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COACH: Mike Garman (12th season).
ASSISTANT COACHES: Mike Edwards, Deanna Long, Todd Moyer, Jaime Ringler, Michelle Sola.
LAST SEASON: 8-8 Section 2, 9-12 overall.
KEY PLAYERS LOST TO GRADUATION: Sue Hartlove (1.5 points per game), Ashley Mayer (4.3).
KEY PLAYERS RETURNING: F Sarah Haddon (Sr., 10.0, 3 3-pointers), G Jolesia Harvest (Sr., 8.0, 14 3-pointers), F Sarah Hoffer (Sr., 3.6), G Kelly Liebl (So., 8.7, 20 3-pointers), G Hannah Reimel (Sr., 4.2).
PROBABLE STARTERS
Kelly Liebl
Sarah Haddon
Sarah Hoffer
Hannah Reimel
Irene Lascarides
STRENGTHS: Experience, plus team defense and team speed.
WEAKNESSES: Depth.
QUOTABLE: Mike Garman - “I’m looking forward to coaching a team that will go out and compete every night to the best of their abilities. I see the section as a dogfight; there is a lot of parity in the section. Cocalico would have to be my pick going in. I don’t really see a dominant team, but I see six teams that will all be able to compete.”
NOTABLE: A lot to like in Mountaineer Country, starting with the inside-outside combo of F Sarah Haddon and pesky point guard Kelly Liebl. Those two should do plenty of damage. Thinking Haddon will move up the scoring charts, especially if she can convert when Liebl, a crafty lefty, drives and dishes. Bright future for Liebl, who had a breakout freshman season last winter. Remember her name for sure. … Tack on perimeter threat Jolesia Harvest and paint patroller Sarah Hoffer, and Ephrata has a very solid nucleus to build around. … Irene Lascarides, who saw minimal varsity minutes last winter, will likely slip in and be the fifth starter, while Kristen Ueberroth, who also saw limited varsity time last season, is penciled in to be a key contributor off Garman’s bench.
REINHART SAYS: Time is now for Ephrata, which has the experience and the weapons to be a player in the Section 2 race. Any and all crossover wins vs. Section 1 will definitely help. And victories over the usual suspects - Solanco, Elizabethtown - will help, especially the first time around the section slate. Big point guard fan; if you have a legit catalyst and playmaker, you have a great chance to go places. And in Liebl, the Mounts have a leader - and she’ll only get better. No reason to believe Ephrata won’t be knocking on the door for a league playoff spot and a district-playoff bid.
JEFF REINHART: jreinhart@pnco.com
ON TWITTER: @JeffReinhartPN