JIM THORPE

Head coach - Victoria Nichols (1st season)Assistant coach - Sierra FogalDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill LeagueLast year's record - 7-12Key Losses - Makenzie Walck, Riley CarrollKey returnees - Erin Shigo (Sr.), Jillian Peterson (Jr.), Alexandra McGinley (So.), Mackenzie Rosenberger (So.)Others to watch - Kelsey Carroll (Fr.), Joclyn Day (Jr.)Outlook - The 2015 Olympians are a strong and talented group of young ladies. Their skill, knowledge of the game and their confidence to play as a team will hopefully help them in obtaining a better record than last season. They're a very coachable bunch and their coach believes they have the desire to push through and finish games with confidence.Quotable - "We have worked very hard in the preseason to increase athleticism, strength, and endurance in all players with a specifically designed program, fit for our athletes. We have a young, yet very experienced group of girls that are anxious to prove themselves." - Jim Thorpe head coach Victoria Nichols.TAMAQUAHead Coach - Emilie Baker (1st season)Assistant coaches - Christa Mantz, Courtney MundyClass - District 11 Class AALast Year's record - 1-15League - Schuylkill League Division 1Key Losses - NAKey Returnees - Carly Kosciolek, Alexis Baddick, Paige Triano, Deidra Ressier, Mackenzie McVicker, Olivia Mutula, Kaelyn Boran-Smith, Andrea Iacoviello, Lauren Baddick.Others to Watch - Emily AmershekOutlook - The Raiders have been working hard throughout the summer and they've been improving every time out. Tamaqua's biggest strength is its desire to get better and even though it's coming off a rough season the goal will be for the team to play with confidence night in and night out.Quotable - "I think stepping onto the court for the first time as a new team will answer a lot of our questions. In order for us to have a successful season, we have to continue to work hard and connect as a team." - Tamaqua head coach Emile Baker.PLEASANT VALLEYHead Coach - John Gesiskie (22nd year)Assistant coaches - Kathleen Gesiskie, Nicole Gesiskie, Craig MorrisClass - District 11 Class AAALeague - Eastern Penn ConferenceLast Year's record - 19-12Key Losses - Kiersten Griesback, Katie Lenart, Bridget Loizer, Kallie Walling, Roxanne Miranda.Key Returnees - Noel Kelly (Jr. OH,), Sara Kron (Jr. OH), Veronica Roberts (Jr. OH), Alexis Richy (So. setter), Sophia Janak (Jr. DS), Emma Jetty (Sr. RS), Sarah Szmaciasz (Jr., RS)Others to watch - Brooke Pridham (DS), Jasmine Jaraba (Sr. MH)Outlook - Pleasant Valley has some key players returning in the setting and hitting department. The Bears like usual have a good attitude towards working hard, obtaining fundamental development, and striving towards team goals.Quotable - "There is a good core of players returning to give us a good shot at defending the Mountain Division Championship. The key to this goal is getting a consistent group of starters to gel." - Pleasant Valley head coach John Gesiskie.LEHIGHTONHead coach - TJ O'Connor (5th season)Assistant coach - Lex Jones, Terry HabermanDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League Division 1Last year's record - 10-8Key Losses - Michaela Pettruci (MB), Brianna Karpowicz (OPP), and Holly Hinkle (L)Key returnees - Katie Higgins (Jr. OH), Alyssa Jordan (Sr. MB), Andrea Schafer (Sr. OH), Tori Eads-Rodriguez (Jr. S)Others to watch - Autumn Frey (Sr. OPP), Haley Steigerwalt (Jr. L)Outlook - The Indians have a great, hard working group of players this season. The key for Lehighton will to be aggressive on offense. If it can be consistently aggressive on offense then they should be able to qualify for the postseason for a fourth consecutive season.Quotable - "Our goal is to once again qualify for the district playoffs and see what happens from there. Our girl are hard workers, who support one another on and off the court. We want teams to have to work for every point they score against