FROM THE PRESS BOX: A CRYSTAL BALL LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2023-24 GIRLS BASKETBALL SEASON (2023-03-18)

It was a mixed bag this winter on the Valley girls high school hardwoods.

Waverly finished the season at 16-5, bowing out in the Section IV, Class B semifinals, and Athens was 14-9, with its season ending in the District 4, Class 4A quarterfinals.

The other two Valley teams did not qualify for the postseason. Tioga struggled to a 1-18 mark, while Sayre was a mildly pleasant surprise at 4-18.

So what does the crystal ball say lies in store for 2023-24?:

Athens Lady Wildcats: The Lady Wildcats lose three seniors — all big contributors — in Karlee Bartlow, Emma Bronson, and Natalee Watson, but return two starters and all their reserves.

Sophomore Addy Wheeler looks to be one of the best players returning in the NTL next season, and has all the tools to become a dominating player, while junior Mya Thompson is an under-the-radar performer. If she picks up her scoring a bit, they will form a very nice 1-2 punch.

The Lady Wildcats also bring back junior Kendra Merrill and freshman Abby Burgess. If one of them develops into a consistent third scorer, it would be a major boost for the team.

Prediction: Athens could also get some help from its JV team, but it would be as role players — none are proven scorers. One thing is for sure, Brian Miller will coach up his team, it will play D, and it will be better than the sum of its parts. … 2023-24 regular-season record: 15-7.

Sayre Lady Redskins: A 4-18 record may not sound like a big deal, but considering Sayre was 0-17 last year, and did not field a team in 2020-21, Bob Fauver’s first year back on the sidelines was a major step forward for the program.

The Lady Redskins lose one starter in Gabby Shaw, but return freshman Kaitlyn Sutton and junior Lizzy Shaw, who should form a nice 1-2 scoring punch next season. They also return a pair of solid low-post players in sophomore Abbie McGaughey and freshman Rylee Lantz, and guard-forward junior Meagan Flynn.

Prediction: Numbers continue to be an issue, and the prospects of a co-op with Athens looms over the program, but if Fauver can develop a little bit of depth, this team could take another step forward next season. … 2023-24 regular-season record: 7-15.

Tioga Lady Tigers: Coming off a 1-18 season and graduating three starters would seem like cause for concern, but Tioga’s JV team reached the IAC Small School Championship game, and will provide the varsity with several re-enforcements next season.

Tioga returns juniors Lily Mesler and Elyse Haney, and a couple of other role players, but will likely lean on sophomores Sophia Haney and Taliah Spear, and freshman RaeAnne Feeko from the JV ranks.

Prediction: Most of the rest of Tioga’s division is also suffering big graduation losses, so Tioga could make a nice little jump in the win total next season. … 2023-24 regular-season record: 6-14.

Waverly Lady Wolverines: The Lady Wolverines only lose one starter, but she’s a pretty good one in senior Kennedy Westbrook.

Waverly returns sophomore Addison Westbrook, juniors Peyton Shaw, Paige Robinson, and Ashlen Croft, and 8th-grader Ryleigh Judson, as well as sophomore Maddy Olmsted and freshman Brilynn Bellis. They will likely get a role player or two up from a young JV team, too.

This team has all the ingredients to be very successful next year, and has a couple other factors working in its favor — Newark Valley graduates a ton, and state re-classification bumps Norwich, Windsor, and Owego up to Class A.

Prediction: I expect Addison Westbrook and Judson to pick up the scoring slack created by Kennedy Westbrook’s graduation, and you know Waverly will play the same top-notch defense Bob Kelly’s teams always play. It won’t effect their chances of winning a Section IV title, but one factor will play a major role in whether or not they can win a division title: will Waverly be in the IAC or the STAC in 2023-24? … 2023-24 regular-season record : 17-3.