JIM THORPE

Head Coach - Bernice Bott (Seventh season)Assistant Coaches - Karen Marhefka, Jamie FedorLeague - Schuylkill League Division 1District 11 Classification - AAALast Year's Record - 0-18 overallKey Losses - Christina Gibson, Janieva Mallory, Lauren RichKey Returnees - Ashley Tillou (Sr., P/1B), Brittany Caufman (Sr., P/1B), Jocoline Mallory (Sr., 3B) Melissa Weber (Sr., C), Sydney Wernett (Sr., 2B/SS), Nicole Murphy (Jr., 2B), Jocelyn DeMarco (So., 1B), Courtney Santos (So., SS), Jasmyn Strohl (So., OF).Others to Watch - Alexis Young (So., OF), Gianna Bucci (Fr., IF/OF), Anna Fiducia (Fr., IF), Alyssa Smith (Fr., C/P).Strengths - This year's team returns many players with varsity experience and its goal is to have a successful season.Weaknesses - The lack of varsity experience in the outfield.Quoteable - "If we execute the fundamentals, and have confidence in our ability we will do fine." - Head coach Bernice Bott.LEHIGHTONHead Coach - Todd Weaver (Third season)Assistant Coaches - Greg Poremba, Larry Koons, Christi CarsagnoLeague - Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 Classification - AALast Year's Record - 6-12 overallKey Losses - Lauren Poremba, Echo BretzKey Returnees - Emily Kollar (Sr. SS), Krista Rehrig (Sr. P), Julianna Evans (Sr. P), Krysten Breiner (Sr. CF), Jena Smith (Sr. C), Brooke Lucykanish (Jr. 2B),Others to Watch - Sam Snyder (Jr. Utility)Strengths - The Lady Indians return the entire lineup so experience is there. According to Weaver, hitting will be a key. As long as they continue to move in the right direction and refine their swings, the offense will be reliable.Weaknesses - Possibility of a slow start could hurt them early on. Many of the girls on the roster play other sports, so until they get into the groove of the softball mentality, they will need to adjust to the sport, build confidence and believe in their ability on the field.Quoteable - "So far, we see a change in mentality overall. Last year, we had 19 girls in the program total, and this year, we have 28. We see a change in the girls' attitudes towards the sport and with a senior-based team, this could be the year. I believe they can compete with the rest of the league and qualify for districts." - Head coach Todd Weaver.MARIANHead Coach - Joe DeAngelo (Third season)Assistant Coaches - Joe Brennan, Mike Brennan, Anthony DeAngeloLeague - Schuylkill League, Division 3District 11 Classification - ALast Year's Record - 16-4 overall (11-2 league)(Schuylkill League Division 3 Champions, lost 6-4 to Williams Valley in District 11 Class A semifinals)Key Losses - Abby Burkhardt (OF), Nina Curran (DH), Katie Donovan (OF), Kayla Knight (P), Alexa Nemeth (P/1B), Ashley Donovan (SS)Key Returnees - Jeanne Cannon (Sr., OF), Shannon Skotek (Sr., 3B), Marissa Webb (Sr., OF), Samantha Faust (Jr., OF), Abbey Hill (Jr., C), Gabby Cann (So., UTL), Gabby Green (So., 2B), Lindsay Nemeth (So., SS)Others to Watch - Ashton Galasso (So., OF), Alexis Makowiec (So., OF), Cheyanne Bray (Fr., OF), Bethany Shaud (Fr., P), Sierra Snyder (Fr., INF), Alex Stroia (Fr., 1B/3B), Lexi Zullo (Fr., OF)Strengths - The Fillies welcome back seven or eight contributing players from last year's division championship team that aims to build on last season's success. Along with boasting a solid defense, the Fillies look to create scoring opportunities by making use of their overall team speed.Weaknesses - With the departure of reigning TIMES NEWS Softball Player of the Year Kayla Knight (P), the Fillies will be working with an untested pitching staff. Additionally, a great deal of offensive production graduated.Quoteable - "Due to the extended girls basketball season and a knee injury to our projected starting pitcher (Bethany Shaud), patience will need to be practiced. We do, however, have a group of hardworking players who are anxiously awaiting the start of the season." - Head coach Joe DeAngelo.NORTHERN LEHIGHHead Coach - Jon DeFrain (First season)Assistant Coaches - Robert Hicks, Missy DeFrain, Nicky Chiriko, Gary Warmkessel, Mark Hoffman, Barry HermanLeague - Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification - AALast Year's Record - 12-9 overall (9-7 league)Key Losses - Erika Bowman, Maggie Lear, Kristi Seiler, Tamara Stubits, Payton MarunichKey Returnees - Allison Beltz (Sr. OF), Megan Filchner (Sr. C), Sarah Frantz (Jr. 1B), Kaelah Horwath (So. P), Amber Kibler (Jr. IF/OF), Cassie Toth (So. IF/OF)Others to Watch - Kelsey Follweiler (So. IF), Jennie Fronheiser (Jr. OF), Chelsea Harlan (So. IF/OF), Kianna Marlatt (Fr. IF), Amber Thomas (Fr. P), Shannon Weil (So. C/IF)Strengths - After losing five girls to graduation, who were four year starters, the others, despite their youth, still retain of plenty of experience. This is a good year for them to step up and prove themselves and they're ready for the challenge. They have had an extremely hard work ethic in the