us." - Lehighton head coach T.J. O'Connor.MARIANHead Coach - John "Doc" Falabell (13th season)Assistant coaches - Maria Falabell-Curry, Rachael KrajcirikDistrict 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill League Division 2Last Year's record - 24-1 (lone loss in the PIAA A State Championship)Key Losses - Abby O'Donnell, Emily Pilla, Lauren Nietz, Rachel Myers, Cassandra Hoban, Kailee CiCi.Key Returnees - Abigail Stankiewitch, Maureen Kloap, Courtney McCall, Jasmine Mooney, Danielle Spillman, Abby Pilla.Others to watch - Gianna Agosti, Miranda Antiga.Outlook - The Fillies have been competing and staying with a lot of bigger schools this off-season, which will certainly prepare them for Schuylkill League play. The goals for the Fillies are always the same; Compete for a league, district, and state title. With a strong returning group don't be surprised if Marian went on another run towards a state championship.Quotable - "This is another great group of girls, who have been playing together for quite some time now. I like my team and I think if we sure some things up we can surely go on another run." - Marian head coach John Falabell.NORTHWESTERNHead Coach - Gabby Pergosky (1st season)Assistant coach - Amilee SchillingerDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Colonial LeagueLast Year's Record - 8-9Key Losses - Nicki Generose, Abby Monks, Sarah Malay, and Sarah Overstrom.Key Returnees - Emily Wentz (Sr. L) Claire Rocca (Sr. MH), Stacy Evrett (Jr. S/OH)Others to Watch - Payton Breidinger (Jr.), Mallory Snaders (Jr.)Outlook - The Tigers did lose a lot of talent and experience from last season, so it could take some time for some of the athletes to settle into their new roles. A district playoff berth is still a goal for this team even with the lack of experience.Quotable - "We have hard-working and determined athletes who will give it their all this season. Their hard work in the preseason will show us as coaches what they are capable of this coming season." - Northwestern Lehigh coach Gabby Pergosky.PANTHER VALLEYHead Coach - Nancy Filer (16th season)Assistant coach - Lisa TrubillaDistrict 11 Class - AALeague - Schuylkill League Division 2Last Year's Record - 11-4Key Losses - Macey Markovich, Jessica Wiese, Erin Evans, Emily Dressel, Cara Hoffman.Key Returnees - Jamey Mikovich (Sr.), Kelsey VanHorn (Sr.), Cassidy Ryan (Sr.), Hannah Hill (Sr.), Alex Kennedy (Sr.).Others to Watch - Danielle Hudicka (Jr.), Chloe Markovich (Jr.), Jessica Scotto (Jr.), Christina Dacey (So.), Sydney Clouser (So.).Outlook - The Panthers will be coming into the season with a senior-laden group, which means the coaching staff expects them to play well under pressure and come through in the clutch. The Panthers have been on cusp of making some real noise in the Schuylkill League. With experience returning at most positions this could be the year they take the next step.Quotable - "I like our team chemistry and I like the way we've been playing. I'm excited for our girls to get on the court and beyond excited to see what we can do out there this year." - Panther Valley coach Nancy Filer.WEATHERLYHead Coach - Kristy FioreDistrict 11 Class - ALeague - Schuylkill League Division 4Last Year's Record - 1-18Key Losses - Samantha HartzKey Returnees - Lexy Hartz (Sr. OH), Megan McClintock (Sr. OH), Jackie Gillott (Sr. S), Kim Carter (So. BR)Others to Watch - Samantha Andruzzi (So. OH/MH), Emily Zoscan (Fr. OH)Outlook - The Wreckers have more than doubled their numbers from a year ago, which mean more productive practices and competition throughout the season. Just the numbers alone should help them gain a few extra wins this season.Quotable - "Our girls made it a point to put in some extra work in the offseason. You can really see the improvement from last season. I also expect us to be more productive on the court with with a strong senior bunch leading the way." - Weatherly head coach Kristy Fiore.