FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AT THE 2022-23 GIRLS HOOP SEASON (2022-03-23)

The 2021-22 girls basketball season in the Valley was definitely a story of ups and downs.

As in two programs in an upward trajectory, and two programs that failed to reach the postseason, including one that, hopefully, hit rock bottom.

Waverly and Athens both advanced to the postseason, while Tioga and Sayre did not.

The 2022-23 season is still more than eight months away, so the crystal ball is a bit murky, but it looks to me as if next season could be a lot more of the same.

Athens Lady Wildcats: Coming off a 17-7 season that ended with a loss in the District 4, Class 4A semifinals, coach Brian Miller will be looking to replace just two seniors, but both started in the low post, and Caydence Macik leaves the program third on the all-time scoring list with more than 600 rebounds.

The Wildcats will return Karlee Bartlow and Emma Bronson for their senior seasons, as well as sophomore-to-be Addy Wheeler, who will likely establish herself as one of the best players in the NTL before the season is over.

Junior-to-be Mya Thompson will see an expanded role next season, and could blossom into a tremendous two-way player for the Lady Wildcats.

Prediction: If senior-to-be Natalee Watson develops in the low post, and young players like Sara Bronson, and Ella Coyle develop into consistent contributors, Athens shouldn’t skip a beat. One thing is for sure, Miller has replaced quality seniors annually and consistently won 16 or 17 games. … 2022-23 record: 16-7.

Sayre Lady Redskins: Saying a young Lady Redskin team went through a tough season is a bit of an under statement.

However, there was some young talent on the roster, and there are some re-enforcements — as many as six girls — on the way from the junior high program.

Sayre is currently in the process of filling the coaching vacancy. Dennis Randall, who did a nice job in the final few games of the season as interim coach is in the running, along with an NTL coaching legend, and a current NTL girls coach. It will be interesting to see what direction they go.

Prediction: I’m hoping and believing 2021-22 was rock bottom for the Lady Redskins. There’s a good chance you’ll see renewed numbers next season, which is a great start to a program re-build. I’m not sure how that translates in the win column, but my bet is Sayre is much more competitive. … 2022-23 record: 3-19.

Tioga Lady Tigers: The Lady Tigers were athletic, and got after it on defense, but that only translated into a 4-15 season. And, coach Stephanie Hills will have to replace four seniors from a seven-player varsity roster.

The Lady Tigers will return Reese Howey, who will be one of the best players in the Small School Division, and a pair of athletic guards in senior-to-be Kyra Bailey, and sophomore-to-be Lily Mesler.

Hills will have several girls available from a solid JV team that should be able to step up and contribute, led by Taliah Speer, Erica Bradley, Emily Bidwell, Elyse Haney, and Kali Bailey.

Prediction: A lot of things will need to go right, and someone (or two) will need to step up and provide consistent scoring for the Lady Tigers to make a run at the postseason. … 2022-23 record: 4-15.

Waverly Lady Wolverines: The Lady Wolverines lose a pair of senior starters from a 16-6 team, but bring back everyone else, including Kennedy Westbrook for her senior season.

Returning along with Kennedy Westbrook is her sister, sophomore-to-be Addison Westbrook, juniors-to-be Paige Robinson, Peyton Shaw, and Ashlen Croft, and senior-to-be Alyvia Daddona.

Don’t be surprised to see Shaw, who can score from inside and out, to become a double-double machine for the Lady Wolverines, and for Robinson to become a much bigger factor on both ends of the floor as well.

Coach Bob Kelly’s team will also add junior-to-be Caprice Haney, who missed this season due to a knee injury after playing at Sayre as a freshman, as well as 8th-grader Ryleigh Judson, who will instantly be another scoring threat, to a talented roster.

Prediction: This will be a fun team to watch. They will score in bunches at times with their ability to hit 3-pointers, and will create points in bunches at other times with their pressure defense. I think this team plays another tough regular-season schedule, then makes a run at a Section IV title. … 2022-23 record: 20-4.