Compiled by Chris Stevens, Editor
Teams who wish to be included can still submit pre-season preview forms. Email us at [email protected] if one is needed.
Missing teams: Caesar Rodney, Dover, Smyrna, Milford, Sussex Tech, Sussex Central, Lake Forest, Delmar, Laurel, Sussex Academy, ECHS, Indian River.
Henlopen North
Cape Henlopen Vikings
Head Coach: Patrick Woods
2020-21 record: 16-1, Henlopen North and Henlopen Conference champions
Key returners: Morgan Mahoney, 6′ sr. forward Julia Saleur, 5’10 sr. guard/forward, Mehkia Applewhite, 5’9 sr. guard/forward Ella Rishko, 5’6 sr. guard, Lauryn Head, 5’8 sr. guard
Key newcomers: Diana Nauman, 5’7 jr. guard, Faith Re, 5’6 first-year guard, Hayden Hudson, 6′ first-year forward
Outlook: There is a very short list of teams who could win the girls’ championship this year and the Vikings are one of the few on said list. With senior leadership and talent at the ready, Cape looks poised to make a serious run at the school’s first girls’ title since the very first state tournament in 1973.
“Our team is very athletic and have been playing together for a long time,” head coach Pat Woods says. “We are looking forward to the challenging schedule before us and are hopeful that it will facilitate a lot of personal and team growth. We hope to compete on every possession, play together, and enjoy every opportunity.”
Polytech Panthers
Head Coach: Kyle Taylor
2020-21 record: 7-7
Key returners: Maria Granitto, 5’6 sr. guard, Kallie Hopkins, 5’8 jr. guard/forward, Sky Naranjo, 5’11 soph. guard/forward, Jasryn Scott-Cottman, 5’5 soph. guard, Kendall Maday, 5’8 soph. guard/forward, Lakiyah Hilliard, 5’6 soph. guard, Kamya Tolson, 5’4 jr. guard, Jayonna Savage, 5’4 jr. guard
Key newcomers: Samantha Rivera, 5’9 sr. forward, Jumaria Sample, 5’7 soph. guard, Anjae Sorrell, 5’10 first-year forward, Marie Cadet, 5’7 first-year guard, Giusy Zappulo, 5’2 first-year guard
Outlook: The Panthers return six players from last season’s team, which helps with the considerable youth on the squad. Head coach Kyle Taylor is confident his team will gel together with game experience in a tough conference.
“We’re working hard throughout practice and learning the game,” He says. “We look to rely on our principles and foundations to be successful and make a run towards the Henlopen and State Championships.”
Henlopen South
Seaford Blue Jays
Head Coach: Roneice Williams
2020-21 record: 6-6
Key returners: Keziah Purnell, 5′ sr. guard, Carmelange Jean-Baptiste, 5’10 sr. forward, Lydia Thomas, 5’3 jr. guard
Key newcomers: Amira Tingle, first-year guard/forward, Kimyra Cornish-Baine, first-year guard, Aiyanna Bennett, first-year forward, Jordyn Evans, first-year guard, Jeannica Odairs, soph. forward
Outlook: Seaford fields a very young team, but head coach and former Blue Jay standout Roneice Williams feels her team’s willingness to learn will carry them a long way this season.
“We have a young energetic team who loves to play with each other. They listen well to instruction, they’re aren’t afraid of anyone, and they’re all familiar with each other’s style of play,” Williams says. “To be successful, they will just need to execute what the coaching staff has told them and to remain calm despite any pressure teams may try to put on them.”
Woodbridge Blue Raiders
Head Coach: Isaiah Robinson
2020-21 record: 17-4, Henlopen South champions, reached DIAA Final Four
Key returners: De’Asya Jones, jr. guard, Payton Keeler, jr. guard, Jeliah Scott, jr. forward, Reghan Robinson, soph. guard, Tianna Neal, soph. forward, Kieara Parker soph. forward
Key newcomers: Ayanna Mims, jr. forward, De’Ara Lopez, soph. forward, Shanyla Gibbs, first-year center, Kameron Spence, jr. guard, Deas Daniels, soph. forward, Khaliah Saccone, first-year guard, Lily Sianni, first-year guard
Outlook: Graduating two all-state players from the first Final Four team in program history would be a daunting task for most schools, but Woodbridge returns a ton of talent and key players, including guards De’Asya Jones, Payton Keeler and Reghan Robinson. Head coach Isaiah Robinson prefers to focus on improvement over the course of the season instead of looking too far ahead.
