Well its that time off year again and we are back at it preparing for the upcoming high school basketball season. Last year was so interesting with through out season and to see Sanford hold the trophy last year culminated in a big change for this year and the years to come. I had so much expectations last year for one best overall class in girls basketball in a long time. There was so many girls that had a lot thrusted upon them for there teams that did not pan out the way we all hoped. I wanted that class to be a little more entertaining then what we got out of that class last year. Expectations was so high. Which leads us to the start of this year. It will look like a down year over all in talent for the state but there is still good basketball that will be played. Here is my pre-season predictions:
1. St. Elizabeth- This could be there last run in a long time with the amount of talent they have. They should be the favorite to win it. The overall talent will be displayed very early with 5 seniors headed by University of Massachusetts committed senior Ber’Nyah Ward- Mayo and a couple of very strong transfers that will impact this team immediately headed by Junior Olivia Lynch. This team just became a lot deeper.
2. Conrad- The sisters and Ja'Nylah Whittlesey always pose a problem for every one in the state. There was so many rumors about this team and the direction they was going. But it looks like they could make one last run before one the sisters graduates.
3. Cape Henlopen- There is always a downstate favorite. With there coaching and there team oriented style of play. It won’t change with 7 freshman last year and four seniors this year. They will continue dominate, but I can’t see them getting past the top two teams.
4. Sanford- Last years state champions will be in a changing of the guard type season. They aren’t rebuilding but they have a lot of impact freshman that will begin to see big minutes. They are led by veteran seniors Allie Kubek, and Kanisa Tucker, along with Sophomore Amiya Carroll. Woodbridge shocked them in the summer league but I think they will be more prepared during the season.
5. Woodbridge- This teams was build the right way. They are a scrappy team that plays hard nose defense the entire game. This is a veteran team in every sense of the word. They have 7 seniors that see big minutes but they are led by junior Sierra Smith. They should make deep run this year.
6. Caravel- this team has lost a lot of fire power last year. Gone are 7 seniors who had major minutes from last years finals team. The youth will began for caravel, and they are led Freshman Amaya Johnson, and sophomores India Johnston & Taylor Wilkins. 6th maybe high for them but the experience they have from last years run will pay dividends.
7. Archmere- This has slowly been under the radar for the last couple of years. They are a scrappy bunch that continues to stay consistent every year. 7 seniors from last years team is gone and they will be back in the hunt again this year. They will be led by sophomore Madison Stewart.
8. Padua-This team could make a great run this year after failing to make the tournament last year due to strength of schedule. They are boasting one of the most experienced teams this year with 9 seniors and a ton of heart. With a lot of teams in a rebuilding part of there programs Padua could shock a few teams this year.
9. Ursuline- last year was a down year for this proud program. Not accustomed to being in the national rankings or being put out in the second round of the tournament means this program will have to begin the process building from the inside out to get back to prominence. Well it won’t happen this year either. They have three key players injured for the year. They will be hard pressed to change there style of play in order to compete they way the want to. The offense solely go through senior Kaliegh White. If they finish in the top ten this year, It will solely off strength of schedule.
10. Tower Hill- Every few years this program gets a couple of players and slowly makes run. This year’s key player is junior Reese Mullins. They was beat in the tournament last year by Caravel the runner up to the champions Sanford. They should finish a little deeper in the playoffs this year.
Other teams to watch: Sussex Tech, Wilmington Christian, and Tatnall
on the rise team: Christiana- They will be starting a youthful 8th graders on there team. Not saying they will win games but if they keep that group together for future years. Watch out!! They are headed by 8th grader Jasiyah Crawford.
1. St. Elizabeth- This could be there last run in a long time with the amount of talent they have. They should be the favorite to win it. The overall talent will be displayed very early with 5 seniors headed by University of Massachusetts committed senior Ber’Nyah Ward- Mayo and a couple of very strong transfers that will impact this team immediately headed by Junior Olivia Lynch. This team just became a lot deeper.
2. Conrad- The sisters and Ja'Nylah Whittlesey always pose a problem for every one in the state. There was so many rumors about this team and the direction they was going. But it looks like they could make one last run before one the sisters graduates.
3. Cape Henlopen- There is always a downstate favorite. With there coaching and there team oriented style of play. It won’t change with 7 freshman last year and four seniors this year. They will continue dominate, but I can’t see them getting past the top two teams.
4. Sanford- Last years state champions will be in a changing of the guard type season. They aren’t rebuilding but they have a lot of impact freshman that will begin to see big minutes. They are led by veteran seniors Allie Kubek, and Kanisa Tucker, along with Sophomore Amiya Carroll. Woodbridge shocked them in the summer league but I think they will be more prepared during the season.
5. Woodbridge- This teams was build the right way. They are a scrappy team that plays hard nose defense the entire game. This is a veteran team in every sense of the word. They have 7 seniors that see big minutes but they are led by junior Sierra Smith. They should make deep run this year.
6. Caravel- this team has lost a lot of fire power last year. Gone are 7 seniors who had major minutes from last years finals team. The youth will began for caravel, and they are led Freshman Amaya Johnson, and sophomores India Johnston & Taylor Wilkins. 6th maybe high for them but the experience they have from last years run will pay dividends.
7. Archmere- This has slowly been under the radar for the last couple of years. They are a scrappy bunch that continues to stay consistent every year. 7 seniors from last years team is gone and they will be back in the hunt again this year. They will be led by sophomore Madison Stewart.
8. Padua-This team could make a great run this year after failing to make the tournament last year due to strength of schedule. They are boasting one of the most experienced teams this year with 9 seniors and a ton of heart. With a lot of teams in a rebuilding part of there programs Padua could shock a few teams this year.
9. Ursuline- last year was a down year for this proud program. Not accustomed to being in the national rankings or being put out in the second round of the tournament means this program will have to begin the process building from the inside out to get back to prominence. Well it won’t happen this year either. They have three key players injured for the year. They will be hard pressed to change there style of play in order to compete they way the want to. The offense solely go through senior Kaliegh White. If they finish in the top ten this year, It will solely off strength of schedule.
10. Tower Hill- Every few years this program gets a couple of players and slowly makes run. This year’s key player is junior Reese Mullins. They was beat in the tournament last year by Caravel the runner up to the champions Sanford. They should finish a little deeper in the playoffs this year.
Other teams to watch: Sussex Tech, Wilmington Christian, and Tatnall
on the rise team: Christiana- They will be starting a youthful 8th graders on there team. Not saying they will win games but if they keep that group together for future years. Watch out!! They are headed by 8th grader Jasiyah Crawford.
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