YAIAA Division III 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 III.

Girls' basketball

Bermudian Springs

2022-23: 12-11 (8-4 in divisional play), third in YAIAA Division III, qualified for District 3 Class 4A tournament

Key returners: Tori Bross (G, jr.); Ella Benzel (G, sr.); Lucy Peters (5-10, C, jr.); Hannah Metzger (G, sr.)

Key losses: Amelia Peters

Coach: Todd Askins (sixth season)

The breakdown: The Eagles had a taste of the district tournament last year, and are looking for more this year. To get there, coach Todd Askins knew his team has to improve their defense, which was near the bottom last year. That was the goal for the offseason. “We want better man defense with better concepts and we want to be more physical,” he said. Berm will rely on that improved defense to try and keep teams away from the hoop, where Lucy Peters will roam as the tallest Eagle at 5-10. “We are a little shorter this year, so we are focused on being better defenders,” Askins said. The Eagles will benefit from the return of senior guard Ella Benzel, who tore her ACL early in the season and is fully recovered from surgery. Juniors Peters and guard Tori Bross led the Eagles in scoring last year with approximately 12 points each per game. Bross, who knocked down more than 30 3-pointers, was a first-team division all-star and Peters was named to the second team. Senior Hannah Metzger will handle the point guard duties and Askins expects to get a lift from senior guard Kierra Shaffer. As for the division, Askins expects his team to challenge for the title, but knows Delone and York Catholic are the favorites.

Biglerville

2022-23: 9-13 (5-7 in divisional play), fifth in YAIAA Division III

Key returners: Claire Roberts (C, jr.); Kierney Weigle (G/F, jr.); Rylie Brewer (G, jr.); Ava Peterson (F/G, jr.)

Key losses: Brylee Rodgers, Emily Woolson

Coach: Nolan Peterson (third season)

The breakdown: At first blush, it looks like Nolan Peterson brings back a strong core from last year’s squad. Yes, the Canners return more than they lost in terms of bodies, but not in terms of production. Brylee Rodgers and Emily Woolson were the top two scorers on last year’s team, averaging more than 23 points per game combined. They were the team’s only division all-stars. Junior Claire Roberts is the top returning scorer at just under nine points per game and junior Kierney Weigle isn’t far behind at six points per game. Junior Ava Peterson leads the returning sharpshooters with 15 3-pointers last season. Nolan Peterson will get a chance to see how his team looks when they open the season against James Buchanan, a District 3 Class 4A qualifier a year ago.

Delone Catholic

2022-23: 25-4 (12-0 in divisional play), first place in YAIAA Division III, District 3 Class 4A runner-up, advanced to PIAA second round

Key returners: Brielle Baughman (5-8, G, sr.); Ella Hughes (6-2, F, sr.); Kaitlyn Schwarz (5-10, F, sr.); Megan Jacoby (G, jr.); Reece Meckley (6-0, F, so.)

Key losses: Fina Mochi

Coach: Gerry Eckenrode (25th season)

The breakdown: Last year coach Gerry Eckenrode was expecting to rebuild. The Squirettes entered the season with five new starters, including a sophomore point guard. That guard, Megan Jacoby, was named the division’s Player of the Year after averaging more than a dozen points per game and leading Delone to the division title, the District 3 Class 4A final and the PIAA tournament. Some rebuilding year. This year the talk isn’t about rebuilding. This year, with all but one player returning, other division coaches are putting the target squarely on the Squirettes’ backs. They are all picking Delone to win the division. It’s a position they are used to. They haven’t lost a division game since splitting the series and title with York Catholic in the 2017-18 season. Last year’s team outscored the opposition by more than 20 points per game behind the shooting of Jacoby, Brielle Baughman (10 ppg), Kaitlin Schwarz (9 ppg) and Reece Meckley (9 ppg). Senior Ella Hughes (6-2) and sophomore Meckley (6-0) provide the low-post height.

Fairfield

2022-23: 9-13 (1-11 in divisional play), tied for sixth in YAIAA Division III, qualified for District 3 Class 2A tournament

Key returners: Breana Valentine (5-8, G, sr.); Cadence Holmberg (5-3, G, jr.); Hannah Myers (5-4, G, jr.); Madeline Fulgham (5-6, F, sr.); Catherine Aker (5-10, C, sr.)

