Girls' Basketball: Section 3 Preview
On November 18th, Lancaster-Lebanon League officials voted to push the beginning of section play for winter sports back to the first week of January. Nevertheless, the high school basketball season is quickly approaching, with teams allowed to begin non-league play on December 11th. Here's a preview for Section 3.
Emma Drouillard Shoots 3-Pointer in Game vs. Cocalico (Logan Thompson)
Garden Spot Spartans
2018-19 Garden Spot Girls Basketball Team (GS Girls Basketball Twitter)
The Spartans finished the 2019-20 season with a record of 8-14. The duo of Erin Gonzalez and Taylor Soehner is expected to lead the Spartans this season, averaging roughly 15 points per game between the two of them in the last campaign. 2023 winger Nicole Zeiset should also play a bigger role on the team in the upcoming season.
Cocalico Eagles
Naleah Sauder in Game vs. Warwick (Chris Knight LNP)
The Eagles are coming off a season where they finished right below Section 3 foe Garden Spot in the District III power rankings. The Eagles have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming season, with most of their impact players from 2019-20 returning. 2021 guard Hannah Custer will pace the Eagles offensively, while the duo of Izzy Mack and Kiersten Shipton pose a threat from beyond the 3-point line.
Manheim Central Barons
Maddie Knier Dribbles in L-L League Playoffs (Mark Palczewski LNP)
The Barons only roster 8 players, but everybody on the team plays a role. Reigning Section 3 MVP Maddie Knier is the most important player for the Barons, posting an impressive 16.8 points per game last season. The Barons will be looking to improve on last season's performance after bowing out to Lower Dauphin in the first round of the District III playoffs.
Solanco Golden Mules
Jade Eshelman in L-L League Semifinal Game (Chris Knight LNP)
The Golden Mules are back-to-back Section 3 champions and are viewed as the favorite yet again. Last season, the Mules reached the L-L League playoffs' semifinals and the first round of the District III playoffs, losing to Berks Catholic. The 2021 duo of Jade Eshelman and Paige Phillips look to lead the Mules to another strong campaign.
Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneers
Kiersten Hostetter Dribbles in Game vs. Garden Spot (Logan Thompson)
The Pioneers narrowly missed out on the District III playoffs last season, finishing with a record of 9-13. Emma Drouillard leads the way for the Pioneers, scoring nearly 14 points per game last season. A slew of Pioneers also stands to make a considerable impact, such as Jenna Daveler, Maggie Visniski, and Katie Ranck. The Pioneers should contend for a spot in the District III playoffs again in the 2020-21 season.
By Logan Moyer, LS News reporter