Ah yes, predicting the outcome of the L-L League girls’ basketball section races … that’s always a treat.

Predictions are what they are … educated guesses, pretty much. And if I get stuck, I flip a coin or draw names out of a hat.

Happy to report that I do take this prediction stuff a little more seriously than that.

But also know that these are just predictions, which are supposed to be for fun, right?

So don’t go hopping the next bus for Atlantic City, OK?

SECTION 1

1. Cedar Crest – Four starters gone, but with Meghan Phillips back to lead the troops, should be enough in the tank here for a three-peat. Fly, Falcons, fly.

2. Manheim Township – Yep, the Blue Streaks. This is a hunch pick, and sometimes my hunches work out. I’m serious.

3. Hempfield – Lost all five starters from last season’s L-L League title team, so there will be some growing pains at the outset. But the Black Knights will be in the race. You can count on that.

4. Warwick – Really like the Warriors’ speed game, spearheaded by lightning-quick twin guards Ana and Carmen Cruz. If Warwick gets some frontcourt help, they’ll be there at the wire. I wouldn’t want to play these guys in the last week if there is a ton riding.

5. McCaskey – Too many young pups to contend. But when that group meshes, they’ll be a royal pain to contend with. Might play spoiler later, and don’t be surprised if they spoil someone’s chances down the stretch.

6. Penn Manor – Lost a ton in the post, most notably the league’s leading scorer last season (Kelsey Caruthers). Despite the losses, something tells me I’m going to regret picking these guys last later on … so get your wise-guy, in-your-face emails ready, Millersville.

SECTION 2

1. Garden Spot – Putting the defending champs on the 1-line despite losing some weapons, like sharpshooter Chrissy Taylor. The kids who are back – led by sleek guard Breana Caldwell – have been through the wars, and want to win it again. Call me crazy, but I’m sensing one-game playoff here.

2. Lebanon – The Cedars will battle Garden Spot tooth-and-nail for the top spot, and if they can salvage a split in the regular season, it could somehow, some way come down to the last night (and a playoff, perhaps?). Lebanon is young, but those three freshmen who started last year (Padillas, Benjamin and Rios) are a year older and wiser. Keep an eye on Lebanon. This should be a terrific 1-2 punch race; maybe the best race in the league before it’s all over.

3. Conestoga Valley – The Buckskins will have some fresh faces in some key places, but they’ll find a way to stay on Garden Spot and Lebanon’s heels. But CV better win a few of those head-to-head meetings with the Spartans and Cedars if it wants to be there in the end. Might be a tad much to overcome. We shall see.

4. Ephrata – Sleeper team alert. Remember that hunch I had about Manheim Township? Ditto here with the Mountaineers. Not saying they’ll win Section 2, but they’re going to cause a lot of headaches and maybe (just maybe) make a district-playoff push. I’m anxious to see their new gym over at the middle school.

5. Solanco – One of the youngest teams in the L-L League with seven freshmen on board. Check back here in a year.

6. Elizabethtown – Still taking some baby steps here with nine sophomores and four freshmen on the roster.

SECTION 3

1. Lampeter-Strasburg – L-o-a-d-e-d.

2. Elco – Really like Kala Yoders in the middle, and if the backcourt can play some inspired D, the Raiders can definitely grab the No. 2 spot here.

3. Manheim Central – Four freshmen on board, so it could take a little while to jell. But the Barons (with Dani Artman leading the charge) will challenge Elco for the 2-spot.

4. Northern Lebanon – Nichole Heister can flat shoot the rock, and she has plenty of help around her. Vikings to the district playoffs? Hey, it could happen.

5. Donegal – Could be stuck playing spoiler yet again. And with Nicky Hess, the Indians could spoil someone’s party.

6. Cocalico – Really like Samantha Weaver in the middle. But she’s going to need some help in the Eagles’ first voyage back in Section 3.

SECTION 4

1. Lancaster Mennonite – New backcourt? No matter. Katelyn Vanderhoff is the best defender in the league (and perhaps in District 3) and Erin LaVenice is murder in the post.

2. Lancaster Catholic – New kids all over the place, but the Crusaders always seem to find a way. Don’t they?

3. Lebanon Catholic – If the Beavers want to be in this race, they’re going to have to win some of those one-on-one battles with Mennonite and Lancaster Catholic. This could be the season they finally do it.

4. Columbia – There is a really nice nucleus here. But there are three monster teams ahead of the Crimson Tide.

5. Pequea Valley – There are some nice sharpshooters here, but this section is incredibly brutal.

6. Annville-Cleona – Only way to go is up for the Little Dutchmen, who are coming off a 2-22 season, and have a slew of freshmen on the varsity roster.