Coach: Jared Donmoyer (first season)

The breakdown: Fairfield will try to return to the district tournament with plenty of support for first-year coach Jared Donmoyer, who was an assistant last year. Leading the way is senior guard Breana Valentine, a University of Mary Washington recruit who led the team in scoring at nearly 16 ppg and was a second-team division all-star. Junior guard Hannah Myers added six ppg and Cadence Holmberg five for the Knights last year. Catherine Aker (5-10) provides the height for Fairfield, but will get backing from junior Karina Miller and sophomore Olivia Sanders, both 5-8. Senior forward Madeline Fulgham rounds out the returning starters, and the Knights also return junior Sophia Klinedinst. Donmoyer knows his team faces tough competition in their division with heavyweights Delone Catholic and York Catholic bringing nearly everyone back.

Hanover

2022-23: 8-14 (5-7 in divisional play), tied for fourth in YAIAA Division III

Key returners: Peyton Conover (5-0, G, sr.), Alanys Perez-Beltran (5-5, G, sr.), Riley Stigler (5-9, G, jr.)

Key losses: Reagan Wildasin, Lola Garman

Coach: Zac Carrick (first season)

The breakdown: Zac Carrick might be in his first season coaching the Nighthawks, but he’s not new to the position. He has coached a variety of ages in football and basketball, so he understands the process. He spent the offseason working with the players so they understand their roles and purpose. “We are getting back to basics,” Carrick said. “We don’t have set positions, so we are explaining not just how to do drills, but why we are doing them. We want them to feel like they are involved.” Carrick said height is going to be a problem, with first-team all-star Riley Stigler and freshman Leah Wildasin topping out at 5-9 and 5-10, respectively. Stigler is a threat to score from anywhere on the court. She averaged nearly 12 ppg and was second in the league with 49 3-pointers. Her seven made 3s in a game is a school record. The Nighthawks expect to get offense from seniors Peyton Conover and Alanys Perez-Beltran and newcomer Iris Diaz. “We are having more fun, and that brings out talent we haven’t seen in a while,” Conover said. “It’s great knowing we got better, and hopefully can do better against the top teams this year.”

Littlestown

2022-23: 2-20 (1-11 in divisional play), tied for sixth in YAIAA Division III

Key returners: Hailey Shelly (F, sr.)

Key losses: Celi Portillo, Hannah Cherry

Coach: Larry Colbert (second season)

The breakdown: The breakdown: It’s going to be tough for the Bolts to make up ground in a division where the teams above them each return a significant number of starters, and they lost their top players. Celi Portillo was the team’s leading scorer and only all-star. Senior forward Hailey Shelly is the top returning player. She averaged just over six points per game. Participation was an issue last year, when the program had just nine players and didn’t field a JV team. Their wins didn’t come on the court, but their perseverance paid off when the team won the Gretchen Wolf Swartz Sportsmanship Award.

York Catholic

2022-23: 17-9 (10-2 in divisional play), second in YAIAA Division III, advanced to District 3 Class 3A semifinals, qualified for PIAA tournament

Key returners: Meredith Smith (5-10, F, sr.); Paige O’Brien (5-6, G/F, sr.); Mariah Shue (5-5, G, jr.); Amanda Reed (5-10, C, sr.); Katie Bullen (5-7, G, sr.).

Coach: Kevin Bankos (18th season)

The breakdown: Don’t be surprised if this year’s Irish squad looks a lot like last year’s team. Coach Kevin Bankos has his entire team back, which includes division all-stars junior Mariah Shue (first team) and seniors Pagie O’Brien (second team), Katie Bullen (honorable mention) and Meredith Smith (honorable mention). Shue led the team in scoring with 11 points per game and Smith, at Mary Washington recruit, wasn’t far behind with nearly 10 ppg. Every returning starter scored at least five ppg for a team that averaged 55 points an outing. O’Brien, who will play basketball at Alvernia University next year, was the team’s sharpshooter with nearly 30 3-pointers. As promising as the Irish look, Bankos expects rival Delone Catholic to be the team to beat in the division. They “return all starters” he said of the Squirettes, who reached the District 3 Class 4A final and second round of the PIAA tournament.

York County Tech

2022-23: 10-12 as an independent

Key returners: Le’Icessess Harrison (G, so.); Anna Foster (5-5, G/F, jr.); Brooke Foster (5-5, G/F, jr.); Olivia Macklin (5-9, G, jr.)

