A number of the best teams in the Portland Interscholastic League appear to be in the running for another entertaining winter in the city.
The PIL’s teams are shown here, arranged alphabetically:
Benson Astros
Season last: 23-5
Coach: Valuable Alex
Important participants: Jayla Lackey, W/F, FR; Londyn Dyton, G, SO; and Samarah Massey, G, JR
Outlook: According to Alex, the PIL’s most successful girls’ basketball program feels like the new kids on the block since legendary coach Eric Knox retired. Without a doubt, Alex is aware that she has some large shoes to fill, but she is grateful for the position and eager to see what this year has in store. Despite graduating a strong senior class last spring, Benson seems to have good depth all around. Despite only being a junior, Massey has a plenty of experience from playing in a rotating capacity the previous two seasons. She is accompanied in the backcourt by Dayton, a promising sophomore guard. The Astros are also expecting several outstanding freshman. Division I is already taking an interest in Lackey in particular.
Cleveland
Warriors
Season last: 17–9
Poeko Waiwaiole is the coach.
Important participants: Charlotte Gardner, G/W, JR; Bijou O Connor, G, SR
Outlook: The Warriors had a more than respectable season last year, finishing third in their league, but falling behind teams like Jefferson and Benson, who were candidates for the state crown, in the PIL competition. But after losing to a strong, underrated Sherwood club in the opening round of the playoffs, coach Waiwaiole’s season will be drastically altered. Cleveland had eight seniors graduate. The team’s only guard this season is O Connor, who has shown himself to be explosive on both ends of the court. The only other player on the Warriors with substantial varsity experience is West. Waiwaiole stated that while he believes Cleveland can field a strong defense this season and let the offense to thrive off of it, the team’s overall efficacy will be primarily determined by how well its young players develop.
Franklin Lightning
Season last: 8-16
Erin Brunton is the coach.
Important participants: Lily Haywood-O Neill, F, FR; Kate Reed, G/W, JR; Ava Nguyen, G, FR; and Hazel Allen, W/G, SR
Outlook: Since the Lighting’s lone all-league player from the previous campaign has graduated, there will be room for a number of fresh players in 2024–2025. According to Brunton, Allen and Reed both contribute program knowledge and seasoned leadership. As a freshman, Nguyen will be expected to play point guard, but her ability to shoot outside will help her adjust to the high school game. Despite her youth, Haywood-O Neill provides the Lighting a solid size down low.
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Grant Generals
Season last: 14–12
Mary Beth Snell is the coach.
Important participants: Lucy Kapranos, G/W, JR; Brooklyn West, G, SR; Karina Franco, W, SR; Ana Sherlag, W/F, SR; Charlotte Wilson, G, SO
Outlook: After placing fourth in the PIL the previous season, the Generals will have all five starters back in 2024. According to Beth Snell, except from the group’s increased experience, this year’s group is almost the same as last season’s. “We want to take advantage of having four senior players with experience and younger players who had a chance to play last year,” she said. Wilson, a sophomore, is the main ball handler for Grant and is considered its leader. Franco, Sherlag, and Kapranos complete the starting lineup in the front court, while West joins her in the backcourt.
Wells Guardians
Season last: 12–14
Glen Coblens is the coach.
Important participants: McKenna Reed, F, SR; Claire Dixon, G, SR; Autumn Hart, G/W/C, SR
Outlook: After finishing in the middle of the PIL last season, Cobbens has been pleased with the connection his team has shown thus far. The majority of the team’s seniors are close friends off the court and have played together since third grade. He claimed that these relationships are reflected in the energy on the court. Hart is a versatile player for Wells who can play all five positions. She receives support from Dixon and Reed down low and on the perimeter, respectively.
Jefferson Democrats
Season last: 25–4
Coach: Andre Lawrence
Important participants: Leila Nunez, F, SR; Chauncey Andersen, G/F, SR; and Abranna Lawrence, G, SR
Prospects: Prior to splitting the league with the Techsters, Jefferson had a significant impact last season by ending Benson’s 48-game PIL winning streak. However, the Democrats have even bigger goals for this season after suffering a quarterfinals loss more recently. Jefferson is also capable of advocating for it. The Democrats, who frequently use swarming defense to win, are led by a group of six seniors. One of the state’s best backcourts is made up of Lawrence and Andersen, who can both score more than 20 points on any given night. Jefferson is the obvious PIL favorite this season because Benson is dealing with a lot of upheaval and a new coach.
Lincoln Cardinals
Season last: August 17
Coach: Brent Reed
Important participants: Evie Littrell, G, SR; Siri Lindsey, G, JR
Prospects: During the offseason, Lincoln made a total overhaul of their coaching staff. This winter, the Cardinals will use their exceptional team-wide shooting skill and quickness to counter their youth and relative experience. According to head coach Reed, we will need to work on rebounding and size, but this should be a resilient team. It is anticipated that Lindsey and Littrell, the guard tandem, will take the lead.
McDaniel Mountain Lions
Season last: 3-19
Coach: Buckley, Ruby
Important participants:Coach didn’t answer the question.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
Roosevelt Roughriders
Season last: 4–21
Coach: Nike Greene
Important participants:Coach didn’t answer the question.
Outlook: The coach did not reply to the question.
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