Mountain View’s Addison Kilmer (21) goes up for a shot against William’s Valley’s Sage Smeltz (33) in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal Friday at Lake-Lehman High School. (FRANK LAURI / COMNTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
Abington Heights’ Emma Coleman avoids North Pocono’s Julia Biko and Amaya Monacelli for a basket during the quarterfinal game at North Pocono High School in Covington Twp. Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Valley View’s Cora Castellani passes the ball while covered by Audenried Charter’s Aniyah Cheeseboro and Shayla Smith during the PIAA Class 4A game at Easton Area Middle School in Easton Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dunmore’s Amanda Dempsey (10) drives toward the basket during a basketball game on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Elk Lake’s Kylie Shingler attempts to evade a defender during the girls’ PIAA DII AA championship game on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Mountain View’s Addison Kilmer (21) goes up for a shot against William’s Valley’s Sage Smeltz (33) in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinal Friday at Lake-Lehman High School. (FRANK LAURI / COMNTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
Six new coaches are on the sidelines in Lackawanna League girls basketball this season: Joe Ferguson at North Pocono; Stephen Hooper at Mid Valley; Jamie Armillay at Riverside; Ian Gelinger at Blue Ridge; Mike Courtright at Carbondale Area; and George Bragan at Lackawanna Trail. Also, Dante Lucarelli had the interim tag removed and was named head coach at Old Forge.
They might be the only changes, however, as another exciting, competitive league season is anticipated.
Last season, four Lackawanna League teams captured District 2 titles: Scranton Prep in Class 4A, Dunmore in Class 3A, Mountain View in Class 2A and Susquehanna in Class 1A. Six league teams qualified for the PIAA playoffs with Mountain View advancing to the Class 2A semifinals before losing to eventual champion Berlin-Brothersvalley. Dunmore and Scranton Prep reached the quarterfinals in their respective classes. Valley View and Elk Lake made it to the second round in Class 4A and 2A, respectively, and Scranton lost in the first round in Class 6A.
With plenty of talent returning, the races for Lackawanna League regular-season titles will be a battle.
Division I is a tossup with four teams receiving consideration as the favorite. Dunmore gets the nod in Division II with a challenge from Honesdale. Mountain View and Elk Lake are expected to vie for Division III honors.
Delaware Valley and Scranton Prep got the jump on everybody and opened up Wednesday. The rest of the league is scheduled to begin Thursday.
Division I
Scranton Prep captured its eighth consecutive division title last season. The Classics graduated all five starters from that team, but don’t count them out from contending for a ninth straight crown. Many of the returnees who will move into the starting lineup saw plenty of game action last season, including junior Ava Fenton and sophomore Chloe Mamera.
North Pocono, Abington Heights, Valley View and Scranton all have their eyes on dethroning Scranton Prep.
The Lady Trojans return four starters, including junior Ella Clementoni, a league coaches all-star last season. Three starters are back for the Lady Comets, led by junior Emma Coleman, a league coaches honorable mention. The Cougars also return three starters, including all-star Cora Castellani and honorable mention Ava Gazoo. Junior Chrissy Jacklinski, a Times-Tribune All-Region selection and coaches all-star, is one of three returning starters for the Lady Knights.
Don’t count out Delaware Valley. The Lady Warriors are off to a 5-0 start and have four starters back, including junior Amanda Aragona, who is averaging 20.2 points.
Division II
Dunmore won the division title again last season and ran its league winning streak to 93 games. The Lady Bucks graduated Sophia Talutto, last year’s Times-Tribune Player of the Year, but return four starters, including coaches honorable mentions Amanda Dempsey and Jackie Brown, both seniors.
“Having those four starters back is huge,” Dunmore coach Carrie Toomey said. “But Sophia was a point guard, so we are trying to find a point guard who makes us go. No one is going to replace Sophia and her style of play. But someone who can handle the pressure, get the play started. I think we have a couple freshmen coming in who can step into that role.
“We have a pretty long bench and can sub people in and out. I think we’ll have a more balanced attack this year.”
Honesdale battled Dunmore in both their meetings last season, including one game that went to overtime. The Lady Hornets also have four returning starters, led by senior Ruby Martin, a coaches all-star.
Holy Cross came on strong at the end of last season and brings back three starters, including coaches honorable mentions senior Ava Schmidt and sophomore Mollie Urban.
Riverside and Old Forge could also be in the mix. Junior Caitie Beecham, a coaches honorable mention last season, is one of three starters back for the Lady Vikes. The Lady Blue Devils also return three starters in senior Ava Arnold, junior Mia Fox and sophomore Aryanna Harris, but will have to replace All-Region and all-state selection Jewlya McCullon.
Division III
Senior Addison Kilmer, the All-Region and first-team all-state player who is committed to East Stroudsburg University, leads Mountain View. Junior Aubrey Sanders, a coaches honorable mention, is the other returning starter for the Lady Eagles, who will try to make another deep postseason run. Junior Emily Trichilo, first player off the bench last season, also is back.
“We bring back three of our top rotation,” Mountain View coach Corey Gesford said. “I tell people that we’re going to be different athletically, but our expectations and goals don’t change.”
Elk Lake captured its first division title last season since 2000. The Lady Warriors graduated three starters, but return coaches all-star Kylie Shingler and honorable mention Madisyn Casselbury in their bid to repeat.
Montrose and Blue Ridge could also be contenders. The Lady Meteors return four starters, including coaches all-star Sadie Jones. The Lady Raiders bring back three starters, led by high-scoring coaches all-star Abigail Gelinger, who is averaging 26.8 points so far this season.
Circle the date
Just about every game in Division I is potentially a big game. Scranton Prep and North Pocono meet Jan. 5 and Jan. 30. Abington Heights and Scranton Prep play Jan. 12 and Feb. 6. North Pocono and Abington Heights face off Jan. 8 and Feb. 3. Scranton Prep and Valley View meet on those same dates.
Dunmore hosts Honesdale on Jan. 15. The teams then meet again at Honesdale on Feb. 10.
Mountain View visits Elk Lake on Jan. 8, then welcomes the Lady Warriors on Feb. 3.