Key losses: Rhlyn Rouse, Amelia Bernard, Mackenzie Zienkiewicz

Coach: John Glass (fourth season)

The breakdown: Rhyln Rouse and Amelia Bernard averaged a combined 36 ppg last year, and graduated. Coach John Glass is aware that’s a huge void to fill. “We will open things up, be more of a running team,” Glass said. “The style of play will change, the offense will change.” He is counting on sophomores such as Le’Icessess Harrison and junior twins Anna and Brooke Foster to lead the charge. Harrison, a point guard, is a transfer from York High. Anna Foster is the top returning scorer with just under six points per game. “Height is a concern,” she said. Junior Olivia Macklin is the tallest among the returning Spartans at 5-9. Glass said there are some taller players slated for the JV squad, but they need more playing experience. Anna Foster said they worked on that in the offseason by playing in a summer league and holding open gyms. Tech is in the final year of playing an independent schedule, and has set their sights on qualifying for districts. Because they know as a Class 6A school, this is their best shot. “Next year we will be part of the league,” Glass said. “We will play in Division III in field hockey and basketball. That will make it more difficult to make districts.” The Spartans will be playing against smaller schools, which affects their power ranking.

Boys' basketball

Bermudian Springs

2022-23: 9-13 (7-7 in divisional play), fourth in YAIAA Division III

Key returners: Tyson Carpenter (5-10, G, sr.); Gabe Kline (G, sr.); Austin Reinert (6-5, C, sr.); Ethan Young (G, sr.); Lane Hubbard (so.); Dylan Hubbard (6-2, F, jr.)

Coach: Jared Nace (sixth season)

The breakdown: The Eagles have been building toward this season for the last several years. Seniors Tyson Carpenter, Gabe Kline, Austin Reinert and Ethan Young have been playing together since elementary school. With the addition of junior Dylan Hubbard and sophomore Lane Hubbard, Berm brings back its starting lineup. “They are great kids, but even better people,” coach Jared Nace said of his seniors. “They have a chance to do some things. We finished fourth the last two season with the same group of guys, but now we want to knock off some of the top teams a little more frequently.” Carpenter, a point guard, was a second-team all-star last year who led the team in scoring with 13 points per game. As the football team’s quarterback, he is well versed in what it takes to lead a team. “Being the quarterback and the point guard, you have to have leadership to bring the team together,” he said. “When we play together and communicate well, we perform well.” Dylan and Lane Hubbard, both all-star honorable mentions, were the second- and third-leading scorers last year and nine and six ppg, respectively. Reinert, the 6-5 center, said it’s great to have the full contingent of starters back, but the play of the underclassmen will determine the team’s success. “The challenge is experienced depth,” he said. “We have new guys coming in to fill open spots.” The teams that finished ahead of the Eagles last season also have the bulk of their players returning, so that new depth could be key. “We are good when we share the ball and are unselfish,” Nace said. “We run a motion offense and spread it out. You can’t teach that in one season, so they’ve been building for a long time.”

Biglerville

2022-23 season: 4-18 (2-12 in divisional play) seventh in YAIAA Division III

Key returnees: Bearsun Zullinger (6-3, C, jr.); Anthony Cervantes (5-10, G, sr.); Caleol Palmer-McGraw (6-2, G, sr.); Nolan Miller (6-2, G/F, sr.)

Key losses: Christian Shaffer, Caden Althoff, Cam Tyson, Lukas Smelser

Coach: Matt Showers (first season)

The breakdown: It's a new era for the Canners. Biglerville alum Matt Showers takes over as head coach with former coach Neil Weigle taking a seat on the Upper Adams school board after four seasons leading the basketball program. The Canners have been down since graduating 1,000-point scorers Gavin Parker and Drew Riley in 2019, and this could be another rebuilding year. The Canners graduated most of their contributors from a year ago including their leading scorer and lone all-star Cam Tyson (8.9 points per game). They do bring back point guard Anthony Cervantes and forward Bear Zullinger, who has played since his freshman season. Biglerville actually had the fourth-best defense (51 points allowed per game) in the division last season but just the seventh-best offense (38 points per game).

Delone Catholic

2022-23 season: 17-9 (9-5 in divisional play), third in YAIAA Division III, reached District 3 Class 3A title game and PIAA first round

Key returnees: Camdyn Keller (5-10, G, sr.); Aidan Wittmer (5-8, G, sr.); Gage Zimmerman (6-0, G, sr.); Brady Dettinburn (5-10, F, sr.)

