JEFFREY REINHART jreinhart@LNPnews.com

Full L-L League girls’ basketball Section 3 preview capsules, listed alphabetically for your reading and viewing pleasure …

COCALICO EAGLES
COACH: Richard Kohler (1st season).
CLASSIFICATION: Quad-A.
LAST SEASON: 3-13 Section 2, 6-17 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Emily Harris (3.8), G Rachel Hurst (6.7, 19 3-pointers), F CariBeth Shappell (6.7).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Shannon Graybill (Sr., 1.4), F Shirah Graybill (Sr., 6.1), G Katie Rathman (Jr., 3.2), F Samantha Weaver (Sr., 8.3).
KEY NEWCOMERS: F Ashley Artz (Jr., 0.8), F Rachel Englerth (Sr., 2.0), F Nikki Maiorana (Sr., 1.8), G Lisa Michalka (Sr.).

KEEP AN EYE ONE: Samantha Weaver, who will be one of the best low-post players in the league this season. Unfortunately, since Cocalico has struggled so much the last couple of seasons, she’s flown way under the radar. But do yourself a favor and try and watch Weaver play at least once this season somewhere if you can. She can do some things in the post, and there aren’t many players around like her anymore. She’s a legit 6-2 and she’ll beat you up around the glass.

OUTLOOK: Weaver (6-2) and Shirah Graybill (5-11) will more than hold their own in the paint, but they’re going to need some help, particularly in the backcourt, where the Eagles lost a sniper (Hurst) and a durable dribble-driver (Shappell). Keep your fingers crossed, Denver.

REINHART SAYS: Ugh. I’ve been scratching my head over this program the last couple of years. It wasn’t that long ago that the Eagles were in the L-L League playoffs and in Districts on pretty much a yearly basis. Now, Cocalico is on its third coach in three years. That’s never fun for the kids, who must now learn another system under Kohler. And they’ll do it in Section 3, having flip-flopped with Lebanon in the latest L-L League realignment loop. Who knows? Maybe the change in scenery will help this bunch – although, I wouldn’t wish crossover games against Lancaster Mennonite, Lancaster Catholic and Lebanon Catholic on anyone … not to mention home-and-aways with Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central and Elco, who should all be there at the wire in Section 3.

DONEGAL INDIANS
COACH: Cathy Koenig (6th season; 30-80 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 4-12 Section 3, 6-17 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: F Alaina Potteiger (2.3).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: F Taylor Hatt (Sr., 3.3), G Nicky Hess (Sr., 17.9, 54 3-pointers), G Kaitlyn Houseal (Sr., 0.5), G Morgan Kibler (Sr., 7.1), G Alecia McNiff (Jr., 8.1), G Katie Robinson (Jr., 0.6).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Laura Gebhart (So., 0.3), F Olivia Leaman (So., 1.9).

KEEP AN EYE ON: Nicky Hess. She’s back again. And she’ll very likely dominate once again without very much fanfare. Hess is sitting on 912 career points. But not many people know it (or know much about her fabulous game) because the Indians have struggled mightily the last several years. Unless Donegal gets off to a fast start, Hess very likely will never play in a league or district playoff game. And that’s a real shame. Anxious to see what she does for college, because she’s also outstanding in softball. She could win the scoring title this winter. I know I’ll bombard you with her numbers, because if I don’t, you probably wouldn’t know. If you’re an L-L League fan, get your butt to one Donegal game this season and watch Hess. You’ll be glad you did.

OUTLOOK: There is a nice nucleus here, headed by Hess, who can score from anywhere, particularly from long range. But she’s going to need some major help. The Indians are beyond due to make some noise.

REINHART SAYS: What drives me nuts about Donegal’s basketball team is that it’s usually made up of girls who compete in other sports at Donegal – on really good teams that win. Like field hockey, where the Indians won the L-L League title this past fall. Or softball, where the Indians have made a habit out of going deep in the postseason the last several years. Hatt, Hess, Houseal, Kibler and Robinson all played on the Donegal softball team that went to the district final and two rounds into States last spring. And Hess and Kibler started as freshmen when the Indians won the softball state title three years ago. But when it’s basketball season (I’m finally coming around to my point here), it just doesn’t translate over – for whatever reason. I have no idea. I’m tired of racking my brain over it. Maybe this will be the season when it all comes together, and the kids who do well in field hockey and softball also do well in basketball, and the Indians make it to the playoffs. Or not. What do I know? But I hope I got my point across in that diatribe. It is baffling, isn’t it?

