Here's our new-look District 3-AAA girls' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season. Records through Jan. 6. Rankings are independent of D3 power ratings used for seeding purposes.
CLASS AAA
1. Lancaster Catholic (9-0) – Why not open the curtain with the reigning District 3-AAA champion. Besides, veteran skipper Lamar Kauffman always plays a leading role in getting the most production out of his gals. Plus, accounting for all-state guard Porscha Speller, Danielle Atkinson and others is a daunting task.
2. Palmyra (10-0) – Like Kauffman, we've come to trust Ron Berman's ability to always put Lady Cougars in a position to win. And that's 10 up, 10 down so far for dead-eye Carly Richardson, Kaitlyn Carmo & Co. Big dust-ups with Trinity and Hershey in the next few hours.
3. West York (8-1) – The Bulldogs did suffer its only loss to Dallastown but are riding a pretty good wave with victories over Manheim Twp., Trinity and a few more. You have to like how Kari Lankford and running mate Heather Zinn are steering this ship right now.
4. Hamburg (9-2) – The second half of the schedule gets tougher. However, with three stars tracking double figures – Sydney Lesher (13.5), Tara Klee (12.3) and Kassidy Lesher (10-1) – the Hawks seem well-equipped to keep the train rolling.
5. Conrad Weiser (8-2) – If you have reservations after watching the Scouts lose to Muhlenberg and Wyomissing a while back, know that leading scorer Hannah Racis was not on the court for both. Fellow double-digit ace Rachel Zerbe has aided solid start.
CLOSING IN
West Perry (9-2)
Trinity (5-4)
Boiling Springs (9-3)
Berks Catholic (7-4)
Gettysburg (8-3)
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