Key losses: Bryson Kopp, Aidan Bealmear

Coach: Brandon Staub (fifth season)

The breakdown: The Squires had a nice regular season last year. Then they went on a postseason run to remember despite bumping up from Class 2A to Class 3A. The Squires upset a York Catholic team that beat them twice in the regular season then stunned top seed Columbia in the semifinals. They didn't have the size to match up with Trinity in a 71-42 championship game loss but still reached the state playoffs for the second straight season. There's certainly potential for this year's group to go on another postseason run. Delone graduated two starters including 6-foot-2 all-star forward Bryson Kopp (13.5 points per game) but bring back leading scorer and four-year starter Camdyn Keller (13.8 points per game). They also have a deep group of multi-sport athletes like football stars Gage Zimmerman (10.1 points per game) and Brady Dettinburn. The biggest key for Delone will be consistency in the regular season. The Squires were swept by Littlestown and York Catholic last season and lost those games by an average of 14 points. They were also upset by Hanover and ultimately missed out on making the league tournament with Susquehannock, the third-place team in Division II, earning the final bid over them. Littlestown remains the favorite this season but Delone has as much potential as any other team.

Fairfield

2022-23: 2-19 (0-13 divisional play); eighth in YAIAA Division III

Key returnees: Jayden Bell (5-11, G, jr.); Wyatt Kuhn (6-1, F, sr.)

Key losses: Andrew Koons

Coach: Andy Winebrenner (13th season)

The breakdown: Fairfield's returning players didn't mince words. "This is definitely a rebuilding year," senior Wyatt Kuhn said. "It's a smaller and younger team. In a few years this team will be scary and I'm lucky to be here for the beginning as it pans out." The Knights broke a 13-year postseason drought in 2022 but struggled all of last season. They finished last in the division in offense (36 points per game) and defense (63 points per game). They expect to have eight or nine players on the varsity roster and graduated last year's top scorer Andrew Koons. Still, longtime coach Andy Winebrenner feels good about his young team's energy after it struggled with a senior-heavy roster last season. He said the Knights lack the size that teams like Littlestown have but should have able to shoot and play fast. "There wasn't much fluidity last year," Winebrenner said. "If we can play with pace we'll do well. We have a manageable non-league schedule so our goal is to win way more than two games." Returning starters Kuhn and Jayden Bell are both football players who are used to shepherding young players through a tough season. Bell is the team's point guard and Kuhn is a "slasher" who can get to the basket. 5-foot-10 sophomore Gabe Williams is expected to have a big role and freshman Jeremy Talcott could get varsity time. Winebrenner acknowledged its possible to sneak into the four-team playoff bracket in District 3 Class 2A while being under .500, but said the Knights will probably compete for the playoffs "in a few years." "

Hanover

2022-23: 11-12 (6-8 in divisional play), tied for fifth in YAIAA Division III

Key returners: Ethan Killinger (6-5, C, sr.); Jaxon Dell (6-3, G, sr.); Ethan Herndon (6-5, G, jr.)

Key losses: Chase Roberts, Justus Feezer

Coach: Kyle Krout (second season)

The breakdown: The Nighthawks might have the tallest starting five in the division. With players ranging from 6-0 to 6-5, coach Kyle Krout thinks it will be interesting to see how teams match up with them. “We can spread the ball and I think it will be tough for teams to guard us,” he said. “It will be interesting to see the dynamic as we bring the ball up.” And Krout doesn’t want people to mistake tall for slow, because he said they aren’t. He said a lot of his guys will be “just fine” defending smaller guards. Hanover will be led by a pair of 6-5 Ethans, both second-team all-stars. Senior center Ethan Killinger led the Nighthawks in scoring with just over 15 points per game and junior guard Ethan Herndon was right behind him at 11 ppg. “We are definitely going to create some mismatches,” Herndon said. “We lost some key guys, but I think we are going to do pretty well.” He points to increased participation in the offseason that will provide the depth that has been missing in recent years. Killinger said Hanover will be helped by the players’ familiarity with each other. “We have been playing together since elementary school,” he said. “Knowing what each other is thinking definitely helps.” The Nighthawks are without their biggest outside threat from last year, but Herndon is expected to pick up the slack, as well as 6-3 guard Jaxon Dell. “We want to be up-tempo and cause turnovers,” Krout said. “We certainly would like to make a run for the division. Littlestown does a really good job, one of the top teams to beat. We finished strong last year and want to carry that into this season and hopefully make some noise.” Krout points to newcomers Gavin Trish, a 6-0 junior point guard, and freshman Boden Strausbaugh to make help fill in the gaps.

Littlestown

2022-23 season: 21-7 (13-1 in divisional play), tied for first in YAIAA Division III, reached YAIAA quarterfinals, District 3 Class 4A semifinals and PIAA second round

Key returnees: Christopher Meakin (6-8, C, sr.); Zyan Herr (6-1, G, sr.); Cole Riley (6-2, G, sr.)

