YAIAA Division II basketball preview 2023-24: A team-by-team breakdown

Basketball season is back.

The 2023-24 YAIAA basketball season tips off this Friday, and most teams start play next week. Here's a look at every team in YAIAA Division II.

YAIAA Division I: The inside scoop on every boys' and girls' basketball team

YAIAA Division III: Breakdown each boys' and girls' basketball team ahead of the season

Boys' basketball

Dover

2022-23 season: 1-21 (0-12 in divisional play), seventh in YAIAA Division II

Key returnees: Thomas Smyser (5-11, G, sr.)

Key losses: Jackson Slater, Isaiah White

Coach: Dan Overmiller (first year)

The breakdown: The Eagles are building from the ground up. Dover is coming off four straight losing seasons and won just a single game last year, but have a new coach with Dan Overmiller taking over for Joe Falci. The Eagles will have a lot of new faces this season, but that's not a bad thing for Overmiller. "I want it to be an open competition because that will bring the best out of the kids," he said. "I don't want a sense of entitlement. From what I've seen at open gyms they realize nothing will be given to them."

A 1997 Dallastown grad and teacher in the Red Lion School District, Overmiller has a lot of history with York County basketball. He played for current Wildcats girls' coach Jay Rexroth, spent time as the head coach at Kennard-Dale in the mid 2000s and was recently the freshman and JV boys' coach at Central York under Kevin Schieler and Jeff Hoke. He said the Eagles want to score in transition but their biggest focus this season will be a pressing defense after they gave up a Division II-worst 63 points per game last year.

Senior wing Bronson Link and senior guard Ian Ifill pointed to junior Nathan Cooper as one of the team's best emerging shooters. Freshman Sincere Burgos could also get playing time. "No one around the league cares that we might not have a lot of returning starters," Overmiller said. "We're going to respect everybody, but we won't back down from anybody. We're everybody's perceived punching bag, but we're going to turn some heads."

Eastern York

2022-23: 20-9 (9-3 in divisional play), second in YAIAA Division II, reached YAIAA semifinals, District 3 quarterfinals and PIAA Class 4A quarterfinals

Key returnees: Carter Wamsley (6-6, F, jr.); Brady Seitz (5-10, G, jr.); Simon Lipsius (6-1, G, sr.)

Key losses: Austin Bausman (6-4, F, sr.); Jack Weaver (5-11, G, sr.);

Coach: Troy Sowers (first season)

The breakdown: On paper it seemed like a perfect fit. Legendary head coach takes over team with NCAA Division I recruit and win-now expectations. But Troy Sowers will admit that his first offseason with Eastern York presented some growing pains. "I would leave summer league like ... ," Sowers said while letting out a long sigh. "And my cousin (assistant) Eric (Sowers) told me: 'We're going to look back on this in February and laugh.' Because there were some bumps. I was calling kids the wrong names. But we were just starting out."

Eastern York was the final YAIAA boys' hoops team standing last season after two state playoff wins and a hard-fought loss to Allentown Central Catholic in the PIAA Elite Eight. But the season wasn't as smooth as the Knights expected. Eastern was the clear favorite for the Division II title but was upset by West York down the stretch and lost its first district game to Octorara in overtime. The Knights haven't lowered their expectations this season after last year's strong finish. "Hang up banners and cut down nets," junior Carter Wamsley said when asked the team's goals. The 6-foot-6 Wamsley is the biggest (literally and figuratively) key to Eastern's success but was also a source of Sowers' early frustration. Wamsley formed an incredible 1-2 punch with senior Austin Bausman last season but is now the Knights clear offensive focal point. While he averaged 15.8 points and 10 rebounds last season, Wamsley can be more of a pass-first player (3.6 assists per game). Former coach Justin Seitz used to implore the Mid Major recruit to play "selfishly," and Sowers has taken a similar approach. "We're on the same page right now and we weren't early on," Sowers said. "I want him to realize he's the biggest, strongest, most beast-like player every time he's on the floor. I tell him not to be pass-first. We need him to be score first. How many times have I told you that since I met you?" the coach asked. "More than I can count," Wamsley responded.

