The Valley Division of Colonial Valley Conference girls’ basketball will have a new look and feel this winter. Steinert, West Windsor-Plainsboro North and South, plus Princeton Day School move over from last season’s Colonial Division to join holdovers Allentown, Lawrence and Hamilton West. Of those seven schools, only WW-P North and Steinert posted double-digit wins with 13-11 and 13-13 marks, respectively, in 2023-24. WW-P South was the next best with a 9-18 record. Allentown had the top record of the returning Valley girls, going 6-17. So, as Spartans’ head coach Kristin Jacobs said, “The division is wide open.” The Spartans will count on the senior leadership of 5-foot-6 guards Jaclyn Corby and Mia Garofalo, 5-6 guard/forward Reilly Klein and 5-10 forward Imani Conover, while also hoping for production from 5-8 junior guard/forward Mia Pope (6.4 points per game last season) and 5-2 sophomore guard Katie Corby (8.4 ppg). “We installed a new offense last year, which should be better, and we’ll still play our man-to-man defense,” Jacobs said. WW-P’s Northern Knights have a new coach as Jay Lagomarsino moves over from Point Pleasant Beach. His squad is deep with the senior class of 5-9 guard Julianna Kelly (8.6 ppg) and 5-3 guard Jiana Karukapily (8.6 ppg), plus 5-8 forward Anjali Vemuri, 5-9 forward Saanvi Kumar and five-foot guard Olivia Carrabba to steer the group. “We’re doing the team thing right now, and the girls have been very responsive,” said Lagomarsino, who will also have 5-5 junior guard Annabelle Lee, who averaged eight points per game last year. “This is a very nice place to be. Everyone has been great. I’d recommend it to anyone.” The WW-P South Pirates narrowly missed out on double-digit wins last season, so third-year head coach Zak Kumor sees a lot of desire in his charges, who will be led by 5-foot-6 senior guards Ellie Black (5.9 ppg), Shaili Holden and Rachel Joseph. They also figure to get aid from 5-10 junior forward Sophia Latif-Estafan (5.4 ppg) and Anabella Ruiz (5.1 ppg). “We have a unique mixture of new faces and experience,” Kumor said. “There’s a slight learning curve, but we have the same goals in front of us. We took some big steps last year (one of which was qualifying for the state tournament), so we’re hoping the momentum from the end of that season will carry over into this one.” PDS also has a new head coach as former Ewing High assistant Pat Reddington joins the Panthers. He will have two 5-10 senior forwards in Nandini Kolli and Shelby Ruf, plus 5-7 junior guard Sophia Rae Barber (7.1 ppg) to try to build up a team which finished last in the Colonial Division last winter when it was 4-16. “We’ve got athleticism, which will help,” Reddington said. “The girls have put in extra time, even during the offseason and over the summer, in an effort to get better.” Seventh-year head coach Dana Wells’ Redbirds are hoping to improve with senior direction coming from returnees like 5-10 forward Maryana Olhovsky, 5-2 guard Bailey Patten, six-foot guard Jillian Braun and 5-5 guard Taylor Rette. A’town figures to get scoring from 5-1 sophomore guard Lily DeRose (7.4 ppg last season), while looking to the rest of the club to provide some balance. “This is a hungry group,” Wells said. “There’s a lot of chemistry. They are all about the team. Last year, they gained experience. This year, they are bringing the pride.” A year after going 5-18, 12th-year head coach Dana Williams’ Cardinals will be without one of the league’s top returning scorers as Lawrence junior guard Amber Wooding (15.2 ppg) recovers from an injury. So they will count on leadership from their senior interior tandem of Emma Dobkin, a 5-7 forward, and Taryn McMahon, a 5-10 center, while this young group looks for new contributors. “We’ll be looking to get some stops and run the floor,” Williams said. “The girls have been doing a good job rebounding. That’s one of our strengths. One of our team goals is to be better on offensive putbacks.” Fourth-year head coach Rob Farina is in a similar boat at Hamilton West, where the Hornets are looking to improve upon last season’s 5-21 finish. Hamilton has 5-10 senior forward Zairra Galloway back to do some damage after scoring at a 14.5 ppg clip in 2023-24. Galloway and classmates Isabella Conte, Megan Celio, Samaree Roberts and Carissa Scelza will need to set an example for the rest of their teammates. “I think our division will help make things more competitive across the board,” said Farina, whose team was oddly moved to South Jersey Group IV for the postseason. “I’m optimistic about our chances. We’ve been having a positive experience in the gym. Plus we’ve got Zairra. We’re hoping she has a big season.” Allentown coach Dana Wells gives instructions to her team against Ewing during a Central Group III semifinal girls basketball game at Emil Wandishin Gym. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) ALLENTOWN Player                             Height      Yr.       Pos Maryana Olhovsky           5-10         Sr.         F Bailey Patten                    5-2          Sr.         G Jillian Braun                      6-0          Sr.         G Taylor Rette                      5-5          Sr.         G Janeen Rulak                   5-1          Sr.         G Aashna Rai                      5-9          Sr.          F Makayla Rondinelli          5-10         Jr.          F Kailyn Prekop                   5-9          Jr.          F Lily DeRose                      5-1         So.         G Skylar Daly                        5-8         So.         F Maddie Sullivan                 5-8         So.        G Savannah Barry                 5-9          Fr.        G Head Coach — Dana Wells (seventh season). Assistant Coach — Melissa Rockhill, Jamil Robinson. Last Season — 6-17 overall, 5-9 CVC, Mercer County Invitational semifinalist. Outlook — For a second year in a row, the Redbirds graduated three. Seven are back, giving A’town a good starting point as it aims to get stronger at both ends of the floor and make its mark in the new Valley. HAMILTON WEST Player                             Height       Yr.      Pos Zairra Galloway                5-10          Sr.         F Isabella Conte                   5-6           Sr.       G/F Megan Celio                      5-6           Sr.        G Samaree Roberts              5-6           Sr.         F Carissa Scelza                  5-6           Sr.         F Diamond Tran                    5-1           Jr.        G Kimani Harlan                    5-9           Jr.         F Jurieliz Vargas Gutierrez    5-4         So.        G Zoe Vanselous                   5-7          Fr.       G/F Head Coach — Rob Farina (fourth season). Assistant Coaches — Cindy Astore, Gabriela Bennett, Brielle Martinez, Brandon Washington. Last Season — 5-21 overall, 3-11 CVC. Outlook — Three key players graduated from the Hornets’ fold, but five return, looking to help their team get better. The defense figures to be solid, so Hamilton West will need some scoring help to aid Galloway. LAWRENCE Player                             Height        Yr.      Pos Emma Dobkin                    5-7           Sr.         F Taryn McMahon                5-10          Sr.          C Grace Orashen                  5-9            Jr.         F Kimyah Carter                    5-6            Jr.         G Charlie Cohen                    5-3           So.        G Greta Walter                       5-3           So.        G Kayla Madison                    5-2           So.        G Charlie Space                     5-3           So.        G Kayla Williams                   5-11           Fr.       G/F Suhaani Swaroop               5-5            Fr.        G Head Coach — Dana Williams (12th season). Assistant Coach — Antonio Stapleton. Last Season — 5-18 overall, 2-12 CVC. Outlook — Two Cardinals graduated and a key player is out for the season, so Lawrence will rely on its five returnees to steady the ship as younger talent moves in. Will need everyone to contribute offensively. PDS Player                           Height      Yr.     Pos Nandini Kolli                    5-10        Sr.        F Shelby Ruf                       5-10        Sr.        F Sophia Rae Barber           5-7         Jr.        G Anya Gruteser                  5-7         Jr.         F Nica Martin                       5-7         Jr.        G Ella McLaren                   5-10        Jr.         F Mackenzie Brodel            5-5         Jr.         G Briana Camp                   5-6        So.         