Key losses: Jake Bosley, Nate Thomas

Coach: John Forster (eighth season)

The breakdown: The Bolts have been a consistent contender in Division III and the postseason since John Forster took over as head coach in 2016. Don't expect them to drop off this season. Littlestown is the clear favorite in the division with three all-star players back from a team that won a state playoff game for the first time since 2001. The centerpiece is 6-foot-8 Christopher Meakin, who averaged 18 points and 8.6 rebounds last season and gives the Bolts a physical presence that few teams in the entire league can match. Meakin has already topped 1,000 career points and could challenge Logan Collins' program record of 1,618. He's surrounded by two experienced guards in Zyan Herr (12.8 points per game, 56 3-pointers) and Cole Riley (7.0 points per game, 35 3-pointers). Herr needs 230 points to hit the 1,000 mark. The Bolts do need to replace the production of bulldog forward Jake Bosley, who was named YAIAA Division III Player of the Year by the coaches after averaging 15.0 points and 8.6 rebounds. Senior Brandon Clabaugh and sophomore Peyton Bossom are two guards expected to contribute. Littlestown had a point differential of plus-16 last season (61 points per game on offense, 45 allowed per game on defense), but the Bolts were inconsistent at times. They beat York Catholic by 11 points early in the season but had a terrible offensive performance in the rematch and lost, 41-36, to split the division with the Irish. Littlestown hasn't reached the YAIAA title game during its recent stretch of success, but the Bolts are one of the few teams in the league that might be able to match up with Central York. They'll also have big goals for the rest of the postseason after finishing third in District 3 Class 4A last season.

York Catholic

2021-22 season: 16-8 (13-1 in divisional play), tied for first in YAIAA Division III, reached YAIAA quarterfinals and District 3 Class 3A quarterfinals

Key returnees: Jake Dallas (6-2, G, jr.)

Key losses: Luke Forjan, John Forjan, Brady Walker, LeVan McFadden, Quinn Brennan

Coach: Dustin Boeckel (sixth season)

The breakdown: York Catholic will look a lot different this season. The Irish had an impressive run the past four seasons but graduated the senior class responsible for most of that success. That includes two brothers Luke and John Forjan. Luke was the scorer who topped 1,500 career points while John was the defensive specialist. Still, York Catholic isn't lowering expectations this year. The Irish will be young but very talented. Junior Jake Dallas returns after a breakout season in which he averaged 17.0 points per game, second to just Littlestown's Christopher Meakin in the division. Sam McKim and Sean Devitt are two sophomore guards who will be expected to contribute. The Irish won with defense last season, giving up just 45 points per game — essentially tied with Littlestown and Bermudian Springs for the best mark in the division. It won't be easy for the Irish to replicate that performance without a ton of height, but York Catholic was still able to split with Littlestown last season despite being undersized. York Catholic had a disappointing postseason exit when Delone Catholic shocked the Irish in the opening round of the District 3 tournament. Those rivals meet for the first time this season on Dec. 22 at York Catholic. The Irish get its first crack at Littlestown at home on Jan. 9.

York County Tech

2022-23 season: 7-15 (6-8 in divisional play), tied for fifth in YAIAA Division III

Key returnees: Jordan Overton (5-9, G, sr.); Emari Williams (5-10, G, sr.)

Key losses: Ethan Shimmel, Michael Gladney, Anthony Torres

Coach: Doug Fink (fifth season)

The breakdown: The Spartans graduated three starters from last season, but they aren't lowering expectations. In fact, they think they can finish top three in Division III and claim the final spot in the YAIAA tournament. "I don't see why we can't," head coach Doug Fink said. York County Tech made the league tournament in 2018 and 2019, so there is a recent track record of success. But it will need some untested players to emerge this season after graduating leading scorer Michael Gladney and big man Ethan Schimmel. Jordan Overton returns after averaging close to 10 points per game last season and Emari Williams and Carter Robinson both started games. Fink said the Spartans need to shoot better this season, but they did average a respectable 50 points per game (fifth in the division last year). They will need to play better defensively after giving up 55 points per game last season (seventh in the division). York County Tech will have the quickness to play up-tempo, but lacks the size of a team like Littlestown. Fink hopes the Spartans compete better this season against Delone Catholic and York Catholic to keep themselves in the postseason picture. He acknowledged that both Hanover and Bermudian Springs should be improved this season.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: YAIAA Division III basketball preview 2024: A team-by-team breakdown