue their push to qualify for the postseason.

     Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record:  11-4 overall,  3-1 in Section 1 (2nd Place)

District Power Ranking: #6AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/27: Cedar Crest 49, Harrisburg 24  @Lower Dauphin

12/28: Lower Dauphin 33, Cedar Crest 22

1/3: Reading 47, Cedar Crest 38

1/6: Lebanon 51, Cedar Crest 38

1/10: Cedar Crest 44, Manheim Township 43

Update: Cedar Crest started the season 9-1, but have hit a very tough part of their schedule as of late that included games against a Reading team that is much better than their record and the undefeated Lebanon Cedars.  However, the Lady Falcons bounced back on Tuesday night with a thrilling win over Manheim Township, during which they battled back from a 13-point halftime deficit.  This is a tenacious group of young ladies that relies on strong defense, while keeping opponents guessing from where their points will come.  Freshman Kaila Francis is the focus, for good reason as she is averaging just under 10 points per game, but the offensive attack is a collective effort that also includes juniors Allie Metzgar and Lizzie Lowe.  If this group can continue with its tenacious defense, while continuing to find points from all over court, they could be a force when we start looking towards playoff basketball.  With seven regular season games remaining, one will be a rematch with Lebanon, they will play two against a strong McCaskey team, and another will be a home game against the same Manheim Township team that they were most recently able to defeat.

    ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record:  5-7 overall,  2-2 in Section 3 (T-3rd Place)

District Power Ranking: #13 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/27: Blue Mountain 52, ELCO 36  @ Pine Grove

12/28: ELCO 55, Nativity BVM 43   @ Pine Grove

1/3: ELCO 43, Northern Lebanon 38

1/5: Lancaster Catholic 62, ELCO 17

1/10: ELCO 38, Cocalico 31

Update: Whenever there is a new coach, there are going to be some growing pains as everyone adjusts.   It is easy to assume that ELCO is currently sub-.500, largely as a result of Coach Keath’s system is being implemented.  However, ELCO is showing improvement each game (outside of the Lancaster Catholic game), which included a key win over Section 3 & Lebanon County rival Northern Lebanon.  Credit to their growth as a team can be given to senior leaders Sam Nelson, Julia Bidelspach and Sophie Irvin both on an off of the court.  Junior Makenna Seifert has led the scoring from the outside and mid-range, while fellow junior Sara Miller has been running the offense from the point.  Strong bench play of freshmen Maddie Stout and Reece Woelfling have given the Lady Raiders a spark at key times of many of this year’s contests.  Other contributions off of the bench have from junior Olivia Rosado’s strong defense and sophomore Kailen Hibshman’s ball distribution skills.  Freshman Kenzi Eckhart is last but not least, as she has seen more and more time on the floor as she continues to develop her shooting range and her ability to create turnovers on the defensive end.  ELCO has one of the tougher schedules remaining over the course of their final ten games, which includes a second round with Lancaster Catholic and Northern Lebanon.  However, if they can come out on the winning end of some of the tight games that they will mostly likely play, this squad may be able to surprise their opponents when it comes time for playoff basketball.

     Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 11-0 overall,  4-0 in Section 1 (1st Place)

District Power Ranking: #3 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/28: Lebanon 69, Northern Lebanon 45

12/29: Lebanon 59, Palmyra 34

1/6: Lebanon 51, Cedar Crest 38

1/10: Lebanon 63, Penn Manor 30

Update: Just when one might think the clock will strike midnight for this highly talented, but young, Lebanon Cedars team, they just keep winning . . . in convincing fashion.  The biggest offensive threat for this team is sophomore Kailah Correa (19.6 points per game), but her leadership alongside of senior Aaliyah Ferrer (8.6 points per game) is something worth noting. As this team has developed, so has the play of Liliana Harrison, who has dominated down low, averaging 10.5 points and 9.1 rebounds along with 14 blocks. Every team needs someone who can do whatever needs done, which Lebanon has in the form of junior Zariyah Whigham whose hustle makes it difficult for other teams to account for her.  Having a nose of the ball, she is averaging 9.4 rebounds per game.  Freshman Olive Brandt is a steadying force for this team, who offers the ability to stretch the floor with her shooting ability.  Whenever they need a spark, they call upon sophomore Jae Burrus, who is shooting threes at a 31% average, while providing pesky defense.  While riding high with an undefeated record, Coach Walborn’s group knows that they will need to continue working to become better as they near the playoffs.  The Cedars have eleven games remaining to work on their skills, including rematches with Cedar Crest and Manheim Township and what may prove to be a tough matchup against Reading.

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Current Record: 3-5

District Power Ranking: #13 A (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

1/6: Mount Calvary Christianl 44, New Covenant 12

1/9: Harrisburg Academy 26, New Covenant 10

1/10: New Covenant 37, Covenant Christian Academy 30

Update: After an appearance in States last season, this season is not exactly what anyone had planned.  However, there are many great things happening at New Covenant as they have begun to rely upon and develop younger talent that will help them in the future.  Sophomore Miracle Hershey is among those that fit that category, as she has done a little bit of everything to help the Flames.  This includes scoring points, something she did on Tuesday when she scored 19 on the way to victory over Covenant Christian.  Senior captain Aniyah Gates and Ella VanderPloog have been providing strong play, but also strong leadership to their younger teammates. With eight games remaining, New Covenant will try to get back to .500 as they continue to build a foundation for the future.

     Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 8-4 overall, 2-2 in Section 3 (T-3rd Place)

District Power Ranking: #9 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

12/28: Lebanon 64, Northern Lebanon 45

12/29: Northern Lebanon 38, New Oxford 36     @Lebanon

1/3: ELCO 43, Northern Lebanon 38

1/5: Northern Lebanon 61, Donegal 31

1/7: Northern Lebanon 39, Fleetwood 38

1/10: Lancaster Catholic 57, Northern Lebanon 21

Update: The Lady Vikings have been a very competitive team this year as they have amassed an 8-4 record.  Two of those losses came to undefeated teams (Lebanon and Lancaster Catholic), which Coach Batistelli will use as teachable moments for this young team.  Leading the team offensively has been sophomore Olivia Shutter who is averaging just about 15 points per game.  Her freshman teammates Kasey Weimer and Hayley Sheroky have proven to be valuable on offense as well, having many games where they have scored in double figures.  As this team continues to develop, they will create headaches for opponents as they make a playoff push with ten games remaining.

   Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Current Record:  3-9 overall, 1-4 in Keystone

District Power Ranking: #17 AAAAA (top 14 qualify)

Recent Results: 

12/28: Palmyra 49, New Oxford 37    @Lebanon

12/29: Lebanon 59, Palmyra 34

1/3: Cedar Cliff 47, Palmyra 25

1/6: Lower Dauphin 45, Palmyra 32

1/10: Mechanicsburg 37, Palmyra 26

Update: Palmyra has played very well at times this season, but they are still working on consistency to put together four solid quarters.  Senior Maddie Henry has led the offense with just about 10 points per game, with a higher output in recent games.  When available, junior Keely Bowers has assisted in helping to light up the scoreboard.  Bringing down rebounds this season have been Henry and fellow senior Maggie Webb.  With ten games remaining, the Lady Cougars still have time to get back on track in order to make a push towards a district playoff berth.

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