But this isn't a one-man team. Simon Lipsius (9.3 points per game, 54 3-pointers) is one of the league's best shooters and Brady Seitz started at point guard as a sophomore. Seitz will be asked to score more (5.4 points per game) in his first season not playing for his father. Sowers compared the junior's crafty style to that of James Harden. Seniors Carter Foote-Renwick (6-foot-2) and Levi Ayala (6-foot-2) and sophomore Bryce Nicholson (6-foot-4) give the Knights plenty of additional size. Sowers is hoping junior guard Aavant King, who played varsity as a freshman, can return strong after missing last season with a knee injury and dealing with a broken wrist and appendicitis this season. Sowers said this team will play up-tempo like all the squads he coached at York High and Spring Grove throughout his career. "I don't really know anything else," he said. "I don't want to pass 20 times before we shoot. I don't want to micromanage them. I want them to be hard-nosed and go."

Kennard-Dale

2022-23: 13-12 overall, 6-6 in Division II, fourth; advanced to District 3 quarterfinals

Key returners: Levi Sharnetzka (5-9, G, sr.), Dylan Logue (5-9, G, jr.)

Key losses: Koy Swanson, Zach Orwig, Garrett McCleary, Brock Morris

Coach: Andrew Stiffler (third season)

The breakdown: Senior point guard Levi Sharnetzka believes the Rams learned something in a District 3 Class 4A quarterfinal loss to Berks Catholic last year. “Seeing that type of talent and playing against them gives us some confidence,” the first-team all-star said. In order for that confidence to translate into success on the court, coach Andrew Stiffler said his newcomers will have to step up in a hurry. “We lost four starters, and 6-2 is our tallest returning player,” Stiffler said. “Man defense is what we put most of our work into and we held our own in the summer league.”

Junior guard Dylan Logue picked up valuable varsity minutes last season despite nursing some injuries. Stiffler is eager to see what Sharnetzka and Logue produce as the season goes on. “Our guard play is going to be very good,” Stiffler said. “We lost a lot of scoring, so we need some guys to step up on offense.” Sharnetzka was one of three Rams to average nearly a dozen points per game last season, but the other two graduated. In addition to Logue, the Rams will be looking to seniors Connor Wolf, Bud Huber and Braiden Hull and juniors Ryan Perzanowski, Landen Miller, Noah Mills and Ryan Schwab to pick up the scoring slack.

New Oxford

2022-23 season: 9-13 (4-8 in divisional play), tied for fifth in YAIAA Division II

Key returnees: Brennan Holmes (6-1, F, sr.); Idriz Ahmetovic (6-1, G, sr.); Holden Crabbs (6-4, F, sr.); Brody Holmes (6-3, F, so.); Brayden Billman (6-1, G, so.); Jake Lawrence (6-2, F, sr.)

Key losses: Nicolas Calvo-Peres

Coach: Nate Myers (fifth season)

The breakdown: This group of Colonials seniors was in eighth grade when Nate Myers took over as head coach. They sat in the stands in the winter of 2020 as New Oxford reached the PIAA Elite Eight before COVID canceled the season. They still speak about the stars of those teams, current college football players Abdul Janneh and Brayden Long, with awe in their voices. Now they want to go on a run of their own after three straight losing seasons. "You remember those things," senior Ryan Carver said. "We want to leave that for the younger guys."

It won't be easy to move up in what projects to be a very deep YAIAA Division II, but the Colonials have the depth, experience and athleticism to contend. They bring back six players who got starts last season and have 10 seniors on the roster. That includes another pair of future college football players, wide receiver Brennan Holmes and quarterback Idriz Ahmetovic, who led the team in scoring last season. A high-flying wing, Holmes averaged 12.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last year. Ahmetovic averaged 12.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and made 30 3-pointers. He has a combination of strength and smarts to play every position on the floor. "This is the first time in my five years that we have this much game experience returning," Myers said. "Hopefully that leads to a little more success."

New Oxford prided itself on playing up-tempo last season and had the division's second-best offense (55 points per game). It also had the division's second-worst defense (57 points allowed per game). Colonials players said they struggled to communicate on the defensive end last year and didn't play well on the road. They also made the second-fewest 3-pointers (91) in Division II, but they seem to have a balanced lineup. Carver and Brayden Billman have experience playing point guard. There are at least five players 6-foot-3 or taller on the roster. The Colonials just need the pieces to jell. "This is a fun group to be around," Myers said. "I don't want them to leave until they get everything they need to get out of this season."

Susquehannock

2022-23: 17-7 (8-4 in divisional play), third in YAIAA Division II, reached YAIAA quarterfinals and District 3 Class 5A first round

Key returnees: Andy Jamison (6-3, F, sr.); Cooper Sistrunk (6-2, G, sr.); Brooks McKnight (5-8, G, jr.)

