FROM THE PRESS BOX: A GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL — A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2025-26 GIRLS BASKETBALL SEASON (2025-03-26)

It was an interesting season on the girls hardwood this winter, with two of the three Valley teams qualifying for the postseason.

Waverly finished 16-4 this season, and reached the Section IV, Class B semifinals. Three of the Wolverines' losses came against Chenango Forks, which reached the state semifinals.

Athens finished 15-8 and reached the District 4, Class 4A quarterfinals, and Sayre notched a pair of wins in a 2-20 season.

After losing several upperclassmen to the wrestling team, Tioga only fielded a JV team, but should be back to varsity play in 2025-26.

So what does the crystal ball have to say about the 2025-26 season. Well, the season is more than eight months away, so the sightlines are a bit murky, but here goes:

Athens Wildcats: The Wildcats graduate "Player of the Year" Addy Wheeler, as well as two more starters in Sara Bronson and Sophia Fairchild, so coach Kelly Allen has a lot of work to do to be ready for 2025-26.

Despite the graduation losses, Athens will return the last two VSR "Newcomers of the Year" in sophomore McKenna Jarvis and freshman Allie Kemp, as well as freshmen Alissa Vought, Andrea Davis, and sophomore Brielle Mayo, who missed all season with an injury.

The 'Cats also have a couple post players returning in Kelsie Noel and Megan Morgan.

Prediction: While Athens appears to have a strong, young base to build on, Allen and her assistant coach Bob Fauver will need to develop some consistent interior play. Athens will be very athletic, and will just fine in the NTL, but competing at Class 4A is going to be difficult. ... 2025-26 regular-season record: 14-8.

Sayre Redskins: The Redskins will graduate their most consistent player in senior Abbie McGaughey, but will return seniors-to-be Rylie Lantz and Liz Hunter, to go along with freshman McKenna Parrish, Reghan McGaughey, and Brooklyn Roberts.

The lingering question surrounding the Sayre program is numbers. They have struggled to reach double-digits in recent years, and that makes it nearly impossible to grow a program, mainly because you don't have a junior varsity program.

Prediction: The Redskins will need help from the junior high program to not only keep the program alive, but to win a few games. ... 2025-26 regular-season record: 2-20.

Tioga Tigers: The Tigers lost four upperclassmen to the wrestling team and ended up folding the varsity program. There's a chance at least two of them come back in 2025-26.

Peyton Black and Emily Zwierlein will be the seniors next year, and they'll be surrounded by a young group that includes Irie Lynch, Bri Lounsbury, and Lydiah Decker to name a few.

Prediction: It all depends who comes out next winter, but Tioga should be middle-of-the-pack in the IAC Small School ranks. 2025-26 regular-season record: 7-12.

Waverly Wolverines: Waverly will lose standout senior Addy Westbrook to graduation, but returns everyone else from a 16-4 team.

Sophomore Ryleigh Judson and junior Kaitlyn Sutton should take another step forward next year in terms of scoring punch, while freshman Lauryn Welles is poised to be the "breakout" player of 2025-26, and fellow 5-11 freshman Kendall Rockwell is not far behind.

Bob Kelly also has a host of athletes at his disposal including junior Brilynn Belles, sophomore Makenzie Olmsted, and freshmen Kaylin Twedt and Maci Wheeler.

Prediction: The Wolverines should be the preseason favorite to win the STAC Central. Despite the move up to Class A next year, Waverly has a good shot in the Section IV playoffs as defending champ Johnson City loses three starters, and Waverly beat the other three teams to make the semifinals. 2025-26 regular-season record: 17-3.

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