Nearly nine months ago, the Palmerton girls basketball team ended its season on the road in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.

Head coach Jeremy Coleman emphasized that the Bombers’ momentum from last season has carried straight through the offseason without losing any steam. The drive and determination that fueled last year’s successful campaign — which included appearances in the Colonial League and District 11 Class 4A playoffs — has remained strong, setting a positive tone for the upcoming season.

“We enter the season aiming to build on the momentum from last year’s strong campaign, even after graduating two key players (Ella Baumgardt and Mikayla Pengelly),” said Coleman, whose Bombers finished as District 4A runners-up last season. “The 2024–25 team finished with an impressive 21–7 record and earned a spot in the 4A District 11 championship game.

“We had a very productive offseason, which included an undefeated (7-0) weekend at the Keystone State Basketball Team Camp, and are really excited for the upcoming season.”

While Baumgardt has advanced her soccer career at Rider University and Pengelly is now playing softball at Chestnut Hill College, the third-year Bombers coach has strong belief in the returning core. Their continued presence on and off the court ensures Palmerton’s strengths remain intact as the program looks ahead to another competitive season.

“With a senior-loaded roster, we bring a wealth of experience to the floor,” Coleman said. “Several seniors — Hailey Barry, Courtney Connell, and Cate Morgan — played major roles a season ago. Meanwhile, others — Alisyn Green, Emma Rex, Leah Rumfield, and Grace Schneider — are ready to step into expanded responsibilities.”

Last season, Barry (9.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game) and Morgan (7.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) anchored the backcourt, while Connell (10.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg) made her presence felt inside. The trio will once again be key pieces after appearing in all 28 games last season.

“Hailey is a great shooter, and we will need her to help handle the basketball this year and play major minutes for us,” Coleman said. “Cate is a good handler of the basketball and excellent at controlling the tempo of the game. She can do anything the team needs. She can score, distribute the ball, rebound and play great defense.

“Courtney is our most dominant inside presence. She is a well-rounded player that can score both inside and outside. She is a strong rebounder and our team leader.”

Green (19 games, 1.11 ppg), Rumfield (19 games, 1.16 ppg) and Schneider (25 games, 1.88 ppg) all return looking to help replace the production of Baumgardt and Pengelly. Rex is eager to return after missing last season due to injury and looks to make up for lost time.

“Alisyn has great potential to make a huge impact for our team this season, as she plays tough defense, rebounds and can score when called upon to do so,” Coleman added. “Leah is a good shooter and has started to develop her ability to drive to the rim. She knows our system and will add productive guard play for our team.

“Grace is a player that has worked hard in the offseason and improved immensely. She plays great defense, rebounds and is a team player. Emma is a phenomenal athlete that will give us a playmaker and gives us some much-needed versatility, as she can shoot, drive, rebound and she plays solid defense.”

Jalynn Herman, who is also returning from an injury that sidelined her last season, along with Taylor Wasilewski, Dublyn Getch and Avery Barry, are all looking to contribute to Palmerton’s continued success.

With a variety of skills available for Coleman to assemble a solid rotation each night, the Bombers are eager to maintain the program’s strong tradition.

“We are now firmly established within this system, and the team is really looking forward to integrating additional offensive concepts and defensive strategies,” Coleman said. “They are highly driven and focused, and are determined to reach their goals and compete at the top of the Colonial League and District 11’s 4A classification.”