Key losses: Josh Franklin, Chase Robert, Abass Ndiaye, Mufeed Aroworowon

Coach: Seth Leonard (second season)

The breakdown: The Warriors enter this season in a similar position to last year — trying to reload after graduating a star player named Franklin. The difference? There's not a third Franklin brother ready to emerge this season. After the program's leading scorer, Jalen Franklin, graduated in 2022, his younger brother, Josh, broke out as one of the YAIAA's best all-around players last season. Susquehannock started the season with an upset win over Littlestown and were a tough out all season until a District 3 playoff loss to Hershey. The standard won't change this season under coach Seth Leonard, but the Warriors will likely look a little different without a true star player.

"Susquehannock was very fortunate with the Franklin brothers," Leonard said. "You don't replace players and skillsets like that. Josh leaves some things with us in terms of mentality and communication that other guys will step up in that role, but you don't see too many guys with that talent."

The Warriors used a number of different starters last season so there are plenty of players with varsity experience even if most of them weren't relied on as scorers. Leonard said there won't be a true leading scorer but players like Cooper Sistrunk and Brooks McKnight can shoot from the outside. The Warriors were a solid 3-point shooting team last season (109 3-pointers, fourth in the division) but could make it a bigger part of their arsenal this season. "I don't like to label us but we can shoot down in Glen Rock," Leonard said. "The Susky boys can really stroke that thing." The Warriors had the second-best defense in the division (49 points per game) and that will continue to be an emphasis. Susquehannock has three players (Donavin Jordan-Brown, Manny Cartengena, Silas Leonard) either 6-foot-4 or 6-foot-5, so there's plenty of size.

Susquehannock lost to Central York, 70-52, in the YAIAA playoffs last season but the Warriors said they learned a lot from a game that was close in the first half. "One of our goals is to win championships, and we're going to have to see those teams in the playoffs," Leonard said. "We were right there early, and we strategized well, we just didn't capitalize well. Our goal is to run into a team like Central or York High or Dallastown."

West York

2022-23 season: 17-8 (11-1 in divisional play), first in YAIAA Division II, reached YAIAA semifinals and District 3 Class 5A first round

Key returnees: Jake Knisley (6-3, C, sr.); Mark Walker (5-10, G, sr.); Grady Hoffman (6-1, F, jr.); Luke Hoffman (6-1, G, jr.)

Key losses: Braedyn Detz, David McGladrie, Jovan DeShields

Coach: Garrett Bull (eighth season)

The breakdown: Doubt this team at your own risk. Yes, the Bulldogs graduated their top three scorers from a year ago. However, they were in a similar situation a year ago and improved throughout the season on their way to a second straight division title. Can they do the same this year? They'll certainly be sticking to the same formula. "We don't change how we play," head coach Garrett Bull said. "Share the ball, work for good shots on offense, guard your man on defense. That's the philosophy."

West York certainly won with great defense and methodical offense last year, finishing just fourth in the division in points scored (53 per game) but first in points allowed (44 per game). Bull joked that he's "cool" with the Bulldogs deciding to average 70 points on offense if they want. Still, West York seems to have the pieces to defend and rebound at a high level. Seniors Jake Rill (6-foot-5) and Jake Knisley (6-foot-3) give the Bulldogs good height, and Bull said there will only be two players in their rotation shorter than 6-foot. One of those is senior point guard Mark Walker, whose return from a knee injury that sidelined him all of last season might be the biggest key to West York's success this year. As a sophomore, Walker was a dynamic sixth man for a Bulldogs squad that won the YAIAA title. He has the talent to be one of the best players in the league this season if healthy.

"Mark and I both thought he'd come back, and it'd be normal with his explosion. And it wasn't most of the summer," Bull said. "But every time he plays he gets better, and this fall he looked really good. I don't want to put pressure on him, but we want him to get back to being who he was in the past, a special player. You can't teach some of the stuff Mark can do."

Twin brothers Luke and Grady Hoffman will be counted on for some scoring along with sophomore guard Jayden Kohler. There are a number of talented teams that could dethrone the Bulldogs as division champs, but that was the case last season, too. The Bulldogs also upset Dallastown in the YAIAA quarterfinals (35-29) and hung with York High in a four-point loss before losing to Muhlenberg by seven in the first round of districts. "Some years you feel like you ended too early and others you feel like you maximized your potential. I think that was the ceiling for that team last year and the seniors gave me everything they had," Bull said. "This is a totally new group with even less varsity experience. You just try to get better each night."

