The Harrisburg Hornets endured a 6-22 record last season , but Coach John Paul Geniesse believes his team gained much needed experience along the way . “ We are looking forward to this season with extremely high expectations ,” Coach Geniesse said . “ We return the core nucleus of our squad and we gained much needed game experience from last season with us being so young . This year we are expecting to finish in the top four of the 3A-3 and to be playing in the Regional Tournament . Our size , scoring ability and defensive toughness is what will carry us this season . Our young men are extremely hungry for a high level of success and we are ready to take the next step to have the best season possible .” Seniors Axel Heeb and Eastin Gray lead the way for the Hornets . Heeb can score in multiple ways averaging 11 points and four rebounds a game last season . Gray is a strong , athletic forward who rebounds well . He averaged nine points and seven rebounds a year ago . Junior guard Jakobe Tate can finish at the rim through contact and is able to step out and hit the perimeter shot . Sophomore Jayvin Thompson is an athletic forward who can shoot and is active on the glass . Juniors Jax Mross , Axson Wallace , Bryce McCartney , and Walker Casebier will all look to earn playing time and provide a spark on either end of the floor . The 3A-3 has a bit of a new look , but is once again a tough draw each night . Look for the Harrisburg Hornets to compete each and every night and battle for a regional berth when the postseason hits .
The Harrisburg Lady Hornets enjoyed a 17-11 record last season but fell one game short of the regional tournament . Coach Tyler Riddle ’ s team have used that as motivation going into this season , and with so much returning talent , the Lady Hornets look to battle for one of those four regional spots out of the 3A-3 . All-State senior Elisabeth Green returns at point guard for Harrisburg . Green averaged 16.5 points , six rebounds , and four steals last year . The three year starter is a natural scorer and playmaker on both ends of the floor . Classmate Hannah Mross also returns looking to improve on her six points and five rebounds a game . The senior forward plays hard and is considered the heart of the team . Mross is likely to draw the opposition ' s best player defensively most nights . Junior Cassie Carlson averaged 10 points and eight rebounds and is considered the team ’ s best athlete . She gives the Lady Hornets an inside presence on both ends of the floor and can play outside as well . Coach Riddle calls junior forward Ragan Fahr the team ’ s Swiss army knife . Fahr has the ability to play inside and out and is very physical . She averaged five points and five rebounds last season . Sophomore Gabby Nunez played at the high school level most of last season and is the team ’ s best outside shooter . Nunez will continue to knock open looks from the outside and improve on the defensive end . Senior Alesia Rand moved in from Marked Tree and will provide a huge boost to the Harrisburg lineup . The 5 ’ 11 combo guard / forward can score the ball very well . Coach Riddle knows how tough the journey will be , but also knows how tough his squad is . “ Depth will be an issue for our style of play ,” coach said . “ I hope we are in better shape than our opponents , and we are doing what we can to make sure that we are . We have to avoid injuries , and we have in our previous two seasons . Our offseason strength and conditioning program is right up there with the best in the region . These girls are tougher than most when we step on the floor , we just have to remember to play smart and play together . We were an overtime loss away from going to regionals last year , and this year , I expect us to be back battling it out for one of the top four spots in our conference . If so we will be the first team to make it back to Regionals from Harrisburg since 2016-2017 .” NEA Sports predicts the Harrisburg Lady Hornets to get over that hump and into the postseason .
Monroe Carr takes over as head coach for a Gosnell Lady Pirate team that finished 5-22 last season . With the addition of some young talent , Coach Carr hopes to see significant improvements on the floor and with their record . It won ’ t be easy as the Lady Pirates will move up into the 4A-3 conference . Three starters return from last season in seniors Sierra Simmons and Imari Johnson , and junior Natalee Murphy . Simmons has played consistent minutes throughout her career and can score especially from the high post . Johnson is a guard that helps keep the team organized and handles the ball the majority of the time . Murphy is a forward that has a lot of experience and is very versatile , playing multiple positions . Sophomore Lae Lincoln is one of the youngsters looking to make an impact . Lincoln is versatile on both ends of the floor , is a good rebounder , and a strong finisher around the rim . Freshman Bryonna Thompson will move up and contribute immediately . Thompson will bring speed and playmaking ability to the guard spot . She can also stretch the floor with her shooting and lead the defense with her ball pressure . The defensive end is where Coach Carr is hoping the turnaround starts . “ We are prioritizing the defensive end ,” he said . “ Using ball pressure to force opponents into tough spots and rotating in help to increase difficulty in each shot . Also , we have to value the ball . The team has goals of maximizing each possession to ensure we get the best possible spot each trip down the floor . We ' ve had a strong focus on ball handling & decision-making throughout the offseason .” Gosnell will have a chance to come into a new conference and compete . Look for the Lady Pirates to show significant improvement and be ready come tournament time .
The Gosnell Pirates earned a trip to the 3A State Tournament with a late season run finishing 15-15 . Now the Pirates will move up a classification in hopes of creating the same type of late season magic . Coach Deantra Scott takes over in Gosnell and has a load of young talent he is relying on to navigate the new look 4A-3 . Two starters return in junior Kerrion Terry and sophomore Marcus Anderson . Anderson started as a freshman last season , making a big impact right off the bat in his high school career . The guard can use his quickness and athleticism to score and create for other teammates . Anderson and Terry will need to expand on their roles to lead a new group of Pirates . Senior Vanterrues Lucas will look to provide some leadership , while junior Jai Jacobs will look to contribute as well . Sophomores Grant Glintborg , Jazten Williams , and LaMarco Wilburn will look to make an impact and add some depth to the Gosnell lineup . Coach Scott understands what it will take to have success in a new conference . “ We will need to play tough and smart and grow from the tough losses and wins ,” he said . “ We will have to work on not staying complacent with winning games we are supposed to win and not being happy just to be here .” The challenge is clear for the Gosnell Pirates in a tough 4A-3 , but with six teams in the conference , another late season run like last year could put the Pirates right back in the postseason . Look for Gosnell to compete in the 4A-3 and have a shot at a regional berth during the district tournament .