Licking County girls basketball teams putting puzzle together for 2022-23 season

NEWARK — Star players have led Licking County girls basketball teams to history-making seasons of late, and a new crop of standouts are ready to emerge.

Licking County teams have been hit hard by graduation of late, but the cupboard is far from bare. Check out who could emerge to stardom this season.

Granville

The Blue Aces are attempting to win their third consecutive Licking County League-Buckeye Division and Division II district titles, and they will have to replace their top two scorers. Expect 3-point specialist junior Aaliyah Moore to be more assertive taking the ball to the basket, and junior Harper Annarino and senior Ava Gossman have the ability to step out away from the basket. Seniors Ella Schneider and Ella Hoover provide athleticism to allow the Blue Aces to extend their defense.

Granville Christian

The Lions will have to find scoring after their graduating its top two playmakers. Junior Ella Rhodes is a 3-point threat, and classmate Brianna Hubbard and senior Ellie Flowers will pick up the slack inside and in transition.

Heath

The Bulldogs had a strong finish and will look to pick up where they left off in Year 2 under coach Katy Barry again led by senior guards Taliyah Holmes and Allie Dunlap. Senior A'mya Royster had a strong summer and will make an impact inside and in transition, and junior Caroline Robertson and sophomore Sydney Cottrell are scoring threats on the perimeter.

Johnstown

The Johnnies, who were Division III district runners-up, have a small but talented roster led by junior point guard Abigail Adkins. Sophomore Kylie Sharp had a strong finish to her freshman season, impacting the game in the paint at both ends, and senior Michaela Perfors gained more confidence shooting from the perimeter.

Lakewood

The Lancers will lean on size and athleticism provided inside by junior Becca Streets and sophomore Charlee Palmer. Senior Addison Pound and junior Grace Stargell are experienced shooters in a backcourt that will be boosted by freshman Jaylie Maas.

Liberty Christian

Junior Shelby Carr is the Eagles’ do-it-all dynamo. Sophomore Kaitlyn Mohr and senior Ryleigh Christian are Carr’s top supporting players inside.

Licking Heights

Junior Amya Thompson inside is the Hornets’ top returning scorer and rebounder. Sophomores Symaya McDougall and Tori Diggs provide scoring punch on the perimeter and can play in transition, and Belgian exchange student Ludivine Marquis and freshman Karsyn Johnson should be immediate contributors.

Licking Valley

The Panthers must replace all of their primary scorers from a season ago as they look to sophomore Avery Williams and junior Rylee Hillis to emerge as key playmakers. Senior Emma Cubbison is a 3-point threat, and sophomore Makala Bennett has promise inside fresh off a strong volleyball season.

Newark

The senior-laden Wildcats return Jenna Shackleford and Brie Gingras to carry the scoring load. Ally Carr will look to be more aggressive on the perimeter, and Syncere Royster is back from injury to join Sophie Bidwell to give the Wildcats a one-two punch inside. Young guards sophomore Cadi Gordon and freshman Alaina Hann could be the key to get the Wildcats to a 10th consecutive Division I district final.

Newark Catholic

Without its traditional experience inside, the Green Wave will lean on junior Kylie Gibson and sophomore Sophie Peloquin from the perimeter, and senior Maddie Kauble again will be a 3-point specialist and provide sticky defense. NC will look for junior Mayci Sayre and sophomore Fini Kaiser to provide punch inside if it is to continue its reign in the LCL-Cardinal and remain in the hunt for a Division IV district title.

Northridge

The Vikings return their entire roster and look poised to be a much-improved team in the Licking County League. Senior Darla Dorman has double-double potential inside, and senior Reese Callan and junior Kenzie Hannahs are aggressive players on the perimeter with senior Hannah Aamodt providing outside shooting.

Utica

Utica will pair sophomore guard Abby Dickson off a strong freshman season with an experienced senior class in attempt to fight up the ladder in the LCL-Cardinal. Senior Delaney Kerstetter is a double-double threat inside, and classmates Riley Thompson and Skyler Parker provide athleticism on the wing. An eye-popping 14-player freshman class speaks well for the future.

Watkins Memorial

Experienced senior guards Kalleigh Rennie and Cameryn Wheeler again will set the tone at both ends for the Warriors, who shared the LCL-Buckeye title with Granville last winter. Classmate Taylor Alfred is a 3-point specialist, and sophomore Ella Perry showed an ability during the summer to pick up the scoring load in the paint.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County girls basketball teams putting puzzle together