LebCo Girls Basketball Season Update: January 27

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:  12-5 overall,  5-2 in Section 4 (T-2nd Place)

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

Recent Results:

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

1/12: Columbia 62, Annville-Cleona 26

1/16: Annville-Cleona 45, Camp Hill 34

1/20: Annville-Cleona 38, Linden Hall 5

1/23: Annville-Cleona 58, Lancaster Mennonite 16

Update: While this team’s season has been a story of streaks, Annville-Cleona is 12-5, is currently tied for 2^nd in Section 4, and is on a three-game winning streak.  This has put them back into contention for a spot in Districts, but each of their remaining five games will be critical in determining their fate.  A large part of this outcome will fall upon the shoulders of sophomore Ava Hoover, who is leading the team in points and rebounds.  The Dutchmen also have several other scoring options, such as Kendall Cooper and Josie Clay, to pick the team up when needed.  Over the remaining stretch of games, the entire team will need to execute Coach Sanchez’s game plan to ensure that there will be more viral videos of them singing on bus rides returning from games.

     Cedar Crest Falcons 

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record:  13-6 overall,  5-2 in Section 1 (2nd Place)

District Power Ranking: #9 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

1/10: Cedar Crest 44, Manheim Township 43

1/12: Cedar Crest 55, JP McCaskey 51 (OT)

1/17: Governor Mifflin 64, Cedar Crest 56

1/20: Hempfield 40, Cedar Crest 20

1/24: Cedar Crest 56, Penn Manor 34

Update: The Lady Falcons have just three games remaining on their regular season schedule with hopes of finishing up their bid for Districts, but also capturing the 2^nd place spot in Section 1.  This quest begins tonight with a rematch against crosstown rival Lebanon.  Winners in three of their last five, Cedar Crest has seen improved consistency from sharpshooter Allie Metzgar.  With that being said, this unit still remains unselfish and will rely on whomever can put the team in a position to win.  The cast of players that can light up the scoreboard on any given night are Kaila Francis, Lizzie Lowe, and Kaya Camasta.  While they can score, this team knows that it will be their defensive efforts that will make them competitive as they battle down the stretch and into the playoffs.

    ELCO Raiders  

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record:  7-10 overall,  3-3 in Section 3 (T-3rd Place)

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

Recent Results:

1/13: York Catholic 57, ELCO 51

1/17: ELCO 56, Donegal 42

1/19: Lampeter Strasburg 49, ELCO 46

1/24: ELCO 46, Lower Dauphin 44

1/26: Columbia 64, ELCO 32

Update: The Lady Raiders know that they will need to finish strong in order to clinch a spot in the District 3 Playoffs.  After losing a tight one to Section 3 foe Lampeter Strasburg, they bounced back to pull off an upset over visiting Lower Dauphin.  This combination of games showed the resolve that this ELCO group has in them as they work towards a chance at postseason action.  In recent games, it has been junior Makenna Seifert and freshman Madelyn Stout who have been consistently leading the team in scoring, but the team is winning as a result of total team efforts. They are going to need more of that as they battle through their final five regular season games, featuring a second bout with Northern Lebanon whom they defeated on January 3^rd.

     Lebanon Cedars

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1

Current Record: 16-0 overall,  7-0 in Section 1 (1st Place)

District Power Ranking: #2 AAAAAA (top 12 qualify)

Recent Results:

