City of Basketball Love

By Dan Arkans (@danarkans)
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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 2024-25 season preview coverage. The complete list of schools previewed thus far can be found here.)

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Do not mention the word ‘rebuilding’ around the Abington girls basketball team this winter.

It’s simply not in their vocabulary. The Ghosts only know one thing – competing – in the always challenging SOL Liberty and PIAA District 1 6A.

Despite only having two returning starters, including one senior, competing is exactly what they expect to do.

“Honestly, I think we are underdogs,” said senior point guard Maya Johnson. “They don’t expect us to do good. They don’t expect Abington to be Abington. We are going to surprise a lot of people.”

The Ghosts had a tremendous regular season last year, posting a record of 18-8. However, Abington lost in the second round of the District 1 6A Tournament to Haverford. To duplicate last year’s record and make a deeper postseason run another outstanding season from Johnson will be in order.

“I will have to be more of a scoring guard than assisting,” Johnson said. “I have to play the role of assisting and playing still. As a starting point guard for four years I had some type of leadership.”

While the point guard has been leading for her entire career at Abington she will be the voice of second-year head coach Allison Lawson this season on and off the court. Lawson teaches at the middle school and often communicates updates to Johnson.

“This year I am going to lean on Maya for her leadership,” Lawson said. “She’s been great. I need her to be more vocal. I relay a lot of messages to her. On the court, off the court, she has to lead.” 

The cupboard isn’t exactly bare for Abington. Also returning for Abington is junior shooting guard Mikaiya Durham, who possesses a smooth shot from the 3-point line.

The rest of the team will be young in experience with junior guard Aniyah Williams leading the way with a defensive mindset. Filling out the lineup is 5-foot-9 forward Vanessa Griffin, who will defend the post. The Ghosts were hoping for more height this season but Zin McLain tore her ACL and will miss at least part of the season. 

Sophomore guard Caleigh Fitzgerald and junior forward Shya Crafton will provide depth off the bench.

“Last year, I had vets,” Lawson said. “I have been with them since they were freshmen. I am more teaching the game, learning as we go. I have one leader and she has to be that leader. They know expectations are still high. I am putting them in their role and they have to do that role. As long as everyone buys in we will have a great season.” 

The Ghosts were 14-2 last year in the SOL Liberty, only losing to Upper Dublin. To compete with the likes of the Cardinals and Colonials of PW will take a quick learning curve.

“Upper Dublin has everyone back, not everyone but girls who played significant minutes,” Lawson said. “PW has everyone back. It’s going to be hard. We still want to win. We are always looking to win. I expect we will be in those games. We don’t back down from anyone. On any given night anyone can win.”

For the Ghosts to win on a nightly basis will take everyone learning and accepting their roles. Even Johnson is changing from a facilitator to a scorer.

“I think it will be more challenging,” said Johnson. “Not even because we  lost just a lot but the competition in general. It will show what we have to work on. Just making the playoffs is definitely a big accomplishment.” 

As much as the outsiders think the Ghosts will be rebuilding and certainly the names are different, Abington expects to look the same. The Ghosts want to defend and rebound first and then get out in transition just like always.

“Nothing is going to change,” Lawson said. “They know that. We are fast paced. Hopefully they can keep up. It will be the same style.”