Girls basketball 2013-14: Shoreline Conference preview capsules

Coginchaug

Coach: Nick Economopoulos
Last year: 15-9.
Top players: Kimberly Romanoff, Sr., G, 5-5; Caryn Sibiskie, Sr., F, 6-0
Outlook: The Blue Devils have a new coach in Economopoulos to guide a very talented team with nine seniors with hopes of capturing a second state crown in three seasons.

Cromwell

Coach: Kelly Maher
Last year: 28-0 (Class M Champions).
Top players: Janelle Harrison, Sr., C/F, 6-0; Emily Appleby, Sr., guard, 5-6; Nicole Rojas, Jr., G, 5-6
Outlook: Duplicating last season’s dream season will be very difficult, but with a player like Harrison, who is headed to Hartford to play, anything is possible. Maher said the Panthers are young, and inexperience could rear its ugly head at times this season.

East Hampton

Coach: Shaun Russell
Last year: 10-12.
Top players: Taryn McCabe,Sr., F; Megan Close, Sr., C
Outlook: The Bellringers are pretty young, with six seniors and could be in rebuilding mode this season.

Haddam-Killingworth

Coach: Jim Bombaci
Last year: 20-6.
Top players: Maya Savino, Sr, G, 5-6; Lauren McCann, Sr, F, 5-9; Kiley Anderson, Sr, C, 6-2
Outlook: According to Bombaci, height will be a strength for the Cougars coming off a strong 2012-13 season. Anderson is a big reason why. He said the team may lack experience, but he is still confident that the Cougars will contend in the SLC with the likes of Morgan and the defending Class M state champs Cromwell. McCann’s scoring on the perimeter will be essential for the Cougars to compete with the conference’s best.

Hale-Ray

Coach: Jenna Schall
Last year: 6-14.
Top players: Jessica Dombroski, Sr.; Jessica Nickerson, Sr.
Outlook: The Noises will have to grow up fast as none of their returners averaged double digits in scoring last season.

Hyde

Coach: Tracy Claxton
Last year: 12-12.
Top players: Trayneice Mims, Adasia Beard
Outlook: The Howling Wolves have the only female 1,000-point scorer in school history in Mims and should be a quick team, according to Claxton. However, she said inexperience could be a problem

Morgan

Coach: Joe Grippo
Last year: 20-6.
Top players: Sami Ashton, Soph., G; Jen Dawson, Jr. F/G; Tori Hopkins, Jr. G
Outlook: Ashton is one of the state’s best kept secrets at the point guard position. Look for that to change this year.

North Branford

Coach: Chris Webster
Last year: 8-14.
Top players: Mackenzie Gries, Sr., F, 5-6; Justine Johnson, Jr., C, 5-7; Sabrina LeMere, Soph., G, 5-3
Outlook: The Thunderbirds are young and small according to Webster. This could turn out to be a rebuilding season for a North Branford team that just slipped into the state tournament last year.

Old Lyme

Coach: Don Bugbee
Last year: 5-15
Top players: Hannah Behringer, Sr., F, 5-8; Kristina Cain Sr., G, 5-5
Outlook: Another young team with just three seniors. Coming off a 5-15 season, the Wildcats will need to find consistent scoring off the bench.

Old Saybrook

Coach: Steve Woods
Last year: 12-11
Top players: Mia Neas, Sr., G, 5-5; Elizabeth Marshall, Sr., G, 5-2; Mary Kate Morrison, Sr., F, 5-3
Outlook: The Rams are experienced, but small. Neas and Marshall should carry the scoring load for Old Saybrook coming off a fairly successful season.

Portland

Coach: Nick Chaconis
Last year: 4-16.
Top players: Jill McGrath, Sr., G, 5-2; Brittany DiCioccio, Sr., G, 5-2
Outlook: Portland is hoping last season’s second-leading scorer, McGrath, who posted 11.2 points per game, can help make 2014 better than 2013.

Valley Regional

Coach: Michael Mercaldi
Last year: 12-13.
Top players: Kiernan Decker, Sr., C, 6-0; Kelly Duggan, Sr., G, 5-6; Emily McKosky, Sr., F, 5-10
Outlook: The Warriors bring back leading scorer Decker (11.7) who also averaged 13.2 rebounds per game last season. Valley has an experienced and solid team returning.

Westbrook

Coach: Bill Bernard
Last year: 5-15.
Top players: Jordan Shamus, Sr.; McKenna Atkinson, Sr.
Outlook: Six seniors and seven juniors make up an experienced Westbrook team hoping to rebound from a rough 2013.