1/12: Lebanon 52, Hempfield 50

1/14: Lebanon 50, Ephrata 39

1/16: Lebanon 71, Hershey 30

1/20: Lebanon 60, Manheim Township 55

1/24: Lebanon 64, JP McCaskey 51

Update: At 16-0, the pressure is beginning to mount for this group of Cedars, but they are taking it one game at a time. The player that makes the operation work is without a doubt Kailah Correa.  The sophomore guard is now averaging 19.9 points per game this season and sits at 818 points for her career.  Beyond her ability to create offense, she has been doing it all to help her team win whether it be dropping dimes, battling for loose balls, creating turnovers, or hitting clutch free throws in key situations.  While she is the focal point when opponents prepare to face them, the supporting cast for the Cedars does create issues, as you never know who may step up.  Liliana Harrison continues to create issues down low when it comes to scoring and rebounding, nearly averaging a double-double .  Beyond Harrison’s size, Zariyah Whigham is also battling for every rebound (9.7 rpg).  Aaliyah Ferrer, the team’s lone starting senior, has shown the ability to step up whenever needed, while freshman Olive Brandt’s ball handling will be key if Lebanon looks to make a deep run.  Jae Burrus continues to provide a spark, with the rotation being shortened with the playoffs approaching.  With six regular season games remaining, time is running out for this team to finish their prep for what will be a high pressure situation when the playoffs arrive.

New Covenant Flames

Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference

Current Record: 4-7

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

Recent Results:

1/9: Harrisburg Academy 26, New Covenant 10

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

1/17: New Covenant 32, Harrisburg Christian 29

1/20: West Shore Christian 22, New Covenant 21  (OT)

1/24:  Mount Calvary 53, New Covenant 15

Update: The Flames season has been a rebuilding year after making an appearance at States last year.  While New Covenant has struggled to find consistency, there are some bright spots.  In fact, since the last update, this group won two straight and would have won a third if had not been for a buzzer beater at the end of regulation, forcing overtime where they eventually lost.  A large part of this upswing has been an improvement in the level of defense they are playing, remaining aggressive throughout games.  While they are still immature as a unit, the team’s offensive rhythm is beginning to develop.  They are helped in this by their players being unselfish, allowing opportunities for each player to get a chance to score.  With five games remaining, they hope they can finish close to .500 and depending on how those games go, you may see them sneak into Districts.

     Northern Lebanon Vikings

Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3

Current Record: 11-6 overall, 3-3 in Section 3 (T-3rd Place)

District Power Ranking: #8 AAAA (top 10 qualify)

Recent Results:

1/13: Lampeter Strasburg 44, Northern Lebanon 34

1/17: Northern Lebanon 55, Hershey 38

1/19: Northern Lebanon 33, Cocalico 27

1/23: Red Land 42, Northern Lebanon 39

1/24: Northern Lebanon 43, Hamburg 35

Update: At this point of the season, the Lady Vikings are starting to play some consistent, good basketball.  Now that they are healthy, they seem poised for the stretch run, beginning tonight with a rematch at home against the same ELCO squad that beat them earlier this month.  With just five games remaining, every one of them will be highly important to determining whether or not they make Districts.  The good news is that they have looked strong as of late, especially offensively where a three-headed monster has emerged with sophomore Olivia Shutter, freshman Kasey Weimer, and freshman Hayley Sheroky evenly contributing to a high percentage of the team’s points.  Coach Battistelli will need this unit to function on tandem if they are going to continue their hot streak into the playoffs.

   Palmyra Cougars

Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division

Current Record:  5-12 overall, 3-6 in Keystone

District Power Ranking: #16 AAAAA (top 14 qualify)

Recent Results: 

1/13: Palmyra 34, Hershey 22

1/16: Susquehanna Township 44, Palmyra 43

1/18: Mifflin County 54, Palmyra 50

1/20: Palmyra 47, Red Land 42  OT

1/24: Milton Hershey 42, Palmyra 37

Update: While it is true that the Lady Cougars have not been overly consistent this season, there is a lot to be happy about over the past couple of weeks.  They were able to notch wins over rival Hershey and then score a major overtime win over Red Land last week.  They also showed their teeth in all of their other games, losing three contests by a combined 11 points.  With five games remaining, they will need to dig deep if they want to make a late season bid for Districts.  Maddie Henry has remained strong for this team, a healthy Keely Bowers is now beginning to open the game up from the outside.  Freshman Mya Doster is now also seeing some key minutes, which could prove to be large for what remains of this season.  All eyes will be on this group as they begin the final stretch tonight with a rematch against undefeated Cedar Cliff.

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