G Sophia Vriesendorp         5-5        So.         G Ava Fairbanks                  5-6        So.         G Ellie Lesaca                      5-6         Fr.         G Mae Braswell                    5-6         Fr.         G Head Coach — Pat Reddington (first season). Assistant Coaches — Shayla Stevenson, Frank Yasunas, Kiera Dudeck. Last Season — 4-16 overall, 1-13 CVC, 1-1 vs. Prep B opponents. Outlook — Former Ewing assistant Reddington steps in for Seraphine Hamilton after four years. PDS graduated four and has six back to smooth the transition, which should be helped by moving to the Valley. STEINERT Player                            Height       Yr.      Pos Mia Garofalo                    5-6           Sr.        G Jaclyn Corby                    5-6           Sr.        G Reilly Klein                       5-6           Sr.       G/F Imani Conover                5-10          Sr.         F Mia Pope                         5-8           Jr.        G/F Allie McCarthy                 5-7           Jr.        F/G Naomi Gray                    5-11          Jr.        G/F Brooke Wright                5-10          Jr.          F Madyson Larry                5-0           Jr.         G Katie Corby                     5-2          So.         G Emily Chirichella             5-0          So.         G Mia Petracca                   5-2          So.         G Sage Zimmerman           5-9          So.          F Ally Constance               5-7          So.        G/F Isabella Rosa                 5-6            Fr.         G Head Coach — Kristin Jacobs (13th season). Assistant Coaches — Jay Corby, Jasmine Watson, Mike Kostinas. Last Season — 13-13 overall, 9-5 CVC, No. 8 in Trentonian Top 15. Outlook — The Spartans graduated four, yet return another nine, giving them hope in this updated division. Steinert needs to improve its scoring, while maintaining its usually stingy defense to do well. WW-P NORTH Player                            Height       Yr.      Pos Julianna Kelly                   5-9           Sr.        G Jiana Karukapily               5-3           Sr.        G Anjali Vemuri                    5-8            Sr.        F Saanvi Kumar                   5-9           Sr.        F Olivia Carrabba                 5-0           Sr.       G Annabelle Lee                   5-5           Jr.        G Rebecca Slater                  5-7           Jr.        F Tanya Agrawal                   5-8           So.       F Suchita John                     5-8            So.       F Annika Marda                    5-4            So.      G May Saitoh                        5-1            So.      G Keya Ataraj                        5-1            So.      G Laya Krishna                      5-2            Fr.       G Head Coach — Jay Lagomarsino (first season). Assistant Coach — Erin Lenart. Last Season — 13-11 overall, 8-6 CVC, No. 14 in Trentonian Top 15. Outlook — Veteran girls’ and boys’ coach Lagomarsino takes the reins for Frank Moore after seven seasons. The Knights graduated their two tallest players, but have nine back looking to keep improving. WW-P SOUTH Player                             Height       Yr.      Pos Ellie Black                         5-6           Sr.        G Shaili Holden                    5-5           Sr.        G Rachel Joseph                 5-6            Sr.        G Isla Levy                           5-1           Sr.        G Sri Srinivasan                   5-8           Sr.         F Sophia Latif-Estafan        5-10          Jr.          F Anabella Ruiz                   5-4           Jr.         G Deana Hu                         5-2           Jr.         G Jashmini Borusu               5-3           Jr.         G Arhana Mohan                  5-6           Jr.         F Ava Barbrow                     5-3          So.        G Maddie Peng                    5-5          So.        G Kennedy Sirmans             5-6          So.        G Head Coach — Zak Kumor (third season). Assistant Coaches — Scott Kallens, Elisa Mastroianni. Last Season — 9-18 overall, 5-9 CVC. Outlook — The Pirates graduated five players and have six back, giving them hope for continued growth in the new Valley. A good start would go a long way toward keeping WW-P South positive all season.