Girls basketball: Berks IV team-by-team preview capsules
2023 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Oley Valley Lynx
(Tim Macrina photo)
Coach: Kerry Snyder, third season, 25-19.
Last season: 9-3 Berks IV, 15-7 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 3A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2021/2015.
Key losses: G Tetje Williamson, G Meghan Higgins-Haas, C Siera Pekuri.
Top players: All-Berks Sr. G Morgan Snyder, all-division Sr. G Ryanne Wheeler (Marywood), all-division Sr. G Dana Messner, Jr. F Isabella Buehler.
Key players: Jr. G Alyson Magee, So. G/F Julia Wagner, So. F Makenzie Myers, So. G Lily Hare.
Outlook: The Lynx return their top four scorers, led by Penn State field hockey commit Morgan Snyder, who scored 15.9 points per game last season. The Lynx will certainly have a chip on their shoulders to win the division and qualify for the Berks — and potentially district — playoffs after nearly missing out last year. Will need someone to step up into the fifth starter spot with the graduation of Meghan Higgins-Haas.
Brandywine Heights Bullets
(PhilMarPhoto)
Coach: Jason Bieber, second season, 15-9 (250-207, including 13 seasons at Boyertown and four seasons at Tulpehocken).
Last season: 9-3 Berks IV champs, 15-9 overall, district qualifier.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 3A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2023/2022.
Key losses: None.
Top players: All-Division Sr. G Olivia Moyer, all-division Jr. G Addison Benner, Sr. F Dana Wartzenluft, Sr. C Avery Potteiger, Sr. F Grace Potteiger.
Key players: So. F Jenna Crist, So. G Lauren Stoudt, Sr. G Seanna Daubert, Jr. G Devra Longacre.
Outlook: Entire starting lineup returns with a bench that gained experience last season. Competing for another division title and qualifying for BCIAA and District 3 playoffs are the floor. Key will be how soon Olivia Moyer can return to full strength after tearing her ACL last season.
Kutztown Cougars
Coach: Jon Escueta, third season, 9-35.
Last season: 3-9 Berks IV, 6-16 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 3A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2012/2010.
Key losses: All-Division G Meaghan Dietrich, G Ky Brantley.
Top players: So. C Kourtney Dietrich, Jr. F Hailey Graham, Jr. G Lilia Pizzelanti, So. G Jayden Gehris.
Key players: Fr. G Jade Fitzgerald, Fr. G Kaitlyn Houptley.
Outlook: Young team will need to rely on depth from freshmen contributors. Cougars are likely looking up at Brandywine Heights and Oley Valley but an improvement on last year’s divisional record isn’t out of the equation.
Tulpehocken Trojans
Coach: Tim Kline, fourth season, 14-48.
Last season: 3-9 Berks IV, 4-18 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 3A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2017/2007.
Key losses: All-Division C Mahala Ruffner, F Breanna Claman, F Janae Matias, G Taylor Evans.
Top players: Jr. F Juliet Snyder, Jr. G Avery Baransky, So. G Lyla Pugh.
Key players: Sr. F Bria Pugh, Sr. G Kassidy Batz, So. G Heidi Marks.
Outlook: Trojans took a deep graduation hit and will deal with a lack of experience. Hoping to stay competitive in the division.
Antietam Mounts
Coach: Tim Rivera, second season, 1-20.
Last season: 0-12 Berks IV, 1-20 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 2A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2019/2012.
Key losses: None.
Top players: Jr. G Alyzah Reyes, So. G Jisyaree Santiago, Jr. F/C Airyana Jones, So. F Kelyse Williams.
Key players: So. G Kaitlyn Zeiber, So. G/F Marlee Rinkevich, So. G Tasaunia Bass, So. G Morgan Ross.
Outlook: Doubled roster size from last season. All starters returning with hopes to compete. Continuing to build the program and gaining experience.
