Here's our new-look District 3-AAAA girls' basketball rankings for the 2012-13 season. Records through Jan. 6. Rankings are independent of D3 power ratings used for seeding purposes.
1. Wilson (8-1) – Head coach Doug Myer would fancy this ranking at, say, the beginning of March, but there's no denying the Bulldogs' depth. Strong defense always has been a staple at Wilson. That hasn't changed through the early weeks of the season.
2. Lampeter-Strasburg (11-0) – Let's get this one out of the way. It's true Pioneer opponents have a combined 43-71 overall record. But it's also true Lampeter-Strasburg is finding another gear lately on the offensive side of the ball. In their last seven wins, the Pioneers are averaging 62.6 points per game.
3. CD East (10-2) – We think the Panthers have rebounded quite nicely after dropping that match to sister-school Central Dauphin back on Dec. 17. Since that one, CD East has rode quality minutes from CaLee and Michaela Gelbaugh and Brittany Robinson to seven straight Ws. Two winnable tilts with Mifflin County and Chambersburg on deck.
4. Cumberland Valley (10-2) – We're careful not to dismiss the Eagles even though Wilson stung CV on Saturday. We've seen what skipper Bill Wolf can do with talent, and the Eagles have some working the floor. And it just feels like the Eagles are close to sliding into top form.
5. Red Lion (7-2) – We know head coach Dom Dimoff will continue to tinker and shape his line-up until the postseason brackets are released. Who knows, with the likes of Jen Horvatinov and frosh Courtney Dimoff leading the way, the Lions might be ready for a third-straight gold medal, too.
CLOSING IN
Manheim Twp. (9-2)
Central Dauphin (8-3)
Hershey (9-1)
Dallastown (8-2)
Dover (9-0)
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