Tri-County Conference Girls’ Notebook

Royal Division. Defending champion Kingsway welcomes back four starters from a 22-6 team.

Leading the way for the Dragons is 5-foot-8 senior Liz Faulkner, a four-year starter who averaged around 12 points. Senior Heather Juhring, a 5-10 forward, is a top outside shooter with 89 career three-pointers.

Other returning starters for the Dragons are 5-5 senior Taylor Johnson and 5-8 junior Allie Bradian.

Delsea returns five starters from a 9-13 team and could challenge Kingsway for the top spot. Leading the way for the Crusaders will be 5-3 junior Dominique Hassinger, a top defensive point guard, along with 5-9 senior Brianna Hunt, the state Group 3 high-jump champion.

The Crusaders' other returning starters are 5-8 senior Jackie Short, a three-point threat, along with 5-8 senior Aleia Glick and 5-9 senior Tiffany Schemeley.

Williamstown will be a perimeter-oriented team led by senior guard Jade Bonder, who averaged seven points and three assists. Other experienced senior guards include Courtney Caulfield and Shannon Grim.

Senior forward Mimi Cook, who averaged 4.6 rebounds last season, should play a key role for the Braves along with junior guard Dayne Fyffe and senior forward Ashley Winkelspecht.

Clearview has a top sophomore in 5-6 Sara Kramer, who was second on the team in points (6.5) and rebounds (6.6) as a freshman. She averaged 11 points and seven rebounds over the final 10 games.

Seniors Korinne Hughes, a 5-3 guard, and Joanna Gangemi, a 5-7 forward, will be key players for the Pioneers along with 5-6 junior Chantele Clark, 5-10 junior Paige Settar and 5-6 junior Danielle St. John.

Diamond Division. Defending champion Gloucester Catholic is the team to beat. The Rams return three starters, including 5-7 senior guard Alex Balara and 5-6 senior guard Kristina Reiter.

Balara averaged six points and four assists. Reiter averaged six points. The third returning starter is 6-1 junior Nicole Fallon, who averaged eight points and four rebounds.

The Rams also will count on 5-6 senior Amanda Virgili along with juniors Rachael Barlage, Stephanie Monroe, Christie Orgero, and Allison Murphy and sophomore Carly Todd.

Woodstown returns three starters, including 5-11 senior Lauren Husser, a top inside player. The other returning starters are 5-7 junior Marlyn Malpezzi and 5-8 sophomore Tori Smick.

GCIT returns three experienced guards and could factor in the division race.

The Cheetahs are led by senior guards Deanna Wheeler and Kellsey Tulini and junior guard Lauren Fredericks.

GCIT should get a spark from junior guard Sara Duffy as well as freshman guard JaVonne Lewis.

Deptford has no returning letterwinners. The Spartans will rebuild behind Casey Johnson, Gianna DeVeitro, Marianna Joyner-Vila and Janelle Bundy.

Classic Division. Salem looms as the favorite in the division. The Rams are led by senior guard Shaqui Coppage, who averaged 19.7 points last season.

Gloucester should challenge for the title. The Lions return six letter-winners from an 18-8 team, including senior forwards Gabrielle Cooper and Cori Conner.

Gloucester has a top point guard in junior Johanna James, a top defensive player in senior forward Irene Grimanis and another experienced player in senior forward Angela Harris.

Pitman returns all five starters from a 6-15 team led by 6-0 senior forward Michelle Stafford.

Leigh Patrick, a 5-8 guard, is the Panthers' other returning senior starter. Other veterans include 5-10 junior Maura Goodrey, 5-8 junior Allyson Franchi, 5-7 junior Rachel Creesman, and 5-9 sophomore Karlie Crispin.

Wildwood is rebuilding behind senior center Karley Webb and sophomores Danielle Aydelotte and Kelsi Toland.

   - Phil Anastasia