York Suburban

2022-23 season: 7-15 (4-8 in divisional play), tied for fifth in YAIAA Division II

Key returnees: Kai Stryhn (6-3, F, jr.); C.J. Rissmiller (5-10, G, so.); Kane Stryhn (5-11, G, so.); Luke Andricos (6-5, F, sr.)

Key losses: Steven Agapis

Coach: Mitch Kemp (fourth season)

The breakdown: The Trojans had nothing to lose last year. They knew it would be a rebuilding season with just one (young) returning starter back from a team that went 8-13. It was easy to celebrate little victories — like a one-point win over Susquehannock or a three-point loss to a loaded Eastern York team. This season will be different. Expectations are much higher with four returning starters back and one of the area's most promising freshmen now in high school.

"Sometimes you've gotta take one step back to take two steps forward," coach Mitch Kemp said. "Obviously it wasn't the most fun losing but we gained valuable experience and that will benefit us. The last two years taught me patience with some stuff I might've stressed about in the past." The Trojans hope this season can be the start of a long run with three of their returning starters either sophomores or juniors. The headliner is three-year starting wing Kai Stryhn, who was named a first-team YAIAA Division II all-star after averaging 13.1 points and making more than 40 3-pointers as a sophomore. The oldest of four basketball brothers, Stryhn is joined in the starting lineup by his younger brother, Kane. "If people want to focus on me, that's fine," Kai said. "I've got great teammates. I've got weapons I can find."

Sophomore C.J. Rissmiller is coming off an excellent football season and will slide to shooting guard after playing the point as a freshman. That will make room for freshman point guard Nasir Barnes, who Kemp said is "someone who can change a program." Kemp said Barnes is comparable and potentially better than Savon Sutton, who played for York Suburban as a freshman in 2019-20 before transferring to a charter school in South Carolina. The Trojans were just fifth in the division in 3-pointers (103) and sixth in offense (45 points per game) last season, but Kemp expects that to change this year. "I'm saying this humbly, I think we have the best shooting team in the county," Kemp said. "Last year we tried to slow it down and work the clock a little. This year we're gonna get out and run and space the floor." Kemp said the Trojans might play five-guard lineups at times, but their biggest challenge will be playing physically when needed. 6-foot-5 baseball standout Luke Andricos will help in that regard. "I believe in us," Kemp said. "I think we have the pieces to do something special."

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Girls' basketball

Dover

2022-23: 4-18 (0-12 in divisional play), seventh in YAIAA Division II

Key returners: Mackenzie Gamber (5-5, G, sr.); Savannah Williar (5-9, C, sr.), Ava Cataldi (5-5, G, so.)

Key losses: Kailee Matthews, Hannah Hayes

Coach: Cory Matthews (second season)

The breakdown: “We were in a lot of games last year, fought with a lot of teams,” coach Cory Matthews said. “But we would have a bad quarter. We hope to improve on that this year.” Matthews will depend on returning guards Ava Cataldi and Makenzie Gamber, as well as center Savannah Williar to lead the team. Gamber averaged just under a dozen points per game and was named a division second-team all-star.

“I had a really good AAU season. I hope to take what I learned from that and help the team more than last year,” said Gamber, who has a shot at reaching 1,000 career points this season. Playing in a division where the top teams return the bulk of their players will be a challenge for the Eagles. But they feel ready for the test. Matthews said he will rely on his returning players to provide leadership to a group that will also include newcomers Brinley Snyder (G, so.), Natalie Harris (5-10, C, jr.), Melanie Thoman (5-7, F, so.), Taylor Steininger (G, sr.) and Nena Menard (G, sr.).

Eastern York

2022-23: 17-10 (9-3 in divisional play), second in YAIAA Division II, advanced to District 3 Class 4A semifinals, qualified for PIAA tournament

Key returners: Arianna Seitz (6-0, G, sr.); Alaina Neal (5-6, G, jr.); Molly Townsley (5-11, F, sr.)

Key losses: Kendall Felix

Coach: Jason Seitz (third season)

The breakdown: It’s hard to feel sorry for a coach who returns the division’s Player of the Year, but Jason Seitz said the Golden Knights lost a lot when Kendall Felix graduated. Even with his daughter, Arianna, back for her senior season. “Losing Kendall is irreplaceable,” he said. “She’ll be missed in rebounding and around the rim. She provided a lot of rim protection.”

