City of Basketball Love

Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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(Ed. Note: This story is part of CoBL’s “Prepping for Preps” series, which will take a look at many of the top high school programs in the region as part of our 2022-23 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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The Ches-Mont postseason returned last season after a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19 in 2020-21. The league’s squads came in with knocking off Downingtown East, which had won the last two league championships in 2019 and 2020.

West Chester Rustin dethroned the Cougars in a tight title game and now comes into the season with a target on its back. The Golden Knights enter the season as the favorites to repeat in the league but there are plenty of squads hoping to rise up the Ches-Mont standings in 2022-23:

Favorites

There’s a clearcut front runner at the top of the Ches-Mont to start the season and that’s defending champion West Chester Rustin, who ran through the American Division with a 10-0 mark last season before knocking off Bishop Shanahan in the semifinals and Downingtown East in the league title game last season. Senior guard and Drexel commit Laine McGurk was the American Division Player of the Year in 201-22 while averaging 21.7 ppg and could have an even bigger senior campaign. Her sister Elizabeth McGurk, a St. Joe’s lacrosse commit, is another starter also back along with junior wing Riley Stackhouse (7.2 ppg) and junior guard Lola Flynn (7.9 ppg). Stackhouse was a second team all-conference selection last season and will be an important piece as the No. 2 option this season. Senior guard Ava Panetta is a tough guard with varsity experience who will join that group in the starting five.

Bishop Shanahan was able to bounce back from its post season loss to the Golden Knights last season, advancing to the District 1-5A title game and the state playoffs before losses to Villa Maria and Cardinal O’Hara, respectively. The Eagles return every starter from a team that went 10-2 in the National Division a season ago, including senior Alyssa Brown (5-6), a first team all-league selection last season. Senior Alexa Bojko, junior forward Samantha Blumentha (5-10), junior forward Abbey Wolfe (5-9) and senior guard Caydence Oswald (5-6) are also back. The Eagles also have some weapons off the bench in 6-foot senior center Kaitlyn Griffin and 5-4 junior guard Faith Ambrose that they hope will help them compete for a Ches-Mont title and beyond this season.

Dark Horses

If you’re looking for a team to break into the top echelon of the league this season, it might be Uniovnville. The Longhorns return two double-figure scores and two first team all-league guards senior Riley Angstadt (14 ppg) and junior Milana Amoss (12 ppg). Sophomore guard Elle Johnson and junior forward Savannah Lang also return to the starting lineup, while sophomore forward Shannon Megill is a youngster who may be looked upon to play a big role this season.

Downingtown West was projected to have four starters back before sophomore guard Sami Schurtz went down with a knee injury prior to the start of the season. It will be a senior core leading the way for the Whippets as returning first team all-league selection Lizzie Grant (10 ppg), Kaitlin Meenan and Kierston Arrowsmith hope to keep their squad in the mix.

Darren Domsohn had a successful run in his first season at Downingtown East last season, guiding the Cougars to the Ches-Mont title game. First team all-league selection Lauren Kent graduated, but senior 6-3 forward Ari Smuda (13 ppg), who is committed to play college hoops at Southeastern University and guard Eileen Hewitt (5.8 ppg) return to the starting lineup. As many as three freshmen could be in the youth for minutes along with juniors Callie Ardoline and Lauren Bell and senior Lacy Ford.

Other Names to Know

Great Valley was one of the surprise stories from the Ches-Mont in the 2021-22 postseason, upsetting Downingtown East in the playback bracket to earn a spot in states after falling to the Cougars in the Ches-Mont semis. Like many in the league, the Patriots have a big hole to fill in first team all-league and all-area player Gracen Curley. Senior wing Gia Sioutis and senior guard Taia Diprinzio are returning starters. Senior Lauren Fredrick already has a double-digit outing to her name this season.

At Kennett, senior Makayla Kelly (a Lock Haven lacrosse commit) was a first team All-Ches-Mont American selection, and juniors Mary Carroll and Mia Mathews were second team all-league selections a season ago. Senior Lilli Lusvardi and junior Greta Burns were honorable mentions last season, so there should be plenty to build off last season’s 12-win campaign that got the Blue Demons the final spot in the District 1-6A tournament.

West Chester East had a rough go of things in 2022-23, but with no seniors everyone is back so don’t sleep on the Vikings. Junior 5-9 guard Annie Kerns was a first team All-Ches-Mont American selection last season and sophomores Annalise Kubasko and Sofia Keith were honorable mentions. Senior Mikayla Kushner, an-all league selection as a freshman and sophomore, returns after missing the entirety of last season with a knee injury. This team should make marked improvements after a five-win campaign in 2021-22.

The Vikings aren't the only other West Chester squad with a lot returning. West Chester Henderson junior 5-11 forward Jackie Shea (9 ppg, 9 rpg) neared a double-double last season and junior 5-4 guard Whitney Evans (15 ppg) can score the rock. Their classmate Gabrielle Nanni (5-10) gives Henderson a nice core for the next two seasons. Sophomore Lilli Bertrando and junior Lilly Person should help Henderson this season too.

Avon Grove junior 5-11 forward Brooke Huver is a player to keep an eye on as she is in her third year of varsity hoops. Senior forward Abby Mills will help her lead and sophomore guard Leila Rubin and Gabby Beltran return as well for a squad that hopes to make an appearance in the District 1 tournament for the first time in a long time.

Coatesville will miss 1,000-point scorer Danae Ellzy, who is now continuing her career at Mansfield and forward Aidan Langley, now at Westtown. Junior guard Alexis Fields had some big outings last year and senior guard Deja Morris has some scoring talent as well.

Sun Valley has a few big pieces to replace from a 10-win team a season ago. Senior Jaina Preuhs should lead the way for a team that looks like it will have a lot of freshmen in the rotation this season.

Senior Caroline Tipton and sophomore Kaia Patterson will hope to help Oxford improve on last season’s five-win campaign.