ELCO RAIDERS
COACH: Dave Meyer (19th season; 321-143 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 9-7 Section 3, 10-14 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Jenny Driskell (7.8), G Erin Shaffer (2.8).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: F Samantha Conrad (Sr., 1.4), F Melissa Gettle (Sr., 3.5), G Brittany Hartman (Jr., 1.3), F Heather Kahl (Jr., 0.7), F Erin Moore (Sr., 7.6), G Taylor Shaak (So., 3.2), G Lexi Shaffer (So., 1.9), F Erika Smith (Sr.), F Kala Yoders (Jr., 14.4).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Veronica Rohr (So.), F Samantha Shimp (So.).

KEEP AN EYE ON: Kala Yoders, who is a real force in the paint, and is quickly establishing herself as one of the top low-post kids in the league. Was Elco’s sixth-man as a freshman, and opened some eyes. Joined the starting lineup last season and really went crazy down the stretch, averaging 17.3 points in the 13 games after Jan. 1. She should have a couple of really good wars against Lampeter-Strasburg’s Renee Fritz this season. Circle those games for sure.

OUTLOOK: If Yoders gets some help in the paint, and if the backcourt can produce a reliable scorer, the Raiders will be with the lead pack at the finish line. I promise.

REINHART SAYS: I have a sneaky feeling about the Raiders. Something tells me that Elco is going to be in this at the end. If they can someone salvage a split with L-S, something goofy could happen that last week. I really like Yoders (as mentioned), and if the backcourt can get it together and defend, I have no reason to believe that Elco can’t finish in the top two in the section and make the league playoffs. Believe it, Myerstown.

LAMPETER-STRABURG PIONEERS
COACH: Matt Wieand (3rd season; 44-17 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 14-2 Section 3, 23-6 overall (Section 3 champs; lost to Hempfield in first round of L-L League playoffs, lost to eventual champ Lancaster Mennonite in District 3 Triple-A semifinals, lost to Blue Mountain in first round of PIAA Triple-A playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: None to graduation. F Juliann Souders (2.1) and G Jordan Long (1.8) opted not to come back out for the team.
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Katie Andrews (So., 3.8), G Lisa Boyer (Sr., 12.6, 18 3-pointers), F Renee Fritz (Sr., 10.1), F Katie Lynch (Sr., 9.3, 18 3-pointers), G Jess Manchak (Sr., 2.6), G Danielle Rittenhouse (Sr., 10.6, 10 3-pointers), G Kelsey Souders (So., 7.3).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Nicole Beddow (Sr., 2.5), F Trisha Lantz (So.), G Kim Martin (Jr.).

KEEP AN EYE ON: Wow, tough to pick just one kid here, considering all five (5) starters return. I’ll go with Lisa Boyer because she’s the floor general. The more she gets other people involved the better. When she’s slashing and can leave a pass for Fritz going the bucket or if she can swing it to Lynch for an open 3 look or to Rittenhouse, who is spotting up … or if she can get to the rim, like she’s done countless times over the last three years. L-S is murder when Boyer is getting everyone involved or is getting easy buckets for herself. She should also be the first L-L League player to crack 1,000 career points this season – she has 939 heading into the Columbia Tip-Off Tournament opener against C.D. East. From end line to end line, probably the fastest player with the basketball in her hands in the league.

OUTLOOK: Peachy. All five starters return, including the fabulous foursome of Boyer, Fritz, Lynch and Rittenhouse, who are back for their fourth and final season together. Team to beat not only in Section 3, but in the L-L League and maybe in District 3 – although Trinity is up to Triple-A this season. Section 3 championships are OK but this core group is jonesing to win a bigger prize before they skedaddle.