off-season and have been stepping it up and are determined to continue the Northern Lehigh softball tradition.Weaknesses - Some players on the roster having no varsity game experience and trying to find out which position suits each player best could take some time.Quoteable - "Our numbers are down slightly from the past few years and we have two teams who enjoy the game and are excited about the sport. We have a fairly large sophomore class of girls participating so the future looks bright and they will be getting plenty of playing time this season." - Head coach Jon DeFrain.NORTHWESTERNHead Coach - Jen Horner (12th season)Assistant Coaches - Josh Zimmerman, Carey Troxell.League - Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification - AAALast Year's Record - 9-11 overall (9-7 league)Key Losses - Tori Papp, Jess DietrichKey Returnees - Lauren Horner (Sr., SS), Katie Williams (Sr., C), Brooke Heller (Sr., OF), Nicole Metzger (Jr., 3B), Blaise Barron (Jr., 2B), Steph Papp (So., 1B), Lyndsey Papp (So., DH), Morgan Cleary (So., OF), Felicia Heckman (Jr., OF)Others to Watch - Ashley Eden (Jr., P), Emily Bennett (Fr., P), Calie Rehrig (So., C), Kylee Bennett (So., OF), Erynn Day (So., OF)Strengths - The Tigers return several senior leaders, including senior leaders in Heller, Williams and Horner, who was an all league short stop last season. With only two graduating seniors, the Tigers have nearly the entire team back after narrowly missing the playoffs last year.Weaknesses - Pitcher Tori Papp, the team's starter the past two seasons, graduated, leaving a big hole to fill. A few young players are going to try to fill her shoes. In order to reach the playoffs this season, Northwestern will need to be more aggressive at the plate and to make more routine plays in the field.Quoteable - "We are looking to be competitive and go game by game to improve. Making play-offs is our common goal. In our scrimmage we held our ground but still need to improve both offensively and defensively." Head coach Jen Horner.PALMERTONHead Coach - Glen Reimer (Fourth season)Assistant Coaches - Mike Machinski, Kate Boyd, John Herring, Scott LevenduskyLeague - Colonial LeagueDistrict 11 Classification - AALast Year's Record - 7-11 overall (5-11 league)Key Losses - Katie Reimer, Lindsey Heinrich, Alexa Harleman, Amber HettlerKey Returnees - Martina Herring (Sr., P), Michelle Rickert (Sr., CF), Sierra Miller (Sr., 1B), Jenna Ritter (Sr., Utility), Emily Knauss (Sr., Utility)Others to Watch - Steph Buck (Jr., P/OF), Gabby Alban (Jr., 2B), Taylor Hontz (So., 3B)Strengths - The Bombers have an experienced pitcher in Herring, who has also spent the off-season playing two years for the Carpenter Cup. Herring holds most school pitching records already and still has her final season to go yet to build on those milestones. Reimer returns four senior players - Rickert, Miller, Ritter and Knauss - in key positions and also has them hitting in key spots in the line up to offset the youth within the program. Herring, Rickert and Miller are returning All-Colonial League members.Weaknesses - The Bombers welcome in six freshman, who may see some time in the lineup with some of them possibly starting on a regular basis. Although all of them have played travel ball in the off-season, Reimer is concerned with their adaptation to the speed of the high school varsity game.Quoteable - "We have been dealt a successful group of athletes this year. The seniors have been tremendous in leading the younger girls in the right direction. We are very focused and committed to hard work and hoping this results in a good season for us. If we remain focused with the senior talent we have we should be very successful. Of course, we must remain healthy." Head coach Glen Reimer.PANTHER VALLEYHead Coach - Jim Hull (First season)Assistant Coaches - Ray Trevorah, Jill ZwiesdakLeague - Schuylkill League, Division 3District 11 Classification - AALast Year's Record - 2-18 overallKey Losses - Ashtin Walck, Ellen Krajcir, Krista Knepper, Lauren FrantzKey Returnees - Georgianna Butler (Sr., CF), Samantha Kresge (Sr., RF), Amy Yusella (Sr., Utility), Kristyn Gates (Jr., SS), Sam Zlock (Jr., P/3B), Sarah-Mary Tucker (Jr., 1B)Others to Watch - Megan Marouchoc (Fr., 2B), Jessica Weise (Fr., P)Strengths - Hull is working a lot on the defense so far this pre-season. He knows he has some pitching in Zlock and newcomer Weise, but he believes a solid defense will help make things easier for the pitchers. He also has true belief in his Panthers in the box as he stated they are "cracking the bats" pretty good right now. That's showing him that they're pretty good hitters, and he believes that's a bonus seeing them hit the ball pretty well.Weaknesses - The Panthers are very young as they only have three seniors in Butler, Kresge and Yusella. So, 18 of 21 players between jayvee and varsity are underclassmen. Hull feels