The Knights will depend on 6-0 Arianna Seitz and 5-11 Molly Townsley to handle the duties around the hoop and prevent opponents from getting second or third chances at the bucket. Arianna, who signed to play at Clarion University, was third in the league in scoring with just under 20 points per game. She is 107 points from hitting 1,000 for her career. "I feel good about our team this year,” Arianna said. “We are more guard heavy and have more shooters.” Her coach agrees, saying this is the best shooting team he’s had. In addition to Arianna and Townsley, Eastern expects to get points from junior point guard Alaina Neal and freshman Ava Light.

Kennard-Dale

2022-23: 9-13 (2-10 in divisional play), sixth in YAIAA Division II

Key returners: Hannah Carl (G, sr.); Lizzie Price (jr.); Ella Dunbar (so.); Kylie Pietrowski (so.); Evelynn D’Arrigo (so.); Lily Jacka (so.)

Key losses: Bella Huber, Jenna Morris, Amaya Jones

Coach: Aaron Eaton (sixth season)

The breakdown: It's a little good news/bad news for the Rams. Guard Hannah Carl is the only senior among the six players coach Aaron Eaton returns. Leading scorers Lizzie Price (8.3 ppg) and Kylie Pietrowski (6.7 ppg) are also back. The problem is they return from a team that won two games in the division, and the teams ahead of the Rams in the standings return the bulk of their starters. “It can be tough and a little frustrating at times,” Carl said playing in such a tough division. “We have to stay more on the positive and keep our heads up.”

Eaton believes his program is headed in the right direction. While experience is a problem for the short term with just one senior and one junior, he knows the future is bright. “We are the underdog right now,” he said. “We don’t want to always be in that role, but we have to play that way.” The Rams intend to play faster than they have in the past. And Eaton said they have more height than recent years, with three girls 5-10 or taller. KD is realistic in their goals, shooting for four or five division wins this season and 13 or 14 overall. “Playing in the postseason is a goal,” Carl said.

Northeastern

2022-23: 17-7 (10-2 in divisional play), champion, qualified for District 3 Class 6A tournament

Key returners: Mikayla Coleman (G, sr.); Colleen Finnegan (F, sr.); Nylah Davis (G, jr.); Lauralye Kennedy (G, jr.); Paige Reichard (G, sr.)

Key losses: Aleyah Starkes

Coach: Moe Coleman (second season)

The breakdown: The returning Bobcats are aware they won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year. And they are OK with that. Winning the Division II title, but faltering in the postseason left the team with a lot of unfinished business. “That pushes us to move farther than last year,” said senior Mikayla Coleman, a second-team all-star. “It’s our last year playing together and we have to cherish that.”

In addition to Coleman, the Bobcats return all-stars Lauralye Kennedy (first team), Nylah Davis (second team) and Colleen Finnegan (honorable mention). That group, along with Paige Reichard, have played together since middle school. And while the team might have a lot to prove, Finnegan has even more. The senior forward suffered a leg injury at the end of the regular season and was forced to watch the postseason fizzle. “I was very angry to sit on the bench and see people giving up,” she said. “When the season ended, I felt there was so much more than we could have done. I could have been doing more while I was injured, but I didn’t.” She said that changed who she is as a leader and encourages her to reach out and support her teammates more than she did.

Kennedy said losing in the first round of districts makes the team hungry. But last year’s league success has put an extra-large target on their backs. “The challenge is that no one is underestimating us this year,” she said. And speaking of challenge, the Bobcats are using that as inspiration this year. “Our motto was ‘Why not us?’ last year,” Moe Coleman said. “This year it’s ‘Challenge creates change.’”

Susquehannock

2022-23: 13-11 (5-7 in divisional play), fifth in YAIAA Division II, advanced to District 3 Class 5A quarterfinals, qualified for PIAA tournament

Key returners: Annie Laubach (5-5, G, jr.); Elena Snyder (G, so.); Georgie Snyder (G, sr.)

Key losses: McKenzie Galbreath, Evelyn Weldon, Dylan Elliott

Coach: Alex Fancher (third season)

The breakdown: Coach Alex Fancher returns the top two scorers from the team that advanced to the District 3 Class 5A quarterfinals. Sophomore Elena Snyder and junior Annie Laubach, both guards, combined for approximately 16 points per game last year. Senior guard Georgie Snyder also started last year and returns. But the rest of the starting five graduated, leaving Fancher with a younger, smaller version of itself.

