Lady Bombers hoping to build on returning experience

Ralph Andrews begins his second season as the Palmerton head varsity girls’ basketball coach with plenty of reason for optimism about the prospects of the upcoming season. The 2017-18 roster boasts nothing but returning talent with experience on the varsity level, leadership, and ability.

Spearheading that group is senior Linnaea Leister, who averaged 13.0 points per game in her junior season and adding 33 three-pointers. The point guard is closing in on the 1,000-point career mark, as she begins this year with a total of 731.

Along with Leister, are seniors Paige Frantz (G, 5-5), and Taylor Hirochek (G, 5-7). Sophomore guard Casi Papay adds to the depth of the returning backcourt, with classmate Kayla Cincilla (F, 5-9) roaming the paint. Cincilla put up an average of 5.8 points per game a year ago and is looking to add to that amount in the upcoming months.

Andrews said, “We will more than likely go about eight players deep, with four girls – Taylor, Linnaea, Paige and Kayla, that started a large majority of games, with Casi, who started more than half of the games last year, as well.”

In regards to the team’s depth, he added, “Baylee Guedes (F, Jr.) provides a presence in the paint, along with sister Hollis Guedes (F, So.). Maddison Beahm (F, So.) and Emily Recker (G, So.) have had outstanding preseasons and are working hard to get quality minutes, as well.”

Along with sister Ashley, head coach Ralph Andrews also has Dan Beck helping with assisting in the coaching realm of the Lady Blue Bombers, and after finishing with a 6-16 mark a year ago, the crew is hoping to obviously improve upon that mark.

“We set our goal this season to qualify for districts and to compete for a playoff spot in the Colonial League,” Andrews admits. “In order to attain those goals, we will definitely need to work hard on the glass and be more disciplined on the offensive side of the floor.”

Reflecting back on the previous season, coach Andrews has regrets and pride, as both were seen by players, coaches and fans alike.

“Last year, we were disappointed on the number of games that weren’t competitive,” he said. “Young players received quality minutes throughout the season, though, and showed glimpses of improvement through the off-season, as well. The workouts in the off-season were tough, but very successful, so hopefully that translates into success early on.”

In regards to the fans, they can definitely expect some changes to the team’s outlook in the upcoming weeks, as Andrews says, “We are led by a strong group of seniors and in the early-going, practices are competitive and everyone is excelling in their roles on the team. We have a more balanced offense and a more aggressive style of defense this season, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Looking at their list of goals and predictions for the season, Andrews and company are optimistic. “I believe Southern Lehigh, Northwestern, Moravian Academy and Salisbury all made the league playoffs last year, and we play each of those teams twice this season,” he said. “Northern Lehigh remains our biggest league rivalry, though.”