Abington Heights girls basketball captains are, from left: senior Kaitlyn Carr, Madeleine Walsh and Maggie Coleman and junior Lily Scoblick.
Tom Robinson | For Abington Journal
Maggie Coleman, an all-star and college scholarship recipient, is the lone returning starter for Abington Heights, but she is joined by three key contributors as the first players off the bench from last season’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 5A state quarterfinalist girls basketball team.
Coleman, last season’s leading scorer and one of the top 3-point threats in District 2, has signed her Letter of Intent to play on the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II level at Kutztown University.
“She added to her game,” Lady Comets coach Deanna Klingman said. “She’s not just a 3-point shooter. She has added to her ability to attack the rim.
“And, she’s really distributing nice in terms of transition.”
Madeleine Walsh, Lily Scoblick and Emma Coleman were the top three reserves a year ago.
Walsh goes from the sixth player role to running the team as point guard.
“She is doing terrific,” Klingman said. “She had a great summer and really she’s like another coach on the floor.”
Scoblick, a 5-foot-10 junior forward, is a strong defender and rebounder.
“She has a knack to be around the ball,” Klingman said.
Emma Coleman was contributing early in her freshman season last year before suffering a broken hand and missing more than a month. One of many players Klingman praised for their off-season work, she has grown to 5-9.
“The thing about this year’s team that’s different is that last year we were long and this year, we’re more athletic,” Klingman said. “I think we’re selfless with the ball.
“We share the ball very well and we can either go with a smaller lineup or a bigger lineup.”
Going into the Dec. 3 opener at Holy Redeemer, Klingman was anticipating sophomore Abby Schneider, who has some varsity experience, starting on a wing.
The team has nine sophomores on the roster of 17 varsity and junior varsity players and they figure prominently.
Emma Coleman and Schneider are joined by Sarah Cantner, Sydney Pallman, Katie Kettel and Avary Brister among the 10 players Klingman planned to open the season with on a varsity roster that she hopes to expand as others gain more experience.
Senior Kaitlyn Carr provides an additional perimeter scoring option off the bench.
Abington Heights will play a strong non-league schedule with high-level tournaments at State College and Parkland along with a game against an out-of-state opponent in a showcase event.