“Last year, we played 22 games going into districts, and we were down at the end of the first quarter in 18 of them,” he said. “And we didn’t outrebound a single team. But we led the league in threes. Hopefully we will be more well-rounded this year.”

Laubach, a Division II honorable mention all-star, said that with so many guards, size is a concern. But they counter that lack of size with quickness and an ability to work together. Georgie Snyder hopes the program continues to build on reaching districts last year. “We just got better, year by year,” she said. “Hopefully that continues. I don’t think anyone anticipated that we were going to do what we did.”

West York

2022-23: 13-14 (8-4 in divisional play), tied for third in YAIAA Division II, reached District 3 Class 5A quarterfinals and PIAA first round

Key returners: Faith Walker (6-1, F, sr.); Reagan Doll (5-6, G, jr.)

Key losses: Rylee Cessna, Landyn Angell

Coach: Jason Getz (second season)

The breakdown: The key for West York this season is consistency. The Bulldogs played longer than most teams last season with a second straight trip to the state playoffs. They earned a statement win over a very good Eastern York team. But they also missed out on the league tournament and only won a single district playoff game before ending the season with four consecutive losses. But even with only two returning starters, there's enough talent and experience that the Bulldogs should have high expectations again this winter.

"We had some players last season who took time off and came back. It took them time to get their feet wet," coach Jason Getz said. "This year's squad played all summer long. Now we're ready and piecing things together." The Bulldogs finished fifth in the division in 3-pointers (83) last season and were middle of the pack both offensively (fourth, 43 points per game) and defensively (sixth, 44 points allowed per game). But Getz said the Bulldogs have the pieces to play faster and a "little more of an exciting game of basketball."

West York's centerpiece is still senior forward Faith Walker, who recently committed to Duquesne after getting 16 Division I offers. Walker averaged nearly 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists last season, but her goal will be to be more assertive offensively with a skillset that few players in the league can match. Junior point guard Reagan Doll (13.5 points per game) plans to have a similar mindset in her third season as a starter. "I went from looking up to the upperclassmen to being the person people look up to now," Doll said. "I need to take thing things that others used to help me to help others." Sophomore Lily Weaver and senior Kayla Laird are two players who will have bigger roles this season. The Bulldogs started slow last season with early losses to powerhouses Delone Catholic, Berks Catholic and Cedar Cliff, but Getz hopes to start better against a new but still challenging slate (Carlisle, Lower Dauphin, Ephrata). Still, the Bulldogs know YAIAA Division II will be deep and challenging like always. "We didn't have consistency at the beginning of the season," Getz said. "I think after the summer we know who we can rely on and that makes us a little bit better."

York Suburban

2022-23: 14-8 (8-4 in divisional play), tied for third in YAIAA Division II, District 3 Class 5A runner-up, qualified for PIAA tournament

Key returners: Janay Rissmiller (5-6, G, sr.), Lydia Powers (5-6, G, jr.), Amaya Miller (5-7, G/F, sr.), Paige Garner (6-0, F, jr.)

Key losses: Alyssa Dougherty, Sanaa Doweary

Coach: Jess Weaver (12th season)

The breakdown: Jess Weaver has plenty of strong individual pieces back from last year’s District 3 Class 5A runner-up squad. What she doesn’t have is the glue that held them all together. “We played that [district final] for her,” senior Janay Rissmiller said of Alyssa Dougherty. Dougherty broke her arm in the district semifinal, but was on the bench for the final. “She was a double-double kid,” Weaver said of Dougherty. “A great defender with a great basketball IQ. I hope the others learned from her.”

With a pair of first-team all-stars in guards Rissmiller and junior Lydia Powers, the Trojans return nearly 25 ppg and tons of experience. Weaver expects both to elevate their games as the Trojans focus on defense and a more athletic offense. They have size in juniors Paige Garner (6-0) and Sofia Redman (5-11). And Weaver said freshmen Jordyn Williams (5-6), Amaya Pope (5-8) and Julia Gerber (5-7) will get varsity minutes. “Janay and I have improved, and are ready to take on a leadership role,” Powers said. “We are ready to teach the freshmen our ways and help them improve the best we can. We are all still family at the end of the day.” The Trojans will need every bit of depth to make it through what Weaver calls the gauntlet that is Division II. “Every team returns top players,” she said. “The margin of error is slim to none.”

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: YAIAA Division II basketball preview 2023-24: A team-by-team breakdown