a move to a lower division with the addition of two new schools will help with the progression of his underclassmen and give them time to grow.Quoteable - "The girls are responding really well. I really think its important to show the girls that you care because if they see you care about them they're going to play for you. I have seen the girls play for me and that's really encouraging for me because they want to work and they're showing me their best - as far as I see. They're coming together as a team and they're showing respect for one another and that's huge. I have been really impressed with the girls and I think the transition has gone really well." Head coach Jim Hull.PLEASANT VALLEYHead Coach - Steve Caffrey (19th season)Assistant Coaches - Dan BeckLeague - Mountain Valley ConferenceDistrict 11 Classification - AAAALast Year's Record - 18-6 overallKey Losses - Kasey Meckes, Felicia Domenici, Alura Bellis, Alison Heckman, Christina Klingel, Megan Hardy, Alexis BeersKey Returnees - Rachel Sisco (Sr., 3B), Nicole Kregeloh (Sr., SS), Diane Klapatch (Sr., 1B/P), Melissa Eck (Sr., 2B), Hayli Marini (Jr., P/OF), Rikki Correll (Jr., P), Jordan Meckes (So., IF/OF)Others to Watch - Kiersten Griesback (Fr., OF), Madison Shaneburger (Fr., C), Mackenzie Caffrey (So., OF), Kelci Jones (So., Util), Tracey Deubler (So., OF), Kelsey Miczak (So., 1B), Katie Lenart (Fr., IF)Strengths - Pleasant Valley's pitching staff should lead the team this year. Between Correll, Marini and Klapatch, the Bears have three formidable pitchers that can keep them in every game this season.Weaknesses - The Bears lost half of their team and all of their outfield from last year, so they will be very inexperienced. They will have to find replacements who will probably take some times to become accustomed to the varsity level.Quoteable - "We would like to compete for the Mountain Valley Conference title as always. Also, we would like to be where we were last year and that was the district finals." Head coach Steve Caffrey.TAMAQUAHead Coach - Jillian Barron (Second season)Assistant Coaches - Abigail Graver, Terry "Nails" KnoblauchLeague - Schuylkill League, Division 1District 11 Classification - Class AALast Year's Record - 9-12 overall, 7-5 league (lost 2-1 to Pen Argyl in District 11 Class AA quarterfinals)Key Losses - Jordan Nowacki, Lauren Mateyak, Allie Sotak, Vanessa Wagner, Amy Zehner, Brittany Oswald, Aleida VanBurenKey Returnees - Cheyanne Bates (Sr., 3B), Emily Zancofsky (Sr., C), Brianna Boyle (Sr., 2B), Ashley VanBuren (Sr., OF), Krissy Bates - (Jr., 1B), Angelica Heisler - (Jr., OF)Others To Watch - April Donnon (Jr., 1B), Jessica Snisky (Jr., P), Alexis Boyer (So., INF), Avery Banavage (So., OF), Nasya Sullivan (So., OF), Lily Rucker (So., 3B), Shayna Dietrich (Fr., P), Carly Sassaman (Fr., SS), Brianna Wittig (Fr., INF/OF)Strength - A positive attitude and strong work ethic are necessities in what is sure to be a rebuilding year.Weakness - The Lady Raiders are very young this year and have a lot of youth playing in key positions. In a year of transition, there will be new pitchers along with new outfielders and a whole lot of unanswered questions. Tamaqua only has two returning varsity players playing in the positions they played last year (Zancofsky and Boyle). There are also two other returnees, but they are learning new positions due to graduation and injuries that have occurred this past fall season.Quotable - "We are going to try to keep this season going in a positive progression one day at a time. Due to our youth and inexperience, we'll probably start out slow and have some growing pains along the way. However, with practice and hard work, we hope to improve ourselves enough so that we can finish strong towards the end of the year." Head coach Jillian BarronWeatherlyHead Coach - Margaret Brown (34th season)Assistant Coaches - Lori DeMoor, Diane PolchinLast Year's Records - (Overall 9-9; League 4-8)District 11 Classification - AKey Losses - Kristin Parker, Taylor Shortway, Rachel HeisterKey Returnees - Tiana Genetti (RF), Tracy Galada (3B), Sarah Dolinsky (CF), Jaime Dougherty (2B), Sara Heister (SS) Erin Dougherty (C) Devon Bizarre (LF) Jessica Adamczyk, Dominique Adamczyk.Others to Watch - Jessica Polchin (P) Kelly Parker (P) Jessica Maiello (C).Strengths - The Wreckers return experience in most areas which should result in good chemistry and working together. They have a good amount of talent that can hopefully turn into wins for the Wreckers.Weaknesses - The loss of three seniors including a four year starting pitcher could hurt. Weatherly has two freshmen pitchers that they must provide run support for.Quotable - "This team is great to work with and the new players will be contributing more and more as the season goes on. This is the first time our Junior high program has provided players with 2 years experience." Head coach Margaret Brown