REINHART SAYS: Section 3 champs. L-L League finalists. Should/could be No. 1 seed in Triple-A, depending what Trinity does. Speaking of Trinity, just a hunch, but the Pioneers and Shamrocks (jinx alert) should hook up somewhere down the road. File that one away in the back of your head for now. I’ll leave this capsule with my favorite preseason quote, compliments of Elco coach Dave Meyer: “Section favorite? If anyone picks someone other than L-S, they have been on another planet.” Insert rim-shot here.

MANHEIM CENTRAL BARONS
COACH: Jason Coletti (4th season; 49-25 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 11-5 Section 3, 18-7 overall (Lost to Cedar Crest in first round of L-L League playoffs, lost to Northeastern York in first round of District 3 Triple-A playoffs).
KEY PLAYERS LOST: F Jenna Proffitt (9.4), F Bekah Roland (16.1, 14 3-pointers), G Kacy Shaw (8.4, 23 3-pointers).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Dani Artman (11.7, 16 3-pointers), F Carly Leitzel (Jr., 3.8), G Jana Martin (Sr., 4.0), G Beth Mellinger (Sr., 1.2).
KEY NEWCOMERS: F Maddy Novak (Fr.), G Taylor Stoltz (Fr.), G Rene Wiegand (Fr.).

KEEP AN EYE ON: The whirling dervish herself, Dani Artman. She’s a blur with the basketball. And for a guard, she’s excellent at getting to the glass. Yeah, she’ll step back and shoot the J (16 treys last season), but her game is dribble-drive and get in the lane. She’ll shoot a bunch of foul shots. Interesting career for Artman. Don’t forget, she transferred to Lancaster Catholic and played major minutes (several starts) as a soph, before coming back to Central last season. With Proffitt, Roland and Shaw gone, her scoring production should (must) go up. And if he she can pitch in on D, the Barons should stay on Lampeter-Strasburg’s heels.

OUTLOOK: Looks like a youth movement in Manheim, where Coletti lists four freshmen on his eight-player varsity roster. And replacing Roland and her 1,006 points won’t be easy, either. But the Barons will have one of the top players in the league in Artman, who can drive and pop the 3. Could be a work in progress here.

REINHART SAYS: Not enough in the tank to overtake L-S, but should be neck-and-neck with Elco (again) for the No. 2 spot in Section 3. Barons lost some really good kids, and with four freshmen on board, there could be some growing pains and baby steps. But Central will hang tough, and should make Districts.

NORTHERN LEBANON VIKINGS
COACH: Ken Battistelli (2nd season; 7-16 overall).
CLASSIFICATION: Triple-A.
LAST SEASON: 5-11 Section 3, 7-16 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: G Valerie Blauch (1.5), G Jess Meily (4.2).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: G Shelly Erb (Sr., 6.2, 16 3-pointers), G Nichole Heister (Sr., 13.6, 51 3-pointers), G Liz Houser (Jr., 5.7), G Leah Wilhelm (Jr., 5.8, 10 3-pointers).
KEY NEWCOMERS: G Lisa Clay (Jr., 0.4), F Alexis Wilhelm (Sr., 3.9).

KEEP AN EYE ON: Without a doubt, Nichole Heister. What a story she was last season. The sharpshooter didn’t even come out for the team as a soph, and then came back last season with a vengeance, drilling 3-pointers and scoring in buckets in everyone’s face to help the Vikings get back on the map. Nice to see this group win seven games last season – don’t laugh; they were 0-fer the season before. Heister had a lot to do with that. Can’t wait to see what kind of junk defenses she sees this season.

OUTLOOK: One year after taking the goose egg, the Vikings bounced back with seven victories last season, and with one of the league’s top sharpshooters back in the mix — Heister hit 51 treys in the regular season — Northern Lebanon should continue to cause a lot of headaches.

REINHART SAYS: Full speed ahead for Northern Lebanon, which will rollover for nobody. No simple win anymore when you play the Vikes, especially with Heister bombing away and Erb running things. Will they challenge L-S for Section 3 honors? Um, probably not. But they’ll be closer to double-digit wins. And they’ll continue to scare the heck out of everyone.